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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
| | | | | |
☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021
or
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☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-36124
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | | | | | | | | |
Pennsylvania | | 46-2116489 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
845 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 200
Wyomissing, PA 19610
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 610 401-2900
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share | | GLPI | | NASDAQ |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
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 ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
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Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
| | | | | |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of June 30, 2021 (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 $10.3 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, 2021.
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding as of February 14, 2022 was 247,543,590.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for its 2022 annual meeting of shareholders (when it is filed) will be incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IMPORTANT FACTORS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Forward-looking statements in this document are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. ("GLPI") and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the Company's business strategy, plans, goals and objectives.
Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the extent and duration of the economic disruptions related to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 (including variants thereof, "COVID-19") global pandemic on our tenants' operations and our taxable real estate investment trust ("REIT") subsidiaries' operations and statements regarding our ability to grow our portfolio of gaming facilities. In addition, statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," "estimates," "plans," "may increase," "may fluctuate," and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may" and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. You should understand that the following important factors could affect future results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements:
•The novel coronavirus COVID-19 had, and may continue to have, a significant impact on our tenants' financial conditions and operations. As a result of the outbreak, our casino operations and those of our tenants were forced to close temporarily at the onset of the pandemic, as federal, state and local officials undertook various steps to mitigate the spread of infections from COVID-19. Although our tenants' operations have recommenced operations to strong results and our tenants have improved their liquidity profiles, there can be no assurance whether these encouraging results will continue in future periods, particularly with the potential for continued increased transmission from new strains of COVID-19;
•GLPI’s ability to successfully consummate the announced transactions with Cordish and Bally's, including the ability of the parties to satisfy the various conditions to closing, including receipt of all required regulatory approvals, or other delays or impediments to completing the proposed transactions;
•the impact that higher inflation rates and uncertainty with respect to the future state of the economy could have on discretionary consumer spending, including on casino operations;
•fluctuating interest rates, inflation, and the phasing out of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR");
•the current and uncertain future impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, including its effect on the ability or desire of people to gather in large groups (including in casinos), which could impact our financial results, operations, outlooks, plans, goals, growth, cash flows, liquidity, and stock price;
•unforeseen consequences related to United States government monetary policies and stimulus packages;
•the availability of and the ability to identify suitable and attractive acquisition and development opportunities and the ability to acquire and lease the respective properties on favorable terms;
•the degree and nature of our competition;
•the ability to receive, or delays in obtaining, the regulatory approvals required to own and/or operate our properties, or other delays or impediments to completing our planned acquisitions or projects;
•our ability to maintain our status as a REIT, given the highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") provisions for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist, where even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize REIT qualification and where requirements may depend in part on the actions of third parties over which the Company has no control or only limited influence;
•the satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, shareholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis in order for the Company to maintain its REIT status;
•the ability and willingness of our tenants, operators and other third parties to meet and/or perform their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with us, including lease and note requirements and in some cases, their obligations to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities;
•the ability of our tenants and operators to maintain the financial strength and liquidity necessary to satisfy their respective obligations and liabilities to third parties, including, without limitation, to satisfy obligations under their existing credit facilities and other indebtedness;
•the ability of our tenants and operators to comply with laws, rules and regulations in the operation of our properties, to deliver high quality services, to attract and retain qualified personnel and to attract customers;
•the ability to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;
•the access to debt and equity capital markets, including for acquisitions or refinancing due to maturities;
•adverse changes in our credit rating;
•the impact of global or regional economic conditions;
•the ability to attract qualified personnel and our ability to retain our key management personnel;
•changes in the United States tax law and other state, federal or local laws, whether or not specific to real estate, REITs or to the gaming, lodging or hospitality industries;
•changes in accounting standards;
•the impact of weather or climate events or conditions, natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other international hostilities, war or political instability;
•the historical financial statements included herein do not reflect what the business, financial position or results of operations of GLPI may be in the future;
•other risks inherent in the real estate business, including potential liability relating to environmental matters and illiquidity of real estate investments; and
•additional factors discussed in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this report.
Other unknown or unpredictable factors may also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are difficult to anticipate and are generally beyond the control of the Company.
You should consider the areas of risk described above, as well as those set forth under the heading "Risk Factors," in connection with considering any forward-looking statements that may be made by the Company generally. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events unless required to do so by law.
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms "we," "us," "our," the "Company" and "GLPI" refer to Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
GLPI is a self-administered and self-managed Pennsylvania REIT. The Company was formed from the 2013 tax-free spin-off of the real estate assets of Penn National Gaming, Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN) ("Penn")) and was incorporated in Pennsylvania on February 13, 2013, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn. On November 1, 2013, Penn contributed to GLPI, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with Penn's real property interests and real estate development business, as well as the assets and liabilities of Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge) and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Perryville) (which are referred to herein as the "TRS Properties") and then spun-off GLPI to holders of Penn's common and preferred stock in a tax-free distribution (the "Spin-Off"). The assets and liabilities of GLPI were recorded at their respective historical carrying values at the time of the Spin-Off. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of the Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Hotel Resort ("Tropicana Las Vegas"), elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a “taxable REIT subsidiary,” which together with the TRS Properties and GLP Holdings, Inc. is the Company's TRS segment (the "TRS Segment"). Finally, in advance of our UPREIT transaction discussed below, the Company elected GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021.
GLPI's primary business consists of acquiring, financing, and owning real estate property to be leased to gaming operators in triple-net lease arrangements. Triple-net leases are leases in which the lessee pays rent to the lessor, as well as all taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance expenses that arise from the use of the property. As of December 31, 2021, GLPI's portfolio consisted of interests in 51 gaming and related facilities, including Tropicana Las Vegas, the real property associated with 34 gaming and related facilities operated by Penn, the real property associated with 7 gaming and related facilities operated by Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) ("Caesars"), the real property associated with 4 gaming and related facilities operated by Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) ("Boyd"), the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by Bally's Corporation (NYSE: BALY) ("Bally's), the real property associated with gaming and related facilities at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland operated by The Cordish Companies ("Cordish") and the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by the Casino Queen Holding Company Inc. ("Casino Queen"). These facilities, including our corporate headquarters building, are geographically diversified across 17 states and contain approximately 27.6 million square feet. As of December 31, 2021, our properties were 100% occupied. We expect to continue growing our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
Properties and Leases
Penn Master Lease
As a result of the Spin-Off, GLPI owns substantially all of Penn's former real property assets (as of the consummation of the Spin-Off) and leases back most of those assets to Penn for use by its subsidiaries pursuant to a unitary master lease (the "Penn Master Lease"). The Penn Master Lease is a triple-net operating lease, the term of which expires October 31, 2033, with no purchase option, followed by three remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, Boyd Master Lease and Belterra Park Lease
In April 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the real estate assets of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. ("Pinnacle") for approximately $4.8 billion. GLPI originally leased these assets back to Pinnacle, under a unitary triple-net lease, the term of which expires April 30, 2031, with no purchase option, followed by four remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions (the "Pinnacle Master Lease"). On October 15, 2018, the Company completed its previously announced transactions with Penn, Pinnacle and Boyd to accommodate Penn's acquisition of the majority of Pinnacle's operations, pursuant to a definitive agreement and plan of merger between Penn and Pinnacle, dated December 17, 2017 (the "Penn-Pinnacle Merger"). Concurrent with the Penn-Pinnacle Merger, the Company amended the Pinnacle Master Lease to allow for the sale of the operating assets of Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles and Belterra Casino Resort from Pinnacle to Boyd (the "Amended Pinnacle Master Lease") and entered into a new unitary triple-net master lease agreement with Boyd (the "Boyd Master Lease") for these properties on terms similar to the
Company’s Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Boyd Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years (from the original April 2016 commencement date of the Pinnacle Master Lease and expiring April 30, 2026), with no purchase option, followed by five 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Company also purchased the real estate assets of Plainridge Park Casino ("Plainridge Park") from Penn for $250.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes and added this property to the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Amended Pinnacle Master Lease was assumed by Penn at the consummation of the Penn-Pinnacle Merger. The Company also entered into a mortgage loan agreement with Boyd in connection with Boyd's acquisition of Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center ("Belterra Park"), whereby the Company loaned Boyd $57.7 million (the "Belterra Park Loan"). In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to a long-term lease (the "Belterra Park Lease") with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The Belterra Park Lease rent terms are consistent with the Boyd Master Lease. The annual rent is comprised of a fixed component, part of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities which is adjusted, subject to certain floors, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of Belterra Park during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
Meadows Lease
The real estate assets of the Meadows Racetrack and Casino are leased to Penn pursuant to a single property triple-net lease (the "Meadows Lease"). The Meadows Lease commenced on September 9, 2016 and has an initial term of 10 years, with no purchase option, and the option to renew for three successive 5-year terms and one 4-year term (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Meadows Lease contains a fixed component, subject to annual escalators, and a component that is based on the performance of the facility, which is reset every two years to an amount determined by multiplying (i) 4% by (ii) the average annual net revenues of the facility for the trailing two-year period. The Meadows Lease contains an annual escalator provision for up to 5% of the base rent, if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, which remains at 5% until the earlier of ten years or the year in which total rent is $31 million, at which point the escalator will be reduced to a maximum of 2% annually thereafter.
Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease
On October 1, 2018, the Company closed its previously announced transaction to acquire certain real property assets from Tropicana Entertainment Inc. ("Tropicana") and certain of its affiliates pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated April 15, 2018 between Tropicana and GLP Capital L.P. ("GLP Capital"), the operating partnership of GLPI, which was subsequently amended on October 1, 2018 (as amended, the "Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the real estate assets of Tropicana Atlantic City, Tropicana Evansville, Tropicana Laughlin, Trop Casino Greenville and the Belle of Baton Rouge (the "GLP Assets") from Tropicana for an aggregate cash purchase price of $964.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes (the "Tropicana Acquisition"). Concurrent with the Tropicana Acquisition, Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (now doing business as Caesars) acquired the operating assets of these properties from Tropicana pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 15, 2018 by and among Tropicana, GLP Capital, Caesars and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caesars (the "Tropicana Merger Agreement") and leased the GLP Assets from the Company pursuant to the terms of a new unitary triple-net master lease with an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four successive 5-year renewal periods (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions (the "Caesars Master Lease").
On June 15, 2020, the Company amended and restated the Caesars Master Lease (as amended, the "Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease") to, (i) extend the initial term of 15 years to 20 years, with renewals of up to an additional 20 years at the option of Caesars, (ii) remove the variable rent component in its entirety commencing with the third lease year, (iii) in the third lease year, increase annual land base rent to approximately $23.6 million and annual building base rent to approximately $62.1 million, (iv) provide fixed escalation percentages that delay the escalation of building base rent until the commencement of the fifth lease year with building base rent increasing annually by 1.25% in the fifth and sixth lease year, 1.75% in the seventh and eighth lease years and 2% in the ninth lease year and each lease year thereafter, (v) subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, permit Caesars to elect to replace the Tropicana Evansville and/or Tropicana Greenville properties under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease with one or more of Caesars Gaming Scioto Downs, The Row in Reno, Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Isle Casino Hotel – Black Hawk, Lady Luck Casino – Black Hawk, Isle Casino Waterloo ("Waterloo"), Isle Casino Bettendorf ("Bettendorf") or Isle of Capri Casino Boonville, provided that the aggregate value of such new property, individually or collectively, is at least equal to the value of Tropicana Evansville or Tropicana Greenville, as applicable, (vi) permit Caesars to elect to sell its interest in Belle of Baton Rouge and sever it from the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease (with no change to the rent obligation to the Company), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, and (vii) provide certain relief under the operating, capital expenditure and financial covenants thereunder in the event of facility closures due to pandemics, governmental restrictions and certain other instances of unavoidable delay.
The effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease was subject to the review and approval of certain gaming regulatory agencies and the expiration of applicable gaming regulatory advance notice periods which conditions were satisfied on July 23, 2020. On December 18, 2020, the Company and Caesars completed an Exchange Agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") with subsidiaries of Caesars in which Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of Waterloo and Bettendorf in exchange for the transfer by the Company to Caesars of the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville, plus a cash payment of $5.7 million. This resulted in a non-cash gain of $41.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, which represented the difference between the fair value of the properties received compared to the carrying value of Tropicana Evansville and the cash payment made. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, the annual building base rent was increased to $62.5 million and the annual land component was increased to $23.7 million.
Lumière Place Lease
On October 1, 2018 the Company entered into a loan agreement with Caesars in connection with Caesars’s acquisition of Lumière Place Casino ("Lumière Place"), whereby the Company loaned Caesars $246.0 million (the "CZR loan"). The CZR loan bore interest at a rate equal to (i) 9.09% until October 1, 2019 and (ii) 9.27% until its maturity. On the one-year anniversary of the CZR loan, the mortgage evidenced by a deed of trust on the Lumière Place property terminated and the loan became unsecured. On June 24, 2020, the Company received approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission to own the Lumière Place property in satisfaction of the CZR loan. On September 29, 2020, the transaction closed and we entered into a new triple net lease with Caesars (the "Lumière Place Lease") the initial term of which expires on October 31, 2033 with four separate renewal options of five years each, exercisable at the tenant's option. The Lumière Place Lease rent terms were adjusted on December 1, 2021 such that the annual escalator is now fixed at 1.25% for the second through fifth lease years, increasing to 1.75% for the sixth and seventh lease years and thereafter increasing by 2.0% for the remainder of the lease.
Bally's Master Lease
On June 3, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced transaction pursuant to which a subsidiary of Bally's acquired 100% of the equity interests in the Caesars subsidiary that currently operates Tropicana Evansville and the Company reacquired the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville from Caesars for a cash purchase price of approximately $340.0 million. In addition, the Company purchased the real estate assets of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from Bally's for a cash purchase price of approximately $144.0 million. The real estate assets of these two facilities were added to a new triple net master lease (the "Bally's Master Lease") which has an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four five-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
Tropicana Las Vegas
On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries closed on its previously announced transaction to acquire the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from Penn in exchange for rent credits of $307.5 million, which were applied against future rent obligations due under the parties' existing leases during 2020. An affiliate of Penn continues to operate the casino and hotel business of the Tropicana Las Vegas pursuant to a triple net lease with GLPI for nominal rent for the earlier of two years (subject to three one-year extensions at the Company's option) or until the Tropicana Las Vegas is sold.
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company and Penn closed on their previously announced transaction whereby GLPI acquired the land under Penn's gaming facility under construction in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits that were fully utilized by Penn in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company is leasing the land back to an affiliate of Penn for an initial term of 20 years, followed by six 5-year renewal options exercisable by the tenant (the "Morgantown Lease").
Casino Queen Master Lease
On November 25, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell the operations of its Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen for $28.2 million (the "HCBR transaction"). This transaction closed on December 17, 2021 which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $6.8 million (loss of $7.7 million after tax) for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company retained ownership of all real estate assets at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and simultaneously entered into a triple net master lease with Casino Queen, which includes the Casino Queen property in East St. Louis that is currently leased by us to them and the Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge facility ("Casino Queen Master Lease"). The lease has an initial term of 15
years with four 5 year renewal options exercisable by the tenant. Additionally, the Company will complete the current landside development project that is in process and the rent under the Casino Queen Master Lease will be adjusted upon delivery to reflect a yield of 8.25% on GLPI's project costs. The Company will also have a right of first refusal with Casino Queen for other sale leaseback transactions up to $50 million over the next 2 years. Finally, in 2021, GLPI forgave the unsecured $13.0 million, 5.5 year term loan made to CQ Holding Company, Inc., an affiliate of Casino Queen, which had been previously written off in return for a one-time cash payment of $4 million which was recorded in provision for credit losses, net, for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Perryville Lease
On December 15, 2020, the Company announced that Penn exercised its option to purchase from the Company the operations of our Hollywood Casino Perryville, located in Perryville, Maryland, for $31.1 million. The transaction closed on July 1, 2021 which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $15.6 million ($11.3 million after tax) for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company retained ownership of all the real estate assets of Hollywood Casino Perryville and simultaneously entered into a triple net lease with Penn (the "Perryville Lease").
Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Lease
On December 6, 2021, the Company announced that it agreed to acquire the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh, including assignment of applicable long-term ground leases, from affiliates of Cordish for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.81 billion at deal announcement. The transaction also includes a binding partnership on future Cordish casino developments, whereby GLPI will invest in 20% of the Cordish portion of the equity in the project for a period of seven years following the closing of the acquisition of the Pennsylvania properties, as well as potential financing partnerships between the Company and Cordish in other areas of Cordish's portfolio of real estate and operating businesses. GLPI will enter into a new triple net lease master lease with Cordish for Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and Live! Casino Pittsburgh (the "Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease"), and GLPI entered into a single asset lease for Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland (the "Maryland Live! Lease"). The Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease and the Maryland Live! Lease has or will have initial lease terms of 39 years, with a maximum term of 60 years inclusive of tenant renewal options. The annual rent for the Maryland Live! Lease is $75 million and for the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease will be $50 million both of which have or will have a 1.75% fixed yearly escalator on the entirety of rent commencing on the leases' second anniversary. The Maryland Live! Lease became effective on December 29, 2021 and the Pennsylvania transactions are expected to close in early 2022, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Tax Status
In connection with the Spin-Off, Penn allocated its accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off between Penn and GLPI. In connection with its election to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the year ended December 31, 2014, GLPI declared a special dividend to its shareholders to distribute any accumulated earnings and profits relating to the real property assets and attributable to any pre-REIT years, including any earnings and profits allocated to GLPI in connection with the Spin-Off, to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements. We intend to continue to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and dividends paid to our shareholders would not be deductible by us in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to shareholders. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT.
Our TRS Segment is able to engage in activities resulting in income that is not qualifying income for a REIT. As a result, certain activities of the Company which occur within our TRS Segment are subject to federal and state income taxes.
Guarantees
The obligations under the Penn and Amended Pinnacle Master Leases, as well as the Meadows Lease, the Perryville Lease, and Morgantown Lease are guaranteed by Penn and, with respect to each lease, jointly and severally by Penn's
subsidiaries that occupy and operate the facilities covered by such lease. Similarly, the obligations under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease and the Bally's Master Lease are jointly and severally guaranteed by the corporate parent and the parent's subsidiaries that occupy and operate the facilities leased under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease and Bally's Master Lease, respectively. The obligations under the Boyd Master Lease are jointly and severally guaranteed by Boyd's subsidiaries that occupy and operate the facilities leased under the Boyd Master Lease. Similarly, the obligations under the Maryland Live! Lease are jointly and severally guaranteed by the Cordish subsidiaries that occupy and operate the facilities leased under the Maryland Live! Lease.
Rent
The rent structure under the Penn Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities, which is prospectively adjusted, subject to certain floors (namely the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course property due to Penn's opening of a competing facility) (i) every five years to an amount equal to 4% of the average net revenues of all facilities under the Penn Master Lease (other than Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo) during the preceding five years in excess of a contractual baseline, and (ii) monthly by an amount equal to 20% of the net revenues of Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo during the preceding month in excess of a contractual baseline, although Hollywood Casino Toledo has a monthly percentage rent floor that equals $22.9 million annually due to Penn's 2019 purchase of a competing facility, the Greektown Casino Hotel in Detroit, Michigan.
Similar to the Penn Master Lease, the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease also includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities, which is prospectively adjusted, subject to certain floors (namely the Bossier City Boomtown property due to Penn's acquisition of a competing facility, Margaritaville Resort Casino), every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average net revenues of all facilities under the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
The Boyd Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities, which is adjusted every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of all facilities under the Boyd Master Lease during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to the Belterra Park Lease with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The Belterra Park Lease rent terms are consistent with the Boyd Master Lease. The annual rent is comprised of a fixed component, part of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities which is adjusted, subject to certain floors, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of Belterra Park during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
The Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease became effective on July 23, 2020, and among other things, changed the rental terms to become entirely fixed in nature, with the majority being subject to fixed escalations beginning in the fifth lease year as previously discussed.
On September 29, 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Lumière Place in satisfaction of the CZR loan, subject to the Lumière Place Lease, the initial term of which expires on October 31, 2033, with 4 separate renewal options of five years each, exercisable at the tenant's option. The Lumière Place Lease's rent is subject to an annual escalator of 1.25% for the second through fifth lease years, increasing to 1.75% for the sixth and seventh lease years and thereafter increasing by 2.0% for the remainder of the lease.
The Meadows Lease contains a fixed component, subject to annual escalators, and a component that is based on the performance of the facility, which is reset every two years to an amount determined by multiplying (i) 4% by (ii) the average annual net revenues of the facility for the trailing two-year period. The Meadows Lease contains an annual escalator provision for up to 5% of the base rent, if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, which remains at 5% until the earlier of ten years or the year in which total rent is $31 million, at which point the escalator will be reduced to a maximum of 2% annually thereafter.
The Morgantown Lease became effective on October 1, 2020 whereby the Company is leasing the land under Penn's gaming facility under construction for an initial cash rent of $3.0 million, provided, however, that (i) on the opening date and on
each anniversary thereafter the rent shall be increased by 1.5% annually (on a prorated basis for the remainder of the lease year in which the gaming facility opens) for each of the following three lease years and (ii) commencing on the fourth anniversary of the opening date and for each anniversary thereafter, (a) if the Consumer Price Index ("CPI") increase is at least 0.5% for any lease year, the rent for such lease year shall increase by 1.25% of rent as of the immediately preceding lease year, and (b) if the CPI increase is less than 0.5% for such lease year, then the rent shall not increase for such lease year.
The Perryville Lease with Penn became effective July 1, 2021 and has initial annual rent of $7.77 million, $5.83 million of which is subject to escalation provisions beginning in the second lease year through the fourth lease year and increasing by 1.50% during such period and then increasing by 1.25% for the remaining lease term. The escalation provisions beginning in the fifth lease year are subject to the CPI being at least 0.5% for the preceding lease year.
The Bally's Master Lease became effective on June 3, 2021 in connection with the Company's acquisition of the real estate assets of Tropicana Evansville and Dover Downs Casino & Hotel. Rent under the Bally's Master Lease is $40 million annually and is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% determined in relation to the annual increase in CPI.
The Casino Queen Master Lease initial annual rent is $21.4 million and such amount increases annually by 0.5% for the first six years. Beginning with the seventh lease year through the remainder of the lease term, if the CPI increases by at least 0.25% for any lease year, then annual rent shall be increased by 1.25%, and if the CPI increase is less than 0.25%, then rent will remain unchanged for such lease year.
The Maryland Live! Lease, as well as the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease when it becomes effective, contain or will contain terms which increase the entirety of rent by 1.75% beginning on the second anniversary of the respective leases through the remainder of the lease term.
Furthermore, the Company's leases with percentage rent provide for a floor on such percentage rent described above, should the Company's tenants acquire or commence operating a competing facility within a restricted area (typically 60 miles from a property under the existing lease with such tenant). These clauses provide landlord protections by basing the percentage rent floor for any affected facility on the net revenues of such facility for the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the competing facility is acquired or first operated by the tenant. A percentage rent floor was triggered on Penn's Hollywood Casino Toledo property, as a result of Penn's purchase of the operations of the Greektown Casino-Hotel in Detroit, Michigan and a percentage rent floor on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease was triggered on the Bossier City Boomtown property due to Penn's acquisition of Margaritaville Resort Casino. Additionally, a percentage rent floor was triggered on the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in connection with Penn opening a facility in York, Pennsylvania, which will go into effect at the next reset.
In addition to rent, as triple-net lessees, all of the Company's tenants are required to pay the following executory costs: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, (3) taxes and other impositions 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.
Termination of Leases
Our tenants do not have the ability to terminate their obligations under our long-term tenant leases prior to the expiration of the initial term without the Company's consent. If our long-term tenant leases are terminated prior to their initial expiration other than with our consent, our tenants may be liable for damages and incur charges such as continued payment of rent through the end of the lease term and maintenance costs for the leased property. All of our tenant leases contain a limited number of renewal options which may be exercised at our tenants' option.
Property Features
The following table summarizes certain features of our properties as of December 31, 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Location | Tenant/Lease Agreement | | Approx. Property Square Footage (1) | | Owned Acreage | | Leased Acreage (2) | | Hotel Rooms |
Tenant Occupied Properties | | | | | | | | | | |
Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg (3) | Lawrenceburg, IN | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 634,000 | | | 73.1 | | | 32.1 | | | 295 | |
Hollywood Casino Aurora | Aurora, IL | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 222,189 | | | 0.4 | | | 1.7 | | | — | |
Hollywood Casino Joliet | Joliet, IL | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 322,446 | | | 275.6 | | | — | | | 100 | |
Argosy Casino Alton | Alton, IL | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 124,569 | | | 0.2 | | | 3.6 | | | — | |
Hollywood Casino Toledo | Toledo, OH | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 285,335 | | | 42.3 | | | — | | | — | |
Hollywood Casino Columbus | Columbus, OH | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 354,075 | | | 116.2 | | | — | | | — | |
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races | Charles Town, WV | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 511,249 | | | 298.6 | | | — | | | 153 | |
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course | Grantville, PA | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 451,758 | | | 573.7 | | | — | | | — | |
M Resort | Henderson, NV | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 910,173 | | | 83.5 | | | — | | | 390 | |
Hollywood Casino Bangor | Bangor, ME | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 257,085 | | | 6.4 | | | 37.9 | | | 152 | |
Zia Park Casino (3) | Hobbs, NM | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 109,067 | | | 317.4 | | | — | | | — | |
Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast | Bay St. Louis, MS | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 425,920 | | | 578.7 | | | — | | | 291 | |
Argosy Casino Riverside | Riverside, MO | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 450,397 | | | 37.9 | | | — | | | 258 | |
Hollywood Casino Tunica | Tunica, MS | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 315,831 | | | — | | | 67.7 | | | 494 | |
Boomtown Biloxi | Biloxi, MS | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 134,800 | | | 1.5 | | | 1.0 | | | — | |
Hollywood Casino St. Louis | Maryland Heights, MO | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 645,270 | | | 220.8 | | | — | | | 502 | |
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway | Dayton, OH | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 191,037 | | | 119.7 | | | — | | | — | |
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course | Youngstown, OH | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 177,448 | | | 193.4 | | | — | | | — | |
1st Jackpot Casino | Tunica, MS | Penn/Penn Master Lease | | 78,941 | | | 52.9 | | | 93.8 | | | — | |
Ameristar Black Hawk | Black Hawk, CO | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 775,744 | | | 105.2 | | | — | | | 536 | |
Ameristar East Chicago | East Chicago, IN | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 509,867 | | | — | | | 21.6 | | | 288 | |
Ameristar Council Bluffs (3) | Council Bluffs, IA | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 312,047 | | | 36.2 | | | 22.6 | | | 160 | |
L'Auberge Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge, LA | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 436,461 | | | 99.1 | | | — | | | 205 | |
Boomtown Bossier City | Bossier City, LA | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 281,747 | | | 21.8 | | | — | | | 187 | |
L'Auberge Lake Charles | Lake Charles, LA | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 1,014,497 | | | — | | | 234.5 | | | 995 | |
Boomtown New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 278,227 | | | 53.6 | | | — | | | 150 | |
Ameristar Vicksburg | Vicksburg, MS | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 298,006 | | | 74.1 | | | — | | | 148 | |
River City Casino and Hotel | St. Louis, MO | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 431,226 | | | — | | | 83.4 | | | 200 | |
Jackpot Properties (4) | Jackpot, NV | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 419,800 | | | 79.5 | | | — | | | 416 | |
Plainridge Park Casino | Plainville, MA | Penn/Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | | 196,473 | | | 87.9 | | | — | | | — | |
The Meadows Racetrack and Casino (3) | Washington, PA | Penn/Meadows Lease | | 417,921 | | | 155.5 | | | — | | | — | |
Hollywood Casino Morgantown | Morgantown, PA | Penn/Morgantown Lease | | — | | | 36.0 | | | — | | | — | |
Hollywood Casino Perryville | Perryville, MD | Penn/Perryville Lease | | 97,961 | | | 36.3 | | | — | | | — | |
Casino Queen | East St. Louis, IL | Casino Queen Master Lease | | 330,502 | | | 67.2 | | | — | | | 157 | |
Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge, LA | Casino Queen Master Lease | | 95,318 | | | 25.1 | | | — | | | — | |
Belterra Casino Resort | Florence, IN | Boyd/Boyd Master Lease | | 782,393 | | | 167.1 | | | 148.5 | | | 662 | |
Ameristar Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | Boyd/Boyd Master Lease | | 763,939 | | | 224.5 | | | 31.4 | | | 184 | |
Ameristar St. Charles | St. Charles, MO | Boyd/Boyd Master Lease | | 1,272,938 | | | 241.2 | | | — | | | 397 | |
Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center | Cincinnati, OH | Boyd/Belterra Park Lease | | 372,650 | | | 160.0 | | | — | | | — | |
Tropicana Atlantic City | Atlantic City, NJ | Caesars/Amended Caesars Master Lease | | 4,232,018 | | | 18.3 | | | — | | | 2,364 | |
Tropicana Laughlin | Laughlin, NV | Caesars/Amended Caesars Master Lease | | 936,453 | | | 93.6 | | | — | | | 1,487 | |
Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf | Bettendorf, IA | Caesars/Amended Caesars Master Lease | | 738,905 | | | 24.6 | | | — | | | 509 | |
Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo | Waterloo, IA | Caesars/Amended Caesars Master Lease | | 287,436 | | | 52.6 | | | — | | | 194 | |
Trop Casino Greenville | Greenville, MS | Caesars/Amended Caesars Master Lease | | 94,017 | | | — | | | 7.4 | | | — | |
Belle of Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge, LA | Caesars/Amended Caesars Master Lease | | 386,398 | | | 13.1 | | | 0.8 | | | 288 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lumiere Place | St. Louis, MO | Caesars/Lumiere Place Lease | | 807,407 | | | 18.5 | | | — | | | 494 | |
Dover Downs | Dover, DE | Bally's Master Lease | | 212,500 | | | 69.6 | | | — | | | 500 | |
Tropicana Evansville | Evansville, IN | Bally's Master Lease | | 754,833 | | | 18.4 | | | 10.2 | | | 338 | |
Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland (7) | Hanover, MD | Cordish / Live! Maryland Lease | | 2,326,669 | | | 12.6 | | | — | | | 310 | |
| | | | 26,465,943 | | | 4,983.9 | | | 798.2 | | | 13,804 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Other Properties | | | | | | | | | | |
Other owned buildings and land (5) | various | N/A | | 23,400 | | | 3.9 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
TRS Segment | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Tropicana Las Vegas (6) | Las Vegas, NV | Penn | | 1,148,212 | | | 35.1 | | | — | | | 1,467 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | | 27,637,555 | | — | | 5,023 | | — | | 798 | | — | | 15,271 | |
(1)Square footage includes air-conditioned space and excludes parking garages and barns.
(2)Leased acreage reflects land subject to leases with third-parties and includes land on which certain of the current facilities and ancillary supporting structures are located as well as parking lots and access rights.
(3) These properties include hotels not owned by the Company. Square footage and rooms associated with properties not owned by GLPI are excluded from the table above.
(4) Encompasses two gaming properties in Jackpot, Nevada: Cactus Pete's and The Horseshu.
(5) This includes our corporate headquarters building and undeveloped land the Company owns at locations other than its tenant occupied properties.
(6) The Company acquired the real property associated with Tropicana Las Vegas from Penn in exchange for $307.5 million of rent credits in April 2020. The property is operated by an affiliate of Penn pursuant to a triple net lease for nominal rent for the earlier of two years (subject to three one-year extensions at the Company's option) or until the Tropicana Las Vegas is sold. See Note 6 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
(7) This property is accounted for as a financing lease and is not included in real estate investments. See Note 8 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
Competition
We compete for additional real property investments with other REITs, including two other publicly traded gaming focused REITs, VICI Properties Inc. ("VICI") and MGM Growth Properties LLC (which is being acquired by VICI), investment companies, private equity and hedge fund investors, sovereign funds, lenders, gaming companies and other investors. Some of our competitors are significantly larger and have greater financial resources and lower costs of capital than we have, making it more challenging to identify and successfully capitalize on acquisition opportunities that meet our investment objectives.
In addition, percentage rent revenues on our leases are dependent on the ability of our gaming tenants to compete with other gaming operators. 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, sweepstakes and poker machines not located in casinos, Native American gaming, emerging varieties of internet gaming, sports betting and other forms of gaming in the U.S. In a broader sense, our gaming tenants and operators 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. 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 may increase competition for our gaming tenants and could have a material adverse impact on our gaming tenants and operators and us as landlord. Finally, the imposition of smoking bans and/or higher gaming tax rates have a significant impact on our gaming tenants' ability to compete with facilities in nearby jurisdictions.
Segments
Consistent with how our Chief Operating Decision Maker (as such term is defined in ASC 280 - Segment Reporting) reviews and assesses our financial performance, we have two reportable segments, GLP Capital, L.P. (a consolidated subsidiary of GLPI through which GLPI owns substantially all of its real estate assets) ("GLP Capital") and the TRS Segment. The GLP Capital reportable segment consists of the leased real property and represents the majority of our business. The TRS Segment consists of Hollywood Casino Perryville (until July 1, 2021, as the operations of this property were sold to Penn and subsequent to this date includes the rental income from the Perryville Lease) and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge (until December 17, 2021, as the operations of this property were sold to Casino Queen) as well as the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas. See "Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 19—Segment Information" for further information with respect to the Company's segments.
Information about our Executive Officers
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | Age | | Position |
Peter M. Carlino | 75 | | | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Brandon J. Moore | 47 | | | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Desiree A. Burke | 56 | | | Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer |
Matthew Demchyk | 40 | | | Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer |
Steven L. Ladany | 41 | | | Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer |
Peter M. Carlino. Mr. Carlino has been the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since the Company's inception in November 2013. Mr. Carlino was the founder of Penn and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 1994 through October 2013. Mr. Carlino also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Penn from April 1994 through May 28, 2019. Mr. Carlino continues to serve as Chairman Emeritus on Penn's Board of Directors and has served in such position since June 2019. Mr. Carlino has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and as Chief Executive Officer for Penn, and now the Company, collectively for over 25 years.
Brandon J. Moore. Mr. Moore is our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Moore joined the Company in January 2014. Previously, he served as Penn's Vice President, Senior Corporate Counsel from March 2010 where he was a member of the legal team responsible for a variety of transactional, regulatory and general legal matters. Prior to joining Penn, Mr. Moore was with Ballard Spahr LLP, where he provided advanced legal counsel to clients on matters including merger and acquisition transactions, debt and equity financings, and various other matters.
Desiree A. Burke. Ms. Burke is our Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer. She joined the Company in April 2014 as our Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. Previously, Ms. Burke served as Penn's Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from November 2009. Additionally, she served as Penn's Vice President and Corporate Controller from November 2005 to October 2009. Prior to her time at Penn National Gaming, Inc., Ms. Burke was the Executive Vice President/Director of Financial Reporting and Control for MBNA America Bank, N.A. She joined MBNA in 1994 and held positions of ascending responsibility in the finance department during her tenure. Ms. Burke is a CPA.
Matthew Demchyk. Mr. Demchyk became our Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer in January 2021 in which he leads the Company's investment strategy and is responsible for capital allocation. Mr. Demchyk joined the Company in February 2019 as our Senior Vice President of Investments. Previously, he served as Portfolio Manager of Real Estate Securities at Millennium Partners for nine years. Prior to joining Millennium Partners, he managed a portfolio of REIT equity securities at Carlson Capital and served as Assistant Portfolio Manager at CenterSquare Investment Management, a leading REIT dedicated asset manager. Mr. Demchyk is a CFA Charterholder.
Steven L. Ladany. Mr. Ladany became our Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer in January 2021 and leads the Company's ongoing merger, acquisition and development efforts. Mr. Ladany joined the Company in September 2014 as Vice President, Finance and served in that role until March 2019, when he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Finance. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ladany served as a Vice President at Revel Casino Hotel, a regional gaming property currently known as Ocean Casino Resort, and as a Vice President at J.P. Morgan in the Syndicated and Leveraged Finance group within the firm's investment banking division.
Tax Considerations
We elected to be treated as a REIT on our 2014 U.S. federal income tax return and we, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. as a "taxable REIT subsidiary" ("TRS") effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a TRS. Finally, in advance of our UPREIT transaction discussed below, the Company elected GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. We intend to continue to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT. Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. Our ability to qualify to be taxed as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. The material qualification requirements are summarized below. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. Additionally, while we intend to operate so that we continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future.
Taxation of REITs in General
As a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our shareholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation" at the corporate and shareholder levels that generally results from an investment in a C corporation. A "C corporation" is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the shareholder level when the net earnings and profits are distributed as dividends. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the shareholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our shareholders. We will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
•We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed net taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.
•For tax years that began prior to January 1, 2018, we may be subject to the "alternative minimum tax" on our items of tax preference, including any deductions of net operating losses.
•If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax.
•If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as "foreclosure property," we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 21%).
•If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test and/or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.
•If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to a penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the nonqualifying assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 21%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.
•If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts that we actually distributed and (b) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.
•We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT's shareholders.
•A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS that do not reflect arm's-length terms.
•If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the five-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation.
•The earnings of our TRS Segment will generally be subject to U.S. federal, state and corporate income tax, and then the REIT will be required to include in our distribution tests, any dividends received from the TRS.
In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property, gross receipts and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification—General
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of
beneficial interest;
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
(6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is
owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer "individuals" (as defined in the Code to include specified tax-
exempt entities); and
(7) that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation's initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, was 2014). Our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our stock, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the stock ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in the applicable Treasury regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirements described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement.
To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the stock (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If, upon request by the Company, a shareholder fails or refuses to comply with the demands, such holder will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with his, her or its tax return disclosing the actual ownership of our stock and other information.
Qualified REIT Subsidiaries
The Code provides that a corporation that is a "qualified REIT subsidiary" shall not be treated as a separate corporation, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of a "qualified REIT subsidiary" shall be treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT. A "qualified REIT subsidiary" is a corporation, all of the capital stock of which is owned by the REIT, that has not elected to be a "taxable REIT subsidiary" (discussed below). In applying the requirements described herein, all of our "qualified REIT subsidiaries" will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of such subsidiaries will be treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit. These subsidiaries, therefore, will not be subject to federal corporate income taxation, although they may be subject to state and local taxation. During 2021, we had one qualified REIT subsidiary for most of the year, which elected to become a TRS in December 2021.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly-owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our shareholders.
We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by the TRS to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs on a look-through basis in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use a TRS to perform services or conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
The TRS rules impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT's tenants that are not conducted on an arm's-length basis. We intend that all of our transactions with our TRS, if any, will be conducted on an arm's-length basis.
Income Tests
As a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in "prohibited transactions," discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from "rents from real property," gains from the sale of real estate assets (but not including certain debt instruments of publicly offered REITs that are not secured by mortgages on real property), interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), dividends received from other REITs, and specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. Income and gain from certain hedging transactions will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.
Rents received by a REIT will qualify as "rents from real property" in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if several conditions are met.
•The amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term "rents from real property" solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of gross receipts or sales.
•Rents received from a tenant will not qualify as "rents from real property" in satisfying the gross income tests if the REIT, or a direct or indirect owner of 10% or more of the REIT, directly or constructively, owns 10% or more of such tenant (a "Related Party Tenant"). However, rental payments from a TRS will qualify as rents from real property even if we own more than 10% of the total value or combined voting power of the TRS if (i) at least 90% of the property is leased to unrelated tenants and the rent paid by the TRS is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space or (ii) the property leased is a "qualified lodging facility," as defined in Section
856(d)(9)(D) of the Code, or a "qualified health care property," as defined in Section 856(e)(6)(D)(i) of the Code, and certain other conditions are satisfied.
•Rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property will not qualify as "rents from real property" if such rent exceeds 15% of the total rent received under the lease.
•The REIT generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to tenants, except through an "independent contractor" who is adequately compensated and from whom the REIT derives no income, or through a TRS. The "independent contractor" requirement, however, does not apply to the extent the services provided by the REIT are "usually or customarily rendered" in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only, and are not otherwise considered "rendered to the occupant." In addition, a de minimis rule applies with respect to non-customary services. Specifically, if the value of the non-customary service income with respect to a property (valued at no less than 150% of the direct costs of performing such services) is 1% or less of the total income derived from the property, then all rental income except the non-customary service income will qualify as "rents from real property." A TRS may provide services (including noncustomary services) to a REIT’s tenants without "tainting" any of the rental income received by the REIT, and will be able to manage or operate properties for third parties and generally engage in other activities unrelated to real estate.
We do not anticipate receiving rent that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person (except by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of gross receipts or sales consistent with the rules described above). Our former parent, Penn, received a private letter ruling from the IRS that concluded certain rental formulas under the Penn Master Lease will not cause any amounts received under the Penn Master Lease to be treated as other than rents from real property. While we do not expect to seek similar rulings for additional leases we enter into that have substantially similar terms as the Penn Master Lease, we intend to treat amounts received under those leases consistent with the conclusions in the ruling, though there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge such treatment. We also do not anticipate receiving more than a de minimis amount of rents from any Related Party Tenant or rents attributable to personal property leased in connection with real property that will exceed 15% of the total rents received with respect to such real property. We may receive certain types of income that will not qualify under the 75% or 95% gross income tests. In particular, dividends received from a TRS will not qualify under the 75% test. We believe, however, that the aggregate amount of such items and other non-qualifying income in any taxable year will not cause GLPI to exceed the limits on non-qualifying income under either the 75% or 95% gross income tests.
We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from another REIT or qualified REIT subsidiary, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.
We believe that we have and will continue to be in compliance with these gross income tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify to be taxed as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (i) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (ii) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy five tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of "real estate assets," cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property (such as land, buildings, leasehold interest in real property and, for taxable years that began or after January 1, 2016, personal property leased with real property if the rents attributable to the personal property would be rents from real property under the income tests discussed above), interests in mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, shares in other qualifying REITs, and stock or debt instruments held for less than one year purchased with the proceeds from an offering of shares of our stock or certain debt and, for tax years that began on or after
January 1, 2016, debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.
Second, the value of any one issuer's securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.
Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to "straight debt" having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose, certain securities described in the Code. The safe harbor under which certain types of securities are disregarded for purposes of the 10% value limitation includes (1) straight debt securities (including straight debt securities that provide for certain contingent payments); (2) any loan to an individual or an estate; (3) any rental agreement described in Section 467 of the Code, other than with a "related person"; (4) any obligation to pay rents from real property; (5) certain securities issued by a State or any political subdivision thereof, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (6) any security issued by a REIT; and (7) any other arrangement that, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, is excepted from the definition of a security. In addition, for purposes of applying the 10% value limitation, (a) a REIT’s interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security; (b) any debt instrument issued by a partnership is not treated as a security if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income is from sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test; and (c) any debt instrument issued by a partnership is not treated as a security to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a partner in the partnership.
Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold, together with other non-qualified assets (such as furniture and equipment or other tangible personal property, or non-real estate securities) may not, in the aggregate, exceed 20% of the value of our total assets.
Fifth, not more than 25% of the value of our gross assets may be represented by debt instruments of publicly offered REITs that are not secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property.
However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. For example, if we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (i) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (ii) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the relative market values of our assets. If the condition described in (ii) was not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of the relief provisions described above.
In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT's total assets and $10,000,000 and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
Even if we did not qualify for the foregoing relief provisions, one additional provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (i) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 21%) and (iv) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
We believe that we have been and will continue to be in compliance with the asset tests described above.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our shareholders in an amount at least equal to:
(i)the sum of
(a) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid; and
(b) 90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property (as described below); minus
(ii)the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gain and the deduction for dividends paid.
We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. These distributions will be treated as received by our shareholders in the year in which paid. In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, the distributions must not be "preferential dividends." A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (i) pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class and (ii) in accordance with any preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents. Given our status as a "publicly offered REIT" (within the meaning of the Code), the preferential dividend rules do not apply to us for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, some or all of our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our shareholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our shareholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (i) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (ii) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements.
If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts actually distributed, plus (b) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.
We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we generally will have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt, acquire assets, or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends through the distribution of other property (including shares of our stock) in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash.
If our taxable income for a particular year is subsequently determined to have been understated, we may be able to rectify a resultant failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying "deficiency dividends" to shareholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described above. We will be required to pay interest based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, any distribution must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if such distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, are payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in any such month, and are actually paid before the end of January of the following year. Such distributions are treated as both paid by us and received by our shareholders on December 31 of the year in which they are declared.
In addition, at our election, a distribution for a taxable year may be declared before we timely file our tax return for the year, provided we pay such distribution with or before our first regular dividend payment after such declaration, and such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such taxable year. Such distributions are taxable to our shareholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
We believe that we have satisfied the annual distribution requirements for the year ended December 31, 2021. Although we intend to satisfy the annual distribution requirements to continue to qualify as a REIT for the year ending December 31, 2022 and thereafter, economic, market, legal, tax or other considerations could limit our ability to meet those requirements.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification as a REIT if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are also available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in "Income Tests" and "Asset Tests."
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to shareholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), distributions to shareholders would be taxable as regular corporate dividends. Such dividends paid to U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts and estates may be taxable at the preferential income tax rates (i.e., currently the 20% maximum U.S. federal rate) for qualified dividends. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost our qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
2021 GLP Holdings Operating Asset Sales, TRS Merger, and E&P Purging Distribution
On December 17, 2021, we completed our sale of the membership interests of Louisiana Casino Cruises, LLC to a third-party operator and tenant, which was preceded by its conversion from a C corporation and transfer of the real property assets to GLP Holdings, Inc. During June of 2021, we had previously completed a similar transaction with the membership interests of Penn Cecil Maryland, LLC. On December 23, 2021, GLP Holdings, Inc. was merged with and into GLP Capital, L.P. in a transaction which was intended to be treated as a tax-free liquidation of GLP Holdings, Inc., a TRS, into the REIT. The result of such transaction was intended to wind up GLP Holdings, Inc. after its taxable sale of the operating assets and have the REIT receive the real property assets in a carryover basis transaction for income tax purposes prior to the completion of the UPREIT Transaction discussed below. As a result of the tax-free nature of the transaction, the REIT inherited all of GLP Holdings, Inc.'s C corporation earnings and profits earned while it was a TRS. Under Section 857 of the Code, as of the close of the taxable year, a REIT must not have earnings and profits which were accumulated in any non-REIT year, so the REIT was required to distribute any GLP Holdings, Inc. earnings and profits which had accumulated prior to its merger with GLP Capital, L.P. The Company’s Board of Directors declared a special earnings and profits cash dividend of $0.24 per share of its common stock payable on January 7, 2022 to shareholders of record on December 27, 2021. We believe that in accordance with Code Section 857(b)(9), such dividend will be treated as having been paid by the REIT and received by the REIT shareholders on or prior to December 31, 2021 to the extent it was treated as satisfying the REIT’s requirements to purge any earnings and profits from a non-REIT year.
2021 UPREIT Transaction
On December 29, 2021, we completed a transaction with Cordish whereby they contributed certain real property assets into GLP Capital, L.P. (our operating partnership, or the “OP”) in exchange for newly issued partnership interests in the OP. As a result of the contribution, the OP became treated as a regarded partnership for income tax purposes, with the REIT being deemed to contribute substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the REIT in exchange for the general partnership and a majority of the limited partnership interests, and a minority limited partnership interest being owned by Cordish (the “UPREIT Transaction”). Prior to this transaction, the OP had been wholly owned by the REIT and another entity wholly owned by the REIT and disregarded for income tax purposes, making the OP disregarded as separate from the REIT. The structure of the transaction is intended to allow the REIT to still receive rents from real property on a passthrough basis from the OP, and it will continue to own an interest in real property through its ownership of the OP partnership interests as its sole asset. Based on this, we believe that the UPREIT Transaction will not impact our ability to meet the requirements of the REIT asset, income, and distribution tests described above.
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and
interpretations. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our common stock.
On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1, known as the Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018 (the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act") was signed into law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act makes significant changes to the U.S. federal income taxation of individuals and corporations, generally effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. In addition to reducing corporate and individual income tax rates, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminates or restricts various deductions that, along with other provisions, may change the way that we calculate our REIT taxable income and our TRS's taxable income. Significant provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that investors should be aware of include provisions that: (i) lower the corporate income tax rate to 21%, (ii) provide noncorporate taxpayers with a deduction of up to 20% of certain income earned through partnerships and REITs, (iii) limit the net operating loss deduction to 80% of taxable income, where taxable income is determined without regard to the net operating loss deduction itself, generally eliminates net operating loss carry backs and allow unused net operating losses to be carried forward indefinitely, (iv) expand the ability of businesses to deduct the cost of certain property investments in the year in which the property is purchased, and (v) generally lower tax rates for individuals and other noncorporate taxpayers, while limiting deductions such as miscellaneous itemized deductions and state and local tax deductions. In addition, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act limits the deduction for net interest expense incurred by a business to 30% of the "adjusted taxable income" of the taxpayer. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability Act increased the limitation to 50% of “adjusted taxable income” for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020. The limitation on the interest expense deduction does not apply to certain small-business taxpayers or electing real property trades or businesses, such as any real property development, redevelopment, construction, reconstruction, acquisition, conversion, rental, operation, management, leasing, or brokerage trade or business. Making the election to be treated as a real property trade or business requires the electing real property trade or business to depreciate non-residential real property, residential rental property, and qualified improvement property over a longer period using the alternative depreciation system. We have not yet elected out of the new interest expense limitation.
Shareholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the impact that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and other legislation may have on their investment and the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on their investment in our shares.
Regulation
The ownership, operation, and management of, and provision of certain products and services to, gaming and racing facilities are subject to pervasive regulation. Gaming laws are generally based upon declarations of public policy designed to protect gaming consumers and the viability and integrity of the gaming industry. Gaming laws also may be designed to protect and maximize state and local revenues derived through taxes and licensing fees imposed on gaming industry participants as well as to enhance economic development and tourism. To accomplish these public policy goals, gaming laws establish procedures to ensure that participants in the gaming industry, including landlords and other suppliers, meet certain standards of character and fitness. In addition, gaming laws require gaming industry participants to:
•ensure that unsuitable individuals and organizations have no role in gaming operations, including suppliers, and in some cases, landowners;
•establish procedures designed to prevent cheating and fraudulent practices;
•establish and maintain responsible accounting practices and procedures;
•maintain effective controls over their financial practices, including establishment of minimum procedures for internal fiscal affairs and the safeguarding of assets and revenues;
•maintain systems for reliable record keeping;
•file periodic reports with gaming regulators;
•ensure that contracts and financial transactions are commercially reasonable, reflect fair market value and are arms-length transactions; and
•establish programs to promote responsible gaming.
These regulations impact our business in three important ways: (1) our ownership and operation of the TRS Properties; (2) our ownership of land and buildings in which gaming activities are operated by third party tenants pursuant to long-term
leases; and (3) the operations of our gaming tenants. Our historical ownership and operation of the TRS Properties subjected GLPI, its subsidiaries and its officers and directors to the jurisdiction of the gaming regulatory agencies in Louisiana and Maryland. Further, many gaming and racing regulatory agencies in the jurisdictions in which our gaming tenants operate require GLPI and its affiliates to maintain a license as a key business entity, principal affiliate, business entity, qualifier, operator or supplier because of its status as landlord, including Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Our businesses and those operated by our tenants 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.
Insurance
We have comprehensive liability, property and business interruption insurance covering our business. In regards to our properties subject to triple-net leases, the lease agreements require our tenants to procure and maintain their own comprehensive liability, property and business interruption insurance policies, including protection for our insurable interests as the landlord.
Environmental Matters
Our properties are subject to environmental laws regulating, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges and the handling and disposal of wastes, including medical wastes. Certain of the properties we own utilize above or underground storage tanks to store heating oil for use at the properties. Other properties were built during the time that asbestos-containing building materials were routinely installed in residential and commercial structures. Our triple-net leases obligate the tenants thereunder to comply with applicable environmental laws and to indemnify us if their noncompliance results in losses or claims against us, and we expect that any future leases will include the same provisions for other operators. An operator's failure to comply could result in fines and penalties or the requirement to undertake corrective actions which may result in significant costs to the operator and thus adversely affect their ability to meet their obligations to us.
Pursuant to U.S. federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real property may be required to investigate, remove and/or remediate a release of hazardous substances or other regulated materials at, or emanating from, such property. Further, under certain circumstances, such owners or operators of real property may be held liable for property damage, personal injury and/or natural resource damage resulting from or arising in connection with such releases. Certain of these laws have been interpreted to provide for joint and several liability unless the harm is divisible and there is a reasonable basis for allocation of responsibility. We also may be liable under certain of these laws for damage that occurred prior to our ownership of a property or at a site where we or our tenants sent wastes for disposal. The failure to properly remediate a property could result in fines or sanctions and may also adversely affect our ability to lease, sell or rent the property or to borrow funds using the property as collateral.
In connection with the ownership of our real property, we could be legally responsible for environmental liabilities or costs relating to a release of hazardous substances or other regulated materials at or emanating from such property. In order to assess the potential for such liability, we conduct routine due diligence of environmental conditions prior to acquisition. We are not aware of any environmental issues that are expected to have a material impact on the operations of any of our properties.
Pursuant to the Penn Master Lease and a Separation and Distribution Agreement between Penn and GLPI, any liability arising from or relating to environmental liabilities arising from the businesses and operations of Penn's real property holdings prior to the Spin-Off (other than any liability arising from or relating to the operation or ownership of the TRS Properties and except to the extent first discovered after the end of the term of the Penn Master Lease) was retained by Penn and Penn will indemnify GLPI (and its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, agents and certain other related parties) against any losses arising from or relating to such environmental liabilities. Similarly, pursuant to a Separation and Distribution Agreement originally between Pinnacle's operating company and GLPI (as successor to Pinnacle Entertainment), any liability arising from or relating to environmental liabilities arising from the business and operations of Pinnacle's real property holdings prior to the Company's acquisition of the majority of Pinnacle's real property assets (except to the extent first discovered after the end of the term of the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease) was retained by Pinnacle and Pinnacle will indemnify GLPI (and its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, agents and certain other related parties) against any losses arising from or relating to such environmental liabilities. Effective October 15, 2018, Penn assumed all obligations of Pinnacle pursuant to a merger of Pinnacle with and into a subsidiary of Penn. There can be no assurance that Penn will be able to fully satisfy these indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from Penn any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses.
Corporate Responsibility and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)
At GLPI, we believe that environmental and community stewardship is an integral component of growing shareholder value. With this in mind, we endeavor to integrate ESG practices to create long-term economic value for our shareholders, employees and other constituents that will have lasting, positive impacts on all stakeholders.
We are committed to fostering a corporate culture that encourages and seeks the betterment of GLPI and its employees, as well as, the engagement and betterment of those communities in which we conduct business and where our properties are located. To achieve these goals, we are committed to continued improvement and institutionalization of our ESG initiatives. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee”) has direct oversight of ESG matters, which are discussed thoughtfully at each meeting of the Committee and reported to our Board of Directors.
The Company recently implemented the following key policies:
i.Charitable Contribution Matching Policy
ii.Corporate Volunteering Policy
iii.Vendor Code of Conduct
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We recognize the importance of diverse representation throughout our organization. We believe that maintaining and promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and respected is essential for organizational growth. As such, we are focused on cultivating a diverse and inclusive culture where our employees can freely bring diverse perspectives and varied experiences to work. In 2020, the Company implemented its Inclusive Workplace Policy. All GLPI employees and the Company’s Board of Directors are required to complete diversity and inclusion training.
We seek to hire and retain highly talented employees and empower those employees to create value for our shareholders. We adhere to equal employment policies in our employee and board recruitment and selection process. We employ, train and refresh our employees in accordance with our nondiscriminatory, inclusive practices and policies implemented to prevent discrimination and protect our employees, customers and stakeholders from offensive and harmful behaviors.
Our continued commitment to DEI is further evidenced by the Company’s expansion of its Board of Directors to include more diverse representation, backgrounds and viewpoints.
As of December 31, 2021, 59% of our workforce is female and 41% is male, with our Board of Directors being 25% female.
Tenant Engagement. Fostering a strong channel of communication with our tenants is an important component in establishing long-term, successful relationships critical to the success of our business. In 2021, we formalized our tenant engagement initiative through our Tenant Partnership Program. Through the Tenant Partnership Program, we have been able to discuss the importance of utility data collection and sharing to aid in the compilation of our Scope III emissions and have implemented certain green lease provisions with respect to data collection. Additionally, to enhance our tenant experience, we circulated a Tenant Satisfaction Survey in the second quarter of 2021 to encourage meaningful dialogue with our tenants to better understand those issues that are important to their business.
Environmental Sustainability. We are committed to conducting our business in an environmentally conscious manner to uphold our responsibility as a corporate citizen, including through enhanced transparency and continued improvement in our ESG reporting and disclosure. We strive to maintain a corporate environment that fosters a sense of community and well-being and that encourages our employees to focus on their long-term success along with the long-term success of the Company. We promote sustainable practices and environmental stewardship throughout the organization, with a particular emphasis on energy efficiency, recycling, indoor environmental quality and environmental awareness. We are committed to the promotion of greater environmental awareness among our employees.
In furtherance to our commitment to transparency, we published our first standalone ESG disclosure available on our website. To learn more about our ESG efforts, please visit the ESG section of our Investor Relations site. The information at our website shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In 2021, we initiated an ESG strategy designed, in part, to better understand the environmental impact and risks of our leased properties. Also in 2021, we successfully conducted a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions
at our corporate headquarters. We have also implemented green lease provisions in several of our leases and through lease amendments with certain of our tenants.
In furtherance of our commitment to environmental sustainability, we routinely engage nationally recognized and certified environmental engineers to perform Phase I Environmental Site Assessments as part of our acquisition process.
The leased properties in our portfolio are leased to gaming operators in triple-net lease arrangements, meaning each gaming operator is ultimately responsible for maintaining the buildings, including controlling its energy usage and the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices. We are committed through our tenant engagement initiatives to promoting awareness, influencing and engaging with our tenants where possible, regarding sustainability practices and environmentally beneficial energy solutions. Many of our tenants have implemented similar efficiency and conservation measures in recent capital expenditure projects, including cost-saving indoor and outdoor LED lighting retrofits, installation of guest room occupancy-based thermostats, building management systems upgrades, and installation of electronic vehicle charging stations.
Recognizing that sustainability is a journey, we are committed to continuous improvement and will strive to engage and communicate with our key stakeholders regarding our ESG stewardship. Further, we are committed to developing initiatives to address and mitigate those environmental risks within our control and supporting our tenants to do the same.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2021, we had 17 full and part time employees. We strive to maintain a corporate work environment that fosters a sense of community and well-being and that encourages our employees to focus on their long-term success along with the long-term success of the Company. We offer, among other things, competitive and balanced compensation programs on par with those of our peers and competitors that include well-rounded healthcare, prescription drug and disability insurance benefits for our employees and their families, participation in a 401(k) plan, with a matching contribution by the Company, competitive paid time-off benefits, a parental leave program that applies to both women and men and an employee assistance plan that provides professional support, access to special programs and certain resources to our employees experiencing personal, work, financial or family related issues.
We are passionate about developing and growing our talent. We devote substantial efforts to retaining, motivating and supporting our employees by providing access to such benefits and opportunities as tuition reimbursement, professional development reimbursement and internal growth and advancement.
We view providing our employees with a healthy and safe working environment as essential. Our goal is to reduce the potential for injury or illness by maintaining safe working conditions, such as providing proper tools and training to all employees. Our corporate headquarters is a smoke-free environment. Additionally, we offer resources to our employees to encourage healthy habits, such as tobacco cessation and health coaches for those employees with certain chronic conditions, including but not limited to diabetes and asthma.
We are committed to upholding human dignity and equal opportunity under the principles outlined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. This is formalized and evidenced by our Code of Business Conduct and our Vendor Code of Conduct.
Available Information
For more information about us, visit our website at www.glpropinc.com. The contents of our website are not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our electronic filings with the SEC (including all annual reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-Q/A, 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.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risk Factors Relating to Our Business
The majority of our revenues are dependent on Penn and its subsidiaries until we further diversify our portfolio. Any event that has a material adverse effect on Penn’s business, financial position or results of operations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
The majority of our revenue is based on the revenue derived under our master leases with subsidiaries of Penn. Because these master leases are triple-net leases, we depend on Penn to operate the properties that we own in a manner that generates revenues sufficient to allow Penn to meet its obligations to us, including payment of rent and all insurance, taxes, utilities and maintenance and repair expenses, and to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities arising in connection with its business. There can be no assurance that Penn will have sufficient assets, income or access to financing to enable it to satisfy its payment obligations to us under the master leases. The ability of Penn to fulfill its obligations depends, in part, upon the overall profitability of its gaming operations and, other than limited contractual protections afforded to us as a landlord, we have no control over Penn or its operations. The inability or unwillingness of Penn to meet its subsidiaries’ rent obligations and other obligations under the master leases may materially and adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations, including our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.
Due to our dependence on rental payments from Penn as a significant source of revenue, we may be limited in our ability to enforce our rights under the master leases. Failure by Penn to comply with the terms of its master leases or to comply with the gaming regulations to which the leased properties are subject could require us to find another lessee for such leased property. In such event, we may be unable to locate a suitable lessee at similar rental rates or at all, which would have the effect of reducing our rental revenues. Likewise, our financial position may be materially weakened if Penn failed to renew or extend any master lease as such lease expires and we are unable to lease or re-lease our properties on economically favorable terms.
Any event that has a material adverse effect on Penn’s business, financial position or results of operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, continued consolidation in the gaming industry would increase our dependence on our existing tenants and could make it increasingly difficult for us to find alternative tenants for our properties.
The bankruptcy or insolvency of any of our tenants could result in termination of such tenant's lease and material losses to us.
The bankruptcy or insolvency of any of our tenants could diminish the income we receive from that tenant’s lease or leases. If a tenant becomes bankrupt or insolvent, federal law may prohibit us from evicting such tenant based solely upon such bankruptcy or insolvency. In addition, a bankrupt or insolvent tenant may be authorized to reject and terminate its lease or leases with us. Any claims against such bankrupt tenant for unpaid future rent would be subject to statutory limitations that would likely result in our receipt of rental revenues that are substantially less than the contractually specified rent we are owed under the lease or leases. In addition, any claim we have for unpaid past rent, if any, may not be paid in full. We may also be unable to re-lease a terminated or rejected space or to re-lease it on comparable or more favorable terms. Moreover, tenants who are considering filing for bankruptcy protection may request amendments of their master leases to remove certain of the properties they lease from us under such master leases. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to sell or re-lease such properties or that lease termination fees, if any, received in exchange for such releases will be sufficient to make up for the rental revenues lost as a result of such lease amendments.
Our pursuit of investments in, and acquisitions or development of, additional properties may be unsuccessful or fail to meet our expectations.
We operate in a highly competitive industry and face competition from other REITs (including other gaming-focused REITs), investment companies, private equity and hedge fund investors, sovereign funds, lenders, gaming companies (including gaming companies considering REIT structures) and other investors, some of whom are significantly larger and have greater resources and lower costs of capital. Increased competition may make it more challenging to identify and successfully capitalize on acquisition opportunities that meet our investment objectives. If we cannot identify and purchase a sufficient number of investment properties at favorable prices or if we are unable to finance acquisitions on commercially favorable terms, our business, financial position or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, the fact that we must distribute 90% of our net taxable income in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT may limit our ability to rely upon rental payments from our leased properties or subsequently acquired properties in order to finance acquisitions. As a result, if debt or equity financing is not available on acceptable terms, further acquisitions might be limited or curtailed and completing proposed acquisitions may be adversely impacted. Furthermore, fluctuations in the price of our common stock may impact our ability to finance additional acquisitions through the issuance of common stock and/or cause significant dilution.
Investments in and acquisitions of gaming properties and other properties we might seek to acquire entail risks associated with real estate investments, including that the investment's performance will fail to meet expectations or that the tenant, operator or manager will underperform. Real estate development projects present other risks, including construction delays or cost overruns that increase expenses, the inability to obtain required zoning, occupancy and other governmental approvals and permits on a timely basis, and the incurrence of significant development costs prior to completion of the project.
We are dependent on the gaming industry and may be susceptible to the risks associated with it, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
As the landlord of gaming facilities, we are impacted by the risks associated with the gaming industry. Therefore, our success is to some degree dependent on the gaming industry, which could be adversely affected by economic conditions in general, changes in consumer trends and preferences and other factors over which our tenants have no control. As we are subject to risks inherent in substantial investments in a single industry, a decrease in the gaming business may have a greater adverse effect on our revenues than if we owned a more diversified real estate portfolio, particularly because a component of the rent under our leases is based, over time, on the revenue of the gaming facilities operated by our tenants. Decreases in discretionary consumer spending brought about by weakened general economic conditions such as, but not limited to, 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.
The gaming industry is characterized by an increasing number of gaming facilities with an increasingly high degree of competition among a large number of participants, including riverboat casinos, dockside casinos, land-based casinos, video lottery, sweepstakes and poker machines not located in casinos, Native American gaming and other forms of gaming in the U.S. Furthermore, competition from alternative wagering products, such as internet lotteries, sweepstakes, social gaming products, daily fantasy sports and other internet wagering gaming services, online sports wagering or games of skill, which allow their customers a wagering alternative to the casino-style, such as remote home gaming or in non-casino settings, could divert customers from our properties and thus adversely affect our tenants and, indirectly, our business. Present state or federal laws that restrict the forms of gaming authorized or the number of competitors that offer gaming in the applicable jurisdiction are subject to change and may increase the competition affecting the business of our tenants and, indirectly, our business. Currently, there are proposals that would legalize several forms of internet gaming and other alternative wagering products in a number of states. Further, several states have already approved intrastate internet gaming and sports betting. Expansion of internet gaming and sports betting in other jurisdictions may compete with our traditional operations, which could have an adverse impact on our business and result of operations.
The operations of our tenants in our leased facilities are subject to disruptions or reduced patronage as a result of severe weather conditions, changing climate conditions, natural disasters and other casualty events. Because many of our facilities are located on or adjacent to bodies of water, they are subject to risks in addition to those associated with land-based facilities, including loss of service due to casualty, forces of nature, mechanical failure, extended or extraordinary maintenance, flood, hurricane or other severe weather and climate conditions. A component of the rent under our leases is based, over time, on the revenues of the gaming facilities operated by Penn and Boyd on our properties; consequently, a casualty that leads to the loss of use of a casino facility subject to our leases for an extended period may negatively impact our revenues.
COVID-19 has had, and may continue to have, a significant impact on our tenants' financial conditions and operations.
In December 2019, a new strain of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, was reported in China and shortly thereafter spread across the globe. This global pandemic outbreak led to unprecedented responses by federal, state and local officials. Certain responses have included mandates from authorities requiring temporary closures of or imposed limitations on the operations of many businesses in the attempt to mitigate the spread of infections. Unemployment levels rose sharply and economic activity levels declined dramatically as a result. The United States government implemented various significant aid packages to support the economy and credit markets to combat these declines.
Our TRS Properties and our tenants' casino operations were forced to close temporarily in mid-March through various dates into May and June 2020. Even though most of our properties recommenced operations to encouraging results, including certain locations where earnings were higher than the corresponding period in the prior year, it is uncertain whether these strong results will continue in future periods, particularly with the widespread increases in COVID-19 cases throughout the United States as a result of the Delta variant of COVID-19, which began to spread globally in the first half of 2021, and the more recent Omicron variant detected in November 2021, which appears to be the most transmissible variant to date. Although rent payments continue to be paid by our tenants, the temporary closures may result in lower variable rent reset amounts for the Penn Master Lease which resets in 2023.
Despite a recent decline in cases, hospitalizations and deaths in large portions of the United States, mask mandates, social distancing, travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders could be reinstated. The ultimate impact of COVID-19 and its
variants on us is highly uncertain and subject to change and will depend on future developments, which cannot be accurately predicted, including the duration of the pandemic, continued emergence of new strains of COVID-19, the effectiveness of vaccines and therapeutics over time against current and future strains of COVID-19, additional or modified government actions, new information that will emerge concerning the severity and impact of COVID-19 and the actions taken to contain COVID-19 or address its impact in the short and long term, among others.
We face extensive regulation from gaming and other regulatory authorities.
The ownership, operation, and management of gaming and racing facilities are subject to pervasive regulation. These regulations impact both our historical ownership and operation of the TRS Properties and the operations of our gaming tenants. Our historical ownership and operation of the TRS Properties subjected us, our officers, directors and shareholders to the jurisdiction of the gaming regulatory agencies in Louisiana and Maryland. Further, many gaming and racing regulatory agencies in the jurisdictions in which our tenants operate require GLPI, its affiliates and certain officers and directors to maintain licenses as a key business entity, principal affiliate, business entity qualifier, operator, supplier or key person because of GLPI's status as landlord. For GLPI to maintain such licenses in good standing, certain of GLPI's officers and directors are also required to maintain licenses or a finding of suitability.
Many jurisdictions also require any person who acquires beneficial ownership of more than a certain percentage of securities of a company licensed in such jurisdiction, typically 5%, to report the acquisition to gaming authorities, and gaming authorities may require such holders to apply for qualification or a finding of suitability, subject to limited exceptions for "institutional investors" that hold a company's voting securities for passive investment purposes only. Some jurisdictions may also limit the number of gaming licenses or gaming facilities in which a person may hold an ownership or a controlling interest. Subject to certain administrative proceeding requirements, the gaming regulators have the authority to deny any application or limit, condition, restrict, revoke or suspend any license, registration, finding of suitability or approval, or fine any person licensed, registered or found suitable or approved, for any cause deemed reasonable by the gaming authorities.
Additionally, substantially all material loans, significant acquisitions, leases, sales of securities and similar financing transactions by us and our subsidiaries must be reported to and in some cases approved by gaming authorities in advance of the transaction. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may make a public offering of securities without the prior approval of certain gaming authorities. Changes in control through merger, consolidation, stock or asset acquisitions, management or consulting agreements, or otherwise are subject to receipt of prior approval of certain gaming authorities. Entities seeking to acquire control of GLPI or one of its subsidiaries must satisfy gaming authorities with respect to a variety of stringent licensing standards prior to assuming control.
Required regulatory approvals can delay or prohibit transfers of our gaming properties, which could result in periods in which we are unable to receive rent for such properties.
The tenants of our gaming properties are operators of gaming facilities and must be licensed under applicable state law. Prior to the transfer of gaming facilities, including a controlling interest, the new owner or operator generally must become licensed under applicable state law. In the event that any current lease or any future lease agreement we enter into is terminated or expires and a new tenant is found, any delays in the new tenant receiving regulatory approvals from the applicable state government agencies, or the inability to receive such approvals, may prolong the period during which we are unable to collect the applicable rent.
Our pursuit of strategic acquisitions unrelated to the gaming industry may be unsuccessful or fail to meet our expectations.
We may pursue strategic acquisitions of real property assets unrelated to the gaming industry, including acquisitions that may be complementary to our existing gaming properties. Our management does not possess the same level of expertise with the dynamics and market conditions applicable to non-gaming assets, which could adversely affect the results of our expansion into other asset classes. In addition, we may be unable to achieve our desired return on our investments in new or adjacent asset classes.
Our charter restricts the ownership and transfer of our outstanding stock, which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or change of control of our company.
In order for us to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of stock may be owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of each taxable year after the first year for which GLPI elected to qualify to be taxed as a REIT (2014). Additionally, at least 100 persons must beneficially own GLPI stock during at least 335 days of a taxable year (other than the first taxable year for which GLPI elected to be taxed as a REIT). GLPI's charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes the Board of Directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve GLPI's qualification as a REIT. GLPI's charter also provides that, subject to certain exceptions approved
by the Board of Directors, no person may beneficially or constructively own more than 7% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of GLPI's outstanding shares of all classes and series of stock. The constructive ownership rules are complex and may cause shares of stock owned directly or constructively by a group of related individuals or entities to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. These ownership limits could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control of GLPI that might involve a premium price for shares of GLPI stock or otherwise be in the best interests of GLPI shareholders. The acquisition of less than 7% of our outstanding stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity to own beneficially or constructively in excess of 7% in value of our outstanding stock, and thus violate our charter's ownership limit. Our charter prohibits any person from owning shares of our stock that would result in our being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our stock in violation of these restrictions may result in the transfer being automatically void. GLPI's charter also provides that shares of GLPI's capital stock acquired or held in excess of the ownership limit will be transferred to a trust for the benefit of a designated charitable beneficiary, and that any person who acquires shares of GLPI's capital stock in violation of the ownership limit will not be entitled to any dividends on the shares or be entitled to vote the shares or receive any proceeds from the subsequent sale of the shares in excess of the lesser of the market price on the day the shares were transferred to the trust or the amount realized from the sale. GLPI or its designee will have the right to purchase the shares from the trustee at this calculated price as well. A transfer of shares of GLPI's capital stock in violation of the limit may be void under certain circumstances. GLPI's 7% ownership limitation may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of GLPI, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for GLPI's shareholders. To assist GLPI in complying with applicable gaming laws, our charter also provides that capital stock of GLPI that is owned or controlled by an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person will be transferred to a trust for the benefit of a designated charitable beneficiary, and that any such unsuitable person or affiliate will not be entitled to any dividends on the shares or be entitled to vote the shares or receive any proceeds from the subsequent sale of the shares in excess of the lesser of the price paid by the unsuitable person or affiliate for the shares or the amount realized from the sale, in each case less a discount in a percentage (up to 100%) to be determined by our Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion. The shares shall additionally be redeemable by GLPI, out of funds legally available for that redemption, to the extent required by the gaming authorities making the determination of unsuitability or to the extent determined to be necessary or advisable by our Board of Directors, at a redemption price equal to the lesser of (i) the market price on the date of the redemption notice, (ii) the market price on the redemption date, or (iii) the actual amount paid for the shares by the owner thereof, in each case less a discount in a percentage (up to 100%) to be determined by our Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion.
Pennsylvania law and provisions in our charter and bylaws may delay or prevent takeover attempts by third parties and therefore inhibit our shareholders from realizing a premium on their stock.
Our charter and bylaws, in addition to Pennsylvania law, contain provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage prospective acquirors to negotiate with our Board of Directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. Our charter and bylaws, among other things (i) permit the Board of Directors, without further action of the shareholders, to issue and fix the terms of preferred stock, which may have rights senior to those of the common stock; (ii) establish certain advance notice procedures for shareholder proposals, and require all director candidates to be recommended by the nominating and corporate governance committee of the Board of Directors following the affirmative determination by the nominating and corporate governance committee that such nominee is likely to meet the applicable suitability requirements of any federal, state or local regulatory body having jurisdiction over us; (iii) provide that a director may only be removed by shareholders for cause and upon the vote of 75% of the shares entitled to vote; (iv) do not permit direct nomination by shareholders of nominees for election to the Board of Directors, but instead permit shareholders to recommend potential nominees to our nominating and corporate governance committee; (v) require shareholders to have beneficially owned at least 1% of our outstanding common stock in order to recommend a person for nomination for election to the Board of Directors, or to present a shareholder proposal, for action at a shareholders' meeting; and (vi) provide for super majority approval requirements for amending or repealing certain provisions in our charter and in order to approve an amendment or repeal of any provision of our bylaws that has not been proposed by our Board of Directors.
In addition, specific anti-takeover provisions in Pennsylvania law could make it more difficult for a third party to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions require (i) approval of certain transactions by a majority of the voting stock other than that held by the potential acquirer; (ii) the acquisition at "fair value" of all the outstanding shares not held by an acquirer of 20% or more; (iii) a five-year moratorium on certain "business combination" transactions with an "interested shareholder;" (iv) the loss by interested shareholders of their voting rights over "control shares;" (v) the disgorgement of profits realized by an interested shareholder from certain dispositions of our shares; and (vi) severance payments for certain employees and prohibiting termination of certain labor contracts.
We believe these provisions will protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors and by providing our Board of Directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make GLPI immune from takeovers or to prevent a
transaction from occurring. However, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our Board of Directors determines is not in the best interests of GLPI. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.
We may experience uninsured or under insured losses, which could result in a significant loss of the capital we have invested in a property, decrease anticipated future revenues or cause us to incur unanticipated expense.
While our leases require, and new lease agreements are expected to require, that comprehensive insurance and hazard insurance be maintained by the tenants, a tenant's failure to comply could lead to an uninsured or under insured loss and there can be no assurance that we will be able to recover such uninsured or under insured amounts from such tenant. Further, there are certain types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, that may be uninsurable or not economically insurable. Insurance coverage may not be sufficient to pay the full current market value or current replacement cost of a loss. Inflation, changes in building codes and ordinances, environmental considerations, and other factors also might make it infeasible to use insurance proceeds to replace the property after such property has been damaged or destroyed. Under such circumstances, the insurance proceeds received might not be adequate to restore the economic position with respect to such property.
If we or one of our tenants experience a loss that is uninsured, or that exceeds our or our tenant's policy coverage limits, we could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties as well as the anticipated future cash flows from those properties. In addition, if the damaged properties were subject to recourse indebtedness, we could continue to be liable for the indebtedness even if these properties were irreparably damaged.
In addition, even if damage to our properties is covered by insurance, a disruption of our or our tenant's business caused by a casualty event may result in the loss of business or tenants. The business interruption insurance we or our tenant's carry may not fully compensate us for the loss of business or tenants due to an interruption caused by a casualty event.
A disruption in the financial markets may make it more difficult to evaluate the stability, net assets and capitalization of insurance companies and any insurer's ability to meet its claim payment obligations. A failure of an insurance company to make payments to us or our tenant's upon an event of loss covered by an insurance policy could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile, and holders of our common stock could lose a significant portion of their investment if the market price of our common stock declines.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile, and shareholders may not be able to resell their shares of our common stock at or above the price at which they acquired the common stock due to fluctuations in its market price, including changes in price caused by factors unrelated to our performance or prospects.
Specific factors that may have a significant effect on the market price for our common stock include, among others, the following:
•changes in stock market analyst recommendations or earnings estimates regarding our common stock or other comparable REITs;
•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our revenue stream or future prospects;
•strategic actions taken by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions;
•our failure to close pending acquisitions;
•our failure to achieve the perceived benefits of our acquisitions, including financial results, as rapidly as or to the extent anticipated by financial or industry analysts;
•new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business and operations or the gaming industry;
•changes in tax or accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
•changes in the interest rate environment and/or the impact of rising inflation;
•adverse conditions in the financial markets or general U.S. or international economic conditions, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism and responses to such events; and
•sales of our common stock by members of our management team or other significant shareholders.
Environmental compliance costs and liabilities associated with real estate properties owned by us may materially impair the value of those investments.
As an owner of real property, we are subject to various federal, state and local environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. Although we do not operate or manage most of our properties, we may be held primarily or jointly and severally liable for costs relating to the investigation and clean-up of any property from which there has been a release or threatened release of a regulated material as well as other affected properties, regardless of whether we knew of or caused the release.
In addition to these costs, which are typically not limited by law or regulation and could exceed the property's value, we could be liable for certain other costs, including governmental fines and injuries to persons, property or natural resources. Further, some environmental laws create a lien on the contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and the costs the government incurs in connection with such contamination.
Although we require our operators and tenants to undertake to indemnify us for certain environmental liabilities, including environmental liabilities they cause, the amount of such liabilities could exceed the financial ability of the tenant or operator to indemnify us. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination may adversely affect our ability to sell or lease the real estate or to borrow using the real estate as collateral.
Changes to U.S. federal income tax laws could materially and adversely affect us and our shareholders.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made significant changes to the federal income taxation of individuals and corporations under the Code, generally effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. In addition to reducing corporate and individual income tax rates, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminates or restricts various deductions that, along with other provisions, may change the way that we calculate our REIT taxable income and our TRS’s taxable income. Significant provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that investors should be aware of include provisions that: (i) lower the corporate income tax rate to 21%, (ii) provide noncorporate taxpayers with a deduction of up to 20% of certain income earned through partnerships and REITs, (iii) limit the net operating loss deduction to 80% of taxable income, where taxable income is determined without regard to the net operating loss deduction itself, generally eliminates net operating loss carry backs and allow unused net operating losses to be carried forward indefinitely, (iv) expand the ability of businesses to deduct the cost of certain property investments in the year in which the property is purchased, (v) generally lower tax rates for individuals and other noncorporate taxpayers, while limiting deductions such as miscellaneous itemized deductions and state and local tax deductions, and (vi) limit the deduction for net interest expense incurred by a business to 30% of the "adjusted taxable income" of the taxpayer, but do not apply to certain small-business taxpayers or electing real property trades or businesses, including REITs. The effect of these, and the many other, changes made is highly uncertain, both in terms of their direct effect on the taxation of holders of our common stock and their indirect effect on the value of our assets or market conditions generally. In addition, future changes in tax laws, including the proposed tax agenda presented by the Biden administration, or tax rulings, could affect our effective tax rate, the tax rate of shareholders of our stock, and overall benefit of maintaining our status as a REIT. For example, the reduction in the corporate income tax rate resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could be reduced or rescinded, individual tax rates may increase, and the §199A deduction for REIT dividends could be phased out.
We face risks associated with security breaches through cyber-attacks, cyber intrusions or otherwise, as well as other significant disruptions of our information technology (IT) networks and related systems.
We face risks associated with security breaches, whether through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusions over the internet, malware, computer viruses, attachments to e-mails, persons inside our organization or persons with access to systems inside our organization, and other significant disruptions of our IT networks and related systems. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. Our IT networks and related systems are essential to the operation of our business and our ability to perform day-to-day operations. Although we make efforts to maintain the security and integrity of these types of IT networks and related systems, and we have implemented various measures to manage the risk of a security breach or disruption, there can be no assurance that our security efforts and measures will be effective or that attempted security breaches or disruptions would not be successful or damaging. A security breach or other significant disruption involving our IT networks and related systems could disrupt the proper functioning of our networks and systems; result in misstated financial reports, violations of loan covenants and/or missed reporting deadlines; result in our inability to monitor our compliance with the rules and regulations
regarding our qualification as a REIT; result in the unauthorized access to, and destruction, loss, theft, misappropriation or release of proprietary, confidential, sensitive or otherwise valuable information of ours or others, which others could use to compete against us or for disruptive, destructive or otherwise harmful purposes and outcomes; require significant management attention and resources to remedy any damages that result; subject us to claims for breach of contract, damages, credits, penalties or termination of certain agreements; or damage our reputation among our tenants and investors generally.
Risk Factors Relating to our Status as a REIT
If we do not qualify to be taxed as a REIT, or fail to remain qualified as a REIT, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as a regular corporation and could face a substantial tax liability, which may reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our shareholders.
We elected on our 2014 U.S. federal income tax return to be treated as a REIT and intend to continue to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT. We currently operate, and intend to continue to operate, in a manner that will allow us to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We received an opinion from our special tax advisors, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and KPMG LLP (collectively the "Special Tax Advisors"), with respect to our qualification as a REIT in connection with the Spin-Off. Opinions of advisors are not binding on the IRS or any court. The opinions of the Special Tax Advisors represent only the view of the Special Tax Advisors based on their review and analysis of existing law and on certain representations as to factual matters and covenants made by us, including representations relating to the values of our assets and the sources of our income. The opinions are expressed as of the date issued. The Special Tax Advisors have no obligation to advise us or the holders of our common stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or of any subsequent change in applicable law. Furthermore, both the validity of the opinions of Special Tax Advisors and our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, shareholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis, the results of which are not monitored by the Special Tax Advisors. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals.
Penn has received a private letter ruling from the IRS with respect to certain issues relevant to our qualification as a REIT. In general, the ruling provides, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, that (1) certain of the assets to be held by us after the Spin-Off and (2) the methodology for calculating a certain portion of rent received by us pursuant to the Penn Master Lease will not adversely affect our qualification as a REIT. No assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification as a REIT on the basis of other issues or facts outside the scope of the ruling.
If we were to fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT in any taxable year, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates, and dividends paid to our shareholders would not be deductible by us in computing our taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our shareholders, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the value of our common stock. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT.
Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Code and violations of these provisions could jeopardize our REIT qualifications.
Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist. Even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize our REIT qualification. Our qualification as a REIT depends on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, shareholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. In addition, our ability to satisfy the requirements to qualify to be taxed as a REIT may depend in part on the actions of third parties over which we have no control or only limited influence.
We could fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT if income we receive from our tenants, or their subsidiaries, is not treated as qualifying income.
Under applicable provisions of the Code, we will not be treated as a REIT unless we satisfy various requirements, including requirements relating to the sources of our gross income. Rents received or accrued by us from our tenants or their subsidiaries, will not be treated as qualifying rent for purposes of these requirements if our leases are not respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are instead treated as service contracts, joint ventures or some other type of arrangements. If any leases are not respected as a true lease for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Furthermore, our qualification as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, shareholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. Our ability to satisfy the asset
tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals.
In addition, subject to certain exceptions, rents received or accrued by us from our tenants will not be treated as qualifying rent for purposes of these requirements if we or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our stock actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of such respective tenant's stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of such respective tenants stock. Our charter provides for restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares of stock, including restrictions on such ownership or transfer that would cause the rents received or accrued by us from our tenants, to be treated as non-qualifying rent for purposes of the REIT gross income requirements. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that such restrictions will be effective in ensuring that rents received or accrued by us from our tenants or their subsidiaries, will not be treated as qualifying rent for purposes of REIT qualification requirements.
Dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for the reduced tax rates available for some dividends.
The maximum U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to income from "qualified dividends" payable by U.S. corporations to U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts and estates is currently 20%. Ordinary dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates. However, for taxable years that begin after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026: (i) the U.S. federal income tax brackets generally applicable to ordinary income of individuals, trusts and estates have been modified (with the rates generally reduced) and (ii) shareholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are generally entitled to a deduction equal to 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary income dividends received from a REIT (not including dividends that are eligible for the reduced rates applicable to "qualified dividend income" or treated as capital gain dividends), subject to certain limitations.
The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts or estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our stock, even taking into account the lower 37% maximum rate for ordinary income and the 20% deduction for ordinary REIT dividends received in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026.
REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains, in order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT (assuming that certain other requirements are also satisfied) so that U.S. federal corporate income tax does not apply to earnings that we distribute. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement and qualify for taxation as a REIT but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our shareholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code.
From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our cash flow as a result of differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash or the effect of nondeductible capital expenditures, the creation of reserves or required debt or amortization payments. If we do not have other funds available in these situations, we could be required to borrow funds on unfavorable terms, sell assets at disadvantageous prices, distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, or pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property, including potentially, shares of our common stock, to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the REIT distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax and the 4% excise tax in a particular year. These alternatives could increase our costs or reduce our equity. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to grow, which could adversely affect the value of our stock. Restrictions on our indebtedness, including restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness or make certain distributions, could preclude us from meeting the 90% distribution requirement. Decreases in funds from operations due to unfinanced expenditures for acquisitions of properties or increases in the number of shares of our common stock outstanding without commensurate increases in funds from operations each would adversely affect our ability to maintain distributions to our shareholders. Moreover, the failure of Penn to make rental payments under the Penn Master Lease, would materially impair our ability to make distributions. Consequently, there can be no assurance that we will be able to make distributions at the anticipated distribution rate or any other rate.
Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.
Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state, and local taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income and state or local income, property and transfer taxes. For example, we held certain of our assets and conducted related activities through TRS subsidiary corporations that were subject to
federal, state, and local corporate-level income taxes as regular C corporations as well as state and local gaming taxes. In addition, we may incur a 100% excise tax on transactions with a TRS if they are not conducted on an arm's-length basis. Any of these taxes would decrease cash available for distribution to our shareholders.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive acquisition opportunities or liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
To qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must ensure that, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets consist of cash, cash items, government securities and "real estate assets" (as defined in the Code), including certain mortgage loans and securities. The remainder of our investments (other than government securities, qualified real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our total assets (other than government securities, qualified real estate assets and securities issued by a TRS) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 20% of the value of our total assets can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required to liquidate or forego otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our shareholders.
In addition to the asset tests set forth above, to qualify to be taxed as a REIT we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the amounts we distribute to shareholders and the ownership of our stock. We may be unable to pursue investments that would be otherwise advantageous to us in order to satisfy the source-of-income or asset-diversification requirements for qualifying as a REIT. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make certain attractive investments.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
The REIT provisions of the Code substantially limit our ability to hedge our assets and liabilities. Income from certain hedging transactions that we may enter into to manage risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings made or to be made to acquire or carry real estate assets or from transactions to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that satisfy the REIT gross income tests (including gain from the termination of such a transaction) does not constitute "gross income" for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests that apply to REITs, provided that certain identification requirements are met. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions or fail to properly identify such transaction as a hedge, the income is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we may be required to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through a TRS. This could increase the cost of our hedging activities because the TRS may be subject to tax on gains or expose us to greater risks associated with changes in interest rates that we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in the TRS will generally not provide any tax benefit, except that such losses could theoretically be carried back or forward against past or future taxable income in the TRS.
Risks Related to Our Capital Structure
We may have future capital needs and may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.
As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $6.6 billion in long-term indebtedness, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts, consisting of:
•$424.0 million of total indebtedness outstanding under our senior unsecured credit facility (the "Amended Credit Facility");
•$6,175.0 million of outstanding senior unsecured notes; and
•approximately $0.7 million of finance lease liabilities related to certain assets.
We may incur additional indebtedness in the future to refinance our existing indebtedness or to finance newly-acquired properties. Any significant additional indebtedness could require a substantial portion of our cash flow to make interest and principal payments due on our indebtedness. Greater demands on our cash resources may reduce funds available to us to pay dividends, make capital expenditures and acquisitions, or carry out other aspects of our business strategy. Increased indebtedness may also limit our ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions, make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions and create competitive disadvantages for us compared to other companies with relatively lower debt levels and/or borrowing costs. Increased future debt service obligations may limit our operational
flexibility, including our ability to acquire properties, finance or refinance our properties, contribute properties to joint ventures or sell properties as needed. If we incur additional indebtedness or such other obligations, the risks associated with our leverage, including our possible inability to service our debt, may increase.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing or financing on favorable terms or our operating cash flow may be insufficient to satisfy our financial obligations under indebtedness outstanding from time to time (if any). If financing is not available when needed, or is available on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to develop new or enhance our existing properties, complete acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have a material amount of indebtedness which could have significant effects on our business including the following:
•it may limit our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements and general corporate or other purposes;
•a material portion of our cash flows will be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, including indebtedness we may incur in the future, and will not be available for other purposes, including to make acquisitions;
•it could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate and place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt or are less leveraged;
•it could make us more vulnerable to downturns in general economic or industry conditions or in our business, or prevent us from carrying out activities that are important to our growth;
•it could increase our interest expense if interest rates in general increase because our indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility bears interest at floating rates;
•it could limit our ability to take advantage of strategic business opportunities;
•it could make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness. Any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of our indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility and other outstanding debt obligations; and
•it could impact our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.
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 Amended Credit Facility or from other debt financing, in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt service obligations, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our indebtedness, selling assets or seeking to raise additional capital, including by issuing equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities. Our ability to restructure or refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt service requirements or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms may have an adverse effect, which could be material to our business, financial position or results of operations.
Our shareholders may be subject to significant dilution caused by the additional issuance of equity securities.
If and when additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, including under our "at the market" offering program relating to our common stock (the "ATM Program") or in connection with future acquisitions, our shareholders may experience significant dilution. Additionally, sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock, make it more difficult for our shareholders to sell their GLPI common stock at a time and price that they deem appropriate and impair our future ability to raise capital through an offering of our equity securities.
Adverse changes in our credit rating may affect our borrowing capacity and borrowing terms.
Our outstanding debt is periodically rated by nationally recognized credit rating agencies. The credit ratings are based upon our operating performance, liquidity and leverage ratios, overall financial position, and other factors viewed by the credit rating agencies as relevant to both our industry and the economic outlook. Our credit rating may affect the amount of capital we can access, as well as the terms of any financing we obtain. Because we rely in part on debt financing to fund growth, the absence of an investment grade credit rating or any credit rating downgrade may have a negative effect on our future growth.
If we cannot obtain additional capital, our growth may be limited.
As described above, in order to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT each year, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, excluding net capital gains, to our shareholders. As a result, our retained earnings available to fund acquisitions, development, or other capital expenditures are nominal, and we rely upon the availability of additional debt or equity capital to fund these activities. Our long-term ability to grow through acquisitions or development, which is an important component of our strategy, may be limited if we cannot obtain additional debt financing or raise equity capital. Market conditions may make it difficult to obtain debt financing or raise equity capital, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing or that we will be able to obtain such capital on favorable terms.
An increase in market interest rates could increase our interest costs on existing and future debt and could adversely affect our stock price.
If interest rates increase, so could our interest costs for any new debt and our variable rate debt obligations. This increased cost could make the financing of any acquisition more costly, as well as lower our current period earnings. Rising interest rates could limit our ability to refinance existing debt when it matures or cause us to pay higher interest rates upon refinancing. In addition, an increase in interest rates could decrease the access third parties have to credit, thereby decreasing the amount they are willing to pay for our assets and consequently limiting our ability to reposition our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.
Further, the dividend yield on our common stock, as a percentage of the price of such common stock, may influence the price of such common stock. Thus, an increase in market interest rates may lead prospective purchasers of our common stock to expect a higher dividend yield, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
The majority of our debt is at fixed rates and our exposure to variable interest rates is currently limited to our Amended Credit Facility and our Term Loan A-2. Both of these debt instruments are indexed to LIBOR which is expected to be phased out between December 31, 2021 through June 30, 2023. The discontinuance of LIBOR would affect our interest expense and earnings. The borrowings under our Amended Credit Facility will be subject to the expected LIBOR transition. LIBOR is currently expected to transition to a new standard rate, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). We are currently monitoring the transition and cannot be certain whether SOFR will become the standard rate for our variable rate debt.
Covenants in our debt agreements may limit our operational flexibility, and a covenant breach or default could materially adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
The agreements governing our indebtedness contain customary covenants, including restrictions on our ability to grant liens on our assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations and pay certain dividends and other restricted payments. Specifically, our debt agreements contain the following financial covenants: a maximum total debt to total asset value ratio of 60% (subject to increase to 65% for specified periods in connection with certain acquisitions), a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.5 to 1, a maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio of 40% and a maximum unsecured debt to unencumbered asset value ratio of 60%. These restrictions may limit our operational flexibility. Covenants that limit our operational flexibility as well as defaults under our debt instruments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Risk Factors Relating to Our Acquisition of Penn, Pinnacle and Tropicana's Gaming Properties
Our recourse against Tropicana, including for any breaches under the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement or the Tropicana Merger Agreement, is limited.
As is customary for a public company target in a merger and acquisition transaction, Tropicana has no obligation to indemnify us or Caesars for any breaches of its representations and warranties or covenants included in the Tropicana Merger Agreement and the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement, or for any pre-closing liabilities or claims. While we have certain arrangements in place with Caesars in connection with certain limited pre-closing liabilities, if any issues arise post-closing (other than as provided for in the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease), we may not be entitled to sufficient, or
any, indemnification or recourse from Tropicana or Caesars, which could have a materially adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
Penn has contractual obligations to indemnify us for certain liabilities, including liabilities as successor in interest to Pinnacle. However, there can be no assurance that these indemnities will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that Penn's ability to satisfy its and Pinnacle's indemnification obligations will not be impaired in the future.
Penn has contractual obligations to indemnify us for certain liabilities, including liabilities as successor in interest to Pinnacle. However, third parties could seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that Penn and Pinnacle agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that Penn will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from Penn any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses while seeking recovery from Penn and such recovery could have a material adverse impact on Penn's financial condition and ability to pay rent due under the Penn Master Lease and/or the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Rental Properties
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had 50 rental properties, consisting of the real property associated with 34 gaming and related facilities operated by Penn, the real property associated with 7 gaming and related facilities operated by Caesars, the real property associated with 4 gaming and related facilities operated by Boyd, the real property associated with Maryland Live Casino and Hotel in Hanover, Maryland , the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by Casino Queen and 2 gaming and related facilities operated by Bally's. All rental properties are subject to long-term triple-net leases. For additional information pertaining to our tenant leases and our rental properties see Item 1.
TRS Segment
Tropicana Las Vegas
On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries closed on its previously announced transaction to acquire the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from Penn in exchange for rent credits of $307.5 million, which were applied against future rent obligations due under the parties' existing leases during 2020. An affiliate of Penn will continue to operate the casino and hotel business of the Tropicana Las Vegas pursuant to a triple net lease with GLPI for nominal rent for the earlier of two years (subject to three one-year extensions at the Company's option) or until the Tropicana Las Vegas is sold.
On April 13, 2021, Bally's agreed to acquire the Company's non-land real estate assets and Penn's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas for $150.0 million. The Company will retain ownership of the land and concurrently enter into a 50-year ground lease with an initial annual rent of $10.5 million. The ground lease will be supported by a Bally's corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease. This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
Corporate Office
The Company's corporate headquarters building is located in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania and is owned by the Company.
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 normal course of business. The Company does not believe that the financial 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.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "GLPI." As of February 14, 2022, there were approximately 723 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividend Policy
The Company's annual dividend is greater than or equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income on an annual basis, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT annually distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its taxable income.
Cash available for distribution to GLPI shareholders is derived from income from real estate and the income of the TRS Segment. All distributions will be made by GLPI at the discretion of its Board of Directors and will depend on the financial position, results of operations, cash flows, capital requirements, debt covenants, applicable laws and other factors as the Board of Directors of GLPI deems relevant. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on dividends.
ITEM 6. RESERVED
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our Operations
GLPI is a self-administered and self-managed Pennsylvania REIT. The Company was formed from the 2013 tax-free spin-off of the real estate assets of Penn and was incorporated in Pennsylvania on February 13, 2013, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn. On November 1, 2013, Penn contributed to GLPI, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with Penn's real property interests and real estate development business, as well as the assets and liabilities of the TRS Properties and then spun-off GLPI to holders of Penn's common and preferred stock in the Spin-Off. The Company elected on its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and the Company, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge) and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Perryville) as a "taxable REIT subsidiary" effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a “taxable REIT subsidiary”. Finally, in advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company elected GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. As a result of the Spin-Off, GLPI owns substantially all of Penn's former real property assets (as of the consummation of the Spin-Off) and leases back most of those assets to Penn for use by its subsidiaries, under the Penn Master Lease and owns and operates the TRS Properties through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, GLP Holdings, Inc. The assets and liabilities of GLPI were recorded at their respective historical carrying values at the time of the Spin-Off.
GLPI's primary business consists of acquiring, financing, and owning real estate property to be leased to gaming operators in triple-net lease arrangements. As of December 31, 2021, GLPI's portfolio consisted of interests in 51 gaming and related facilities, including the TRS Segment, the real property associated with 34 gaming and related facilities operated by Penn, the real property associated with 7 gaming and related facilities operated by Caesars, the real property associated with 4 gaming and related facilities operated by Boyd, the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by Bally's, the real property associated with gaming and related facilities at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland operated by Cordish and the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by the Casino Queen. These facilities, including our corporate headquarters building, are geographically diversified across 17 states and contain approximately 27.6 million square feet. As of December 31, 2021, our properties were 100% occupied. We expect to continue growing our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
Penn Master Lease
The Penn Master Lease is a triple-net operating lease, the term of which expires October 31, 2033, with no purchase option, followed by three remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, Boyd Master Lease and Belterra Park Lease
In April 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the real estate assets of Pinnacle for approximately $4.8 billion. GLPI originally leased these assets back to Pinnacle, under the Pinnacle Master Lease, the term of which expires on April 30, 2031, with no purchase option, followed by four remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. On October 15, 2018, the Company completed the previously announced Penn-Pinnacle Merger to accommodate Penn's acquisition of the majority of Pinnacle's operations, pursuant to a definitive agreement and plan of merger between Penn and Pinnacle, dated December 17, 2017. Concurrent with the Penn-Pinnacle Merger, the Company amended the Pinnacle Master Lease to allow for the sale of the operating assets of Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles and Belterra Casino Resort from Pinnacle to Boyd and entered into the Boyd Master Lease for these properties on terms similar to the Company’s Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Boyd Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years (from the original April 2016 commencement date of the Pinnacle Master Lease and expiring April 30, 2026), with no purchase option, followed by five 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Company also purchased the real estate assets of Plainridge Park from Penn for $250.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes and added this property to the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Amended Pinnacle Master Lease was assumed by Penn at the consummation of the Penn-Pinnacle Merger. The Company also entered into the Belterra Park Loan with Boyd in connection with Boyd's acquisition of Belterra Park. In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to the Belterra Park Lease with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The Belterra Park Lease rent terms are consistent with the Boyd Master Lease. The annual rent is comprised of a fixed component, part of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component
that is based on the performance of the facilities which is adjusted, subject to certain floors, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of Belterra Park during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
The Meadows Lease
The real estate assets of the Meadows Racetrack and Casino are leased to Penn pursuant to the Meadows Lease. The Meadows Lease commenced on September 9, 2016 and has an initial term of 10 years, with no purchase option, and the option to renew for three successive 5-year terms and one 4-year term (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Meadows Lease contains a fixed component, subject to annual escalators, and a component that is based on the performance of the facility, which is reset every two years to an amount determined by multiplying (i) 4% by (ii) the average annual net revenues of the facility for the trailing two-year period. The Meadows Lease contains an annual escalator provision for up to 5% of the base rent, if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, which remains at 5% until the earlier of ten years or the year in which total rent is $31 million, at which point the escalator will be reduced to a maximum of 2% annually thereafter.
Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease
On October 1, 2018, the Company closed its previously announced transaction to acquire certain real property assets from Tropicana and certain of its affiliates pursuant to the Real Estate Purchase Agreement dated April 15, 2018 between Tropicana and GLP Capital, which was subsequently amended on October 1, 2018. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the real estate assets of Tropicana Atlantic City, Tropicana Evansville, Tropicana Laughlin, Trop Casino Greenville and the Belle of Baton Rouge from Tropicana for an aggregate cash purchase price of $964.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes. Concurrent with the Tropicana Acquisition, Caesars acquired the operating assets of these properties from Tropicana pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 15, 2018 by and among Tropicana, GLP Capital, Caesars and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caesars and leased the GLP Assets from the Company pursuant to the terms of the Caesars Master Lease.
On June 15, 2020, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease to, (i) extend the initial term of 15 years to 20 years, with renewals of up to an additional 20 years at the option of Caesars, (ii) remove the variable rent component in its entirety commencing with the third lease year, (iii) in the third lease year increase annual land base rent to approximately $23.6 million and annual building base rent to approximately $62.1 million, (iv) provide fixed escalation percentages that delay the escalation of building base rent until the commencement of the fifth lease year with building base rent increasing annually by 1.25% in the fifth and sixth lease year, 1.75% in the seventh and eighth lease years and 2% in the ninth lease year and each lease year thereafter, (v) subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, permit Caesars to elect to replace the Tropicana Evansville and/or Tropicana Greenville properties under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease with one or more of Caesars Gaming Scioto Downs, The Row in Reno, Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Isle Casino Hotel – Black Hawk, Lady Luck Casino – Black Hawk, Waterloo, Bettendorf or Isle of Capri Casino Boonville, provided that the aggregate value of such new property, individually or collectively, is at least equal to the value of Tropicana Evansville or Tropicana Greenville, as applicable (vi) permit Caesars to elect to sell its interest in Belle of Baton Rouge and sever it from the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease (with no change to the rent obligation to the Company), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, and (vii) provide certain relief under the operating, capital expenditure and financial covenants thereunder in the event of facility closures due to pandemics, governmental restrictions and certain other instances of unavoidable delay. The effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease was subject to the review and approval of certain gaming regulatory agencies and the expiration of applicable gaming regulatory advance notice periods which conditions were satisfied on July 23, 2020. On December 18, 2020, the Company and Caesars completed the Exchange Agreement with subsidiaries of Caesars in which Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of Waterloo and Bettendorf in exchange for the transfer by the Company to Caesars of the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville, plus a cash payment of $5.7 million. This resulted in a non-cash gain of $41.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, which represented the difference between the fair value of the properties received compared to the carrying value of Tropicana Evansville and the cash payment made. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, the annual building base rent was increased to $62.5 million and the annual land component was increased to $23.7 million.
Lumière Place Lease
On October 1, 2018 the Company entered into a loan agreement with Caesars in connection with Caesars’s acquisition of Lumière Place, whereby the Company extended funds to Caesars under the CZR loan. The CZR loan bore interest at a rate equal to (i) 9.09% until October 1, 2019 and (ii) 9.27% until its maturity. On the one-year anniversary of the CZR loan, the mortgage evidenced by a deed of trust on the Lumière Place property terminated and the loan became unsecured. On June 24,
2020, the Company received approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission to own the Lumière Place property in satisfaction of the CZR loan. On September 29, 2020, the transaction closed and we entered into the Lumière Place Lease, the initial term of which expires on October 31, 2033 with four separate renewal options of five years each, exercisable at the tenant's option. The Lumière Place Lease rent terms were adjusted on December 1, 2021 such that the annual escalator is now fixed at 1.25% for the second through fifth lease years, increasing to 1.75% for the sixth and seventh lease years and thereafter increasing by 2.0% for the remainder of the lease.
Bally's Master Lease
On June 3, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced transaction pursuant to which a subsidiary of Bally's acquired 100% of the equity interests in the Caesars subsidiary that currently operates Tropicana Evansville and the Company reacquired the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville from Caesars for a cash purchase price of approximately $340.0 million. In addition, the Company purchased the real estate assets of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from Bally's for a cash purchase price of approximately $144.0 million. The real estate assets of these two facilities were added to the Bally's Master Lease which has an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four five-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. Rent under the Bally's Master Lease is $40 million annually and is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% determined in relation to the annual increase in CPI.
Tropicana Las Vegas
On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries closed on its previously announced transaction to acquire the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from Penn in exchange for rent credits of $307.5 million, which were applied against future rent obligations due under the parties' existing leases during 2020. An affiliate of Penn continues to operate the casino and hotel business of the Tropicana Las Vegas pursuant to a triple net lease with GLPI for nominal rent for the earlier of two years (subject to three one-year extensions at the Company's option) or until the Tropicana Las Vegas is sold.
On April 13, 2021, Bally's agreed to acquire the Company's non-land real estate assets and Penn's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas for $150.0 million. The Company will retain ownership of the land and concurrently enter into a 50-year ground lease with an initial annual rent of $10.5 million. The ground lease will be supported by a Bally's corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease. This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company and Penn closed on their previously announced transaction whereby GLPI acquired the land under Penn's gaming facility under construction in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits that were utilized by Penn in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company is leasing the land back to an affiliate of Penn pursuant to the Morgantown Lease for an initial annual rent of $3.0 million, provided, however, that (i) on the opening date and on each anniversary thereafter the rent shall be increased by 1.5% annually (on a prorated basis for the remainder of the lease year in which the gaming facility opens) for each of the following three lease years and (ii) commencing on the fourth anniversary of the opening date and for each anniversary thereafter, (a) if the CPI increase is at least 0.5% for any lease year, the rent for such lease year shall increase by 1.25% of rent as of the immediately preceding lease year, and (b) if the CPI increase is less than 0.5% for such lease year, then the rent shall not increase for such lease year subject to escalation provisions following the opening of the property.
Casino Queen Master Lease
On November 25, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with respect to the HCBR transaction. This transaction closed on December 17, 2021 which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $6.8 million (loss of $7.7 million after tax) for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company retained ownership of all real estate assets at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and simultaneously entered into the Casino Queen Master Lease. The initial annual cash rent is approximately $21.4 million and the lease has an initial term of 15 years with four 5 year renewal options exercisable by the tenant. This rental amount will be increased annually by 0.5% for the first six years. Beginning with the seventh lease year through the remainder of the lease term, if the CPI increases by at least 0.25% for any lease year then annual rent shall be increased by 1.25%, and if the CPI increase is less than 0.25% then rent will remain unchanged for such lease year. Additionally, the Company will complete the current landside development project that is in process and the rent under the master lease will be adjusted upon delivery to reflect a yield of 8.25% on GLPI's project costs. The Company will also have a right of first refusal with Casino Queen for
other sale leaseback transactions up to $50 million over the next 2 years. Finally, GLPI forgave the unsecured $13.0 million, 5.5 year term loan made to CQ Holding Company, Inc., an affiliate of Casino Queen, which had been previously fully impaired in return for a one-time cash payment of $4 million which was recorded in provision for credit losses, net during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Perryville Lease
On December 15, 2020, the Company announced that Penn exercised its option to purchase from the Company the operations of our Hollywood Casino Perryville, located in Perryville, Maryland, for $31.1 million. The transaction closed on July 1, 2021 and the real estate assets of the Hollywood Casino Perryville are being leased to Penn pursuant to the Perryville Lease. A pre-tax gain of $15.6 million ($11.3 million after tax) was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2021 in connection with the sale of the operating assets to Penn.
Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Lease
On December 6, 2021, the Company announced that it had agreed to acquire the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh, including applicable long-term ground leases, from affiliates of Cordish for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.81 billion at deal announcement (the "Cordish Acquisitions"). The transaction also includes a binding partnership on future Cordish casino developments, as well as potential financing partnerships between the Company and Cordish in other areas of Cordish's portfolio of real estate and operating businesses. Upon the closing of the Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland transaction, GLPI entered into the Maryland Live! Lease, and upon the closing of the other transactions, GLPI will enter into the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease. The Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease will have and the Maryland Live! Lease has initial lease terms of 39 years, with a maximum term of 60 years inclusive of tenant renewal options. The annual rent for the Maryland Live! Lease is $75 million and for the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease will be $50 million both of which have or will have a 1.75% fixed yearly escalator on the entirety of rent commencing on the leases' second anniversary. The Maryland Live! Lease became effective on December 29, 2021 and the Pennsylvania transactions are expected to close in early 2022, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The majority of our earnings are the result of revenues we receive from our triple-net master leases with Penn, Boyd, Bally's, Cordish and Caesars. Additionally, we have rental revenue from the Casino Queen Master Lease which is also a triple net lease. In addition to rent, the tenants are required to pay the following executory costs: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, (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.
Additionally, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC 842"), we record revenue for the ground lease rent paid by our tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the Consolidated Statement of Income as we have concluded that as the lessee we are the primary obligor under the ground leases. We sublease these ground leases back to our tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
Gaming revenue for our TRS Properties is derived primarily from gaming on slot machines and to a lesser extent, table game and poker revenue, which is highly dependent upon the volume and spending levels of customers at our TRS Properties. Other revenues at our TRS Properties are derived from our dining, retail and certain other ancillary activities.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe the following competitive strengths will contribute significantly to our success:
Geographically Diverse Property Portfolio
As of December 31, 2021, our portfolio consisted of 51 gaming and related facilities, including 50 rental properties and the TRS Segment. Our portfolio, including our corporate headquarters building, comprises approximately 27.6 million square feet and approximately 5,800 acres of land and is broadly diversified by location across 17 states. We expect that our geographic diversification will limit the effect of a decline in any one regional market on our overall performance.
Financially Secure Tenants
Five of the company's tenants, Penn, Caesars, Boyd, Cordish and Bally's, are leading, diversified, multi-jurisdictional owners and managers of gaming and pari-mutuel properties and established gaming providers with strong financial performance. With the exception of Cordish, all of the aforementioned tenants are publicly traded companies that are subject to the informational filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are required to file periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Readers are directed to Penn's, Caesar's, Boyd's and Bally's respective websites for further financial information on these companies.
Long-Term, Triple-Net Lease Structure
Our real estate properties are leased under long-term triple-net leases guaranteed by our tenants, pursuant to which the tenant is responsible for all facility maintenance, insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on our income) and all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.
Resilient Regional Gaming Characteristics
We believe that the recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the resiliency of the regional gaming market. In spite of all our properties being forced to close during mid-March 2020, the Company collected all contractual rents, inclusive of rent credits, due in 2020. Furthermore, our tenants' results since they have reopened has been strong and in some cases better than prior to COVID-19, due to their increased focus on cost efficiencies and decreasing and/or eliminating lower margin amenities. For instance, the rent coverage ratios on our leases have increased at September 30, 2021 compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Although we are unable to predict whether these results will continue, we believe that our assets should generate substantial cash flows well into the future for both ourselves and our tenants.
Flexible UPREIT Structure
We operate through an umbrella partnership, commonly referred to as an UPREIT structure, in which substantially all of our properties and assets are held by GLP Capital or by subsidiaries of GLP Capital. Conducting business through GLP Capital allows us flexibility in the manner in which we structure and acquire properties. In particular, an UPREIT structure enables us to acquire additional properties from sellers in exchange for limited partnership units, which provides property owners the opportunity to defer the tax consequences that would otherwise arise from a sale of their real properties and other assets to us. As a result, this structure potentially may facilitate our acquisition of assets in a more efficient manner and may allow us to acquire assets that the owner would otherwise be unwilling to sell because of tax considerations. We believe that this flexibility will provide us an advantage in seeking future acquisitions.
Experienced and Committed Management Team
Our management team has extensive gaming and real estate experience. Peter M. Carlino, our chief executive officer, has more than 30 years of experience in the acquisition and development of gaming facilities and other real estate projects. Through years of public company experience, our management team also has extensive experience accessing both debt and equity capital markets to fund growth and maintain a flexible capital structure.
Segment Information
Consistent with how our Chief Operating Decision Maker (as such term is defined in ASC 280 - Segment Reporting) reviews and assesses our financial performance, we have two reportable segments, GLP Capital and the TRS Segment. The GLP Capital reportable segment consists of the leased real property and represents the majority of our business. The TRS Segment consists of our operations at Hollywood Casino Perryville (until July 1, 2021 and subsequent to this date includes rental income from the Perryville Lease) and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge (until December 17, 2021 when the operations were sold to Casino Queen), as well as the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas we acquired in 2020. In December 2021, the TRS Properties were merged into GLP Capital and therefore the Company does not expect to have a TRS Segment in 2022.
Executive Summary
Financial Highlights
We reported total revenues and income from operations of $1,216.4 million and $841.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $1,153.2 million and $809.3 million, respectively, for the year ended
December 31, 2020. The major factors affecting our results for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, were as follows:
•Total income from real estate was $1,106.7 million and $1,050.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total income from real estate increased by $56.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Current results benefited from the addition of the Bally's Master Lease, the Perryville Lease, the Morgantown Lease and the Casino Queen Master Lease which in the aggregate increased cash rental income by $29.5 million. Current year results also benefited from full escalations being incurred on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, Boyd Master Lease, Penn Master Lease and Belterra Park Lease which increased building base rents by $5.0 million. The Company also collected higher percentage rent of $15.2 million on the Penn Master Lease due to the impact of COVID-19 closures in 2020. The Company also had favorable straight line rent adjustments of $8.6 million and higher ground rent revenue gross ups of $3.7 million due to the impact of the temporary COVID-19 closures that occurred in 2020. Partially offsetting these favorable variances were lower percentage rents of $3.7 million from the 2020 resets on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease, and the Meadows Lease as well as lower cash rental income of $1.8 million from the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease that became effective in July 2020 which provided for fixed escalations in the future.
•Gaming, food, beverage and other revenue increased by $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year. The prior year revenues were impacted by the temporary closures of the properties during 2020 due to COVID-19. The TRS Properties were closed in mid-March 2020. Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge reopened to the public on May 18, 2020 and Hollywood Casino Perryville reopened on June 19, 2020 with various restrictions to limit capacity in accordance with regulatory requirements. Both properties opened to strong results which strengthened in the current year. The Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021. See Note 1 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
•Total operating expenses increased by $30.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year. The year ended December 31, 2020 had a non-cash gain on the disposition of property related to the Evansville swap transaction of $41.4 million, while the current year included pre-tax gains of $22.4 million attributable to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, which also was the reason for the $3.7 million decline in gaming, food, beverage and other expense as well as a $2.3 million reduction in our TRS Segment general and administrative expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an initial reserve for its direct finance lease related to the Maryland Live! Lease of $12.2 million, which was partially offset by a $4.0 million recovery on a previously impaired loan to Casino Queen. The Company incurred higher depreciation expense of $5.5 million due to its recent acquisitions and had lower general and administrative expenses of $5.0 million in our GLP Capital segment. This was due to severance and stock compensation charges associated of $6.3 million for the departure of our former chief financial officer in the third quarter of 2020, which was partially offset by higher bonus accruals in the current year as a result of improved financial performance relative to the prior year. Finally, the Company incurred higher land rights and ground lease expense of $8.3 million due to higher ground lease rents paid by our tenants in 2021 that are based on the facilities revenues which were negatively impacted in the prior year by the temporary closures COVID-19 had in 2020 and higher land lease right expense due to the June 3, 2021 acquisition of Tropicana Evansville.
•Other expenses, net decreased by $20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to debt extinguishment charges incurred in 2020 as well as a $3.5 million insurance gain at our TRS Segment related to the temporary closures of our TRS Properties in the prior year due to COVID-19.
•Income tax expense increased by $24.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year due to the gain on the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, the write-off of deferred tax assets related to the Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge sale, improved performance at our TRS Segment due to strong results in the current year as well as the impact of the temporary closures related to COVID-19 in the prior year.
•Net income increased by $28.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the variances explained above.
Segment Developments
The following are recent developments that have had or are expected to have an impact on us by segment:
GLP Capital
•Our leases contain variable rent that resets on varying schedules depending on the lease. The portion of our cash rents that are variable represented approximately 14% of our 2021 full year cash rental income. Of that variable rent, approximately 24% resets every five years, which is associated with our Penn Master Lease, 32% resets every two years and 41% resets monthly, which is associated with two properties in the Penn Master Lease (of which approximately 37% is subject to a floor, or $22.9 million annually, for Hollywood Casino Toledo). The percentage rent in the Penn Master Lease increased by $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended 2020 primarily due to the temporary closures of Hollywood Casino Columbus and to a lesser extent, Hollywood Casino Toledo from mid-March 2020 to June 19, 2020 as well as strong results in 2021 at these two properties. In connection with the Casino Queen Master Lease becoming effective December 17, 2021, 3% of the Company's percentage rent in 2021 is no longer subject to any variability.
•Certain of our leases contain annual escalation clauses that are based on adjusted revenues to rent coverage ratios exceeding 1.8 to 1. During the year ended December 31, 2021, full escalations were incurred on the Penn Master Lease, the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease and the Belterra Park Lease, which increased 2021 rental income by $5.0 million.
•We have announced or closed numerous transactions in the past two years and expect to continue to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
•Several wholly-owned subsidiaries of Penn lease a substantial number of our properties which account for the majority of our revenue.
•Our ability to refinance our significant levels of debt at attractive terms and obtain favorable funding in connection with future business opportunities.
•The fact that the rules and regulations of U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by legislators, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof, including any changes proposed and implemented by the Biden administration, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect GLPI and its investors.
TRS Segment
•The Company's wholly-owned and operated TRS Properties closed in mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Our property in Baton Rouge reopened on May 18, 2020 and our property in Perryville, Maryland reopened on June 19, 2020 with enhanced safety protocols and capacity restrictions. On July 1, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville to Penn, recognizing a gain of $15.6 million and entered into the Perryville Lease. On December 17, 2021 the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen, recognizing a gain of $6.8 million, and entered into the Casino Queen Master Lease.
•On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries acquired the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from Penn. This asset was placed in the Company's TRS Segment. An affiliate of Penn continues to operate the casino and hotel business of the Tropicana Las Vegas pursuant to a triple net lease with GLPI for nominal rent for the earlier of two years (subject to three one-year extensions at the Company's option) or until the Tropicana Las Vegas is sold. On April 13, 2021, Bally's agreed to acquire the Company's non-land real estate assets and Penn's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas for $150.0 million. The Company will retain the ownership of the land and concurrently enter into a 50-year ground lease with an initial annual rent of $10.5 million. The ground lease will be supported by a Bally's corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease. This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
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 leases, allowance for credit losses, income taxes, and real estate investments 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.
Leases
As a REIT, the majority of our revenues are derived from rent received from our tenants under long-term triple-net leases. Currently, we have master leases with Penn, Caesars, Bally's, Boyd and Casino Queen. We also have separate single property leases with Penn, Caesars, Boyd and Cordish. The accounting guidance under ASC 842 is complex and requires the use of judgments and assumptions by management to determine the proper accounting treatment of a lease. We perform a lease classification test upon the entry into any new tenant lease or lease modification to determine if we will account for the lease as an operating or sales-type lease. The revenue recognition model and thus the presentation of our financial statements is significantly different under operating leases and sales-type leases.
Under the operating lease model, as the lessor, the assets we own and lease to our tenants remain on our balance sheet as real estate investments and we record rental revenues on a straight-line basis over the lease term. This includes the recognition of percentage rents that are fixed and determinable at the lease inception date on a straight-line basis over the entire lease term, resulting in the recognition of deferred rental revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred rental revenue is amortized to rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the remainder of the lease term. The lease term includes the initial non-cancelable lease term and any reasonably assured renewal periods. Contingent rental income that is not fixed and determinable at lease inception is recognized only when the lessee achieves the specified target.
Under the sales-type lease model, however, at lease inception we would record an Investment in leases, on our Consolidated Balance Sheet rather than recording the actual assets we own. Furthermore, the cash rent we receive from tenants is not recorded as rental revenue, but rather a portion is recorded as interest income using an effective yield and a portion is recorded as a reduction to the Investment in leases. Under ASC 842, for leases with both land and building components, leases may be bifurcated between operating and sales-type leases. To determine if our real estate leases trigger full or partial sales-type lease treatment we conduct the five lease tests outlined in ASC 842 below. If a lease meets any of the five criteria below, it is accounted for as a sales-type lease.
1) Transfer of ownership - The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term. This criterion is met in situations in which the lease agreement provides for the transfer of title at or shortly after the end of the lease term in exchange for the payment of a nominal fee, for example, the minimum required by statutory regulation to transfer title.
2) Bargain purchase option - The lease contains a bargain purchase option, which is a provision allowing the lessee, at its option, to purchase the leased property for a price which is sufficiently lower than the expected fair value of the property at the date the option becomes exercisable and that is reasonably certain to be exercised.
3) Lease term - The lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset. However, if the commencement date falls at or near the end of the economic life of the underlying asset, this criterion shall not be used for purposes of classifying the lease.
4) Minimum lease payments - The present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee that is not already reflected in the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.
5) Specialized nature - The underlying asset is of such specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.
The tests outlined above, as well as the resulting calculations, require subjective judgments, such as determining, at lease inception, the fair value of the underlying leased assets, the residual value of the assets at the end of the lease term, the likelihood a tenant will exercise all renewal options (in order to determine the lease term), the estimated remaining economic life of the leased assets, and an allocation of rental income received under our Master Leases to the underlying leased assets. A slight change in estimate or judgment can result in a materially different financial statement presentation and income recognition method.
Investment in Leases, Financing Receivables, net
In accordance with ASC 842, for transactions in which we enter into a contract to acquire an asset and lease it back to the seller under a sales-type lease (i.e. a sale leaseback transaction), the Company must determine whether control of the asset has transferred to us. In cases whereby control has not transferred to the Company, we do not recognize the underlying asset but instead recognize a financial asset in accordance with ASC 310 "Receivables". The accounting for the financing receivable under ASC 310 is materially consistent with the accounting for our investments in leases - sales type under ASC 842. We have concluded that the Maryland Live! Lease is required to be accounted for as an Investment in leases - financing receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 310, since control of the underlying assets was not considered to have transferred to the Company under GAAP.
Allowance for credit losses
The Company follows ASC 326 “Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”), which requires that the Company measure and record current expected credit losses (“CECL”), the scope of which includes our Investments in leases - financing receivables.
We have elected to use an econometric default and loss rate model to estimate the Allowance for credit losses, or CECL allowance. This model requires us to calculate and input lease and property-specific credit and performance metrics which in conjunction with forward-looking economic forecasts, project estimated credit losses over the life of the lease or loan. The Company then records a CECL allowance based on the expected loss rate multiplied by the outstanding investment in lease financing receivable balance.
Expected losses within our cash flows are determined by estimating the probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) of our Investments in lease - financing receivable. We have engaged a nationally recognized data analytics firm to assist us with estimating both the PD and LGD for this financing receivable. The PD and LGD are estimated during the initial term of the lease. The PD and LGD estimates for the lease term were developed using current financial condition forecasts. The PD and LGD predictive model was developed using the average historical default rates and historical loss rates, respectively, of over 100,000 commercial real estate loans dating back to 1998 that have similar credit profiles or characteristics to the real estate underlying the Company's financing receivable. Management will monitor the credit risk related to its financing receivable by obtaining the rent coverage on the Maryland Live! Lease on a periodic basis. The Company also monitors legislative changes to assess whether it would have an impact on the underlying performance of its tenant. We are unable to use our historical data to estimate losses as the Company has no loss history to date on its lease portfolio.
The CECL allowance is recorded as a reduction to our net Investments in leases - financing receivable, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are required to update our CECL allowance on a quarterly basis with the resulting change being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the relevant period. Finally, each time the Company makes a new investment in an asset subject to ASC 326, we will be required to record an initial CECL allowance for such asset, which will result in a non-cash charge to the Consolidated Statement of Income for the relevant period. Changes in economic conditions and/or the underlying performance of the property contained within our leases accounted for as financing receivables impacts the assumptions utilized in the CECL reserve estimates. Changes in our assumptions could result in non-cash provisions or recoveries in future periods that could materially impact our results of operations.
Income Taxes - REIT Qualification
We elected on our U.S. federal income tax return for our taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and we, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. as a "taxable REIT subsidiary" effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV,
LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a “taxable REIT subsidiary”. Finally, in advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company elected GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. We intend to continue to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gain, and meet the various other requirements imposed by the Code relating to matters such as operating results, asset holdings, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership.
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and dividends paid to our shareholders would not be deductible by us in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to shareholders. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Our TRS Segment is able to engage in activities resulting in income that would not be qualifying income for a REIT. As a result, certain activities of the Company which occur within our TRS Segment are subject to federal and state income taxes. Due to the recent sales of the Company's TRS operations, the Company does not expect to have a TRS segment in 2022.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments primarily represent land and buildings leased to the Company's tenants. Real estate investments that we received in connection with the Spin-Off were contributed to us at Penn's historical carrying amount. We record the acquisition of real estate at fair value, including acquisition and closing costs. The cost of properties developed by GLPI includes costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. We consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. Depreciation is computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the buildings and building improvements. If we used a shorter or longer estimated useful life, it could have a material impact on our results of operations.
We continually monitor events and circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amount of our real estate investments may not be recoverable or realized. The factors considered by the Company in performing these assessments include evaluating whether the tenant is current on their lease payments, the tenant’s rent coverage ratio, the financial stability of the tenant and its parent company, and any other relevant factors. When indicators of potential impairment suggest that the carrying value of a real estate investment may not be recoverable, we determine whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the underlying lease exceeds the real estate investments' carrying value. If we determine the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the asset's carrying value then we would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We group our real estate investments together by lease, the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available, in evaluating impairment. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value, the Company must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, market and other applicable trends and residual values, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss.
Results of Operations
The following are the most important factors and trends that contribute or may contribute to our operating performance:
•We have announced or closed numerous transactions in the past two years and expect to continue to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
•The fact that several wholly-owned subsidiaries of Penn lease a substantial number of our properties and account for the majority of our revenue.
•The risks related to economic conditions, including uncertainty related to COVID-19 and the effect of such conditions on consumer spending for leisure and gaming activities, which may negatively impact our gaming tenants and operators and the variable rent and annual rent escalators we receive from our tenants as outlined in the long-term triple-net leases with these tenants.
•The ability to refinance our significant levels of debt at attractive terms and obtain favorable funding in connection with future business opportunities.
•The fact that the rules and regulations of U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by legislators, the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect GLPI's investors or GLPI.
The consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized below:
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| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | |
| (in thousands) | | |
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Total revenues | $ | 1,216,351 | | | $ | 1,153,165 | | | |
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| | | | | |
Total operating expenses | 374,583 | | | 343,891 | | | |
Income from operations | 841,768 | | | 809,274 | | | |
Total other expenses | (279,340) | | | (299,686) | | | |
Income before income taxes | 562,428 | | | 509,588 | | | |
Income tax expense | 28,342 | | | 3,877 | | | |
Net income | 534,086 | | | 505,711 | | | |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership | (39) | | | — | | | |
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 534,047 | | | $ | 505,711 | | | |
The Company has omitted the discussion comparing its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2020 to its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2019 from its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Readers are directed to Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for these disclosures.
Certain information regarding our results of operations by segment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is summarized below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Revenues | | Income from Operations |
| Year Ended December 31, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | | | 2021 | | 2020 | | |
| (in thousands) | | |
GLP Capital | $ | 1,102,653 | | | $ | 1,050,166 | | | | | $ | 781,226 | | | $ | 792,467 | | | |
TRS Segment | 113,698 | | | 102,999 | | | | | 60,542 | | | 16,807 | | | |
Total | $ | 1,216,351 | | | $ | 1,153,165 | | | | | $ | 841,768 | | | $ | 809,274 | | | |
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA
Funds From Operations ("FFO"), Adjusted Funds From Operations ("AFFO") and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company as performance measures for benchmarking against the Company’s peers and as internal measures of business operating performance, which is used as a bonus metric. These metrics are presented assuming full conversion of limited partnership units to common shares and therefore before the income statement impact of non-controlling interests. The Company believes FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA provide a meaningful perspective of the underlying operating performance of the Company’s current business. This is especially true since these measures exclude real estate depreciation and we believe that real estate values fluctuate based on market conditions rather than depreciating in value ratably on a straight-line basis over time.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that are considered supplemental measures for the real estate industry and a supplement to GAAP measures. The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts defines FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding (gains) or losses from sales of property and real estate depreciation. We define AFFO as FFO excluding stock based compensation expense, the amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts, other depreciation, amortization of land rights, straight-line rent adjustments, gains or (losses) on sales of operations, net of tax, losses on debt extinguishment, and provision for credit losses, net reduced by maintenance capital expenditures. Finally, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income excluding interest, net, income tax expense, depreciation, (gains) or losses from sales of property, gains on sales of operations, net of tax, stock based compensation expense, straight-line rent adjustments, amortization of land rights, losses on debt extinguishment, and provision for credit losses, net.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures: (i) do not represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP; (ii) should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities; and (iii) are not alternatives to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, these measures should not be viewed as an indication of our ability to fund our cash needs, including to make cash distributions to our shareholders, to fund capital improvements, or to make interest payments on our indebtedness. Investors are also cautioned that FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other real estate companies, including REITs due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definitions. Our presentation of these measures does not replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP.
The reconciliation of the Company’s net income per GAAP to FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | |
| (in thousands) |
Net income | $ | 534,086 | | | $ | 505,711 | | | |
Losses (gains) from dispositions of property | 711 | | | (41,393) | | | |
Real estate depreciation | 230,941 | | | 220,069 | | | |
Funds from operations | $ | 765,738 | | | $ | 684,387 | | | |
Straight-line rent adjustments | (3,993) | | | 4,576 | | | |
| | | | | |
Other depreciation | 5,493 | | | 10,904 | | | |
Amortization of land rights | 15,616 | | | 12,022 | | | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | 9,929 | | | 10,503 | | | |
Stock based compensation | 16,831 | | | 20,004 | | | |
Gains on sale of operations, net of tax | (3,560) | | | — | | | |
Losses on debt extinguishment | — | | | 18,113 | | | |
| | | | | |
Provision for credit losses, net | 8,226 | | | — | | | |
| | | | | |
Capital maintenance expenditures | (2,270) | | | (3,130) | | | |
Adjusted funds from operations | $ | 812,010 | | | $ | 757,379 | | | |
Interest, net | 282,840 | | | 281,573 | | | |
Income tax expense | 9,440 | | | 3,877 | | | |
Capital maintenance expenditures | 2,270 | | | 3,130 | | | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | (9,929) | | | (10,503) | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,096,631 | | | $ | 1,035,456 | | | |
(1) Such amortization is a non-cash component included in interest, net.
The reconciliation of each segment’s net income per GAAP to FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | GLP Capital | | | | TRS Segment |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | | | 2021 | | 2020 | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 514,883 | | | $ | 508,060 | | | | | $ | 19,203 | | | $ | (2,349) | | | |
Losses (gains) from dispositions of property | | 604 | | | (41,402) | | | | | 107 | | | 9 | | | |
Real estate depreciation | | 230,333 | | | 220,069 | | | | | 608 | | | — | | | |
Funds from operations | | $ | 745,820 | | | $ | 686,727 | | | | | $ | 19,918 | | | $ | (2,340) | | | |
Straight-line rent adjustments | | (3,873) | | | 4,576 | | | | | (120) | | | — | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other depreciation | | 1,881 | | | 1,972 | | | | | 3,612 | | | 8,932 | | | |
Gain on sale of operations, net of tax | | — | | | — | | | | | (3,560) | | | — | | | |
Amortization of land rights | | 15,616 | | | 12,022 | | | | | — | | | — | | | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | | 9,929 | | | 10,503 | | | | | — | | | — | | | |
Stock based compensation | | 16,831 | | | 20,004 | | | | | — | | | — | | | |
Losses on debt extinguishment | | — | | | 18,113 | | | | | — | | | — | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for credit losses, net | | 8,226 | | | — | | | | | — | | | — | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital maintenance expenditures | | (65) | | | (186) | | | | | (2,205) | | | (2,944) | | | |
Adjusted funds from operations | | $ | 794,365 | | | $ | 753,731 | | | | | $ | 17,645 | | | $ | 3,648 | | | |
Interest, net (2) | | 265,439 | | | 265,597 | | | | | 17,401 | | | 15,976 | | | |
Income tax expense | | 904 | | | 697 | | | | | 8,536 | | | 3,180 | | | |
Capital maintenance expenditures | | 65 | | | 186 | | | | | 2,205 | | | 2,944 | | | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | | (9,929) | | | (10,503) | | | | | — | | | — | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 1,050,844 | | | $ | 1,009,708 | | | | | $ | 45,787 | | | $ | 25,748 | | | |
(1) Such amortization is a non-cash component included in interest, net.
(2) Interest, net for the GLP Capital segment is net of an intercompany interest elimination of $17.4 million and $16.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for our GLP Capital segment were $514.9 million, $745.8 million, $794.4 million and $1,050.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021. This compared to net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA, for our GLP Capital segment of $508.1 million, $686.7 million, $753.7 million and $1,009.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in net income in our GLP Capital segment was primarily driven by a $52.5 million increase in income from real estate as explained below. In addition, we had several operating expense variances that are also discussed below.
The increase in operating expenses in our GLP Capital segment for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year period of $63.7 million was primarily from a gain on the disposition of property related to the Evansville swap transaction of $41.4 million in 2020, higher depreciation expense and land right amortization expense in our REIT segment of $18.5 million due to the Company's recent acquisitions, and a $8.2 million provision for credit losses, net in the current year. Partially offsetting these increases was lower general and administrative expenses of $5.0 million due primarily from severance and stock based compensation acceleration charges for the departure of our former chief financial officer in 2020.
The decrease in other expenses, net, for the year ended December 31, 2021 was due to $18.1 million of debt extinguishment charges in the prior year.
The increase in FFO for our GLP Capital segment for the year ended December 31, 2021 is due to the items described above, excluding gains (losses) from the disposition of property and real estate depreciation. The increase in AFFO is due to the items described above, less the adjustments mentioned in the table above, primarily straight line rent adjustments,
amortization expenses, stock based compensation costs, provision for credit losses, net and losses on debt extinguishment. Adjusted EBITDA for our GLP Capital segment for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, also increased driven by the explanations above, as well as adjustments mentioned in the table above, primarily related to interest expense.
The net income of $19.2 million for our TRS Segment for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to a net loss of $2.3 million for the prior year is primarily related to strong reopening results in the current year at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and Hollywood Casino Perryville which in the prior year were closed temporarily from mid-March 2020 to May 2020 and June 2020, respectively, due to COVID-19. Additionally, the Company recorded a net after tax gain of $3.6 million on the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2021.
Revenues
Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | | Percentage |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | Variance | | Variance |
Rental income | | $ | 1,106,658 | | | $ | 1,031,036 | | | $ | 75,622 | | | 7.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Interest income from real estate loans | | — | | | 19,130 | | | (19,130) | | | (100.0) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Total income from real estate | | 1,106,658 | | | 1,050,166 | | | 56,492 | | | 5.4 | % |
Gaming, food, beverage and other | | 109,693 | | | 102,999 | | | 6,694 | | | 6.5 | % |
Total revenues | | $ | 1,216,351 | | | $ | 1,153,165 | | | $ | 63,186 | | | 5.5 | % |
Total income from real estate
Total income from real estate increased $56.5 million, or 5.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Results for the current year benefited from the additions on the Bally's Master Lease, the Perryville Lease, the Morgantown Lease and the Casino Queen Master Lease which in the aggregate increased cash rental income by $29.5 million. Additionally, the Company benefited from full escalations being incurred on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease and the Belterra Lease effective May 1, 2021 and the Penn Master Lease that became effective November 1, 2021. The aggregate impact of these escalations increased building base rent by $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company had higher percentage rent on the Penn Master Lease in the current year of $15.2 million, due to the impact of the COVID-19 closures in 2020 and strong performance in the current year by Penn's Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo properties. Finally, the Company also had favorable straight line rent adjustments of $8.6 million and higher ground rent revenue gross ups of $3.7 million due to the impact of the temporary COVID-19 closures that occurred in 2020.
Partially offsetting these favorable variances were lower percentage rents of $3.7 million from the 2020 resets on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease and the Meadows Lease which was driven primarily from the COVID-19 closures. Additionally, we had lower cash rental income of $1.8 million on the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease that became effective in July 2020 which lowered rent initially but removed variable rents going forward and provided for fixed escalation increases as previously described.
The reason for the decline in interest income from real estate loans was due to the CZR loan and Belterra Park Loan both being satisfied in 2020 as the Company acquired the real estate subject to the Lumière Place Lease and the Belterra Park Lease. See Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
Details of the Company's income from real estate for the year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2021 | Building base rent | | Land base rent | | Percentage rent | | Total cash rental income | Straight-line rent adjustments | | Ground rent in revenue (1) | Other rental revenue | | Total rental income | |
Penn Master Lease | $ | 280,338 | | | $ | 93,969 | | | $ | 97,814 | | | $ | 472,121 | | $ | 8,926 | | | $ | 3,013 | | $ | 12 | | | $ | 484,072 | | |
Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 230,230 | | | 71,256 | | | 26,779 | | | 328,265 | | (19,346) | | | 7,430 | | — | | | 316,349 | | |
Penn - Meadows Lease | 15,811 | | | — | | | 9,046 | | | 24,857 | | 2,288 | | | — | | 195 | | | 27,340 | | |
Penn Morgantown | — | | | 3,000 | | | — | | | 3,000 | | — | | | — | | — | | | 3,000 | | |
Penn Perryville | 2,914 | | | 971 | | | — | | | 3,885 | | 120 | | | — | | — | | | 4,005 | | |
Caesars Master Lease | 62,514 | | | 23,729 | | | — | | | 86,243 | | 10,358 | | | 1,586 | | — | | | 98,187 | | |
Lumiere Place Lease | 22,875 | | | — | | | — | | | 22,875 | | 544 | | | — | | — | | | 23,419 | | |
BYD Master Lease | 76,652 | | | 11,785 | | | 9,845 | | | 98,282 | | 2,296 | | | 1,726 | | — | | | 102,304 | | |
BYD Belterra Lease | 2,709 | | | 1,894 | | | 1,817 | | | 6,420 | | (1,211) | | | — | | — | | | 5,209 | | |
Bally's Master Lease | 23,111 | | | — | | | — | | | 23,111 | | — | | | 4,832 | | — | | | 27,943 | | |
Casino Queen Master Lease | 9,388 | | | — | | | 5,424 | | | 14,812 | | 18 | | | — | | — | | | 14,830 | | |
Total | $ | 726,542 | | | $ | 206,604 | | | $ | 150,725 | | | $ | 1,083,871 | | $ | 3,993 | | | $ | 18,587 | | $ | 207 | | | $ | 1,106,658 | | |
(1) In accordance with ASC 842, the Company records revenue for the ground lease rent paid by its tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the consolidated statement of income as the Company has concluded that as the lessee it is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The Company subleases these ground leases back to its tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
Gaming, food, beverage and other revenue
Gaming, food, beverage and other revenue for our TRS Properties increased by $6.7 million, or 6.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The reason for the increase was due to the properties being closed in mid-March 2020 due to COVID-19. Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge reopened to the public on May 18, 2020 and Hollywood Casino Perryville reopened on June 19, 2020 with various restrictions to limit capacity in accordance with regulatory requirements. Results since reopening have exceeded the corresponding periods in the prior years as spend per visit has increased due to various factors such as pent up demand and government stimulus efforts, partially offset by the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | | Percentage |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | Variance | | Variance |
Gaming, food, beverage and other | | $ | 53,039 | | | $ | 56,698 | | | $ | (3,659) | | | (6.5) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Land rights and ground lease expense | | 37,390 | | | 29,041 | | | 8,349 | | | 28.7 | % |
General and administrative | | 61,245 | | | 68,572 | | | (7,327) | | | (10.7) | % |
(Gains) losses from disposition of properties | | (21,751) | | | (41,393) | | | 19,642 | | | (47.5) | % |
Depreciation | | 236,434 | | | 230,973 | | | 5,461 | | | 2.4 | % |
Provision for credit losses, net | | 8,226 | | | — | | | 8,226 | | | — |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | | $ | 374,583 | | | $ | 343,891 | | | $ | 30,692 | | | 8.9 | % |
Gaming, food, beverage and other expense
Gaming, food, beverage and other expense for our TRS Properties decreased by approximately $3.7 million, or 6.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. As previously discussed, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021. Additionally, the TRS Properties were closed for part of 2020 due to COVID-19.
Land rights and ground lease expense
Land rights and ground lease expense includes the amortization of land rights and rent expense related to the Company's long-term ground leases. Land rights and ground lease expense increased by $8.3 million, or 28.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily from higher ground lease rents paid by our tenants in 2021 of $4.7 million that are primarily based on the facilities' revenues which increased due to the impact of COVID-19 in 2020 that resulted in temporary casino closures. We sublease these ground leases back to our tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the applicable landlord. These amounts are required to be recorded in both revenue and expense within the consolidated statements of income as we have concluded that as the lessee the Company is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The Company also had higher land right amortization expense of $3.6 million due to the June 3, 2021 acquisition of Tropicana Evansville.
General and administrative expense
General and administrative expenses include items such as compensation costs (including stock-based compensation awards), professional services and costs associated with development activities. General and administrative expenses decreased by $7.3 million, or 10.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. This is primarily attributable to the negative impact from severance and stock acceleration charges of $6.3 million, related to the departure of our former chief financial officer as well as lower costs at our TRS Properties of $2.3 million primarily due to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville effective July 1, 2021, partially offset by higher bonus accruals in the current year.
Gains and losses from dispositions of property
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge which resulted in a combined pre-tax gain of $22.4 million. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. In connection with the Exchange Agreement with Caesars, whereby the Company acquired Waterloo and Bettendorf to replace Tropicana Evansville under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease, the Company recorded a non-cash gain of $41.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 which represented the difference between the fair value of the properties received compared to the carrying value of Tropicana Evansville and the cash payment of $5.7 million.
Depreciation expense
Depreciation expense increased by $5.5 million, or 2.4%, to $236.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to the Company's acquisitions over the past year.
Provision for credit losses,net
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a $12.2 million provision for credit losses on the Maryland Live! Lease which represented the Company's best estimate of losses over the life of the lease under ASC 326 "Credit Losses". See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Allowance for Credit Losses, for further discussion. Additionally, the Company recorded a $4 million recovery during the year ended December 31, 2021 for a payment received from Casino Queen in full satisfaction of a loan that was previously fully impaired.
Other income (expenses)
Other income (expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | | Percentage |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | Variance | | Variance |
Interest expense | | $ | (283,037) | | | $ | (282,142) | | | $ | (895) | | | 0.3 | % |
Interest income | | 197 | | | 569 | | | (372) | | | (65.4) | % |
Insurance gain | | 3,500 | | | — | | | 3,500 | | | N/M |
Losses on debt extinguishment | | — | | | (18,113) | | | 18,113 | | | (100.0) | % |
Total other expenses | | $ | (279,340) | | | $ | (299,686) | | | $ | 20,346 | | | (6.8) | % |
Insurance gain
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized insurance gains of $3.5 million due to an insurance claim related to the temporary closures of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2020 related to COVID-19.
Losses on debt extinguishment
In the first quarter of 2020, the Company redeemed all $215.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding 4.875% senior unsecured notes due in November 2020 and all $400 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding 4.375% senior unsecured notes due in April 2021, resulting in the retirement of such senior notes. The Company recorded losses on the early extinguishment of debt related to the current year retirements of $18.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily for call premium charges and debt issuance write-offs.
Taxes
Our income tax expense increased $24.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we had income tax expense of approximately $28.3 million, compared to income tax expense of $3.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. Our income tax expense is primarily driven from the operations of the TRS Segment, which are taxed at the corporate rate. Our effective tax rate (income taxes as a percentage of income before income taxes) was 5.0% and 0.8% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The current year sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, as well as deferred tax write off related to the sale of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge resulted in a $18.9 million increase to income tax expense in 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flow from operations, borrowings from banks, and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $803.8 million and $428.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $375.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to an increase in cash receipts from tenants and customers of $388.2 million, a decrease in cash paid to employees of $9.6 million and a decrease in cash paid for operating expenses of $2.5 million, partially offset by an increase in cash paid for taxes of $14.1 million and an increase in interest payments of $12.4 million. The increase in cash receipts collected from our tenants and customers was primarily due to $337.5 million in non-cash rent recognized in connection with the Tropicana Las Vegas and Morgantown transactions in 2020, higher rental income from the Bally's Master Lease, the Perryville Lease, the Morgantown Lease, and the Casino Queen Master Lease, and higher percentage rent on the Penn Master Lease due to strong results at Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo (which were closed for part of 2020 due to COVID-19), along with the strong reopenings of our TRS Properties, which were forced to close in mid-March 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19. These properties reopened in May 2020 and June 2020 as previously discussed. The reduction in cash paid to employees was primarily due to lower bonus payouts in 2021 related to 2020 performance that was negatively impacted by COVID-19 as well as the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and the sale of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021. The increase in taxes paid was due to the sale of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and strong results at the TRS Properties prior to the sales. The increase in interest payments is due primarily from the $700 million 4.000% senior unsecured note offering that was completed in June and August of 2020.
Investing activities used net cash of $1,030.8 million and $9.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 consisted of $487.5 million for the acquisition of real estate assets in the Bally's acquisitions and $592.2 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of Maryland Live! which was accounted for as an investment in lease, financing receivable. The Company also incurred capital expenditures of $16.2 million, partially offset by the net proceeds received for the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville to Penn of $30.8 million, proceeds from the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen of $28.2 million, a loan loss recovery of $4.0 million, and proceeds from the sale of property of $2.1 million. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily consisted of capital expenditures of $3.1 million and $5.9 million for the acquisition of real estate assets primarily related to the Evansville swap transaction.
Financing activities provided net cash of $443.1 million and $63.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was driven by $795.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $662.3 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock, partially offset by the repayment of long term debt of $363.4 million relating to the Maryland Live! transaction, dividend payments of $633.9 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $9.9 million. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company raised $2,076.4 million of proceeds from the issuance of long term debt and $320.9 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock. This was partially offset by repayments of long-term debt of $2,076.6 million, dividend payments of $230.5 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $15.3 million.
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. The cost of properties developed by the Company include costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. 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.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 we spent approximately $2.3 million and $3.1 million respectively, for capital maintenance expenditures. The majority of the capital maintenance expenditures were for slot machines and slot machine equipment at our TRS Properties. Our tenants are responsible for capital maintenance expenditures at our leased properties. However, during 2021, $5.2 million was incurred on capital project expenditures related to a landside development project at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and $8.7 million was incurred on capital project expenditures related to an expansion at Casino Queen.
Debt
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility
Prior to June 25, 2020, the Company's senior unsecured credit facility (the "Credit Facility"), consisted of a $1,175 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") with a maturity date of May 21, 2023, and a $449 million Term Loan A-1 facility with a maturity date of April 28, 2021.
The Company fully drew down on its Revolver in the first quarter of 2020 to increase its liquidity position and repay certain senior unsecured notes as described below. On June 25, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility (as amended, the "Amended Credit Facility") which extended the maturity date of approximately $224 million of outstanding Term Loan A-1 facility borrowings to May 21, 2023, which term loans are now classified as a new tranche of term loans (Term Loans A-2). Additionally, the Company borrowed incremental Term Loans A-2 totaling $200 million. Furthermore, on June 25, 2020, the Company also closed on an offering of $500 million of 4.00% unsecured senior notes due in January 2031 priced at an issue price equal to 98.827% of the principal amount. The Company utilized the proceeds from these two financings along with cash on hand to repay all outstanding obligations under its Revolver. On August 18, 2020, the Company borrowed an additional $200 million of 4.00% unsecured senior notes due in January 2031 at an issue price equal to 103.824% of the principal amount. The Company utilized the net proceeds from this additional borrowing to repay indebtedness under the Term Loan A-1 facility.
At December 31, 2021, the Amended Credit Facility had a gross outstanding balance of $424.0 million, consisting of the $424.0 million Term Loan A-2 facility. No amounts were outstanding under the Revolver. Additionally, at December 31, 2021, the Company was contingently obligated under letters of credit issued pursuant to the Amended Credit Facility with face amounts aggregating approximately $0.4 million, resulting in $1,174.6 million of available borrowing capacity under the Revolver.
The interest rates payable on the loans are, at the Company's option, equal to either a LIBOR rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 1.0% to 2.0% per annum for LIBOR loans and 0.0% to 1.0% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Amended Credit Facility. At December 31, 2021, the applicable margin was 1.50% for LIBOR loans and 0.50% for base rate loans. In addition, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the Revolver at a rate that ranges from 0.15% to 0.35% per annum, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Amended Credit Facility. At December 31, 2021, the commitment fee rate was 0.25%. The Company is not required to repay any loans under the Amended Credit Facility prior to maturity and may
prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Amended Credit Facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any LIBOR breakage costs of the lenders. The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, GLP Capital, is the primary obligor under the Amended Credit Facility, which is guaranteed by GLPI.
The Amended Credit Facility contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations or pay certain dividends and other restricted payments. The Amended Credit Facility contains the following financial covenants, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: a maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. In addition, GLPI is required to maintain a minimum tangible net worth and its status as a REIT. GLPI is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status, subject to the absence of payment or bankruptcy defaults. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Amended Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control and termination of the Penn Master Lease (subject to certain replacement rights). The occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Amended Credit Facility will enable the lenders under the Amended Credit Facility to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder. At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under the Amended Credit Facility.
Senior Unsecured Notes
At December 31, 2021, the Company had an outstanding balance of $6,175.0 million of senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Notes").
On December 13, 2021, the Company issued $800 million of 3.25% senior unsecured notes due January 2032 at an issue price equal to 99.376% of the principal amount. The proceeds are being used to partially finance the Company's acquisition of certain real estate assets in the Cordish transaction as described in Note 7.
In the first quarter of 2020, the Company redeemed all $215.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 4.875% senior unsecured notes due in November 2020 and all $400 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 4.375% senior unsecured notes due in April 2021, incurring a loss on the early extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of $17.3 million, primarily for call premium charges and debt issuance write-offs.
On June 25, 2020, the Company issued $500 million of 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2031 at an issue price equal to 98.827% of the principal amount to repay indebtedness under its Revolver. On August 18, 2020, the Company issued an additional $200 million of 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2031 at an issue price equal to 103.824% of the principal amount to repay Term Loan A-1 indebtedness, incurring a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $0.8 million, related to debt issuance write-offs. These bond offerings have extended the maturities of our long-term debt.
On August 29, 2019, the Company issued $400 million of 3.35% Senior Unsecured Notes maturing on September 1, 2024 at an issue price equal to 99.899% of the principal amount (the "2024 Notes") and $700 million of 4.00% Senior Unsecured Notes maturing on January 15, 2030 at an issue price equal to 99.751% of the principal amount (the "2030 Notes"). Interest on the 2024 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on March 1, 2020. Interest on the 2030 Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2020. The net proceeds from the sale of the 2024 Notes and 2030 Notes were used to (i) finance the Company's cash tender offer to purchase its 4.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2020 (described below), (ii) repay outstanding borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility and (iii) repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the Company's Term Loan A-1 facility.
On September 12, 2019, the Company completed a cash tender offer (the "2019 Tender Offer") to purchase its $1,000 million aggregate principal amount 4.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes"). The Company received early tenders from the holders of approximately $782.6 million in aggregate principal of the 2020 Notes, or approximately 78% of its outstanding 2020 Notes, in connection with the 2019 Tender Offer at a price of 102.337% of the unpaid principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest through the settlement date. Subsequent to the early tender deadline, an additional $2.2 million in aggregate principal of the 2020 Notes was tendered at a price of 99.337% of the unpaid principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest through the settlement date, for a total redemption of $784.8 million of the 2020 Notes. The Company recorded a loss on the early extinguishment of debt related to the 2019 Tender Offer, of approximately $21.0 million, for the difference between the reacquisition price of the tendered 2020 Notes and their net carrying value.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes of any series at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus a "make-whole" redemption premium described in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, except that if Senior Notes of a series are redeemed 90 or fewer days prior to their maturity, the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. If GLPI experiences a change of control accompanied by a decline in the credit rating of the Senior Notes of a particular series, the Company will be required to give holders of the Senior Notes of such series the opportunity to sell their Senior Notes of such series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes of such series, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. The Senior Notes also are subject to mandatory redemption requirements imposed by gaming laws and regulations.
The Senior Notes were issued by GLP Capital and GLP Financing II, Inc. (the "Issuers"), two wholly-owned subsidiaries of GLPI both of which are consolidated by GLPI, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by GLPI which such guarantees are full and unconditional. The Senior Notes are the Issuers' senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Issuers' senior indebtedness, including the Amended Credit Facility, and senior in right of payment to all of the Issuers' subordinated indebtedness, without giving effect to collateral arrangements. GLPI is not subject to any material or significant restrictions on its ability to obtain funds from its subsidiaries through dividends or loans or to transfer assets from such subsidiaries, except as provided by applicable law and the covenants listed below. None of GLPI's other subsidiaries guarantee the Senior Notes.
The Senior Notes contain covenants limiting the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt and use its assets to secure debt; merge or consolidate with another company; and make certain amendments to the Penn Master Lease. The Senior Notes also require the Company to maintain a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.
GLPI owns all of the assets of GLP Capital and conducts all of its operations through the operating partnership. Based on the amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X that the SEC released on January 4, 2021, we note that since GLPI fully and unconditionally guarantees the debt securities of the Issuers and consolidates both Issuers, we are not required to provide separate financial statements for the Issuers and GLPI since they are consolidated into GLPI and the GLPI guarantee is “full and unconditional.”
Furthermore, as permitted under Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi), we excluded the summarized financial information for the Issuers because the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Issuers and GLPI are not materially different than the corresponding amounts in GLPI’s consolidated financial statements and we believe such summarized financial information would be repetitive and would not provide incremental value to investors.
At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under its Senior Notes.
Distribution Requirements
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains, in order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT (assuming that certain other requirements are also satisfied) so that U.S. federal corporate income tax does not apply to earnings that we distribute. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement and qualify for taxation as a REIT but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our shareholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code.
LIBOR Transition
The majority of our debt is at fixed rates and our exposure to variable interest rates is currently limited to our Revolver and our Term Loan A-2. Both of these debt instruments are indexed to LIBOR which is expected to be phased out through mid-2023. The discontinuance of LIBOR would affect our interest expense and earnings. The borrowings under our Amended Credit Facility will be subject to the expected LIBOR transition. LIBOR is currently expected to transition to a new standard rate, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). We are currently monitoring the transition and cannot be certain whether SOFR will become the standard rate for our variable rate debt.
Outlook
Based on our current level of operations and anticipated earnings, we believe that cash generated from operations and cash on hand, together with amounts available under our Amended Credit Facility, will be adequate to meet our anticipated debt service requirements, pending acquisition costs for our Pennsylvania transactions with Cordish that will total approximately $698 million, inclusive of estimated real estate transfer taxes and fees (of which $575 million will require cash with the remainder funded in additional operating units) and the $150 million purchase price for the real estate of Bally's Black Hawk and Rock Island properties, capital expenditures, working capital needs and dividend requirements. Additionally, we anticipate the sale of the non-land real estate assets at Tropicana Las Vegas to Bally's will result in $150.0 million of proceeds.
In addition, we expect the majority of our future growth to come from acquisitions of gaming and other properties to lease to third parties. If we consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements may increase significantly and we would likely need to raise additional proceeds through a combination of either common equity (including under our ATM Program), issuance of additional operating partnership units, and/or debt offerings. In addition, although we have no significant debt maturities in 2022, the Company intends to refinance its Amended Credit Facility and certain senior unsecured note obligations in advance of their maturity dates in 2023. 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 risk related to our capital structure.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We face market risk exposure in the form of interest rate risk. These market risks arise from our debt obligations. We have no international operations. Our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is not significant to our financial condition or results of operations.
GLPI’s primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk with respect to its indebtedness of $6,599.7 million at December 31, 2021. Furthermore, $6,175.0 million of our obligations are the senior unsecured notes that have fixed interest rates with maturity dates ranging from approximately two years to ten years. An increase in interest rates could make the financing of any acquisition by GLPI more costly, as well as increase the costs of its variable rate debt obligations. Rising interest rates could also limit GLPI’s ability to refinance its debt when it matures or cause GLPI to pay higher interest rates upon refinancing and increase interest expense on refinanced indebtedness. GLPI may manage, or hedge, interest rate risks related to its borrowings by means of interest rate swap agreements. GLPI also expects to manage its exposure to interest rate risk by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rates for its indebtedness. However, the provisions of the Code applicable to REITs substantially limit GLPI’s ability to hedge its assets and liabilities.
The table below provides information at December 31, 2021 about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For debt obligations, the table presents notional amounts maturing in each fiscal 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 for our variable rate debt are based on implied forward LIBOR rates at December 31, 2021.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1/01/22- 12/31/22 | | 1/01/23- 12/31/23 | | 1/01/24- 12/31/24 | | 1/01/25- 12/31/25 | | 1/01/26 12/31/26 | | Thereafter | | Total | | Fair Value at 12/31/2021 |
| (in thousands) |
Long-term debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed rate | $ | — | | | $ | 500,000 | | | $ | 400,000 | | | $ | 850,000 | | | $ | 975,000 | | | $ | 3,450,000 | | | $ | 6,175,000 | | | $ | 6,645,574 | |
Average interest rate | | | 5.38 | % | | 3.35 | % | | 5.25 | % | | 5.38 | % | | 4.36 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Variable rate | $ | — | | | $ | 424,019 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 424,019 | | | $ | 424,019 | |
Average interest rate (1) | | | 2.90 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) Estimated rate, reflective of forward LIBOR plus the spread over LIBOR applicable to variable-rate borrowing. For considerations surrounding the phase out of LIBOR refer to the Liquidity and Capital Resources discussion in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, changes in equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes and the schedules listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control -- Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 24, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Lease Classification - Lease Term - See Note 14 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company performs a lease classification test upon the entry into any new tenant lease or lease modification to determine if the Company will account for the lease as an operating, sales-type lease, or direct financing lease. The accounting guidance under ASC 842 is complex and requires the use of judgments and assumptions by management to determine the proper accounting treatment of a lease. The lease classification tests and the resulting calculations require subjective judgments, such as determining the likelihood a tenant will exercise all renewal options, in order to determine the lease term. A slight change in estimate or judgment can result in a material difference in the financial statement presentation.
Given the significant judgments made by management to determine the expected lease term, we performed audit procedures to assess the reasonableness of such judgments, which required a high degree of auditor judgment.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the judgments surrounding the determination of lease term for any new or modified lease included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of the controls over management’s assessment of the likelihood a tenant would exercise all renewal options.
•We evaluated the significant judgments made by management to determine the expected lease term by:
◦Evaluating the significance of the leased assets to the tenant’s operations by examining available information including tenant’s financial statements if available.
◦Evaluating the Company’s historical pattern of tenant lease modifications by examining both confirming and contradictory evidence.
◦Obtaining lease agreements to examine material lease provisions considered by management in their analysis.
Current Expected Credit Loss (“Expected Loss”) – Refer to Notes 2 and 8 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company follows ASC 326 “Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”), which requires that the Company measures and record current expected credit losses (“CECL”), the scope of which includes Investments in leases - financing receivables. The Company elected to use an econometric default and loss rate model to estimate the CECL allowance. This model requires the Company to calculate and input lease and property specific credit and performance metrics which in conjunction with forward looking economic forecasts, project estimated credit losses over the life of the lease. A CECL allowance is recorded based on the expected loss rate multiplied by the outstanding investment in lease balance.
Expected losses within the Company’s cash flows are determined by estimating the probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) of the Company’s Investment in lease, financing receivable. The PD and LGD are estimated during the initial term of the lease. The PD and LGD estimates for the lease term were developed using current financial condition forecasts. The PD and LGD predictive model uses the average historical default rates and historical loss rates, respectively, dating back to 1998 that have similar credit profiles or characteristics to the real estate underlying the Company's financing receivable. The Company will monitor the credit risk related to its financing receivable by obtaining the rent coverage ratios on a periodic basis. The Company also monitors legislative changes to assess whether it would have an impact on the underlying performance of its tenant.
The determination of the Company’s CECL allowance, including the forward looking economic forecasts, represents a critical audit matter due to the level of subjectivity and judgement involved. Auditing management’s allowance for credit losses requires a high degree of auditor judgment and increased extent of effort including the need to involve our credit specialist.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the allowance for credit losses for the Company’s investments in financing leases included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls implemented by the Company related to the estimation of the allowance for credit losses, including the judgements involved in the determination of the macroeconomic factors applied to expected loss rate.
•We tested the inputs used in the calculation to determine the PD and LGD of the tenant by agreeing lease and property specific credit and performance metrics to independent data.
•With the assistance of our credit specialist, we evaluated the reasonableness of the methodology, appropriateness of the model and significant assumptions used by management to estimate the PD and LGD.
•We evaluated management’s expected loss rate by performing a peer benchmarking analysis.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche
New York, New York
February 24, 2022
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2016.
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| | | |
Assets | | | |
Real estate investments, net | $ | 7,777,551 | | | $ | 7,287,158 | |
Investment in leases, financing receivables, net | 1,201,670 | | | — | |
Property and equipment, used in operations, net | 12,977 | | | 80,618 | |
Assets held for sale | 77,728 | | | 61,448 | |
Real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, net | — | | | 304,831 | |
| | | |
Right-of-use assets and land rights, net | 851,819 | | | 769,197 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 724,595 | | | 486,451 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Other assets | 44,109 | | | 44,665 | |
Total assets | $ | 10,690,449 | | | $ | 9,034,368 | |
| | | |
Liabilities | | | |
Accounts payable | $ | 779 | | | $ | 375 | |
Dividend payable and accrued expenses | 62,764 | | | 398 | |
Accrued interest | 71,810 | | | 72,285 | |
Accrued salaries and wages | 6,798 | | | 5,849 | |
Gaming, property, and other taxes | 502 | | | 146 | |
Income taxes payable | 5,166 | | | — | |
Operating lease liabilities | 183,945 | | | 152,203 | |
Financing lease liabilities | 53,309 | | | — | |
Long-term debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts | 6,552,372 | | | 5,754,689 | |
Deferred rental revenue | 329,068 | | | 333,061 | |
Deferred tax liabilities | — | | | 359 | |
Other liabilities | 33,796 | | | 39,985 | |
Total liabilities | 7,300,309 | | | 6,359,350 | |
| | | |
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13) | | | |
| | | |
Equity | | | |
| | | |
Preferred stock ($.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020) | — | | | — | |
Common stock ($.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized,247,206,937 and 232,452,220 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively) | 2,472 | | | 2,325 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 4,953,943 | | | 4,284,789 | |
Accumulated deficit | (1,771,402) | | | (1,612,096) | |
Total equity attributable to Gaming and Leisure Properties | 3,185,013 | | | 2,675,018 | |
Noncontrolling interests in GLPI's Operating Partnership (4,348,774 units and no units outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively | 205,127 | | | — | |
Total equity | 3,390,140 | | | 2,675,018 | |
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 10,690,449 | | | $ | 9,034,368 | |
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | | | | | | | |
Rental income | | $ | 1,106,658 | | | $ | 1,031,036 | | | $ | 996,166 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Interest income from real estate loans | | — | | | 19,130 | | | 28,916 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total income from real estate | | 1,106,658 | | | 1,050,166 | | | 1,025,082 | | | | |
Gaming, food, beverage and other | | 109,693 | | | 102,999 | | | 128,391 | | | | |
Total revenues | | 1,216,351 | | | 1,153,165 | | | 1,153,473 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | |
Gaming, food, beverage and other | | 53,039 | | | 56,698 | | | 74,700 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Land rights and ground lease expense | | 37,390 | | | 29,041 | | | 42,438 | | | | |
General and administrative | | 61,245 | | | 68,572 | | | 65,385 | | | | |
(Gains) losses from dispositions | | (21,751) | | | (41,393) | | | 92 | | | | |
Depreciation | | 236,434 | | | 230,973 | | | 240,435 | | | | |
Provision for credit losses, net | | 8,226 | | | — | | | 13,000 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | | 374,583 | | | 343,891 | | | 436,050 | | | | |
Income from operations | | 841,768 | | | 809,274 | | | 717,423 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Other income (expenses) | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | (283,037) | | | (282,142) | | | (301,520) | | | | |
Interest income | | 197 | | | 569 | | | 756 | | | | |
Insurance proceeds | | 3,500 | | | — | | | — | | | | |
Losses on debt extinguishment | | — | | | (18,113) | | | (21,014) | | | | |
Total other expenses | | (279,340) | | | (299,686) | | | (321,778) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | 562,428 | | | 509,588 | | | 395,645 | | | | |
Income tax expense | | 28,342 | | | 3,877 | | | 4,764 | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 534,086 | | | $ | 505,711 | | | $ | 390,881 | | | | |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership | | (39) | | | — | | | — | | | | |
Net income attributable to common shareholders | | $ | 534,047 | | | $ | 505,711 | | | $ | 390,881 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per common share: | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings attributable to common shareholders | | $ | 2.27 | | | $ | 2.31 | | | $ | 1.82 | | | | |
Diluted earnings attributable to common shareholders | | $ | 2.26 | | | $ | 2.30 | | | $ | 1.81 | | | | |
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
(in thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Stock | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | Noncontrolling Interest Operating Partnership | | Total Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2018 | 214,211,932 | | | $ | 2,142 | | | $ | 3,952,503 | | | $ | (1,689,038) | | | — | | | $ | 2,265,607 | |
Issuance of common stock, net of costs | 1,500 | | | — | | | (255) | | | — | | | — | | | $ | (255) | |
Stock option activity | 26,799 | | | — | | | 592 | | | — | | | — | | | 592 | |
Restricted stock activity | 453,934 | | | 5 | | | 6,543 | | | — | | | — | | | 6,548 | |
Dividends paid ($2.74 per common share) | — | | | — | | | — | | | (589,128) | | | — | | | (589,128) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | 390,881 | | | — | | | 390,881 | |
Balance, December 31, 2019 | 214,694,165 | | | 2,147 | | | 3,959,383 | | | (1,887,285) | | | — | | | 2,074,245 | |
Issuance of common stock, net of costs | 9,207,971 | | | 92 | | | 320,781 | | | — | | | — | | | 320,873 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted stock activity | 528,285 | | | 5 | | | 4,706 | | | — | | | — | | | 4,711 | |
Dividends paid ($2.50 per common share) | 8,021,799 | | | 81 | | | (81) | | | (230,522) | | | — | | | (230,522) | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | 505,711 | | | — | | | 505,711 | |
Balance, December 31, 2020 | 232,452,220 | | | 2,325 | | | 4,284,789 | | | (1,612,096) | | | — | | | 2,675,018 | |
Issuance of common stock, net of costs | 14,394,709 | | | 144 | | | 662,194 | | | — | | | — | | | 662,338 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted stock activity | 360,008 | | | 3 | | | 6,960 | | | — | | | — | | | 6,963 | |
Dividends paid and accrued ($2.90 per common share) | — | | | — | | | — | | | (693,353) | | | — | | | (693,353) | |
Issuance of operating partnership units | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 205,088 | | | 205,088 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | — | | | 534,047 | | | 39 | | | 534,086 | |
Balance, December 31, 2021 | 247,206,937 | | | $ | 2,472 | | | $ | 4,953,943 | | | $ | (1,771,402) | | | $ | 205,127 | | | $ | 3,390,140 | |
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Operating activities | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 534,086 | | | $ | 505,711 | | | $ | 390,881 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 252,049 | | | 242,995 | | | 258,971 | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and discounts | | 9,929 | | | 10,503 | | | 11,455 | |
(Gains) losses on dispositions | | (21,751) | | | (41,393) | | | 92 | |
Deferred income taxes | | 5,326 | | | 451 | | | (755) | |
Stock-based compensation | | 16,831 | | | 20,004 | | | 16,198 | |
Straight-line rent adjustments | | (3,993) | | | 4,576 | | | 34,574 | |
Deferred rent recognized | | — | | | (337,500) | | | — | |
Losses on debt extinguishment | | — | | | 18,113 | | | 21,014 | |
Provision for credit losses, net | | 8,226 | | | — | | | 13,000 | |
(Increase) decrease, | | | | | | |
Other assets | | 1,903 | | | (6,628) | | | (6,070) | |
(Decrease), increase | | | | | | |
Dividend payable, accounts payable and accrued expenses | | (2,297) | | | (1,252) | | | (1,775) | |
Accrued interest | | (475) | | | 11,590 | | | 15,434 | |
Accrued salaries and wages | | (1,115) | | | (5,908) | | | (3,189) | |
Gaming, property and other taxes, other liabilities and income taxes | | 5,059 | | | 6,815 | | | 472 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | 803,778 | | | 428,077 | | | 750,302 | |
Investing activities | | | | | | |
Capital project expenditures | | (13,926) | | | (474) | | | — | |
Capital maintenance expenditures | | (2,270) | | | (3,130) | | | (3,017) | |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | | 2,087 | | | 15 | | | 200 | |
Proceeds from sale of operations, net of transaction costs | | 58,993 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
Loan loss recovery | | 4,000 | | | — | | | — | |
Acquisition of real estate assets | | (487,475) | | | (5,898) | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
Investment in leases - financing receivable | | (592,243) | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | (1,030,834) | | | (9,487) | | | (2,817) | |
Financing activities | | | | | | |
Dividends paid | | (633,901) | | | (230,522) | | | (589,128) | |
Taxes paid for shares withheld on restricted stock award vestings | | (9,867) | | | (15,293) | | | (9,058) | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net | | 662,338 | | | 320,873 | | | (255) | |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | | 795,008 | | | 2,076,383 | | | 1,358,853 | |
Financing costs | | (7,118) | | | (11,641) | | | (10,029) | |
Repayments of long-term debt and related costs | | (363,391) | | | (2,076,631) | | | (1,496,828) | |
| | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | 443,069 | | | 63,169 | | | (746,445) | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents, including cash classified within assets held for sale | | 216,013 | | | 481,759 | | | 1,040 | |
Decrease (increase) in cash classified within assets held for sale | | 22,131 | | | (22,131) | | | — | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | 238,144 | | | 459,628 | | | 1,040 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | 486,451 | | | 26,823 | | | 25,783 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 724,595 | | | $ | 486,451 | | | $ | 26,823 | |
See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for supplemental cash flow information.
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Business and Basis of Presentation
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. ("GLPI") is a self-administered and self-managed Pennsylvania real estate investment trust ("REIT"). GLPI (together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") was incorporated on February 13, 2013, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN) ("Penn"). On November 1, 2013, Penn contributed to GLPI, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with Penn’s real property interests and real estate development business, as well as the assets and liabilities of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and Hollywood Casino Perryville (which are referred to as the "TRS Properties") and then spun-off GLPI to holders of Penn's common and preferred stock in a tax-free distribution (the "Spin-Off"). The assets and liabilities of GLPI were recorded at their respective historical carrying values at the time of the Spin-Off in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 505-60 - Spinoffs and Reverse Spinoffs ("ASC 505").
The Company elected on its United States ("U.S.") federal income tax return for its taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and GLPI, together with its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge) and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Perryville) as a "taxable REIT subsidiary" ("TRS") effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Hotel Resort ("Tropicana Las Vegas"), elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a TRS, which together with the TRS Properties and GLP Holdings, Inc. is the Company's TRS segment (the "TRS Segment"). Finally in advance of our UPREIT transaction (as defined below), the Company elected GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. In connection with the Spin-Off, Penn allocated its accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off between Penn and GLPI. In connection with its election to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, GLPI declared a special dividend to its shareholders to distribute any accumulated earnings and profits relating to the real property assets and attributable to any pre-REIT years, including any earnings and profits allocated to GLPI in connection with the Spin-Off, to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements. On July 1, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville to Penn and is leasing the real estate to Penn pursuant to a standalone lease. On December 17, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen and is leasing the real estate to Casino Queen pursuant to the Casino Queen Master Lease as described below. On December 17, 2021, GLPI declared a special dividend to the Company's shareholders to distribute the accumulated earnings and profits attributable to these sales. See Note 6 for additional information.
GLPI’s primary business consists of acquiring, financing, and owning real estate property to be leased to gaming operators in triple-net lease arrangements. As of December 31, 2021, GLPI’s portfolio consisted of interests in 51 gaming and related facilities, including approximately 35 acres of real estate at Tropicana Las Vegas, the real property associated with 34 gaming and related facilities operated by Penn, the real property associated with 7 gaming and related facilities operated by Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) ("Caesars"), the real property associated with 4 gaming and related facilities operated by Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) ("Boyd"), the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by Bally's Corporation (NYSE: BALY) ("Bally's) the real property associated with gaming and related facilities at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland operated by The Cordish Companies ("Cordish") and the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by Casino Queen Holding Company ("Casino Queen"). These facilities, including our corporate headquarters building, are geographically diversified across 17 states and contain approximately 27.6 million square feet. As of December 31, 2021, the Company's properties were 100% occupied. GLPI expects to continue growing its portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
Penn Master Lease
As a result of the Spin-Off, GLPI owns substantially all of Penn's former real property assets (as of the consummation of the Spin-Off) and leases back most of those assets to Penn for use by its subsidiaries pursuant to a unitary master lease (the "Penn Master Lease"). The Penn Master Lease is a triple-net operating lease, the term of which expires October 31, 2033, with no purchase option, followed by three remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, Boyd Master Lease and Belterra Park Lease
In April 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the real estate assets of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. ("Pinnacle") for approximately $4.8 billion. GLPI originally leased these assets back to Pinnacle, under a unitary triple-net lease, the term of which expires April 30, 2031, with no purchase option, followed by four remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions (the "Pinnacle Master Lease"). On October 15, 2018, the Company completed its previously announced transactions with Penn, Pinnacle and Boyd to accommodate Penn's acquisition of the majority of Pinnacle's operations, pursuant to a definitive agreement and plan of merger between Penn and Pinnacle, dated December 17, 2017 (the "Penn-Pinnacle Merger"). Concurrent with the Penn-Pinnacle Merger, the Company amended the Pinnacle Master Lease to allow for the sale of the operating assets of Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles and Belterra Casino Resort from Pinnacle to Boyd (the "Amended Pinnacle Master Lease") and entered into a new unitary triple-net master lease agreement with Boyd (the "Boyd Master Lease") for these properties on terms similar to the Company’s Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Boyd Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years (from the original April 2016 commencement date of the Pinnacle Master Lease and expiring April 30, 2026), with no purchase option, followed by five 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Company also purchased the real estate assets of Plainridge Park Casino ("Plainridge Park") from Penn for $250.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes and added this property to the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Amended Pinnacle Master Lease was assumed by Penn at the consummation of the Penn-Pinnacle Merger. The Company also entered into a mortgage loan agreement with Boyd in connection with Boyd's acquisition of Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center ("Belterra Park"), whereby the Company loaned Boyd $57.7 million (the "Belterra Park Loan"). In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to a long-term lease (the "Belterra Park Lease") with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The Belterra Park Lease rent terms are consistent with the Boyd Master Lease. The annual rent is comprised of a fixed component, part of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities which is adjusted, subject to certain floors, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of Belterra Park during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
Meadows Lease
The real estate assets of the Meadows Racetrack and Casino are leased to Penn pursuant to a single property triple-net lease (the "Meadows Lease"). The Meadows Lease commenced on September 9, 2016 and has an initial term of 10 years, with no purchase option, and the option to renew for three successive 5-year terms and one 4-year term (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Meadows Lease contains a fixed component, subject to annual escalators, and a component that is based on the performance of the facility, which is reset every two years to an amount determined by multiplying (i)4% by (ii) the average annual net revenues of the facility for the trailing two-year period. The Meadows Lease contains an annual escalator provision for up to5%of the base rent, if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, which remains at 5% until the earlier of ten years or the year in which total rent is $31 million, at which point the escalator will be reduced to a maximum of 2% annually thereafter.
Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease
On October 1, 2018, the Company closed its previously announced transaction to acquire certain real property assets from Tropicana Entertainment Inc. ("Tropicana") and certain of its affiliates pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated April 15, 2018 between Tropicana and GLP Capital L.P. ("GLP Capital"), the operating partnership of GLPI, which was subsequently amended on October 1, 2018 (as amended, the "Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the real estate assets of Tropicana Atlantic City, Tropicana Evansville, Tropicana Laughlin, Trop Casino Greenville and the Belle of Baton Rouge (the "GLP Assets") from Tropicana for an aggregate cash purchase price of $964.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes (the "Tropicana Acquisition"). Concurrent with the Tropicana Acquisition, Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (now doing business as Caesars) acquired the operating assets of these properties from Tropicana pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 15, 2018 by and among Tropicana, GLP Capital, Caesars and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caesars and leased the GLP Assets from the Company pursuant to the terms of a new unitary triple-net master lease with an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four successive 5-year renewal periods (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions (the "Caesars Master Lease").
On June 15, 2020, the Company amended and restated the Caesars Master Lease (as amended, the "Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease") to, (i) extend the initial term of 15 years to 20 years, with renewals of up to an additional 20 years at the option of Caesars, (ii) remove the variable rent component in its entirety commencing with the third lease year, (iii) in the third lease year, increase annual land base rent to approximately $23.6 million and annual building base rent to approximately $62.1 million, (iv) provide fixed escalation percentages that delay the escalation of building base rent until the commencement of the fifth lease year with building base rent increasing annually by 1.25% in the fifth and sixth lease year, 1.75% in the seventh and eighth lease years and 2% in the ninth lease year and each lease year thereafter, (v) subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions, permit Caesars to elect to replace the Tropicana Evansville and/or Tropicana Greenville properties under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease with one or more of Caesars Gaming Scioto Downs, The Row in Reno, Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Isle Casino Hotel – Black Hawk, Lady Luck Casino – Black Hawk, Isle Casino Waterloo ("Waterloo"), Isle Casino Bettendorf ("Bettendorf") or Isle of Capri Casino Boonville, provided that the aggregate value of such new property, individually or collectively, is at least equal to the value of Tropicana Evansville or Tropicana Greenville, as applicable, (vi) permit Caesars to elect to sell its interest in Belle of Baton Rouge and sever it from the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease (with no change to the rent obligation to the Company), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, and (vii) provide certain relief under the operating, capital expenditure and financial covenants thereunder in the event of facility closures due to pandemics, governmental restrictions and certain other instances of unavoidable delay. The effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease was subject to the review and approval of certain gaming regulatory agencies and the expiration of applicable gaming regulatory advance notice periods which conditions were satisfied on July 23, 2020. On December 18, 2020, the Company and Caesars completed an Exchange Agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") with subsidiaries of Caesars in which Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of Waterloo and Bettendorf in exchange for the transfer by the Company to Caesars of the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville, plus a cash payment of $5.7 million. This resulted in a non-cash gain of $41.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, which represented the difference between the fair value of the properties received compared to the carrying value of Tropicana Evansville and the cash payment made. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, the annual building base rent was increased to $62.5 million and the annual land component was increased to $23.7 million.
Lumière Place Lease
On October 1, 2018 the Company entered into a loan agreement with Caesars in connection with Caesars’s acquisition of Lumière Place Casino ("Lumière Place"), whereby the Company loaned Caesars $246.0 million (the "CZR loan"). The CZR loan bore interest at a rate equal to (i) 9.09% until October 1, 2019 and (ii) 9.27% until its maturity. On the one-year anniversary of the CZR loan, the mortgage evidenced by a deed of trust on the Lumière Place property terminated and the loan became unsecured. On June 24, 2020, the Company received approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission to own the Lumière Place property in satisfaction of the CZR loan. On September 29, 2020, the transaction closed and we entered into a new triple net lease with Caesars (the "Lumière Place Lease") the initial term of which expires on October 31, 2033 with four separate renewal options of five years each, exercisable at the tenant's option. The Lumière Place Lease rent terms were adjusted on December 1, 2021 such that the annual escalator is now fixed at 1.25% for the second through fifth lease years, increasing to 1.75% for the sixth and seventh lease years and thereafter increasing by 2.0% for the remainder of the lease.
Bally's Master Lease
On June 3, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced transaction pursuant to which a subsidiary of Bally's acquired 100% of the equity interests in the Caesars subsidiary that currently operates Tropicana Evansville and the Company reacquired the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville from Caesars for a cash purchase price of approximately $340.0 million. In addition, the Company purchased the real estate assets of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from Bally's for a cash purchase price of approximately $144.0 million. The real estate assets of these two facilities were added to a new triple net master lease (the "Bally's Master Lease") which has an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four five-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
Tropicana Las Vegas
On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries closed on its previously announced transaction to acquire the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from Penn in exchange for rent credits of $307.5 million, which were applied against future rent obligations due under the parties' existing leases during 2020. An affiliate of Penn continues to operate the casino and hotel business of the Tropicana Las Vegas pursuant to a triple net lease with GLPI for nominal rent for the earlier of two years (subject to three one-year extensions at the Company's option) or until the Tropicana Las Vegas is sold. See Note 6 for the anticipated sale of the building and sale-lease back of the land for this asset.
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company and Penn closed on their previously announced transaction whereby GLPI acquired the land under Penn's gaming facility under construction in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits that were fully utilized by Penn in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company is leasing the land back to an affiliate of Penn for an initial term of 20 years, followed by six 5-year renewal options exercisable by the tenant (the "Morgantown Lease").
Casino Queen Master Lease
On November 25, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell the operations of our Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen for $28.2 million (the "HCBR transaction"). The HCBR transaction closed on December 17, 2021 which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $6.8 million ( loss of $7.7 million after tax) for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company retained ownership of all real estate assets at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and simultaneously entered into a triple net master lease with Casino Queen, which includes the Casino Queen property in East St. Louis that is currently leased by the Company to Casino Queen and the Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge facility ("Casino Queen Master Lease"). The initial annual cash rent is approximately $21.4 million and the lease has an initial term of 15 years with four 5 year renewal options exercisable by the tenant. This rental amount will be increased annually by 0.5% for the first six years. Beginning with the seventh lease year through the remainder of the lease term, if the Consumer Price Index ("CPI") increases by at least 0.25% for any lease year then annual rent shall be increased by 1.25%, and if the CPI increase is less than 0.25% then rent will remain unchanged for such lease year. Additionally, the Company will complete the current landside development project that is in process and the rent under the Casino Queen Master Lease will be adjusted upon delivery to reflect a yield of 8.25% on GLPI's project costs. The Company will also have a right of first refusal with Casino Queen for other sale leaseback transactions up to $50 million over the next 2 years. Finally, in 2021, GLPI forgave the unsecured $13.0 million, 5.5 year term loan made to CQ Holding Company, Inc., an affiliate of Casino Queen, which has been previously impaired in return for a one-time cash payment of $4 million which was recorded in provision for credit losses, net during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Perryville Lease
On December 15, 2020, the Company announced that Penn exercised its option to purchase from the Company the operations of our Hollywood Casino Perryville, located in Perryville, Maryland, for $31.1 million. The transaction closed on July 1, 2021 and the real estate assets of the Hollywood Casino Perryville are being leased to Penn on a triple net basis
(the "Perryville Lease").
Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Lease
On December 6, 2021, the Company announced that it had agreed to acquire the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh, including applicable long-term ground leases, from affiliates of Cordish for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.81 billion at deal announcement. The transaction also includes a binding partnership on future Cordish casino developments, as well as potential financing partnerships between the Company and Cordish in other areas of Cordish's portfolio of real estate and operating businesses. GLPI will enter into a new triple net lease master lease with Cordish for Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and Live! Casino Pittsburgh (the "Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease"), and GLPI entered into a single asset lease for Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland (the "Maryland Live! Lease"). On December 29, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland and entered into the Maryland Live! Lease which has an initial lease terms of 39 years, with a maximum term of 60 years inclusive of tenant renewal options. The annual rent for the Maryland Live! Lease is $75 million and for the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease will be $50 million both of which have or will have a 1.75% fixed yearly escalator on the entirety of rent commencing on the leases' second anniversary. The Pennsylvania transactions are expected to close in early 2022, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
COVID-19
In the first quarter of 2020, there was a global outbreak of a new strain of novel coronavirus COVID-19. The global, domestic and local response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve. Responses to the COVID-19 outbreak included mandates from federal, state, and/or local authorities that required temporary closures of, or imposed limitations on, the operations of non-essential businesses. All of the Company's tenants' casino operations, in addition to the Company's two TRS Properties, were closed in mid-March 2020. Our properties began reopening at limited capacity in May 2020 and by early July 2020 nearly all had resumed operations at limited capacity. However, in the fourth quarter of 2020, increased spread of COVID-19 led some jurisdictions to impose temporary closures once again. As of the date of this filing, none of our properties are closed and all of our tenants are current on their obligations.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, specifically deferred taxes and prepaid expenses have been classified in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Principles of Consolidation and Non-controlling interest
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GLPI and its subsidiaries as well as the Company's operating partnership, which is a variable interest entity ("VIE") in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company presents non-controlling interests and classifies such interests as a separate component of equity, separate from GLPI's stockholders' equity and as net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Statement of Income. See Note 18 for further discussion. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments primarily represent land and buildings leased to the Company's tenants. The Company records the acquisition of real estate assets at fair value, including acquisition and closing costs. The cost of properties developed by the Company include costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. The Company considers the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. Depreciation is computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the buildings and building improvements which are generally between 10 to 31 years.
The Company continually monitors events and circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amount of its real estate investments may not be recoverable or realized. The factors considered by the Company in performing these assessments include evaluating whether the tenant is current on its lease payments, the tenant’s rent coverage ratio, the financial stability of the tenant and its parent company, and any other relevant factors. When indicators of potential impairment suggest that the carrying value of a real estate investment may not be recoverable, the Company determines whether the undiscounted cash flows from the underlying lease exceeds the real estate investments' carrying value. If we determine the estimated undiscounted cash flow are less than the asset's carrying value, then the Company would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company groups its real estate investments together by lease, the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available, in evaluating impairment. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value, the Company must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, market and other applicable trends and residual values, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss.
Investment in Leases - Financing receivables
In accordance with ASC 842 - Leases ("ASC 842"), for transactions in which the Company enters into a contract to acquire an asset and leases it back to the seller under a sales-type lease (i.e. a sale leaseback transaction), the Company must determine whether control of the asset has transferred to the Company. In cases whereby control has not transferred to the Company, we do not recognize the underlying asset but instead recognize a financial asset in accordance with ASC 310 "Receivables". The accounting for the financing receivable under ASC 310 is materially consistent with the accounting for our investments in leases - sales type under ASC 842. The Company recognizes interest income on Investment in leases - financing receivables under the effective yield method. Generally, we would recognize interest income to the extent the tenant is not more than 90 days delinquent on their rental obligations. We have concluded that the Maryland Live! Lease is required to be accounted for as an Investment in leases - financing receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 310, since control of the underlying assets was not considered to have transferred to the Company under GAAP given the significant initial term of the Maryland Live! Lease which was 39 years.
Property and Equipment Used in Operations
Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and represent assets used by the Company's TRS Properties and certain corporate assets. Maintenance and repairs that neither add materially to the value of the asset nor appreciably prolong its useful life are charged to expense as incurred. Gains or losses on the disposal of property and equipment are included in the determination of income.
Depreciation of property and equipment is recorded using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
| | | | | | | | |
Land improvements | | 15 to 31 years |
Building and improvements | | 5 to 31 years |
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment | | 3 to 31 years |
Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the related lease term. The estimated useful lives are determined based on the nature of the assets as well as the Company's current operating strategy.
The Company reviews the carrying value of its 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 upon the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the Company determines the carrying amount is not recoverable, it would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with GAAP. In estimating expected future cash flows for determining whether an asset is impaired, assets are grouped at the individual property level. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value of property and equipment, the Company must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, market and other applicable trends and residual values, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss for these assets.
Real Estate Loans and Other Loans Receivable
The Company may periodically loan funds to casino owner-operators for the purchase of gaming related real estate and/or operations. Loans for the purchase of real estate assets of gaming-related properties are classified as real estate loans on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, while loans for an operator's general operations are classified as loans receivable on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Loans receivable are recorded on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at carrying value which approximates fair value since collection of principal is reasonably assured. Interest income related to real estate loans is recorded as interest income from real estate loans within the Company's consolidated statements of income in the period earned, whereas interest income related to other loans receivable is recorded as non-operating interest income within the Company's consolidated statements of income in the period earned. The Company had no such loans outstanding at December 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
Lease Assets and Lease Liabilities
The Company determines whether a contract is or contains a lease at its inception. A lease is defined as the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recorded on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet at the lease commencement date for leases in which the Company acts as lessee. Right-of-use assets represent the Company's rights to use underlying assets for the term of the lease and lease liabilities represent the Company's future obligations under the lease agreement. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based upon the estimated present value of the lease payments. As the rate implicit in the Company's leases (in which the Company acts as lessee) cannot readily be determined, the Company utilizes its own estimated incremental borrowing rates to determine the present value of its lease payments. Consideration is given to the Company's recent debt issuances, as well as publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics, including tenor, when determining the incremental borrowing rates of the Company's leases.
The Company includes options to extend a lease in its lease term when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise those renewal options. In the instance of the Company's ground leases associated with its tenant occupied properties, the Company has included all available renewal options in the lease term, as it intends to renew these leases indefinitely. The Company accounts for the lease and nonlease components (as necessary) of its leases of all classes of underlying assets as a single lease component. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Land rights, net represent the Company's rights to land subject to long-term ground leases. The Company obtained ground lease rights through the acquisition of several of its rental properties and immediately subleased the land to its tenants. These land rights represent the below market value of the related ground leases. The Company assessed the acquired ground leases to determine if the lease terms were favorable or unfavorable, given market conditions at the acquisition date. Because the market rents to be received under the Company's triple-net tenant leases were greater than the rents to be paid under the acquired ground leases, the Company concluded that the ground leases were below market and were therefore required to be recorded as a definite lived asset (land rights) on its books.
Right-of-use assets and land rights are monitored for potential impairment in much the same way as the Company's real estate assets, using the impairment model in ASC 360 - Property, Plant and Equipment. If the Company determines the carrying amount of a right-of-use asset or land right is not recoverable, it would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all cash balances and highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents.
Other Assets
Other assets primarily consists of accounts receivable and deferred compensation plan assets (See Note 13 for further details on the deferred compensation plan). Other assets also include deferred taxes and prepaid expenditures for goods or services before the goods are used or the services are received. These amounts are deferred and charged to operations as the benefits are realized and primarily consist of prepayments for insurance, property taxes and other contracts that will be expensed during the subsequent year.
Debt Issuance Costs and Bond Premiums and Discounts
Debt issuance costs that are incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of the underlying indebtedness. In accordance with ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, the Company records long-term debt net of unamortized debt issuance costs on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Similarly, the Company records long-term debt net of any unamortized bond premiums and original issuance discounts on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any original issuance discounts or bond premiums are also amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of the underlying indebtedness.
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are classified based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. ASC 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820") establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used for
the various valuation techniques (market approach, income approach, and cost approach). The levels of the hierarchy related to the subjectivity of the valuation inputs are described below:
•Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
•Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; these include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
•Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity.
The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.
Revenue Recognition
The Company accounts for our investments in leases under ASC 842. Upon lease inception or lease modification, we assess lease classification to determine whether the lease should be classified as a sales-type, direct financing or operating lease. As required by ASC 842, we separately assess the land and building components of the property to determine the classification of each component. If the lease component is determined to be a sales-type lease or direct financing lease, we record a net investment in the lease, which is equal to the sum of the lease receivable and the unguaranteed residual asset, discounted at the rate implicit in the lease. Any difference between the fair value of the asset and the net investment in the lease is considered selling profit or loss and is either recognized upon execution of the lease or deferred and recognized over the life of the lease, depending on the classification of the lease. Since we purchase properties and simultaneously enter into new leases directly with the tenants, the net investment in the lease is generally equal to the purchase price of the asset, and, due to the long term nature of our leases, the land and building components of an investment generally have the same lease classification.
The Company recognizes the related income from our financing receivables using an effective interest rate at a constant rate over the term of the applicable leases. As a result, the cash payments received under financing receivables will not equal the income recognized for accounting purposes. Rather, a portion of the cash rent the Company will receive is recorded as interest income with the remainder as a change to financing receivables. Initial direct costs incurred in connection with entering into financing receivables are included in the balance of the financing receivables. Such amounts will be recognized as a reduction to interest income from financing receivables over the term of the lease using the effective interest rate method. Costs that would have been incurred regardless of whether the lease was signed, such as legal fees and certain other third party fees, are expensed as incurred.
The Company recognizes rental revenue from tenants, including rental abatements, lease incentives and contractually fixed increases attributable to operating leases, on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases when collectability is reasonably assured in accordance with ASC 842. Additionally, percentage rent that is fixed and determinable at the lease inception date is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term, resulting in the recognition of deferred rental revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred rental revenue is amortized to rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the remainder of the lease term. The lease term includes the initial non-cancelable lease term and any reasonably assured renewable periods. Contingent rental income that is not fixed and determinable at lease inception is recognized only when the lessee achieves the specified target. Recognition of rental income commences when control of the facility has been transferred to the tenant.
Additionally, in accordance with ASC 842, the Company records revenue for the ground lease rent paid by its tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the consolidated statement of income as the Company has concluded that as the lessee it is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The Company subleases these ground leases back to its tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
The Company may periodically loan funds to casino owner-operators for the purchase of gaming related real estate. Interest income related to real estate loans is recorded as revenue from real estate within the Company's consolidated statements of income in the period earned.
Gaming revenue generated by the TRS Properties mainly consists of revenue from slot machines and to a lesser extent, table game and poker revenue. Gaming revenue from slot machines is the aggregate net difference between gaming wins and losses with liabilities recognized for funds deposited by customers before gaming play occurs, for "ticket-in, ticket-out" coupons in the customers’ possession, and for accruals related to the anticipated payout of progressive jackpots. Progressive
slot machines, which contain base jackpots that increase at a progressive rate based on the number of coins played, are charged to revenue as the amount of the jackpots increase. Table game gaming revenue is the aggregate of table drop adjusted for the change in aggregate table chip inventory. Table drop is the total dollar amount of the currency, coins, chips, tokens, outstanding counter checks (markers), and front money that are removed from the live gaming tables. Gaming revenue is recognized net of certain sales incentives, including promotional allowances in accordance with ASC 606 - Revenues from Contracts with Customers. The Company also defers a portion of the revenue received from customers (who participate in the points-based loyalty programs) at the time of play until a later period when the points are redeemed or forfeited. Other revenues at the TRS Properties are derived from the properties' dining, retail and certain other ancillary activities and revenue for these activities is recognized as services are performed. As of December 31, 2021, the Company no longer operates gaming assets and therefore gaming revenue will no longer be recorded.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company follows ASC 326 “Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”), which requires that the Company measure and record current expected credit losses (“CECL”), the scope of which includes our Investments in leases - financing receivables and real estate loans. The Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Update ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 did not result in the Company recording any allowances against its real estate loans for expected losses.
We have elected to use an econometric default and loss rate model to estimate the Allowance for credit losses, or CECL allowance. This model requires us to calculate and input lease and property-specific credit and performance metrics which in conjunction with forward-looking economic forecasts, project estimated credit losses over the life of the lease or loan. The Company then records a CECL allowance based on the expected loss rate multiplied by the outstanding investment in lease balance.
Expected losses within our cash flows are determined by estimating the probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) of our Investment in lease, financing receivable related to our Maryland Live! Lease. We have engaged a nationally recognized data analytics firm to assist us with estimating both the PD and LGD for this financing receivable. The PD and LGD are estimated during the initial term of the lease. The PD and LGD estimates for the lease term were developed using current financial condition forecasts. The PD and LGD predictive model was developed using the average historical default rates and historical loss rates, respectively, of over 100,000 commercial real estate loans dating back to 1998 that have similar credit profiles or characteristics to the real estate underlying the Company's financing receivable. Management will monitor the credit risk related to its financing receivable by obtaining the rent coverage on the Maryland Live! Lease on a periodic basis. The Company also monitors legislative changes to assess whether it would have an impact on the underlying performance of its tenant. We are unable to use our historical data to estimate losses as the Company has no loss history to date on its lease portfolio. Our tenants are current on all of their rental obligations as of December 31, 2021.
The CECL allowance is recorded as a reduction to our net Investments in leases - financing receivable, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are required to update our CECL allowance on a quarterly basis with the resulting change being recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the relevant period. Finally, each time the Company makes a new investment in an asset subject to ASC 326, we will be required to record an initial CECL allowance for such asset, which will result in a non-cash charge to the Consolidated Statement of Income for the relevant period. See Note 8 for further information.
Charge-offs are deducted from the allowance in the period in which they are deemed uncollectible. Recoveries previously written off are recorded when received. The Company recorded a recovery of $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 for the settlement of a loan that had been previously written off to Casino Queen.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company's Amended 2013 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2013 Plan") provides for the Company to issue restricted stock awards, including performance-based restricted stock awards, and other equity or cash based awards to employees. Any director, employee or consultant shall be eligible to receive such awards.
The Company accounts for stock compensation under ASC 718 - Compensation - Stock Compensation, which requires the Company to expense the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. This expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period following the date of grant. The fair value of the Company's time-based restricted stock awards is equivalent to the closing stock price on the day prior to grant. The Company utilizes a third-party valuation firm to measure the fair value of performance-based restricted stock awards at grant date using the Monte Carlo model.
The unrecognized compensation cost relating to restricted stock awards and performance-based restricted stock awards is recognized as expense over the awards’ remaining vesting periods. See Note 15 for further information related to stock-based compensation.
Income Taxes
The TRS Segment is able to engage in activities resulting in income that would not be qualifying income for a REIT. As a result, certain activities of the Company which occur within its TRS Segment are subject to federal and state income taxes.
The Company accounts 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 deferred tax assets is evaluated by assessing the valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of the allowance, if any, as necessary. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization are the forecast of future taxable income.
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. The Company did not have any uncertain tax positions for the three years ended December 31, 2021.
The Company is required under ASC 740 to disclose its accounting policy for classifying interest and penalties, the amount of interest and penalties charged to expense each period, as well as the cumulative amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If and when they occur, the Company will classify any income tax-related penalties and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in taxes on income within the consolidated statements of income. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized no penalties and interest, net of deferred income taxes.
The Company elected on its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and the Company, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. as a "taxable REIT subsidiary" effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a “taxable REIT subsidiary”. Finally, in advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company elected GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021.
The Company continues to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit the Company to qualify as a REIT. To qualify as a REIT, the Company must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income to shareholders. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal, state or local income tax on income that it distributes as dividends to its shareholders, except in those jurisdictions that do not allow a deduction for such distributions. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on its taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and dividends paid to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Company in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect the Company's net income and net cash available for distribution to shareholders. Unless the Company was entitled to relief under certain Internal Revenue Code provisions, the Company also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which it failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT.
Earnings Per Share
The Company calculates earnings per share ("EPS") in accordance with ASC 260 - Earnings Per Share. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding net income attributable to participating securities (unvested restricted stock awards). Diluted EPS reflects the additional dilution for all potentially-dilutive securities such as stock options, unvested restricted shares and unvested performance-based restricted shares. The effect of the conversion of the Operating Partnership ("OP") units to common shares is excluded from the computation on basic and diluted earnings per share because all net income attributable to the Noncontrolling interest holders are recorded as income attributable to non-controlling interests, thus is excluded from net income available to common shareholders. See Note 17 for further details on the Company's earnings per share calculations.
Segment Information
Consistent with how the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (as such term is defined in ASC 280 - Segment Reporting) reviews and assesses the Company’s financial performance, the Company has two reportable segments, GLP Capital, L.P. (a consolidated subsidiary of GLPI through which GLPI owns substantially all of its real estate assets) and the TRS Segment. The GLP Capital reportable segment consists of the leased real property and represents the majority of the Company’s business. The TRS Segment consists of Hollywood Casino Perryville (until July 1, 2021 and subsequent to this date includes rental income from the Perryville Lease) and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge (until December 17, 2021), as well as the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas. The Company anticipates completing a transaction in the near future related to Tropicana Las Vegas. As such in 2022, the Company expects to have one reportable segment. See Note 19 for further information with respect to the Company’s segments.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentrations of credit risk arise when a number of operators, tenants, or obligors related to the Company's investments are engaged in similar business activities, or activities in the same geographic region, or have similar economic features that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations, including those to the Company, to be similarly affected by changes in economic conditions. Additionally, concentrations of credit risk may arise when revenues of the Company are derived from a small number of tenants. As of December 31, 2021, substantially all of the Company's real estate properties were leased to Penn, Caesars and Boyd. During the year ended December 31, 2021, approximately 75%, 11% and 10% of the Company's collective income from real estate was derived from tenant leases with Penn, Caesars and Boyd, respectively. Revenues from our tenants are reported in the Company's GLP Capital, L.P. reportable segment. Penn, Caesars and Boyd are publicly traded companies that are subject to the informational filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are required to file periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Readers are directed to Penn, Caesars and Boyd's respective websites for further financial information on these companies. Other than the Company's tenant concentration, management believes the Company's portfolio was reasonably diversified by geographical location and did not contain any other significant concentrations of credit risk. As of December 31, 2021, the Company's portfolio of 51 properties is diversified by location across 17 states.
Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, real estate loans and other loans receivable. The Company's policy is to limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution and place investments with financial institutions evaluated as being creditworthy, or in short-term money market and tax-free bond funds which are exposed to minimal interest rate and credit risk. At times, the Company has bank deposits and overnight repurchase agreements that exceed federally-insured limits.
3. New Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2021
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform ("ASU 2020-04"). Reference rates such as London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") are widely used in a broad range of financial instruments and other agreements. Regulators and market participants in various jurisdictions have undertaken efforts, generally referred to as "reference rate reform", to eliminate certain reference rates and introduce new reference rates that are based on a larger and more liquid population of observable transactions. The one month, three month, six month and twelve month LIBOR rates are expected to be discontinued as of June 30, 2023. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients for applying the guidance for contract modifications or other situations affected by reference rate reform, specifically addressing the accounting for modifications of contracts within the scope of ASC Topic 310 on receivables, ASC 470 on debt, and ASC 842 on leases and ASC subtopic 815-15 on embedded derivatives. The adoption of this pronouncement had no material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
4. Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments, net, represent investments in 50 rental properties and the corporate headquarters building and is summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
Land and improvements | $ | 3,141,646 | | | $ | 2,667,616 | |
Building and improvements | 6,311,573 | | | 6,030,482 | |
Construction in progress | 5,699 | | | — | |
Total real estate investments | 9,458,918 | | | 8,698,098 | |
Less accumulated depreciation | (1,681,367) | | | (1,410,940) | |
Real estate investments, net | $ | 7,777,551 | | | $ | 7,287,158 | |
The increase in real estate investments is primarily due to the acquisition of Dover Downs and Tropicana Evansville in a transaction with Bally's as well as the reclassification of the land associated with Tropicana Las Vegas from its own line item on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as an agreement to sell the building and lease the land back to Bally's was entered into and is expected to close in the second half of 2022. The building has been reclassified to assets held for sale. Finally, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge during 2021 and leased back the real estate to Penn and Casino Queen, respectively. This resulted in an increase to real estate investments of $102.5 million. See Note 6 for further details on these transactions.
5. Property and Equipment Used in Operations
Property and equipment used in operations, net, consists of the following.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
Land and improvements | $ | — | | | $ | 30,540 | |
Building and improvements | — | | | 117,333 | |
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (1) | 28,832 | | | 28,767 | |
Construction in progress | — | | | 474 | |
Total property and equipment | 28,832 | | | 177,114 | |
Less accumulated depreciation (1) | (15,855) | | | (96,496) | |
Property and equipment, net | $ | 12,977 | | | $ | 80,618 | |
(1) The majority of the decline at December 31, 2021 compared to the prior year is related to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge. See Note 6 for further details.
6. Assets Held for Sale
As described in Note 1, the Company completed the sale of the operating assets at Hollywood Casino Perryville to Penn for $31.1 million and the operating assets of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen for $28.2 million during 2021. The operating assets of these two properties had been classified as assets held for sale at December 31, 2020. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain of $15.6 million ($11.3 million after-tax gain) on the sale of the operating assets of Hollywood Casino Perryville and a pre-tax gain of $6.8 million ($7.7 million after-tax loss) on the sale of the operating assets of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge.
On April 13, 2021, Bally’s agreed to acquire both GLPI’s non-land real estate assets and Penn's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Inc. for an aggregate cash acquisition price of $150 million. GLPI will retain ownership of the land and concurrently enter into a ground lease for 50 years with initial annual rent of $10.5 million. The ground lease will be supported by a Bally’s corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease. This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022. At December 31, 2021, the Company classified the building value
of Tropicana Las Vegas in Assets held for sale and the land value in Real estate investments, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet since the transaction is expected to close within 12 months of the most recent balance sheet date. At December 31, 2020, the Company classified the real property associated with Tropicana Las Vegas as a separate caption on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The Company's assets and liabilities held for sale were comprised of the following at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively (in thousands).
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets | December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Property and equipment, used in operations, net | — | | | $ | 8,780 | |
Real Estate Tropicana LV, net | 77,728 | | | — | |
Right-of-use assets and land rights, net | — | | | 263 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | — | | | 22,131 | |
Prepaid expenses | — | | | 2,473 | |
Goodwill | — | | | 16,067 | |
Other intangible assets | — | | | 9,577 | |
Other assets | — | | | 2,157 | |
Total | 77,728 | | | 61,448 | |
| | | |
Liabilities | | | |
Accounts payable | — | | | 8 | |
Accrued expenses | — | | | 3,387 | |
Accrued salaries and wages | — | | | 2,064 | |
Gaming, property and other taxes | — | | | 398 | |
Lease liabilities | — | | | 262 | |
Other liabilities | — | | | 710 | |
Total which is classified in Other Liabilities | — | | | 6,829 | |
The assets held for sale reside in the Company's TRS Segment. See Note 19 for the pre-tax income of this segment for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
7. Acquisitions
The Company accounts for its acquisitions of real estate assets as asset acquisitions under ASC 805 - Business Combinations. Under asset acquisition accounting, transaction costs incurred to acquire the purchased assets are also included as part of the asset cost.
Current year acquisitions
As described in Note 1, the Company acquired the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, on December 29, 2021. The purchase price allocation of these assets and liabilities based on their fair values at the acquisition date are summarized below (in thousands)
| | | | | |
Investment in leases, financing receivables | $ | 1,213,896 | |
Lease Liabilities | (53,309) | |
Total Purchase Price | $ | 1,160,587 | |
The table above excludes the reserve for financing receivables of $12.2 million that was recorded through the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2021.
As previously discussed in Note 1, on June 3, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced transaction with Bally's in which the real estate assets of Tropicana Evansville and Dover Downs Hotel & Casino were acquired. The final purchase price allocation of these assets based on their fair values at the acquisition date are summarized below (in thousands).
| | | | | |
| |
Land and improvements | $ | 219,579 | |
Building and improvements | 201,430 | |
Real estate investments, net | 421,009 | |
Right-of-use assets and land rights, net | 101,813 | |
Lease liabilities | (35,372) | |
Total purchase price | $ | 487,450 | |
Pending acquisitions
As discussed in Note 1, the Company anticipates closing of the acquisition of the assets comprising the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease from Cordish in early 2022 subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Total consideration of approximately $674 million will consist of 3.0 million OP Units and cash. Annual rent under the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease will be $50 million and will have a 1.75% fixed yearly escalator on the entirety of rent commencing on the leases' second anniversary.
On April 13, 2021, the Company announced that it had entered into a binding term sheet with Bally's to acquire the real estate of Bally’s casino property in Black Hawk, CO and its recently acquired property in Rock Island, IL, in a transaction that is subject to regulatory approval. Total consideration for the acquisition is $150.0 million and the parties expect to add the properties to the Bally's Master Lease for incremental rent of $12 million. This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
In addition, Bally’s has granted GLPI a right of first refusal to fund the real property acquisition or development project costs associated with any and all potential future transactions in Michigan, Maryland, New York and Virginia through one or more sale-leaseback or similar transactions for a term of 7 years.
On April 13, 2021, Bally’s also agreed to acquire both GLPI’s non-land real estate assets and Penn's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Inc. for an aggregate cash acquisition price of $150 million. GLPI would retain ownership of the land and will concurrently enter into a ground lease for 50 years with initial annual rent of $10.5 million The ground lease will be supported by a Bally’s corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease. This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
Both GLPI and Bally’s have committed to a structure in which GLPI has the potential to acquire additional assets in sale-leaseback transactions to the extent Bally’s elects to utilize GLPI’s capital as a funding source for its proposed acquisition of Gamesys Group plc ("Gamesys"). The $500 million commitment provides Bally’s alternative financing which, in GLPI’s sole discretion, may be funded in the form of equity, additional prepaid sale-leaseback transactions or secured loans. However, on July 26, 2021, Bally's announced that as a result of better than expected operating performance at its land-based retail casinos and interactive businesses, it does not plan to draw on this commitment to fund the Gamesys acquisition.
Prior year acquisitions
As previously discussed in Note 1, the impact of COVID-19 resulted in casino-wide closures by all of our tenants. As a result of COVID-19, on April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries acquired the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from Penn in exchange for $307.5 million of rent credits, which were fully utilized in 2020 for rent due under the parties' existing leases.
The Company recorded an initial land and building value of $226.2 million and $81.3 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2020 depreciation expense of $2.7 million was recorded. Additionally, deferred rent of $307.5 million was recorded at the acquisition date, which was fully recognized for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The Tropicana Las Vegas assets are summarized below.
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2020 | | |
| (in thousands) |
Land and improvements | $ | 226,160 | | | |
Building and improvements | 81,340 | | | |
Total real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas | 307,500 | | | |
Less accumulated depreciation | (2,669) | | | |
Real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas , net | $ | 304,831 | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
On October 1, 2020, the Company and Penn closed on their previously announced transaction whereby GLPI acquired the land under Penn's gaming facility under construction in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits which were fully utilized by Penn in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company is leasing the land back to an affiliate of Penn pursuant to the Morgantown Lease for an initial annual rent of $3.0 million, subject to escalation provisions following the opening of the property.
On October 27, 2020, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with subsidiaries of Caesars that own, respectively, Waterloo and Bettendorf. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of the Waterloo and Bettendorf properties in exchange for the transfer by the Company to Caesars of the real property assets of the Tropicana Evansville, plus a cash payment of $5.7 million. The exchange transaction closed on December 18, 2020, which resulted in the Waterloo and Bettendorf facilities being added to the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease and the rent increased by $0.5 million annually. The Company recorded a non-cash gain of $41.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 related to the transaction, which represented the difference between the fair value of the properties received compared to the carrying value of Tropicana Evansville and the cash payment of $5.7 million. The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired in the Exchange Agreement and the carrying value of the Tropicana Evansville assets that were transferred to Caesars. (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bettendorf | Waterloo | Total |
Land | $ | 29,636 | | $ | 64,262 | | $ | 93,898 | |
Building and improvements | 85,150 | | 77,958 | | 163,108 | |
Total real estate investments | $ | 114,786 | | $ | 142,220 | | $ | 257,006 | |
Less: Evansville Land and improvements | | | (47,439) | |
Less: Evansville Buildings and improvements, net | | | (136,858) | |
Less: Evansville Right of use assets and land rights, net | | | (55,456) | |
Add: Evansville, Operating Lease Liabilities | | | 29,795 | |
8. Investment in leases, financing receivables, net and other receivables
In connection with the Maryland Live! Lease that became effective on December 29, 2021, the Company recorded an investment in leases, financing receivables, net, as the sale lease back transaction was accounted for as a failed sale leaseback. The following is a summary of the balances of the Company's investment in leases, financing receivables.
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | |
| (in thousands) | | |
Minimum lease payments receivable | $ | 4,012,937 | | | |
Estimated residual values of lease property (unguaranteed) | 601,947 | | | |
Gross investment in leases, financing receivables | 4,614,884 | | | |
| | | |
Less: Unearned income | (3,400,988) | | | |
Less: Allowance for credit losses | (12,226) | | | |
Net Investment in leases, financing receivables | $ | 1,201,670 | | | |
The net investment in the lease payment receivable and unguaranteed residual value at December 31, 2021 was $1,178.0 million and $35.9 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2021, minimum lease payments owed to us for each of the five succeeding years under the Company's financing receivables was as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
Year ending December 31, | Future Minimum Lease Payments |
2022 | $ | 77,200 | |
2023 | 77,222 | |
2023 | 77,244 | |
2025 | 78,579 | |
2026 | 79,937 | |
Thereafter | 3,622,755 | |
Total | $ | 4,012,937 | |
The rollforward of the allowance for credit losses for the Company's financing receivables is illustrated below.
| | | | | |
| (in thousands) |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | $ | — | |
Provision for expected credit losses | 12,226 | |
Ending balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | 12,226 | |
Real Estate Loans
As discussed in Note 1, the Company historically had the CZR loan outstanding which was utilized by Caesars in connection with its acquisition of Lumière Place. On June 24, 2020, the Company received approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission to own the Lumière Place real estate in satisfaction of the CZR loan, subject to the Lumière Place Lease, and closed this transaction on September 29, 2020.
On October 15, 2018, Boyd purchased the real estate assets of Belterra Park from Pinnacle for a cash purchase price of $57.7 million, exclusive of transaction fees. Financing for the transaction was provided by the Company in the form of the Belterra Park Loan. The Belterra Park Loan's initial interest rate was equal to 11.11% and the loan matured in connection with the expiration of the Boyd Master Lease (as may be extended at the tenant's option to April 30, 2051). In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to the Belterra Park Lease.
Other Loans Receivable
In January 2014, the Company completed the asset acquisition of the real property associated with the Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Illinois. GLPI leases the property back to Casino Queen on a triple-net basis on terms similar to those in the Company's existing master leases. The Casino Queen Lease has an initial term of 15 years and the tenant has an option to renew it at the same terms and conditions for four successive 5-year periods.
Simultaneously with the Casino Queen acquisition, GLPI provided Casino Queen with a $43.0 million, five-year term loan at 7% interest, prepayable at any time, which, together with the sale proceeds, completely refinanced and retired all of Casino Queen’s outstanding long-term debt obligations. On March 13, 2017, the outstanding principal and interest on this loan was repaid in full and GLPI simultaneously provided a new unsecured $13.0 million, 5.5-year term loan (the "Casino Queen Loan") to CQ Holding Company, Inc., an affiliate of Casino Queen ("CQ Holding Company"), to partially finance its acquisition of Lady Luck Casino in Marquette, Iowa. The Casino Queen Loan bears an interest rate of 15% and is prepayable at any time.
On June 12, 2018, the Company received a Notice of Event of Default under the senior credit agreement of CQ Holding Company from the secured lender under such agreement, which reported a covenant default under its senior secured agreement. Under the terms of that agreement, when an event of default occurs, CQ Holding Company is prohibited from making cash payments to unsecured lenders such as GLPI. Therefore, beginning in June 2018 the interest due from CQ Holding Company under the Company's unsecured loan was paid in kind. In addition to the covenant violation noted above under its senior credit agreement, CQ Holding Company also had a payment default under the senior credit agreement. Furthermore, the Company notified Casino Queen of events of default under the Company's unsecured loan with CQ Holding Company, related to financial covenant violations during the year ended December 31, 2018.
At December 31, 2018, active negotiations for the sale of Casino Queen's operations were taking place. Despite the payment and covenant defaults noted above, at that time, full payment of the principal was still expected, due to the anticipation that the operations were to be sold in the near term for an amount allowing for repayment of the full $13.0 million of loan principal due to GLPI. However, the paid-in-kind interest due to the Company at December 31, 2018 was not expected to be collected, resulting in an impairment charge of $1.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2018. The Company did not recognize the paid-in-kind interest income due to the Company for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 and took a charge for the previously recognized paid-in-kind interest income through the Company’s consolidated statement of earnings as a reversal of the paid-in-kind interest income recognized earlier in the year.
During 2019, the operating results of Casino Queen continued to decline, the secured debt of Casino Queen was sold to a third-party casino operator at a discount and the Company no longer expected the loan to be repaid. Therefore, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $13.0 million through the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Casino Queen was closed in mid-March due to COVID-19 and Casino Queen was in payment default on their lease starting in April 2020. The Company entered into a deferred rental agreement with Casino Queen in 2020 to permit the tenant to defer payments in the event the property was closed due to COVID-19. As such, the tenant deferred payments temporarily in 2020 and 2021 however all such delinquent rental payments were received in the fourth quarter of 2020. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company received a $4.0 million payment in full satisfaction of the Casino Queen Loan in connection with the HCBR transaction which was recorded as a provision for credit losses, net, on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
9. Lease Assets and Lease Liabilities
Lease Assets
The Company is subject to various operating leases as lessee for both real estate and equipment, the majority of which are ground leases related to properties the Company leases to its tenants under triple-net operating leases. These ground leases may include fixed rent, as well as variable rent based upon an individual property’s performance or changes in an index such as the CPI and have maturity dates ranging from 2028 to 2108, when considering all renewal options. For certain of these ground leases, the Company’s tenants are responsible for payment directly to the third-party landlord. Under ASC 842, the Company is required to gross-up its consolidated financial statements for these ground leases as the Company is considered the primary obligor. In conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, the Company recorded right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheet to represent its rights to use the underlying leased assets and its future lease obligations, respectively, including for those ground leases paid directly by our tenants. Because the right-of-use asset relates, in part, to the same leases which resulted in the land right assets the Company recorded on its Consolidated Balance Sheet in conjunction with the Company's assumption of below market leases at the time it acquired the related land and building assets, the Company is required to report the right-of-use assets and land rights in the aggregate on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Land rights, net represent the Company's rights to land subject to long-term ground leases. The Company obtained ground lease rights through the acquisition of several of its rental properties and immediately subleased the land to its tenants. These land rights represent the below market value of the related ground leases. The Company assessed the acquired ground leases to determine if the lease terms were favorable or unfavorable, given market conditions at the acquisition date. Because the market rents to be received under the Company's triple-net tenant leases were greater than the rents to be paid under the acquired ground leases, the Company concluded that the ground leases were below market and were therefore required to be recorded as a definite lived asset (land rights) on its books.
Components of the Company's right-of use assets and land rights, net are detailed below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Right-of-use assets - operating leases (1) (2) | $ | 183,136 | | | $ | 151,339 | |
Land rights, net | 668,683 | | | 617,858 | |
Right-of-use assets and land rights, net | $ | 851,819 | | | $ | 769,197 | |
(1) The increase in right of use assets - operating leases relates to a ground lease acquired in connection with the Tropicana Evansville transaction which closed on June 3, 2021.
(2) In addition, there is $0.3 million of operating lease right-of-use assets included in assets held for sale for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The Greenville Inn property lease was not renewed by the Company's tenant, resulting in the acceleration of $3.4 million of land right amortization expense related to the long-term ground lease at this property and bringing the net book value of this land right to zero at December 31, 2021.
Land Rights
The land rights are amortized over the individual lease term of the related ground lease, including all renewal options, which ranged from 10 years to 92 years at their respective acquisition dates. Land rights net, consist of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
Land rights | $ | 730,783 | | | $ | 667,751 | |
Less accumulated amortization | (62,100) | | | (49,893) | |
Land rights, net | $ | 668,683 | | | $ | 617,858 | |
The increase from December 31, 2020 relates to land rights recorded in connection with the Tropicana Evansville
acquisition which closed on June 3, 2021.
As of December 31, 2021, estimated future amortization expense related to the Company’s land rights by fiscal year is as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
Year ending December 31, | |
2022 | $ | 13,209 | |
2023 | 13,209 | |
2024 | 13,209 | |
2025 | 13,209 | |
2026 | 13,209 | |
Thereafter | 602,638 | |
Total | $ | 668,683 | |
Operating Lease Liabilities
At December 31, 2021, maturities of the Company's operating lease liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
Year ending December 31, | |
2022 | $ | 13,561 | |
2023 | 13,556 | |
2024 | 13,505 | |
2025 | 13,452 | |
2026 | 13,459 | |
Thereafter | 610,693 | |
Total lease payments | $ | 678,226 | |
Less: interest | (494,281) | |
Present value of lease liabilities | $ | 183,945 | |
.
Lease Expense
Operating lease costs represent the entire amount of expense recognized for operating leases that are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Variable lease costs are not included in the measurement of the lease liability and include both lease payments tied to a property's performance and changes in an index such as the CPI that are not determinable at lease commencement, while short-term lease costs are costs for those operating leases with a term of 12 months or less.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | | Year Ended December 31, 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
Operating lease cost | $ | 12,959 | | | $ | 13,907 | |
Variable lease cost | 9,075 | | | 3,364 | |
Short-term lease cost | 947 | | | 625 | |
Amortization of land right assets | 15,616 | | | 12,022 | |
Total lease cost | $ | 38,597 | | | $ | 29,918 | |
Amortization expense related to the land right intangibles, as well as variable lease costs and the majority of the Company's operating lease costs are recorded within land rights and ground lease expense in the consolidated statements of
income. The Company's short-term lease costs as well as a small portion of operating lease costs are recorded in both gaming, food, beverage and other expense and general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of income.
Supplemental Disclosures Related to Operating Leases
Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's operating leases was as follows:
| | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 |
Weighted average remaining lease term - operating leases | 51.79 years |
Weighted average discount rate - operating leases | 6.6% |
Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's operating leases was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | | Year Ended December 31, 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | | | |
Operating cash flows from operating leases (1) (2) | $ | 1,617 | | | $ | 1,600 | |
| | | |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: | | | |
Operating leases (2) | $ | 35,372 | | | $ | 95 | |
(1) The Company's cash paid for operating leases is significantly less than the lease cost for the same period due to the majority of the Company's ground lease rent being paid directly to the landlords by the Company's tenants. Although GLPI expends no cash related to these leases, they are required to be grossed up in the Company's financial statements under ASC 842.
(2) In addition, there is $0.2 million and $0.3 million related to assets held for sale and other liabilities for operating cash flows from cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets obtained for new lease obligations, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Financing Lease Liabilities
In connection with the acquisition of the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, the Company acquired the rights to land subject to a long-term ground lease which expires on June 6, 2111. As the Maryland Live! Lease was accounted for as an Investment in lease, financing receivable, the underlying ground lease was accounted for as a financing lease obligation within Lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In accordance with ASC 842, the Company records revenue for the ground lease rent paid by its tenant with an offsetting expense in interest expense as the Company has concluded that as the lessee it is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The ground lease contains variable lease payments based on a percentage of gaming revenues generated by the facility and has fixed minimum annual payments. The Company discounted the fixed minimum annual payments at 5.0% to arrive at the initial lease obligation. At December 31, 2021, maturities of this finance lease were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
Year ending December 31, | |
2023 | $ | 2,200 | |
2024 | 2,222 | |
2025 | 2,244 | |
2026 | 2,267 | |
2027 | 2,289 | |
Thereafter | 304,371 | |
Total lease payments | $ | 315,593 | |
Less: Interest | (262,284) | |
Present value of finance lease liability | $ | 53,309 | |
10. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The only goodwill of the Company was recorded on the books of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, in connection with Penn's purchase of this entity prior to the Spin-Off. The only intangible assets of the Company was related to Hollywood Casino Perryville's gaming license that was recognized by Penn prior to the Spin-Off. The original assets and liabilities of GLPI, including goodwill and intangible assets were recorded at their respective historical carrying values at the time of the Spin-Off in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505.
There were no changes in the carrying value of goodwill or intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. As described in Note 6, the Company's goodwill and intangible asset balance at December 31, 2020 had been reclassified to Assets held for sale. Since the operations of both Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and Hollywood Casino Perryville were sold in 2021, the Company no longer has any goodwill or intangible assets on its Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2021.
11. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents approximates the carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, due to the short maturity of the cash equivalents.
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets
The Company's deferred compensation plan assets consist of open-ended mutual funds and as such the fair value measurement of the assets is considered a Level 1 measurement as defined under ASC 820. Deferred compensation plan assets are included within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Long-term Debt
The fair value of the Senior Notes are estimated based on quoted prices in active markets and as such are Level 1 measurements as defined under ASC 820. The fair value of the obligations in our Amended Credit Facility is based on indicative pricing from market information (Level 2 inputs).
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value |
Financial assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents (1) | $ | 724,595 | | | $ | 724,595 | | | $ | 486,451 | | | $ | 486,451 | |
Investment in leases, financing receivables, net (2) | 1,201,670 | | | 1,213,896 | | | — | | | — | |
Deferred compensation plan assets | 34,549 | | | 34,549 | | | 35,514 | | | 35,514 | |
| | | | | | | |
Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt: | | | | | | | |
Senior unsecured credit facility | 424,019 | | | 424,019 | | | 424,019 | | | 424,019 | |
Senior unsecured notes | 6,175,000 | | | 6,645,574 | | | 5,375,000 | | | 6,026,840 | |
(1) In addition, there was $22.1 million in cash and cash equivalents in assets held for sale at December 31, 2020.
(2) The fair value materially approximates the purchase price of the acquisition of these financial assets given the transaction closed on December 29, 2021.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
12. Long-term Debt
Long-term debt, net of current maturities and unamortized debt issuance costs is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
Unsecured $1,175 million revolver | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | |
Unsecured term loans A-2 | 424,019 | | | 424,019 | |
| | | |
| | | |
$500 million 5.375% senior unsecured notes due November 2023 | 500,000 | | | 500,000 | |
$400 million 3.350% senior unsecured notes due September 2024 | 400,000 | | | 400,000 | |
$850 million 5.250% senior unsecured notes due June 2025 | 850,000 | | | 850,000 | |
$975 million 5.375% senior unsecured notes due April 2026 | 975,000 | | | 975,000 | |
$500 million 5.750% senior unsecured notes due June 2028 | 500,000 | | | 500,000 | |
$750 million 5.300% senior unsecured notes due January 2029 | 750,000 | | | 750,000 | |
$700 million 4.000% senior unsecured notes due January 2030 | 700,000 | | | 700,000 | |
$700 million 4.000% senior unsecured notes due January 2031 | 700,000 | | | 700,000 | |
$800 million 3.250% senior unsecured notes due January 2032 | 800,000 | | | — | |
Other | 725 | | | 860 | |
Total long-term debt | 6,599,744 | | | 5,799,879 | |
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts | (47,372) | | | (45,190) | |
Total long-term debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts | $ | 6,552,372 | | | $ | 5,754,689 | |
The following is a schedule of future minimum repayments of long-term debt as of December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
| | | | | |
2022 | $ | 142 | |
2023 | 924,168 | |
2024 | 400,156 | |
2025 | 850,164 | |
2026 | 975,114 | |
Over 5 years | 3,450,000 | |
Total minimum payments | $ | 6,599,744 | |
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility
Prior to June 25, 2020, the Company's senior unsecured credit facility (the "Credit Facility"), consisted of a $1,175 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") with a maturity date of May 21, 2023, and a $449 million Term Loan A-1 facility with a maturity date of April 28, 2021.
The Company fully drew down on its Revolver in the first quarter of 2020 to increase its liquidity position and repay certain senior unsecured notes as described below. On June 25, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility (as amended, the "Amended Credit Facility") which extended the maturity date of approximately $224 million of outstanding Term Loan A-1 facility borrowings to May 21, 2023, which term loans are now classified as a new tranche of term loans (Term Loans A-2). Additionally, the Company borrowed incremental Term Loans A-2 totaling $200 million. Furthermore, on June 25, 2020, the Company also closed on an offering of $500 million of 4.00% unsecured senior notes due in January 2031 priced at an issue price equal to 98.827% of the principal amount. The Company utilized the proceeds from these two financings along with cash on hand to repay all outstanding obligations under its Revolver. On August 18, 2020, the Company borrowed an additional $200 million of 4.00% unsecured senior notes due in January 2031 priced at an issue price equal to 103.824% of the principal amount. The Company utilized the net proceeds from this additional borrowing to repay indebtedness under the Term Loan A-1 facility.
At December 31, 2021, the Amended Credit Facility had a gross outstanding balance of $424.0 million, consisting of the $424.0 million Term Loan A-2 facility. No amounts were outstanding under the Revolver. Additionally, at December 31, 2021, the Company was contingently obligated under letters of credit issued pursuant to the Amended Credit Facility with face amounts aggregating approximately $0.4 million, resulting in $1,174.6 million of available borrowing capacity under the Revolver.
The interest rates payable on the loans are, at the Company's option, equal to either a LIBOR rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 1.0% to 2.0% per annum for LIBOR loans and 0.0% to 1.0% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Amended Credit Facility. At December 31, 2021, the applicable margin was 1.50% for LIBOR loans and 0.50% for base rate loans. In addition, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the Revolver at a rate that ranges from 0.15% to 0.35% per annum, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Amended Credit Facility. At December 31, 2021, the commitment fee rate was 0.25%. The Company is not required to repay any loans under the Amended Credit Facility prior to maturity and may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Amended Credit Facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any LIBOR breakage costs of the lenders. The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, GLP Capital, is the primary obligor under the Amended Credit Facility, which is guaranteed by GLPI.
The Amended Credit Facility contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations or pay certain dividends and other restricted payments. The Amended Credit Facility contains the following financial covenants, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: a maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. In addition, GLPI is required to maintain a minimum tangible net worth and its status as a REIT. GLPI is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status, subject to the absence of payment or bankruptcy defaults. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Amended Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default,
including the occurrence of a change of control and termination of the Penn Master Lease (subject to certain replacement rights). The occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Amended Credit Facility will enable the lenders under the Amended Credit Facility to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder. At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under the Amended Credit Facility.
Senior Unsecured Notes
At December 31, 2021, the Company had an outstanding balance of $6,175.0 million of senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Notes").
On December 13, 2021, the Company issued $800 million of 3.25% senior unsecured notes due January 2032 at an issue price equal to 99.376% of the principal amount. The proceeds are being used to partially finance the Company's acquisition of certain real estate assets in the Cordish transaction as described in Note 7.
In the first quarter of 2020, the Company redeemed all $215.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 4.875% senior unsecured notes due in November 2020 and all $400 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 4.375% senior unsecured notes due in April 2021, incurring a loss on the early extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of $17.3 million, primarily for call premium charges and debt issuance write-offs.
On June 25, 2020, the Company issued $500 million of 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2031 at an issue price equal to 98.827% of the principal amount to repay indebtedness under its Revolver. On August 18, 2020, the Company issued an additional $200 million of 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2031 at an issue price equal to 103.824% of the principal amount to repay Term Loan A-1 indebtedness, incurring a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $0.8 million, related to debt issuance write-offs. These bond offerings have extended the maturities of our long-term debt.
On August 29, 2019, the Company issued $400 million of 3.35% Senior Unsecured Notes maturing on September 1, 2024 at an issue price equal to 99.899% of the principal amount (the "2024 Notes") and $700 million of 4.00% Senior Unsecured Notes maturing on January 15, 2030 at an issue price equal to 99.751% of the principal amount (the "2030 Notes"). Interest on the 2024 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on March 1, 2020. Interest on the 2030 Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2020. The net proceeds from the sale of the 2024 Notes and 2030 Notes were used to (i) finance the Company's cash tender offer to purchase its 4.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2020 (described below), (ii) repay outstanding borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility and (iii) repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the Company's Term Loan A-1 facility.
On September 12, 2019, the Company completed a cash tender offer (the "2019 Tender Offer") to purchase its $1,000 million aggregate principal amount 4.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes"). The Company received early tenders from the holders of approximately $782.6 million in aggregate principal of the 2020 Notes, or approximately 78% of its outstanding 2020 Notes, in connection with the 2019 Tender Offer at a price of 102.337% of the unpaid principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest through the settlement date. Subsequent to the early tender deadline, an additional $2.2 million in aggregate principal of the 2020 Notes was tendered at a price of 99.337% of the unpaid principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest through the settlement date, for a total redemption of $784.8 million of the 2020 Notes. The Company recorded a loss on the early extinguishment of debt related to the 2019 Tender Offer, of approximately $21.0 million, for the difference between the reacquisition price of the tendered 2020 Notes and their net carrying value.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes of any series at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus a "make-whole" redemption premium described in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, except that if Senior Notes of a series are redeemed 90 or fewer days prior to their maturity, the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. If GLPI experiences a change of control accompanied by a decline in the credit rating of the Senior Notes of a particular series, the Company will be required to give holders of the Senior Notes of such series the opportunity to sell their Senior Notes of such series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes of such series, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. The Senior Notes also are subject to mandatory redemption requirements imposed by gaming laws and regulations.
The Senior Notes were issued by GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc. (the "Issuers"), two consolidated subsidiaries of GLPI, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by GLPI. The guarantees of GLPI are full and unconditional. The Senior Notes are the Issuers' senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of
the Issuers' senior indebtedness, including the Amended Credit Facility, and senior in right of payment to all of the Issuers' subordinated indebtedness, without giving effect to collateral arrangements.
The Senior Notes contain covenants limiting the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt and use its assets to secure debt; merge or consolidate with another company; and make certain amendments to the Penn Master Lease. The Senior Notes also require the Company to maintain a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.
At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under its Senior Notes.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
Separation and Distribution Agreements
Pursuant to a Separation and Distribution Agreement between Penn and GLPI, any liability arising from or relating to legal proceedings involving the businesses and operations of Penn’s real property holdings prior to the Spin-Off (other than any liability arising from or relating to legal proceedings where the dispute arises from the operation or ownership of the TRS Properties) will be retained by Penn, and Penn will indemnify GLPI (and its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees and agents and certain other related parties) against any losses it may incur arising from or relating to such legal proceedings. Similarly, pursuant to a Separation and Distribution Agreement between Pinnacle's operating company and GLPI (as successor to Pinnacle Entertainment), any liability arising from or relating to legal proceedings involving the business and operations of Pinnacle's real property holdings prior to the Pinnacle Merger will be retained by Pinnacle, and Pinnacle will indemnify GLPI (and its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees and agents and certain other related parties) against any losses it may incur arising from or relating to such legal proceedings. Effective October 15, 2018, Penn assumed all obligations of Pinnacle pursuant to a merger of Pinnacle with and into a subsidiary of Penn. There can be no assurance that Penn will be able to fully satisfy these indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if the Company ultimately succeeds in recovering from Penn any amounts for which the Company is liable, it may be temporarily required to bear those losses.
Litigation
The Company is subject to various legal and administrative proceedings relating to personal injuries, employment matters, commercial transactions, and other matters arising in the normal 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 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.
Employee Benefit Plans
The Company maintains a defined contribution plan under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which covers all eligible employees. The plan enables participating employees to defer a portion of their salary and/or their annual bonus in a retirement fund to be administered by the Company. The Company makes a discretionary match contribution of 50% of employees' elective salary deferrals, up to a maximum of 6% of eligible employee compensation. The matching contributions for the defined contribution plan were $0.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that covers most management and other highly-compensated employees. The plan allows the participants to defer, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of their base annual salary and/or their annual bonus, and earn tax-deferred earnings on these deferrals. The plan also provides for matching Company contributions that vest over a five-year period. The Company has established a Trust, and transfers to the Trust, on a periodic basis, an amount necessary to provide for its respective future liabilities with respect to participant deferral and Company contribution amounts. The Company's matching contributions for the non-qualified deferred compensation plan for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $0.5 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The Company's deferred compensation liability, which was included in other liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $33.8 million and $32.4 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Assets held in the Trust were $34.5 million and $35.5 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and are included in other assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
14. Revenue Recognition
Revenues from Real Estate
As of December 31, 2021, 19 of the Company’s real estate investment properties were leased to a subsidiary of Penn under the Penn Master Lease, an additional 12 of the Company's real estate investment properties were leased to a subsidiary of Penn under the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, 6 of the Company's real estate investment properties were leased to a subsidiary of Caesars under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease, 3 of the Company's real estate investment properties were leased to a subsidiary of Boyd under the Boyd Master Lease, 2 of the Company's real estate investment properties were leased to a subsidiary of Bally's under the Bally's Master Lease and 2 of the Company's real estate properties were leased to a subsidiary of Casino Queen under the Casino Queen Master Lease. Additionally, the Meadows real estate assets are leased to Penn pursuant to the Meadows Lease and the land under a Penn development facility subject to the Morgantown Lease. Finally, the Company has single property triple net leases with Caesars under the Lumière Place Lease, Boyd under the Belterra Park Lease, Penn under the Perryville Lease and Cordish under the Maryland Live! Lease.
Guarantees
The obligations under the Penn Master Lease and Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, as well as the Meadows Lease, Perryville Lease and Morgantown Lease are guaranteed by Penn and, with respect to each lease, jointly and severally by Penn's subsidiaries that occupy and operate the facilities covered by such lease. Similarly, the obligations under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease and Bally's Master Lease are jointly and severally guaranteed by the parent company and by the subsidiaries that occupy and operate the leased facilities. The obligations under the Boyd Master Lease are jointly and severally guaranteed by Boyd's subsidiaries that occupy and operate the facilities leased under the Boyd Master Lease. The obligations under the Maryland Live! Lease are guaranteed by the subsidiary that operates the facility.
Rent
The rent structure under the Penn Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual 2% escalator if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities, which is prospectively adjusted, subject to certain floors (namely the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course property due to Penn's opening of a competing facility) (i) every five years to an amount equal to 4% of the average net revenues of all facilities under the Penn Master Lease (other than Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo) during the preceding five years in excess of a contractual baseline, and (ii) monthly by an amount equal to 20% of the net revenues of Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo during the preceding month in excess of a contractual baseline, although Hollywood Casino Toledo has a monthly percentage rent floor which equals $22.9 million annually.
Similar to the Penn Master Lease, the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease also includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual 2% escalator if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities, which is prospectively adjusted, subject to certain floors (namely the Bossier City Boomtown property due to Penn's acquisition of a competing facility, Margaritaville Resort Casino), every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average net revenues of all facilities under the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline. The Amended Pinnacle Master Lease reset on May 1, 2020 which resulted in an annual decline of $5.0 million.
On July 23, 2020, the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease became effective as described more fully in Note 1. This modification was accounted for as a new lease which the Company concluded continued to meet the criteria for operating lease treatment. As a result, the existing deferred revenue at the time of the amendment is being recognized to the income statement over the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease's new initial lease term, which now expires in September 2038. The Company has concluded the renewal options of up to an additional 20 years at the tenants' option are not reasonably certain of being exercised as failure to renew would not result in a significant penalty to the tenant. In the fifth and sixth lease years the building base rent escalates at 1.25%. In the seventh and eighth lease years it escalates at 1.75% and then escalates at 2% in the ninth lease year and each lease year thereafter. In addition, the guaranteed fixed escalations in the new initial lease term will be recognized on a straight line basis.
On December 18, 2020, following the receipt of required regulatory approvals, the Company and Caesars completed an Exchange Agreement with subsidiaries of Caesars in which Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of Waterloo and Bettendorf in exchange for the transfer by the Company to Caesars of the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville, plus a cash payment of $5.7 million. The Waterloo and Bettendorf facilities were added to the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease and the rent was increased by $520,000 annually. This Exchange Transaction resulted in a reconsideration of the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease which resulted in the continuation of operating lease
treatment for accounting classification purposes. Additionally, a non cash gain of $41.4 million was recorded in other income which reflected the fair value of the Waterloo and Bettendorf facilities which exceeded the net book value of the Tropicana Evansville property and the $5.7 million payment at the date of the exchange.
The Boyd Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual 2% escalator if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities, which is adjusted, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of all facilities under the Boyd Master Lease during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to the Belterra Park Lease with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The Belterra Park Lease rent terms are consistent with the Boyd Master Lease. The annual rent is comprised of a fixed component, part of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities which is adjusted, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of Belterra Park during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
On September 29, 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Lumière Place in satisfaction of the CZR loan, subject to the Lumière Place Lease, the initial term of which expires on October 31, 2033, with 4 separate renewal options of five years each, exercisable at the tenants' option. The Lumière Place Lease's rent terms were adjusted on December 1, 2021 such that the annual escalator is now fixed at 1.25% for the second through fifth lease years, increasing to 1.75% for the sixth and seventh lease years and thereafter increasing by 2.0% for the remainder of the lease.
The Meadows Lease contains a fixed component, subject to annual escalators, and a component that is based on the performance of the facility, which is reset every two years to an amount determined by multiplying (i) 4% by (ii) the average annual net revenues of the facility for the trailing two-year period. The Meadows Lease contains an annual escalator provision for up to 5% of the base rent, if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, which remains at 5% until the earlier of ten years or the year in which total rent is $31.0 million, at which point the escalator will be reduced to 2% annually thereafter.
The Morgantown Lease became effective on October 1, 2020 whereby the Company is leasing the land under Penn's gaming facility under construction for an initial cash rent of $3.0 million, provided, however, that (i) on the opening date and on each anniversary thereafter the rent shall be increased by 1.5% annually (on a prorated basis for the remainder of the lease year in which the gaming facility opens) for each of the following three lease years and (ii) commencing on the fourth anniversary of the opening date and for each anniversary thereafter, (a) if the CPI increase is at least 0.5% for any lease year, the rent for such lease year shall increase by 1.25% of rent as of the immediately preceding lease year, and (b) if the CPI increase is less than 0.5% for such lease year, then the rent shall not increase for such lease year.
The initial rent under the Casino Queen Master Lease is $21.4 million and such amount increases annually by 0.5% for the first six years. Beginning with the seventh lease year through the remainder of the lease term, if the CPI increases by at least 0.25% for any lease year then annual rent shall be increased by 1.25%, and if the CPI increase is less than 0.25% then rent will remain unchanged for such lease year. The Company will also complete the current landside development project that is in process and rent under the Casino Queen Master Lease will be adjusted to reflect a yield of 8.25% on GLPI's project costs.
The Perryville Lease that became effective on July 1, 2021 has an initial annual rent of $7.77 million, $5.83 million of which will be subject to escalation provisions beginning in the second lease year through the fourth lease year and increasing by 1.50% during such period and then increasing by 1.25% for the remaining lease term. The escalation provisions beginning in the fifth lease year are subject to the CPI being at least 0.5% for the preceding lease year.
The Bally's Master Lease rent is $40 million annually and is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% determined in relation to the annual increase in CPI.
The Maryland Live! Lease rent is $75 million and increases by 1.75% upon the second anniversary of the lease commencement. This lease was accounted for as an Investment in leases, financing receivable. See Note 8 for the further information including the future annual cash payments to be received under the lease.
Furthermore, the Company's master leases provide for a floor on the percentage rent described above, should the Company's tenants acquire or commence operating a competing facility within a restricted area (typically 60 miles from a property under the existing master lease with such tenant). These clauses provide landlord protections by basing the percentage rent floor for any affected facility on the net revenues of such facility for the calendar year immediately preceding the year in
which the competing facility is acquired or first operated by the tenant. A percentage rent floor was triggered on Penn's Hollywood Casino Toledo property, as a result of Penn's purchase of the operations of the Greektown Casino-Hotel in Detroit, Michigan and a percentage rent floor on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease was triggered on the Bossier City Boomtown property due to Penn's acquisition of Margaritaville Resort Casino. Additionally, a percentage rent floor was triggered on the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in connection with Penn opening a facility in York, Pennsylvania which will go into effect at the next reset.
Costs
In addition to rent, as triple-net lessees, all of the Company's tenants are required to pay the following executory costs: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, (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.
Lease terms
The Company determined, based on facts and circumstances prevailing at the time of each lease's inception, that neither Penn nor Casino Queen could continue as a going concern without the property(ies) that are leased to them under the Penn Master Lease and the Casino Queen Master Lease. At lease inception, all of Casino Queen's revenues and substantially all of Penn's revenues were generated from operations in connection with the leased properties. There are also various legal restrictions in the jurisdictions in which Penn and Casino Queen operate that limit the availability and location of gaming facilities, which makes relocation or replacement of the leased gaming facilities restrictive and potentially impracticable or unavailable. Moreover, under the terms of the Penn Master Lease, Penn must make renewal elections with respect to all of the leased property together; the tenant is not entitled to selectively renew certain of the leased property while not renewing other property. Accordingly, the Company concluded that failure by Penn or Casino Queen to renew the Penn Master Lease or Casino Queen Lease, respectively, would impose a significant penalty on such tenant such that renewal of all lease renewal options appeared at lease inception to be reasonably assured. Therefore, the Company concluded that the term of the Penn Master Lease and the Casino Queen Lease is 35 years, equal to the initial 15-year term plus all four of the 5-year renewal options.
The Casino Queen Master Lease became effective December 17, 2021 and required an accounting reassessment due to changes in the rent and lease terms. The Company concluded the lease term is limited to its initial 15 year term. This was due to several factors that were not present at the inception of the original Casino Queen Lease. Since the formation of the Company on November 1, 2013, the Company has reassessed four of its nine leases that were originated prior to 2021. All four of these reassessments were done before the completion of their original initial lease terms. Additionally, Pinnacle sold its operations to Penn for fair value whose underlying real estate for the casino operations were leased from the Company. Finally, additional competitive threats have emerged in the regional markets for the properties in the Casino Queen Master Lease that were not present previously, particularly in the state of Illinois with respect to additional competitive pressures from video gaming terminals that have rapidly expanded in the state and continue to take market share from land based casinos. We believe all these factors preclude the Company from concluding all renewal periods are reasonably assured to be exercised in the Casino Queen Master Lease.
On October 15, 2018, in conjunction with the Penn-Pinnacle Merger, the Pinnacle Master Lease was amended by a fourth amendment to allow for the sale of the operating assets of Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles and Belterra Casino Resort from Pinnacle to Boyd. As a result of this amendment, the Company reassessed the lease's classification and determined the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease qualified for operating lease treatment under ASC 840. Therefore, subsequent to the Penn-Pinnacle Merger, the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease is treated as an operating lease in its entirety. Because the properties under the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease did not represent a meaningful portion of Penn's business at the time Penn assumed the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Company concluded that the lease term of the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease is 10 years, equal to the initial 10-year term only.
In connection with Penn exercising its first renewal option on October 1, 2020, the Company reassessed the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease as the lease term now concludes on May 1, 2031. The Company continued to conclude that each individual lease component within the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease meets the definition of an operating lease. The deferred rent and fixed minimum lease payments at October 1, 2020 are being recognized on a straight-line basis over the new initial lease term ending on May 1, 2031.
Because the Meadows Lease was a single property lease operated by a large multi-property operator, GLPI concluded it was not reasonably assured at lease inception that the operator would elect to exercise any lease renewal options. Therefore, the Company concluded that the lease term of the Meadows Lease is 10 years, equal to the initial 10-year term only. In conjunction with the Penn-Pinnacle Merger, Penn assumed the Meadows Lease from Pinnacle. The accounting for the Meadows Lease, including the lease term was not impacted by the change in tenant. Based upon similar fact patterns, the Company concluded it was not reasonably assured at lease inception that Caesars or Boyd would elect to exercise all lease renewal options under the Caesars Master Lease and the Boyd Master Lease as the earnings from these properties did not represent a meaningful portion of either tenant's business at lease inception; therefore, the Company concluded that the lease term of the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease was its remaining initial lease term which was extended by 5 years when the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease became effective on July 23, 2020. The lease term of the Boyd Master Lease is 10 years, equal to the initial term of such master lease.
The Belterra Park Lease, Perryville Lease, Morgantown Lease, Maryland Live! Lease and Lumière Park Lease are single property leases operated by large-multi-property operators and as such the Company concluded it was not reasonably assured at lease inception that the operator would elect to exercise any renewal options; as such the lease term of these leases is equal to their initial terms.
Details of the Company's rental income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 |
Building base rent (1) | $ | 726,542 | |
Land base rent | 206,604 | |
Percentage rent | 150,725 | |
Total cash rental income | $ | 1,083,871 | |
Straight-line rent adjustments | 3,993 | |
Ground rent in revenue | 18,587 | |
Other rental revenue | 207 | |
Total rental income | $ | 1,106,658 | |
(1) Building base rent is subject to the annual rent escalators described above.
As of December 31, 2021, the future minimum rental income from the Company's rental properties under non-cancelable operating leases, including any reasonably assured renewal periods, was as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ending December 31, | Future Rental Payments Receivable | | Straight-Line Rent Adjustments | | Future Base Ground Rents Receivable | | Future Income to be Recognized Related to Operating Leases |
2022 | $ | 1,055,300 | | | $ | 24,905 | | | $ | 12,311 | | | $ | 1,092,516 | |
2023 | 1,030,381 | | | 33,169 | | | 12,313 | | | 1,075,863 | |
2024 | 998,598 | | | 31,805 | | | 12,315 | | | 1,042,718 | |
2025 | 1,000,443 | | | 30,199 | | | 12,318 | | | 1,042,960 | |
2026 | 935,217 | | | 24,755 | | | 11,252 | | | 971,224 | |
Thereafter | 12,192,059 | | | 184,235 | | | 87,296 | | | 12,463,590 | |
Total | $ | 17,211,998 | | | $ | 329,068 | | | $ | 147,805 | | | $ | 17,688,871 | |
The table above presents the cash rent the Company expects to receive from its tenants, offset by adjustments to recognize this rent on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company also includes the future non-cash revenue it expects to recognize from the fixed portion of tenant paid ground leases in the table above. For further details on these tenant paid ground leases, refer to Note 9.
The Company may periodically loan funds to casino owner-operators for the purchase of real estate. Interest income related to real estate loans is recorded as revenue from real estate within the Company's consolidated statements of income in
the period earned. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized interest income from these real estate loans of $19.1 million and $28.9 million, respectively. No loans were outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Gaming, Food, Beverage and Other Revenues
Gaming revenue generated by the TRS Properties mainly consists of revenue from slot machines, and to a lesser extent, table game and poker revenue. Gaming revenue is recognized net of certain sales incentives, including promotional allowances in accordance with ASC 606. The Company also defers a portion of the revenue received from customers (who participate in the points-based loyalty programs) at the time of play until a later period when the points are redeemed or forfeited. Other revenues at our TRS Properties are derived from our dining, retail and certain other ancillary activities. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized gaming, food, beverage and other revenue of $109.7 million, $103.0 million, and $128.4 million, respectively.
Finally, the Company recorded $3.5 million of insurance recoveries related to business interruption insurance at December 31, 2021 related to the temporary closures of the Company's TRS Properties during 2020. This amount was recorded as a reduction in other expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
15. Stock-Based Compensation
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had 3,397,430 shares available for future issuance under the Amended 2013 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2013 Plan"). The 2013 Plan provides for the Company to issue restricted stock awards, including performance-based restricted stock awards and other equity or cash based awards to employees. Any director, employee or consultant shall be eligible to receive such awards. The Company issues new authorized common shares to satisfy stock option exercises and restricted stock award releases.
As of December 31, 2021, there was $3.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost for restricted stock awards that will be recognized over the grants' remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.69 years. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $7.2 million, $9.3 million and $7.5 million, respectively, of compensation expense associated with these awards. The total fair value of awards released during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, was $9.9 million, $13.7 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
The following table contains information on restricted stock award activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Award Shares | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
Outstanding at December 31, 2019 | 316,971 | | | $ | 34.10 | |
Granted | 275,456 | | | $ | 28.29 | |
Released | (331,868) | | | $ | 25.65 | |
Canceled | (7,999) | | | $ | 38.46 | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2020 | 252,560 | | | $ | 38.72 | |
Granted | 237,492 | | | $ | 29.82 | |
Released | (233,539) | | | $ | 27.07 | |
Canceled | (1,849) | | | $ | 40.99 | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2021 | 254,664 | | | $ | 41.10 | |
Performance-based restricted stock awards have a three-year cliff vesting with the amount of restricted shares vesting at the end of the three-year period determined based upon the Company’s performance as measured against its peers. More specifically, the percentage of shares vesting at the end of the measurement period will be based on the Company’s three-year total shareholder return measured against the three-year total shareholder return of the companies included in the MSCI US REIT index and the Company's stock performance ranking among a group of triple-net REIT peer companies. The triple-net measurement group includes publicly traded REITs, which the Company believes derive at least 75% of revenues from triple-net leases and meet a minimum market capitalization. As of December 31, 2021, there was $11.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost for performance-based restricted stock awards, which will be recognized over the awards' remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.72 years. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company
recognized $9.6 million, $10.7 million and $8.7 million, respectively, of compensation expense associated with these awards. The total fair value of performance-based stock awards released during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $14.9 million, $23.4 million, and $14.7 million respectively.
The following table contains information on performance-based restricted stock award activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Performance-Based Award Shares | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
Outstanding at December 31, 2019 | 1,383,334 | | | $ | 18.77 | |
Granted | 504,000 | | | $ | 23.62 | |
Released | (561,667) | | | $ | 18.51 | |
Canceled | (131,673) | | | $ | 20.74 | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2020 | 1,193,994 | | | $ | 20.72 | |
Granted | 478,000 | | | $ | 24.89 | |
Released | (366,888) | | | $ | 20.64 | |
Canceled | — | | | $ | — | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2021 | 1,305,106 | | | $ | 22.27 | |
16. Income Taxes
The Company elected on its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT. The benefits of the intended REIT conversion on the Company's tax provision and effective income tax rate are reflected in the tables below. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided for the effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the corporate tax rate was permanently lowered from the previous maximum rate of 35% to 21%, effective for tax years including or commencing January 1, 2018.
The components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, | 2021 | | 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
Deferred tax assets: | | | |
Accrued expenses | $ | — | | | $ | 1,508 | |
Property and equipment | — | | | 6,443 | |
Interest expense | 1,560 | | | 1,170 | |
Net operating losses | 438 | | | 310 | |
Gross deferred tax assets | 1,998 | | | 9,431 | |
Less: valuation allowance | (1,758) | | | (1,731) | |
Net deferred tax assets | 240 | | | 7,700 | |
Deferred tax liabilities: | | | |
Property and equipment | (240) | | | (556) | |
Intangibles | — | | | (1,813) | |
Net deferred tax liabilities | (240) | | | (2,369) | |
Net: | $ | — | | | $ | 5,331 | |
The carrying amounts of deferred tax assets have been reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. In assessing the requirement for, and amount of, a valuation allowance in accordance with the more likely than not standard for all periods, the Company gives appropriate consideration to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $1.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The valuation allowance balance is associated mainly with net operating losses, disallowed interest expense carryforward, and other additional deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets, net are included within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The provision for income taxes charged to operations for years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
Current tax expense | | | | | |
Federal | $ | 16,363 | | | $ | 1,111 | | | $ | 3,005 | |
State | 6,653 | | | 2,315 | | | 2,514 | |
Total current | 23,016 | | | 3,426 | | | 5,519 | |
Deferred tax (benefit) expense | | | | | |
Federal | 3,534 | | | 467 | | | (667) | |
State | 1,792 | | | (16) | | | (88) | |
Total deferred | 5,326 | | | 451 | | | (755) | |
Total provision | $ | 28,342 | | | $ | 3,877 | | | $ | 4,764 | |
The following tables reconcile the statutory federal income tax rate to the actual effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Percent of pretax income | | | | | |
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate | 21.0 | % | | 21.0 | % | | 21.0 | % |
Deferred tax impact of TRS tax-free liquidation | 2.3 | % | | — | % | | — | % |
State and local income taxes | 0.7 | % | | 0.4 | % | | 0.5 | % |
Valuation allowance | 0.3 | % | | 0.3 | % | | — | % |
| | | | | |
REIT conversion benefit | (19.3) | % | | (21.0) | % | | (20.3) | % |
Goodwill impairment charges | — | % | | — | % | | — | % |
Other miscellaneous items | — | % | | 0.1 | % | | — | % |
| 5.0 | % | | 0.8 | % | | 1.2 | % |
The increase in the effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 is primarily due to the sale of the membership interests of Louisiana Casino Cruises, LLC, the sale of the membership interests of Penn Cecil Maryland, LLC and the liquidation of GLP Holdings, Inc.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | |
| (in thousands) | |
Amount based upon pretax income | | | | | | |
U.S. federal statutory income tax | $ | 118,110 | | | $ | 107,013 | | | $ | 83,086 | | |
Deferred tax impact of TRS tax-free liquidation | 13,036 | | | — | | | — | | |
State and local income taxes | 3,763 | | | 1,955 | | | 2,051 | | |
Valuation allowance | 1,758 | | | 1,731 | | | — | | |
| | | | | | |
REIT conversion benefit | (108,315) | | | (106,839) | | | (80,397) | | |
| | | | | | |
Permanent differences | 11 | | | 16 | | | 23 | | |
Other miscellaneous items | (21) | | | 1 | | | 1 | | |
| $ | 28,342 | | | $ | 3,877 | | | $ | 4,764 | | |
The Company is still subject to federal income tax examinations for its years ended December 31, 2017 and forward.
17. Earnings Per Share
The following table reconciles the weighted-average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic EPS to the weighted-average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
Determination of shares: | | | | | |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 235,472 | | | 218,817 | | | 214,667 | |
| | | | | |
Assumed conversion of restricted stock awards | 153 | | | 76 | | | 117 | |
Assumed conversion of performance-based restricted stock awards | 606 | | | 880 | | | 1,002 | |
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 236,231 | | | 219,773 | | | 215,786 | |
The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the Company’s common stock for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
Calculation of basic EPS: | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 534,047 | | | $ | 505,711 | | | $ | 390,881 | |
Less: Net income allocated to participating securities | (346) | | | (583) | | | (576) | |
Net income for earnings per share purposes | $ | 533,701 | | | $ | 505,128 | | | $ | 390,305 | |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 235,472 | | | 218,817 | | | 214,667 | |
Basic EPS | $ | 2.27 | | | $ | 2.31 | | | $ | 1.82 | |
| | | | | |
Calculation of diluted EPS: | | | | | |
Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 534,047 | | | $ | 505,711 | | | $ | 390,881 | |
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 236,231 | | | 219,773 | | | 215,786 | |
Diluted EPS | $ | 2.26 | | | $ | 2.30 | | | $ | 1.81 | |
| | | | | |
Antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share | 70 | | | — | | | — | |
18. Equity
Common Stock
On August 14, 2019, the Company commenced a continuous equity offering under which the Company may sell up to an aggregate of $600 million of its common stock from time to time through a sales agent in "at the market" offerings (the "2019 ATM Program"). Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, the trading price of the Company's common stock and determinations of the appropriate sources of funding. The Company may sell the shares in amounts and at times to be determined by the Company, but has no obligation to sell any of the shares in the 2019 ATM Program. The 2019 ATM Program also allows the Company to enter into forward sale agreements. In no event will the aggregate number of shares sold under the 2019 ATM Program (whether under any forward sale agreement or through a sales agent), have an aggregate sales price in excess of $600 million. The Company expects, that if it enters into a forward sale contract, to physically settle each forward sale agreement with the forward purchaser on one or more dates specified by the Company prior to the maturity date of that particular forward sale agreement, in which case the aggregate net cash proceeds at settlement will equal the number of shares underlying the particular forward sale agreement multiplied by the relevant forward sale price. However, the Company may also elect to cash settle or net share settle a particular forward sale agreement, in which case proceeds may or may not be received or cash may be owed to the forward purchaser.
In connection with the 2019 ATM Program, the Company engaged a sales agent who may receive compensation of up to 2% of the gross sales price of the shares sold. Similarly, in the event the Company enters into a forward sale agreement, it will pay the relevant forward seller a commission of up to 2% of the sales price of all borrowed shares of common stock sold during the applicable selling period of the forward sale agreement.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, GLPI sold 5,539,709 of its common stock at an average price of $49.07 per share under the 2019 ATM Program, which generated net proceeds of approximately $270.7 million. Program commencement to date, the Company has sold 5,549,180 of its common stock at an average price of $49.06 per share, which generated net proceeds of approximately $270.6 million. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $327.7 million remaining for issuance under the 2019 ATM Program and had not entered into any forward sale agreements.
During the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2020, the Company issued 8.9 million shares at $44.24 per share and 9.2 million shares at $36.25 per share, respectively of common stock to partially finance the funding required for the Cordish and Bally's transactions, respectively. See Note 7 for further details.
Noncontrolling Interests
As partial consideration for the Cordish transaction (See Note 1), the Company's operating partnership issued 4,348,774 newly-issued operating partnership units ("OP Units") to affiliates of Cordish. The OP Units are exchangeable for common shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain terms and conditions. As a result of the contribution, the OP became treated as a regarded partnership for income tax purposes, with the REIT being deemed to contribute substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the REIT in exchange for the general partnership and a majority of the limited partnership interests, and a minority limited partnership interest being owned by Cordish (the "UPREIT Transaction"). As of December 31, 2021, the Company holds a 98.28% controlling financial interest in the operating partnership. The operating partnership is a VIE in which the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the partnership's economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE and the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company consolidates the accounts of the operating partnership, and reflects the third party ownership in this entity as a noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The following table lists the regular dividends declared and paid by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Declaration Date | | Shareholder Record Date | | Securities Class | | Dividend Per Share | | Period Covered | | Distribution Date | | Dividend Amount (1) (2) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | (in thousands) |
2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
February 22, 2021 | | March 9, 2021 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.65 | | | First Quarter 2021 | | March 23, 2021 | | $ | 151,308 | |
May 20, 2021 | | June 11, 2021 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.67 | | | Second Quarter 2021 | | June 25, 2021 | | $ | 156,876 | |
August 27, 2021 | | September 10, 2021 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.67 | | | Third Quarter 2021 | | September 24, 2021 | | $ | 159,426 | |
November 29, 2021 | | December 9, 2021 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.67 | | | Fourth Quarter 2021 | | December 23, 2021 | | $ | 165,628 | |
December 17, 2021 | | December 27, 2021 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.24 | | | Fourth Quarter 2021 | | January 7, 2022 | | $ | 59,330 | |
2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
February 20, 2020 | | March 6, 2020 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.70 | | | First Quarter 2020 | | March 20, 2020 | | $ | 150,574 | |
April 29, 2020 | | May 13, 2020 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.60 | | | Second Quarter 2020 | | June 26, 2020 | | $ | 129,071 | |
August 6, 2020 | | August 17, 2020 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.60 | | | Third Quarter 2020 | | September 25, 2020 | | $ | 130,697 | |
November 5, 2020 | | November 16, 2020 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.60 | | | Fourth Quarter 2020 | | December 24, 2020 | | $ | 137,943 | |
2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
February 19, 2019 | | March 8, 2019 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.68 | | | First Quarter 2019 | | March 22, 2019 | | $ | 145,954 | |
May 28, 2019 | | June 14, 2019 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.68 | | | Second Quarter 2019 | | June 28, 2019 | | $ | 145,978 | |
August 20, 2019 | | September 6, 2019 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.68 | | | Third Quarter 2019 | | September 20, 2019 | | $ | 145,984 | |
November 26, 2019 | | December 13, 2019 | | Common Stock | | $ | 0.70 | | | Fourth Quarter 2019 | | December 27, 2019 | | $ | 150,285 | |
(1) Dividend distributed on June 26, 2020 was paid $25.8 million in cash and $103.2 million in stock (2,697,946 shares at $38.2643). Dividend distributed on September 25, 2020 was paid $26.2 million in cash and $104.5 million in stock (2,767,704 shares at $37.7635). Dividend distributed on December 24, 2020 was paid $27.6 million in cash and $110.3 million in stock (2,543,675 shares at $43.3758). For accounting purposes, since the Company is in an accumulated deficit position the value of the stock dividend was recorded at its par value.
(2) On December 17, 2021, the Company declared a special earnings and profits dividend related to the sale of the operations at Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge of $0.24 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend was accrued in 2021 and paid on January 7, 2022. In addition, dividend payments of $61 thousand were made to GLPI restricted stock award holders.
In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, dividend payments were made to GLPI restricted stock award holders in the amount of $0.7 million, $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Dividends distributed to the Company's employees on June 26, 2020 were paid $33 thousand in cash and $153 thousand in stock (4,006 shares at $38.2643). Dividends distributed to the Company's employees on September 25, 2020 were paid $32 thousand in cash and $217 thousand in stock (5,746 shares at $37.7635). Dividends distributed to the Company's employees on December 24, 2020 were paid $34 thousand in cash and $118 thousand in stock (2,722 shares at $43.3758).
A summary of the Company's common stock distributions for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 is as follows (unaudited):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in dollars per share) |
Qualified dividends | $ | 0.22552 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 0.0387 | |
Non-qualified dividends | 2.58944 | | | 2.4517 | | | 2.2649 | |
Capital gains | 0.01199 | | | 0.0025 | | | 0.0353 | |
Non-taxable return of capital | 0.03215 | | | 0.0458 | | | 0.4011 | |
Total distributions per common share (1) | $ | 2.86 | | | $ | 2.50 | | | $ | 2.74 | |
| | | | | |
Percentage classified as qualified dividends | 7.89 | % | | — | % | | 1.41 | % |
Percentage classified as non-qualified dividends | 90.57 | % | | 98.07 | % | | 82.66 | % |
Percentage classified as capital gains | 0.42 | % | | 0.10 | % | | 1.29 | % |
Percentage classified as non-taxable return of capital | 1.12 | % | | 1.83 | % | | 14.64 | % |
| 100.00 | % | | 100.00 | % | | 100.00 | % |
(1) A portion of the $0.24 dividend declared on December 27, 2021 and paid on January 7, 2022 is treated as a 2022 distribution for federal income tax purposes.
19. Segment Information
The following tables present certain information with respect to the Company’s segments. As discussed in Note 1, due to the recently completed transactions in the TRS Segment, the Company anticipates that GLP Capital will be the Company's only reportable segment in 2022. Intersegment revenues between the Company’s segments were not material in any of the periods presented below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | GLP Capital | | TRS Segment | | Total |
| | (in thousands) |
For the year ended December 31, 2021 | | | | | | |
Total revenues | | $ | 1,102,653 | | | $ | 113,698 | | | $ | 1,216,351 | |
Income from operations | | 781,226 | | | 60,542 | | | 841,768 | |
Interest expense (1) | | 265,634 | | | 17,403 | | | 283,037 | |
Income before income taxes | | 515,787 | | | 46,641 | | | 562,428 | |
Income tax expense | | 904 | | | 27,438 | | | 28,342 | |
Net income | | 514,883 | | | 19,203 | | | 534,086 | |
Depreciation | | 232,214 | | | 4,220 | | | 236,434 | |
Capital project expenditures | | 9,834 | | | 4,092 | | | 13,926 | |
Capital maintenance expenditures | | 65 | | | 2,205 | | | 2,270 | |
| | | | | | |
For the year ended December 31, 2020 | | | | | | |
Total revenues | | $ | 1,050,166 | | | $ | 102,999 | | | $ | 1,153,165 | |
Income from operations | | 792,467 | | | 16,807 | | | 809,274 | |
Interest expense (1) | | 266,163 | | | 15,979 | | | 282,142 | |
Income before income taxes | | 508,757 | | | 831 | | | 509,588 | |
Income tax expense | | 697 | | | 3,180 | | | 3,877 | |
Net income (loss) | | 508,060 | | | (2,349) | | | 505,711 | |
Depreciation | | 222,041 | | | 8,932 | | | 230,973 | |
Capital project expenditures | | — | | | 474 | | | 474 | |
Capital maintenance expenditures | | 186 | | | 2,944 | | | 3,130 | |
| | | | | | |
For the year ended December 31, 2019 | | | | | | |
Total revenues | | $ | 1,025,082 | | | $ | 128,391 | | | $ | 1,153,473 | |
Income from operations | | 694,215 | | | 23,208 | | | 717,423 | |
Interest expense (1) | | 291,114 | | | 10,406 | | | 301,520 | |
Income before income taxes | | 382,841 | | | 12,804 | | | 395,645 | |
Income tax expense | | 657 | | | 4,107 | | | 4,764 | |
Net income | | 382,184 | | | 8,697 | | | 390,881 | |
Depreciation | | 232,708 | | | 7,727 | | | 240,435 | |
Capital project expenditures | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Capital maintenance expenditures | | 22 | | | 2,995 | | | 3,017 | |
| | | | | | |
Balance sheet at December 31, 2021 | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 10,386,561 | | | $ | 303,888 | | | $ | 10,690,449 | |
| | | | | | |
Balance sheet at December 31, 2020 | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 8,590,190 | | | $ | 444,178 | | | $ | 9,034,368 | |
(1) Interest expense is net of intercompany interest eliminations of $17.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $16.0 million and $10.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
20. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Noncash Activities
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended December 31, | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received | $ | 17,499 | | | $ | 3,383 | | | $ | 5,554 | |
Cash paid for interest | 273,482 | | | 261,127 | | | 274,530 | |
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
On December 29, 2021, as part of the consideration for the real estate assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, the Company issued 4.35 million OP Units that were valued at $205.1 million and assumed debt of $363.3 million that was repaid after closing. The Company also recorded a $53.3 million increase to lease liabilities for a right of use liability associated with a land lease with an increase to Investment in leases, financing receivables in connection with the transaction. In connection with the June 3, 2021 transaction with Bally's the Company recorded a $36.4 million increase to right of use assets and land rights, net and lease liabilities for a right of use liability associated with a land lease.
As described in Note 1 and Note 6, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and leased the underlying real estate to third party operators. This resulted in the reclassification of $67.1 million of net assets from property, plant and equipment used in operations to real estate investments, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On January 1, 2019, in conjunction with its adoption of ASU 2016-02, the Company recorded right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities of $203 million on its Consolidated Balance Sheet to represent its rights to underlying assets and future lease obligations. In 2020, the Company acquired from Penn the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas in exchange for rent credits of $307.5 million and the land at Penn's development facility in Morgantown, Pennsylvania for rent credits of $30.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company also acquired the real property of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan of $57.7 million held on the property, subject to the Belterra Park Lease and acquired the real property of Lumière Place in satisfaction of the $246.0 million CZR loan subject to the Lumière Place Lease. In addition, as described in Note 7, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement pursuant to which Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of Waterloo and Bettendorf for the real estate assets of Tropicana Evansville and a cash payment of $5.7 million.
As previously discussed, the Company declared a dividend on December 27, 2021, totaling $59.3 million, that was paid on January 7, 2022 and that was accrued at December 31, 2021. Finally, see Note 18 for a description of the stock dividend that was distributed in 2020. The Company did not engage in any other noncash investing and financing activities during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
SCHEDULE III
REAL ESTATE ASSETS AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
December 31, 2021
(in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Initial Cost to Company | | | | Net Capitalized Costs (Retirements) Subsequent to Acquisition | | Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period | | | | | | | | Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Original Date of Construction / Renovation | | | |
Description | | Location | | Encumbrances | | Land and Improvements | | Buildings and Improvements | | | | | Land and Improvements | | Buildings and Improvements | | Total (7) | | Accumulated Depreciation | | | Date Acquired | |
Rental Properties: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg | | Lawrenceburg, IN | | $ | — | | | $ | 15,251 | | | $ | 342,393 | | | | | $ | (30) | | | $ | 15,222 | | | $ | 342,392 | | | $ | 357,614 | | | $ | 176,425 | | | 1997/2009 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Hollywood Casino Aurora | | Aurora, IL | | — | | | 4,937 | | | 98,378 | | | | | (383) | | | 4,936 | | | 97,996 | | | 102,932 | | | 76,812 | | | 1993/2002/ 2012 | | 11/1/2013 | | 30 |
Hollywood Casino Joliet | | Joliet, IL | | — | | | 19,214 | | | 101,104 | | | | | (20) | | | 19,194 | | | 101,104 | | | 120,298 | | | 67,090 | | | 1992/2003/ 2010 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Argosy Casino Alton | | Alton, IL | | — | | | — | | | 6,462 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 6,462 | | | 6,462 | | | 4,883 | | | 1991/1999 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Hollywood Casino Toledo | | Toledo, OH | | — | | | 12,003 | | | 144,093 | | | | | (201) | | | 11,802 | | | 144,093 | | | 155,895 | | | 50,648 | | | 2012 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Hollywood Casino Columbus | | Columbus, OH | | — | | | 38,240 | | | 188,543 | | | | | 105 | | | 38,266 | | | 188,622 | | | 226,888 | | | 67,635 | | | 2012 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races | | Charles Town, WV | | — | | | 35,102 | | | 233,069 | | | | | — | | | 35,102 | | | 233,069 | | | 268,171 | | | 154,480 | | | 1997/2010 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course | | Grantville, PA | | — | | | 25,500 | | | 161,810 | | | | | — | | | 25,500 | | | 161,810 | | | 187,310 | | | 95,087 | | | 2008/2010 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
M Resort | | Henderson, NV | | — | | | 66,104 | | | 126,689 | | | | | (436) | | | 65,668 | | | 126,689 | | | 192,357 | | | 50,237 | | | 2009/2012 | | 11/1/2013 | | 30 |
Hollywood Casino Bangor | | Bangor, ME | | — | | | 12,883 | | | 84,257 | | | | | — | | | 12,883 | | | 84,257 | | | 97,140 | | | 41,169 | | | 2008/2012 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Zia Park Casino | | Hobbs, NM | | — | | | 9,313 | | | 38,947 | | | | | — | | | 9,313 | | | 38,947 | | | 48,260 | | | 24,892 | | | 2005 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast | | Bay St. Louis, MS | | — | | | 59,388 | | | 87,352 | | | | | (229) | | | 59,176 | | | 87,335 | | | 146,511 | | | 59,315 | | | 1992/2006/ 2011 | | 11/1/2013 | | 40 |
Argosy Casino Riverside | | Riverside, MO | | — | | | 23,468 | | | 143,301 | | | | | (77) | | | 23,391 | | | 143,301 | | | 166,692 | | | 76,800 | | | 1994/2007 | | 11/1/2013 | | 37 |
Hollywood Casino Tunica | | Tunica, MS | | — | | | 4,634 | | | 42,031 | | | | | — | | | 4,634 | | | 42,031 | | | 46,665 | | | 31,149 | | | 1994/2012 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Boomtown Biloxi | | Biloxi, MS | | — | | | 3,423 | | | 63,083 | | | | | (137) | | | 3,286 | | | 63,083 | | | 66,369 | | | 54,723 | | | 1994/2006 | | 11/1/2013 | | 15 |
Hollywood Casino St. Louis | | Maryland Heights, MO | | — | | | 44,198 | | | 177,063 | | | | | (3,239) | | | 40,959 | | | 177,063 | | | 218,022 | | | 110,702 | | | 1997/2013 | | 11/1/2013 | | 13 |
Hollywood Casino at Dayton Raceway | | Dayton, OH | | — | | | 3,211 | | | — | | | | | 86,288 | | | 3,211 | | | 86,288 | | | 89,499 | | | 20,515 | | | 2014 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Hollywood Casino at Mahoning Valley Race Track | | Youngstown, OH | | — | | | 5,683 | | | — | | | | | 94,314 | | | 5,833 | | | 94,164 | | | 99,997 | | | 22,160 | | | 2014 | | 11/1/2013 | | 31 |
Resorts Casino Tunica | | Tunica, MS | | — | | | — | | | 12,860 | | | | | (12,860) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1994/1996/ 2005/2014 | | 5/1/2017 | | N/A |
1st Jackpot Casino | | Tunica, MS | | — | | | 161 | | | 10,100 | | | | | — | | | 161 | | | 10,100 | | | 10,261 | | | 1,730 | | | 1995 | | 5/1/2017 | | 31 |
Ameristar Black Hawk | | Black Hawk, CO | | — | | | 243,092 | | | 334,024 | | | | | 25 | | | 243,117 | | | 334,024 | | | 577,141 | | | 36,155 | | | 2000 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
Ameristar East Chicago | | East Chicago, IN | | — | | | 4,198 | | | 123,430 | | | | | — | | | 4,198 | | | 123,430 | | | 127,628 | | | 15,368 | | | 1997 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Belterra Casino Resort | | Florence, IN | | — | | | 63,420 | | | 172,875 | | | | | — | | | 63,420 | | | 172,875 | | | 236,295 | | | 22,216 | | | 2000 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
Ameristar Council Bluffs | | Council Bluffs, IA | | — | | | 84,009 | | | 109,027 | | | | | — | | | 84,009 | | | 109,027 | | | 193,036 | | | 13,588 | | | 1996 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
L'Auberge Baton Rouge | | Baton Rouge, LA | | — | | | 205,274 | | | 178,426 | | | | | — | | | 205,274 | | | 178,426 | | | 383,700 | | | 20,569 | | | 2012 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
Boomtown Bossier City | | Bossier City, LA | | — | | | 79,022 | | | 107,067 | | | | | — | | | 79,022 | | | 107,067 | | | 186,089 | | | 12,725 | | | 2002 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
L'Auberge Lake Charles | | Lake Charles, LA | | — | | | 14,831 | | | 310,877 | | | | | — | | | 14,831 | | | 310,877 | | | 325,708 | | | 40,548 | | | 2005 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
Boomtown New Orleans | | Boomtown, LA | | — | | | 46,019 | | | 58,258 | | | | | — | | | 46,019 | | | 58,258 | | | 104,277 | | | 7,609 | | | 1994 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
Ameristar Vicksburg | | Vicksburg, MS | | — | | | 128,068 | | | 96,106 | | | | | — | | | 128,068 | | | 96,106 | | | 224,174 | | | 14,950 | | | 1994 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
River City Casino & Hotel | | St Louis, MO | | — | | | 8,117 | | | 221,038 | | | | | — | | | 8,117 | | | 221,038 | | | 229,155 | | | 26,351 | | | 2010 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
Ameristar Kansas City | | Kansas City, MO | | — | | | 239,111 | | | 271,598 | | | | | — | | | 239,111 | | | 271,598 | | | 510,709 | | | 36,271 | | | 1997 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
Ameristar St. Charles | | St. Charles, MO | | — | | | 375,597 | | | 437,908 | | | | | — | | | 375,596 | | | 437,908 | | | 813,504 | | | 48,379 | | | 1994 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
Jackpot Properties | | Jackpot, NV | | — | | | 48,785 | | | 61,550 | | | | | — | | | 48,785 | | | 61,550 | | | 110,335 | | | 9,985 | | | 1954 | | 4/28/2016 | | 31 |
Plainridge Park Casino | | Plainridge, MA | | — | | | 127,068 | | | 123,850 | | | | | — | | | 127,068 | | | 123,850 | | | 250,918 | | | 12,818 | | | 2015 | | 10/15/2018 | | 31 |
Belterra Park Gaming and Entertainment Center (1) | | Cincinnati, OH | | — | | | 11,689 | | | 45,995 | | | | | — | | | 11,689 | | | 45,995 | | | 57,684 | | | 3,644 | | | 2013 | | 5/6/2020 | | 31 |
The Meadows Racetrack and Casino | | Washington, PA | | — | | | 181,532 | | | 141,370 | | | | | (2,864) | | | 179,598 | | | 140,440 | | | 320,038 | | | 29,503 | | | 2006 | | 9/9/2016 | | 31 |
Casino Queen | | East St. Louis, IL | | — | | | 70,716 | | | 70,014 | | | | | 8,700 | | | 70,716 | | | 78,714 | | | 149,430 | | | 21,160 | | | 1999 | | 1/23/2014 | | 31 |
Tropicana Atlantic City | | Atlantic City, NJ | | — | | | 166,974 | | | 392,923 | | | | | — | | | 166,974 | | | 392,923 | | | 559,897 | | | 40,736 | | | 1981 | | 10/1/2018 | | 31 |
Tropicana Evansville (2) | | Evansville, IN | | — | | | 47,439 | | | 146,930 | | | | | (194,369) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1995 | | 10/1/2018 | | N/A |
Tropicana Evansville-Bally's | | Evansville, IN | | — | | | 120,473 | | | 153,130 | | | | | | | 120,473 | | | 153,130 | | | 273,603 | | | 2,840 | | | 1995 | | 6/3/2021 | | 31 |
Tropicana Laughlin | | Laughlin, NV | | — | | | 20,671 | | | 80,530 | | | | | — | | | 20,671 | | | 80,530 | | | 101,201 | | | 9,339 | | | 1988 | | 10/1/2018 | | 27 |
Trop Casino Greenville | | Greenville, MS | | — | | | — | | | 21,680 | | | | | — | | | — | | | 21,680 | | | 21,680 | | | 2,244 | | | 2012 | | 10/1/2018 | | 31 |
Belle of Baton Rouge | | Baton Rouge, LA | | — | | | 11,873 | | | 52,400 | | | | | — | | | 11,873 | | | 52,400 | | | 64,273 | | | 7,118 | | | 1994 | | 10/1/2018 | | 31 |
Isle Casino Waterloo (2) | | Waterloo, IA | | — | | | 64,263 | | | 77,958 | | | | | — | | | 64,263 | | | 77,958 | | | 142,221 | | | 2,620 | | | 2005 | | 12/18/2020 | | 31 |
Isle Casino Bettendorf (2) | | Bettendorf, IA | | — | | | 29,636 | | | 85,150 | | | | | — | | | 29,636 | | | 85,150 | | | 114,786 | | | 2,861 | | | 2015 | | 12/18/2020 | | 31 |
Lumiere Place (1) | | St Louis, MO | | — | | | 26,930 | | | 219,070 | | | | | — | | | 26,930 | | | 219,070 | | | 246,000 | | | 9,527 | | | 2005 | | 10/1/2020 | | 31 |
Hollywood Casino Morgantown (3) | | Morgantown, PA | | — | | | 30,253 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 30,253 | | | — | | | 30,253 | | | — | | | 2020 | | 10/1/2020 | | N/A |
Hollywood Casino Perryville | | Perryville, MD | | | | 31,079 | | | 23,266 | | | | | — | | | 31,079 | | | 23,266 | | | 54,345 | | | 16,487 | | | 2010 | | 07/1/2021 | | 31 |
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino | | Dover, DE | | | | 99,106 | | | 48,300 | | | | | — | | | 99,106 | | | 48,300 | | | 147,406 | | | 3,330 | | | 1995 | | 06/3/2021 | | 31 |
Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge | | Baton Rouge, LA | | | | 7,320 | | | 40,812 | | | | | — | | | 7,320 | | | 46,511 | | | 53,831 | | | 24,263 | | | 1994 | | 12/17/2021 | | 31 |
Tropicana Las Vegas (6) | | Las Vegas NV | | | | 226,160 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 226,160 | | | — | | | 226,160 | | | — | | | 1955 | | 4/16/20 | | N/A |
| | | | — | | | 3,195,438 | | | 6,267,097 | | | | | (25,413) | | | 3,141,913 | | | 6,300,907 | | | 9,442,820 | | | 1,679,656 | | | | | | | |
Headquarters Property: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
GLPI Corporate Office (4) | | Wyomissing, PA | | — | | | 750 | | | 8,465 | | | | | 85 | | | 750 | | | 8,550 | | | 9,300 | | | 1,711 | | | 2014/2015 | | 9/19/2014 | | 31 |
Other Properties | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other owned land (5) | | various | | — | | | 6,798 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 6,798 | | | — | | | 6,798 | | | — | | | | | | | |
| | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,202,986 | | | $ | 6,275,562 | | | | | $ | (25,328) | | | $ | 3,149,461 | | | $ | 6,309,457 | | | $ | 9,458,918 | | | $ | 1,681,367 | | | | | | | |
(1)During 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of both of these properties in satisfaction of previously outstanding loans, subject to the Belterra Park Lease and the Lumiere Place Lease, respectively.
(2) On December 18, 2020 Caesar's elected to replace Tropicana Evansville with Isle Casino Bettendorf and Isle Casino Waterloo as allowed under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease.
(3) On October 1, 2020, the Company and Penn closed on their previously announced transaction whereby GLPI acquired the land under Penn's gaming facility under construction in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits which were fully utilized by Penn in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company is leasing the land back to an affiliate of Penn pursuant to the Morgantown Lease for an initial annual rent of $3.0 million, subject to escalation provisions following the opening of the property.
(4) The Company's corporate headquarters building was completed in October 2015. The land was purchased on September 19, 2014 and construction on the building occurred through October 2015.
(5) This includes undeveloped land the Company owns at locations other than its tenant occupied properties.
(6) On April 13, 2021, Bally’s agreed to acquire both GLPI’s non-land real estate assets and Penn's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and
Casino, Inc. At December 31, 2021, the Company classified the building value of Tropicana Las Vegas in Assets held for sale and the land value in Real estate investments, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet since the transaction is expected to close within 12 months of the most recent balance sheet date. At December 31, 2020, the Company classified the real property associated with Tropicana Las Vegas as a separate caption on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(7) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes of the properties listed above was $9.05 billion at December 31, 2021. This amount includes the tax basis of all real property assets acquired from Pinnacle, including building assets.
A summary of activity for real estate and accumulated depreciation for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Real Estate: | (in thousands) |
Balance at the beginning of the period | $ | 8,698,098 | | | $ | 8,301,496 | | | $ | 8,314,546 | |
Acquisitions | 749,671 | | | 590,971 | | | — | |
Construction in progress | 5,699 | | | — | | | — | |
Capital expenditures and assets placed in service | 8,700 | | | — | | | — | |
Dispositions | (3,250) | | | (194,369) | | | (13,050) | |
Balance at the end of the period | $ | 9,458,918 | | | $ | 8,698,098 | | | $ | 8,301,496 | |
Accumulated Depreciation: | | | | | |
Balance at the beginning of the period | $ | (1,410,940) | | | $ | (1,200,941) | | | $ | (983,086) | |
Depreciation expense | (230,941) | | | (220,069) | | | (230,716) | |
Additions (1) | (39,909) | | | — | | | — | |
Dispositions | 423 | | | 10,070 | | | 12,861 | |
Balance at the end of the period | $ | (1,681,367) | | | $ | (1,410,940) | | | $ | (1,200,941) | |
4
(1) Represents accumulated depreciation on real estate assets of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge which were leased to third parties during 2021. See Note 6 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
SCHEDULE IV
MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | | | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | | |
Mortgage Loans: | | | | | | | |
Balance at the beginning of the period | | | $ | 57,684 | | | | | |
Additions during the period: | | | | | | | |
New mortgage loans | | | — | | | | | |
Deductions during the period: | | | | | | | |
Collections of principal | | | — | | | | | |
Other deductions (1) | | | (57,684) | | | | | |
Balance at the end of the period | | | $ | — | | | | | |
(1) In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the loan, subject to a long-term lease (the "Belterra Park Lease") with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The are no mortgage loans outstanding as of December 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020, respectively.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company's management, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as of December 31, 2021, which is the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well-designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that as of December 31, 2021 the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, evaluated and reported, as applicable, within the time periods specified in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). The Company's management conducted an assessment of the Company's internal control over financial reporting and concluded it was effective as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, management used the criteria established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013).
Deloitte & Touche LLP (PCAOB ID No. 34), the Company's independent registered accounting firm, issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, which is included on the following page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company implemented controls over the calculation of credit losses on financing receivables in connection with the closing of the Maryland Live! Lease. This entailed hiring an external consultant to assist the Company in developing loss estimates over the life of the lease as well as a review by the accounting department of certain key inputs into the loss estimation model utilized by the third party in determining the reserve estimate as well as the overall methodology. There have been no other changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control -- Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control -- Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, of the Company and our report dated February 24, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche
New York, New York
February 24, 2022
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item concerning directors is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "2022 Proxy Statement"), to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2021, pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Information required by this item concerning executive officers is included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information called for in this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the 2022 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS
The information called for in this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the 2022 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information called for in this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the 2022 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information called for in this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the 2022 Proxy Statement.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) 1. Financial Statements. The following is a list of the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and supplementary data filed as part of Item 8 hereof:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
2. Financial Statement Schedules:
Schedule III. Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation as of December 31, 2021
Schedule IV. Mortgage Loans on Real Estate as of December 31, 2021
3. Exhibits, Including Those Incorporated by Reference.
The exhibits to this Report are listed on the accompanying index to exhibits and are incorporated herein by reference or are filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
EXHIBIT INDEX | | | | | | | | |
Exhibit | | Description of Exhibit |
2.1 | | | |
| | |
2.2 | | | |
| | |
3.1 | | | |
| | |
3.2 | | | |
| | |
4.1 | | | Indenture, dated as of October 30, 2013, among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc., as Issuers, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., as Parent Guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2013). |
| | |
4.2 | | | |
| | |
4.3 | | | Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 28, 2016, by and among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc. as Issuers and Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc, as Parent Guarantor and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016). |
| | |
4.4 | | | |
| | |
4.5 | | | Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 21, 2018, by and among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc. as Issuers, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., as Parent Guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, relating to the Issuers' 4.375% Senior Notes due 2018. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K, filed on May 22, 2018). |
| | |
4.6 | | | Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 21, 2018, among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc. as Issuers, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., as Parent Guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, relating to the Issuers' 5.250% Senior Notes due 2025. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K, filed on May 22, 2018). |
| | |
4.7 | | | Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 21, 2018, by and among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc. as Issuers, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., as Parent Guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, relating to the Issuers' 5.750% Senior Notes due 2028. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K, filed on May 22, 2018). |
| | |
4.8 | | | Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 26, 2018, by and among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc. as Issuers, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., as Parent Guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, relating to the Issuers' 5.300% Senior Notes due 2029. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K, filed on September 26, 2018). |
| | |
4.9 | | | Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 29, 2019, among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc., as issuers, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., as parent guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to the issuers’ 3.350% Senior Notes due 2024. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's current report on Form 8-K, filed on September 5, 2019). |
| | |
| | | | | | | | |
4.10 | | | Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 29, 2019, among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc., as issuers, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., as parent guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to the issuers’ 4.000% Senior Notes due 2030. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company's current report on Form 8-K, filed on September 5, 2019). |
| | |
4.11 | | | Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 25, 2020, among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc., as Issuers, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., as Parent Guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2020). |
| | |
4.12 | | | Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2021, among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc., as Issuers, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. as Parent Guarantor, and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2021). |
| | |
4.13 | | | |
| | |
4.14 | | | |
| | |
4.15 | | | |
| | |
4.16 | | | |
| | |
4.17 | | | |
| | |
4.18 | | | |
| | |
4.19 | | | |
| | |
4.20 | | | |
| | |
4.21 | | | |
| | |
4.22* | | |
| | |
10.1 | | | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2013, by and among GLP Capital, L.P., GLP Financing II, Inc., Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and the other initial purchasers named therein, with respect to the 2023 Notes. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2013). |
| | |
10.2 | | | Credit Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2013, among GLP Capital, L.P., as successor-by-merger to GLP Financing, LLC, each lender from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2013). |
| | |
10.3 | | | Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 31, 2015, to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 2013 among GLP Capital, L.P., the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the various other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on S-4 filed on August 28, 2015). |
| | |
| | | | | | | | |
10.4 | | | First Amendment, dated as of March 25, 2016, to Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 31, 2015, to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 2013 among GLP Capital, L.P., the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the various other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2016). |
| | |
10.5 | | | Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 21, 2018, to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 2013 among GLP Capital, L.P., the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the various other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K, filed on May 22, 2018). |
| | |
10.6 | | | Amendment No. 3, dated as of October 10, 2018, to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 2013 among GLP Capital, L.P., the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the various other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on November 1, 2018). |
| | |
10.7 | | | Amendment No. 5, dated as of March 30, 2020, to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 2013 among GLP Capital, L.P., the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the various other parties thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 1, 2020). |
| | |
10.8 | | | Amendment No. 6, dated as of June 25, 2020, to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 2013 among GLP Capital, L.P., the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as further amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2020). |
| | |
10.9 | | | |
| | |
10.10 | | | |
| | |
10.11 | | | |
| | |
10.12 | | | |
| | |
10.13 | | | |
| | |
10.14 | | | |
| | |
10.15 | | | |
| | |
10.16 | | | |
| | |
10.17 | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | |
10.18 | | | |
| | |
10.19 | | | |
| | |
10.20 | | | |
| | |
10.21 | | | |
| | |
10.22 | | | |
| | |
10.23 | | | |
| | |
10.24 | | | Consent Agreement by and among Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., Gold Merger Sub, LLC, PA Meadows, LLC, WTA II, Inc., CCR Pennsylvania Racing, Inc., Penn National Gaming, Inc., Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., PNK Development 33, LLC and Pinnacle MLS, LLC dated December 17, 2017. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's current report on Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2017). |
| | |
10.25 | | | |
| | |
10.26 | | | |
| | |
10.27 | | | |
| | |
10.28 | | | |
| | |
10.29 # | | |
| | |
10.30 #* | | |
| | |
10.31 #* | | |
| | |
10.32 #* | | |
| | |
10.33 #* | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | |
10.34 #* | | |
| | |
10.35 #* | | |
| | |
10.36 #* | | |
| | |
10.37 #* | | |
| | |
10.38 #* | | |
| | |
10.39 # | | |
| | |
10.40 * | | Second Amended and Restated Master Lease by and among GLP Capital, L.P., as landlord, and Tropicana Entertainment, Inc., IOC Black Hawk Country, Inc. and Isle of Capri Bettendorf, L.L.C., as tenant, dated December 18, 2020. |
| | |
10.41 | | | |
| | |
10.42 | | | |
| | |
21* | | |
| | |
22.1* | | |
| | |
23* | | |
| | |
31.1* | | |
| | |
32.1* | | |
| | |
101 | | | The following financial information from Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, ii) Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. |
| | |
104 | | | The cover page from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101. |
# Compensation plans and arrangements for executives and others.
* Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | GAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC. |
| | By: | | /s/ PETER M. CARLINO |
| | | | Peter M. Carlino Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Dated: February 24, 2022
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ PETER M. CARLINO | | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) | | February 24, 2022 |
Peter M. Carlino | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ DESIREE A. BURKE | | Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer (Principal Accounting Officer) | | February 24, 2022 |
Desiree A. Burke | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ CAROL LYNTON | | Director | | February 24, 2022 |
Carol Lynton | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ JOSEPH W. MARSHALL | | Director | | February 24, 2022 |
Joseph W. Marshall | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ JAMES B. PERRY | | Director | | February 24, 2022 |
James B. Perry | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ BARRY F. SCHWARTZ | | Director | | February 24, 2022 |
Barry F. Schwartz | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ EARL C. SHANKS | | Director | | February 24, 2022 |
Earl C. Shanks | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ E. SCOTT URDANG | | Director | | February 24, 2022 |
E. Scott Urdang | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ JOANNE A. EPPS | | Director | | February 24, 2022 |
Joanne A. Epps | | | | |
DocumentExhibit 4.22
DESCRIPTION OF GAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.’S SECURITIES
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
The following is a summary of certain information concerning Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.’s (“GLPI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The summaries and descriptions below do not purport to be complete statements of the relevant provisions of GLPI’s amended and restated articles of incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”) and amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”). The summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of GLPI’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, which are included as exhibits to GLPI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, of which this exhibit is a part.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
The Articles of Incorporation provide that GLPI may issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. No shares of our preferred stock are issued and outstanding.
The issued and outstanding shares of GLPI common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. This means the full purchase price for the outstanding shares of common stock has been paid and the holders of such shares will not be assessed any additional amounts for such shares. Any additional shares of common stock that GLPI may issue in the future will also be fully paid and nonassessable.
Dividends
Subject to prior dividend rights of the holders of any preferred stock, applicable law and the restrictions of the Articles of Incorporation on ownership and transfer of GLPI’s stock, holders of GLPI common stock will be entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by its board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose.
Liquidation
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of GLPI after the satisfaction in full of the liquidation preferences of holders of any preferred stock, holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to ratable distribution of the remaining assets available for distribution to shareholders.
Voting Rights
Subject to the rights of the holders of preferred stock, applicable law and restrictions of the Articles of Incorporation on ownership and transfer of GLPI’s stock, each share of common stock will be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors, and the holders of common stock possess the exclusive voting power. Holders of shares of common stock will not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors of GLPI. Generally, all matters to be voted on by shareholders must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present, subject to any voting rights granted to holders of any then outstanding preferred stock.
Other Rights
Holders of GLPI’s common stock do not have any preemptive, subscription, redemption, conversion or sinking fund rights with respect to the common stock, or any instruments convertible (directly or indirectly) into GLPI stock.
Subject to the restrictions of the Articles of Incorporation on ownership and transfer of GLPI’s stock, holders of shares of GLPI common stock generally will have no preference or appraisal rights. Subject to the restrictions in the Articles of Incorporation on ownership and transfer of GLPI’s stock, holders of shares of GLPI’s common stock initially will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Trading Symbol
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “GLPI.”
Preferred Stock
Under the Articles of Incorporation, GLPI’s board of directors may from time to time establish and cause GLPI to issue one or more series of preferred stock and set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of such class or series. The authority of GLPI’s board of directors with respect to each series of preferred stock includes, but is not limited to, the determination of the following:
•the designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title;
•the number of shares constituting such series, including the authority to increase or decrease such number (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding);
•the dividend rate of the shares of such series, whether the dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, the date from which they shall be cumulative, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of such series;
•the dates at which dividends, if any, shall be payable;
•the right, if any, of GLPI to redeem shares of such series and the terms and conditions of such redemption;
•the rights of the shares in case of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of GLPI, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of such series;
•the voting power, if any, of such series and the terms and conditions under which such voting power may be exercised;
•the obligation, if any, of GLPI to retire shares of such series pursuant to a retirement or sinking fund or funds of a similar nature or otherwise and the terms and conditions of such obligations;
•the terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares of such series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of stock of any other class or classes, including the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the terms of adjustment, if any;
•restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series; and
•any other rights, preferences or limitations of the shares of such series.
Accordingly, GLPI’s board of directors, without shareholder approval, may issue preferred stock with voting, conversion, or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of GLPI’s common stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay, defer, or prevent a change of control or other corporate action, or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of GLPI’s common stock and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of GLPI’s common stock.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
In order for GLPI to qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), shares of its stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months (other than the first year for which an election to qualify to be taxed as a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of GLPI stock (after taking into account options to acquire shares of stock) may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as qualified pension plans) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). In addition, rent from related party tenants (generally, a tenant of a REIT owned, actually or constructively, 10% or more by the REIT, or a 10% owner of the REIT) is not qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests under the Code. To qualify to be taxed as a REIT, GLPI must satisfy other requirements as well.
The Articles of Incorporation contain restrictions on the ownership and transfer of GLPI’s stock that are intended to assist GLPI in complying with these requirements. The relevant sections of the Articles of Incorporation provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own, beneficially or by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 7% of the outstanding shares of GLPI common stock (the “common
stock ownership limit”) or more than 7% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of GLPI stock (the “aggregate stock ownership limit”). The common stock ownership limit and the aggregate stock ownership limit are collectively referred to as the “ownership limits.” The person or entity that, but for operation of the ownership limits or another restriction on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock as described below, would beneficially own or constructively own shares of GLPI stock in violation of such limits or restrictions or, if appropriate in the context, a person or entity that would have been the record owner of such shares of GLPI stock is referred to as a “prohibited owner.”
The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned beneficially or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned beneficially or constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 7% of the outstanding shares of GLPI common stock or less than 7% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of GLPI stock (or the acquisition by an individual or entity of an interest in an entity that owns, beneficially or constructively, shares of GLPI stock) could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own beneficially or constructively shares of GLPI stock in excess of the ownership limits. In addition, a person that did not acquire more than 7% of our outstanding stock may become subject to these restrictions if repurchases by us cause such person’s holdings to exceed 7% of our outstanding stock.
Pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation, GLPI’s board of directors may exempt, prospectively or retroactively, a particular shareholder (the “excepted holder”) from the ownership limits or establish a different limit on ownership (the “excepted holder limit”) if:
•no individual’s beneficial or constructive ownership of GLPI stock will result in GLPI being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise failing to qualify to be taxed as a REIT or would cause any income of GLPI that would otherwise qualify as rents from real property to fail to qualify as such; and
•such shareholder does not and represents that it will not own, actually or constructively, an interest in a tenant of GLPI (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by GLPI) that would cause GLPI to own, actually or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant (or GLPI’s board of directors determines that rent derived from such tenant will not affect GLPI’s ability to qualify to be taxed as a REIT).
Peter M. Carlino, GLPI’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Carlino Family Trust, The Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc. and Cohen & Steers, Inc. have each been deemed excepted holders by GLPI’s board of directors.
As a condition of granting the waiver or establishing the excepted holder limit, GLPI’s board of directors may require an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the IRS, in either case in form and in substance satisfactory to GLPI’s board of directors (in its sole discretion) in order to determine or ensure GLPI’s status as a REIT and such representations and undertakings from the person requesting the exception as GLPI’s board of directors may require (in its sole discretion) to make the determinations above. GLPI’s board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such a waiver or establishing an excepted holder limit.
GLPI’s board of directors may from time to time increase or decrease the common stock ownership limit, the aggregate stock ownership limit or both, for all other persons, unless, after giving effect to such increase, five or fewer individuals could beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of GLPI’s outstanding stock. A reduced ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage ownership of GLPI common stock or GLPI stock of all classes and series, as applicable, is, at the effective time of such reduction, in excess of such decreased ownership limit until such time as such person’s or entity’s percentage ownership of GLPI common stock or GLPI stock of all classes and series, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of shares of GLPI common stock or stock of all other classes or series, as applicable, will violate the decreased ownership limit.
The Articles of Incorporation further prohibit:
•any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of GLPI stock that would result in GLPI being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause GLPI to fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT;
•any person from transferring shares of GLPI stock if the transfer would result in shares of GLPI stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to the rules of attribution under Section 544 of the Code); and
•any person from constructively owning shares of GLPI stock to the extent that such constructive ownership would cause any of GLPI’s income that would otherwise qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of Section 856(d) of the Code to fail to qualify as such.
Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of GLPI stock that will or may violate the ownership limits or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock described above, or who would have owned shares of GLPI stock transferred to the charitable trust described below, must immediately give notice to GLPI of such event or, in the case of an attempted or proposed transaction, give GLPI at least fifteen days’ prior written notice and provide GLPI with such other information as it may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on its status as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock will not apply if GLPI’s board of directors determines that it is no longer in GLPI’s best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, to be taxed as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limits on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock described above is no longer required in order for GLPI to qualify to be taxed as a REIT.
If any transfer of shares of GLPI stock or any other event would result in any person violating the ownership limits or any other restriction on ownership and transfer of GLPI shares described above then that number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would cause the violation will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the benefit of one or more charitable organizations selected by GLPI, and the intended transferee or other prohibited owner will acquire no rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above would not be effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable ownership limits or any other restriction on ownership and transfer of GLPI shares described above, then the Articles of Incorporation provide that the transfer of the shares will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.
Shares of GLPI stock held in the trust will continue to be issued and outstanding shares. The prohibited owner will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of GLPI stock held in the trust and will have no rights to distributions and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of GLPI stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends and other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. Any distribution made before GLPI’s discovery that the shares have been transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the trustee. Subject to Pennsylvania law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority (at the trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner or unsuitable person, as applicable, before GLPI’s discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and (ii) to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. However, if GLPI has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.
Shares of GLPI stock transferred to the trustee will be deemed offered for sale to GLPI, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust, or (ii) the market price on the date GLPI, or its designee, accepts such offer. GLPI may reduce the amount so payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of any distribution that GLPI made to the prohibited owner before it discovered that the shares had been automatically transferred to the trust and that are then owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee as described above, and GLPI may pay the amount of any such reduction to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. GLPI will have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of GLPI stock held in the trust as discussed below. Upon a sale to GLPI, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate, and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and must distribute any distributions held by the trustee with respect to such shares to the charitable beneficiary.
If GLPI does not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from GLPI of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits or the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock. After the sale of the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee must distribute to the prohibited owner an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (ii) the sales proceeds (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trust for the shares. The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of any distribution that GLPI paid to the prohibited owner before GLPI discovered that the shares had been automatically transferred to the trust and that are then owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee as described above. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner must be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary, together with any distributions thereon. In addition, if prior to the discovery by GLPI that shares of stock have been transferred to a trust, such shares of stock are sold by a prohibited owner, then such shares will be
deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and, to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such prohibited owner was entitled to receive, such excess amount will be paid to the trustee upon demand. The prohibited owner will have no rights in the shares held by the trustee.
In addition, if GLPI’s board of directors determines in good faith that a transfer or other event has occurred that would violate the restrictions on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock described above or that a person or entity intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of any shares of GLPI stock in violation of the restrictions on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock described above, GLPI’s board of directors may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer or other event, including, but not limited to, causing GLPI to redeem shares of GLPI stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer of GLPI’s books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer or other event.
Every person or entity who is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) in number of value (whichever is more restrictive) of GLPI stock, within 30 days after initially reaching such ownership threshold and within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give GLPI written notice stating the shareholder’s name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of GLPI stock that the shareholder beneficially or constructively owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner must provide to GLPI such additional information as GLPI may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the shareholder’s beneficial ownership on GLPI’s qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the applicable ownership limits. In addition, any person or entity that will be a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of GLPI stock and any person or entity (including the shareholder of record) who is holding shares of GLPI stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner must provide to GLPI such information as GLPI may request in order to determine GLPI’s qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any governmental or taxing authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits.
Any certificates representing shares of GLPI stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock described above.
The restrictions on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock described above could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for GLPI common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of GLPI shareholders.
Redemption of Securities Owned or Controlled by an Unsuitable Person or Affiliate
In addition to the restrictions set forth above, all of GLPI’s outstanding capital stock shall be held subject to applicable gaming laws. Any person owning or controlling at least five percent of any class of GLPI’s outstanding capital stock will be required by the Articles of Incorporation to promptly notify GLPI of such person’s identity. The Articles of Incorporation provide that capital stock of GLPI that is owned or controlled by an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person is redeemable by GLPI, out of funds legally available for that redemption, to the extent required by the gaming authorities making the determination of unsuitability or to the extent determined to be necessary or advisable by GLPI’s board of directors. From and after the redemption date, the securities will not be considered outstanding and all rights of the unsuitable person or affiliate will cease, other than the right to receive the redemption price. The redemption price with respect to any securities to be redeemed will be the price, if any, required to be paid by the gaming authority making the finding of unsuitability or if the gaming authority does not require a price to be paid (including if the finding of unsuitability is made by GLPI’s board of directors alone), the lesser of (i) the market price on the date of the redemption notice, (ii) the market price on the redemption date or (iii) the actual amount paid by the owner thereof, in each case less a discount in a percentage (up to 100%) to be determined by GLPI’s board of directors in its sole and absolute discretion. The redemption price may be paid in cash, by promissory note, or both, as required by the applicable gaming authority and, if not, as determined by GLPI.
The Articles of Incorporation also provide that capital stock of GLPI that is owned or controlled by an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person will be transferred to a trust for the benefit of a designated charitable beneficiary, and that any such unsuitable person or affiliate will not be entitled to any dividends on the shares or be entitled to vote the shares or receive any proceeds from the subsequent sale of the shares in excess of the lesser of the price paid by the unsuitable person or affiliate for the shares or the amount realized from the sale, in each case less a discount in a percentage (up to 100%) to be determined by the GLPI board of directors in its sole and absolute discretion.
The Articles of Incorporation require any unsuitable person and any affiliate of an unsuitable person to indemnify and hold harmless GLPI and its affiliated companies for any and all losses, costs, and expenses, including attorneys’ costs, fees and expenses, incurred by GLPI and its affiliated companies as a result of, or arising out of, the unsuitable person’s ownership or
control of any securities of GLPI, failure or refusal to comply with the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, or failure to divest himself, herself or itself of any securities when and in the specific manner required by a gaming authority or the Articles of Incorporation.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for GLPI common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
General
We issue debt securities in one or more series under an indenture dated October 30, 2013 among GLP Capital, L.P. and GLP Financing II, Inc., two wholly-owned Subsidiaries of GLPI, as issuers, GLPI as parent guarantor and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The terms of the debt securities include those stated in the base indenture as supplemented by the supplemental indenture or officer’s certificate related to such debt securities (the base indenture, as supplemented, is referred to as the “indenture”) and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”).
In this description, (1) the “Operating Partnership” refers only to GLP Capital, L.P., and not to any of its Subsidiaries, (2) “Capital Corp.” refers only to GLP Financing II, Inc., and not to any of its Subsidiaries, (3) “Issuers,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to the Operating Partnership and Capital Corp., and (4) “Guarantor” refers only to GLPI and not to any of its Subsidiaries. Other defined terms used in this description but not defined below under the caption “-Certain Definitions” have the meanings assigned to them in the indenture.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of our existing senior unsecured notes (as defined below) and the indenture. It does not restate the indenture in its entirety. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the base indenture and supplemental indentures, which are included as exhibits to GLPI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, of which this exhibit is a part.
The registered holder of an existing senior unsecured note is treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered holders have rights under the indenture.
5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2023
On October 30, 2013, the Issuers issued $500 million of 5.375% senior unsecured notes maturing on November 1, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”), all of which were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest on the 2023 Notes accrues at the rate of 5.375% per annum and is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year. The Issuers will make each interest payment on the 2023 Notes to the holders of record on the immediately preceding April 15 and October 15. Interest on the 2023 Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest may be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day.
5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2026
On April 28, 2016, the Issuers issued $975 million of 5.375% senior unsecured notes maturing on April 15, 2026 (the “2026 Notes”), all of which were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest on the 2026 Notes accrues at the rate of 5.375% per annum and is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The Issuers will make each interest payment on the 2026 Notes to the holders of record on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1. Interest on the 2026 Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest may be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day.
5.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2028
On May 21, 2018, the Issuers issued $500 million of 5.75% senior unsecured notes maturing on June 1, 2028 (the “2028 Notes”), all of which were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest on the 2028 Notes accrues at the rate of 5.75% per annum and is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Issuers will make each interest payment on the 2028 Notes to the holders of record on the immediately preceding May 15 and November 15. Interest on the 2028 Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest may be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day.
5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2025
On May 1, 2018, the Issuers issued $500 million of 5.25% senior unsecured notes maturing on June 1, 2025 (the “Initial 2025 Notes”). On September 26, 2018, the Issuers issued an additional $350 million of 5.25% senior unsecured notes maturing on June 1, 2025 (the “New 2025 Notes,” and together with the Initial 2025 Notes, the “2025 Notes,”) which such notes became part of the same series as the Initial 2025 Notes. All of the 2025 Notes were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest on the 2025 Notes accrues at the rate of 5.25% per annum and is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Issuers will make each interest payment on the 2025 Notes to the holders of record on the immediately preceding May 15 and November 15. Interest on the 2025 Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest may be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day.
5.30% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029
On September 26, 2018, the Issuers issued $750 million of 5.30% senior unsecured notes maturing on January 15, 2029 (the “2029 Notes”), all of which were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest on the 2029 Notes accrues at the rate of 5.30% per annum and is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Issuers will make each interest payment on the 2029 Notes to the holders of record on the immediately preceding January 1 and July 1. Interest on the 2029 Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest may be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day.
3.350% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024
On August 29, 2019, the Issuers issued $400 million of 3.350% senior unsecured notes maturing on September 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”), all of which were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest on the 2024 Notes accrues at the rate of 3.350% per annum and is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Issuers will make each interest payment on the 2024 Notes to the holders of record on the immediately preceding February 15 and August 15. Interest on the 2024 Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest may be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day.
4.000% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2030
On August 29, 2019, the Issuers issued $700 million of 4.000% senior unsecured notes maturing on January 15, 2030 (the “2030 Notes”, all of which were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest on the 2030 Notes accrues at the rate of 4.000% per annum and is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Issuers will make each interest payment on the 2030 Notes to the holders of record on the immediately preceding January 1 and July 1. Interest on the 2030 Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest may be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day.
4.000% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2031
On June 25, 2020, the Issuers issued $500 million of 4.000% senior unsecured notes maturing on January 15, 2031 (the “Initial 2031 Notes”). On August 18, 2020, the Issuers issued an additional $200 million of 4.000% senior unsecured notes maturing on January 15, 2031 (the “New 2031 Notes,” and together with the Initial 2031 Notes, the “2031 Notes,”). All of the 2031 Notes were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest on the 2031 Notes accrues at the rate of 4.000% per annum and is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Issuers will make each interest payment on the 2031 Notes to the holders of record on the immediately preceding January 1 and July 1. Interest on the 2031 Notes will be accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest may be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day.
3.250% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2032
On December 13, 2021, the Issuers issued $800 million of 3.250% senior unsecured notes maturing on January 15, 2032 (the “2032 Notes,” and together with the 2023 Notes, the 2026 Notes, the 2028 Notes, the 2025 Notes, the 2029 Notes, the 2024 Notes, the 2030 Notes, and the 2031 Notes, the “existing senior unsecured notes” or the “notes”). All of the 2032 Notes were outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Interest on the 2031 Notes accrues at the rate of 3.250% per annum and is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Issuers will make each interest payment on the 2032 Notes to the holders of record on the immediately preceding January 1 and July 1. Interest on the 2032 Notes will accrue from the date of original issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest may be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date, redemption date, repurchase date or maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day.
Brief Description of the Existing Senior Unsecured Notes and the Existing Senior Unsecured Notes Guarantee
Each of the series of existing senior unsecured notes:
•represents general senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers;
•is pari passu in right of payment with all of the Issuers’ senior indebtedness, including all of the other series of existing senior unsecured notes and borrowings under the Credit Facility, without giving effect to collateral arrangements;
•is effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Issuers' secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness;
•is senior in right of payment to all of the Issuers’ senior subordinated or subordinated indebtedness;
•is structurally subordinated to all liabilities of the Issuers’ Subsidiaries (other than Capital Corp., which is a co-Issuer of the notes); and
•is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor.
The existing senior unsecured notes are guaranteed by the Guarantor; however, the Guarantor is not subject to most of the covenants in the indenture.
The guarantee of each series of the existing senior unsecured notes:
•represents general unsecured obligation of the Guarantor;
•is pari passu in right of payment with all of the Guarantor’s senior indebtedness, including its guarantee of all of the other series of existing senior unsecured notes and borrowings under the Credit Facility, without giving effect to collateral arrangements;
•is effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Guarantor’s secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness;
•is senior in right of payment to all of the Guarantor’s senior subordinated or subordinated indebtedness; and
•is structurally subordinated to all liabilities of the Guarantor’s Subsidiaries (other than the Issuers).
The obligation of the Guarantor under its guarantee is limited as necessary to prevent that guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.
As of December 31, 2021, the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Issuers’ Subsidiaries had $424.0 million of indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facility, consisting of $424.0 million outstanding under the Term Loan A-2 facility. The indenture permits the Issuers and the Issuers’ Subsidiaries to incur substantial additional indebtedness and does not limit the amount of indebtedness that the Guarantor may incur.
Additional Notes
The Issuers may issue additional notes of a series the same as or different from any of the series of the existing senior unsecured notes from time to time under the indenture. Any issuance of additional notes is subject to the covenants set forth below under “-Certain Covenants-Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness.” Any additional notes of the same series as any of the series of the existing senior unsecured notes subsequently issued will be treated as a single series with the applicable series of the existing senior unsecured notes for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. The Issuers issue notes in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.
Sinking Fund
The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
Redemption
Optional Redemption
We may redeem all or part of any series of the notes at any time at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of:
(1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, and
(2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon that would be due if such notes matured 90 days prior to their maturity date (or 30 days in the case of the 2024 Notes or three months in the case of the 2032 Notes) (the “Par Call Date”) but for the redemption thereof (exclusive of interest accrued to, but not including, the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (or the Adjusted Treasury Rate in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes) plus 50 basis points (or 40 basis points in the case of the 2030 Notes, 30 basis points in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2024 Notes and 35 basis points in the case of the 2029 Notes), plus accrued and unpaid interest on the amount being redeemed to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided, however, that if we redeem the notes on or after the applicable Par Call Date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the amount being redeemed to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided, further, that installments
of interest that are due and payable on any interest payment dates falling on or prior to a redemption date shall be payable on such interest payment dates to the persons who were registered holders of the notes to be redeemed at the close of business on the applicable record dates.
Unless we default in our payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions of such notes called for redemption.
“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the applicable series of notes being redeemed calculated as if the maturity date of such notes was the applicable Par Call Date (as applicable, the “Remaining Life”), that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life of such series of notes.
“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Issuers are provided fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
“Quotation Agent” means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Issuers to act as the Quotation Agent from time to time.
“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (1) with respect to the 2030 Notes and 2024 Notes, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and its successors, BofA Securities, Inc. and its successors, Fifth Third Securities, Inc. and its successors and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and its successors; (2) with respect to the 2029 Notes, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and their respective successors; (3) with respect to the 2025 Notes and 2028 Notes, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and its successors and (4) with respect to the 2026 Notes, and 2023 Notes, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer, and (5) any other Primary Treasury Dealers selected by the Issuers.
“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by an Issuer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Issuers by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date (or in the case of the notes that reference a Reference Treasury Dealer other than the 2026 Notes, the third business day preceding the relevant Deposit Date in connection with the satisfaction and discharge of notes in accordance with the terms of the indenture).
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price on such redemption date.
Gaming Redemption
In addition to the foregoing, if any Gaming Authority requires that a holder or Beneficial Owner of notes must be licensed, qualified or found suitable under any applicable Gaming Laws and such holder or Beneficial Owner:
(1) fails to apply for a license, qualification or a finding of suitability within 30 days (or such shorter period as may be required by the applicable Gaming Authority) after being requested to do so by the Gaming Authority, or
(2) is denied such license or qualification or not found suitable, or if any Gaming Authority otherwise requires that notes from any holder or Beneficial Owner be redeemed, subject to applicable Gaming Laws the Issuers shall have the right, at their option:
(i) to require any such holder or Beneficial Owner to dispose of its notes within 30 days (or such earlier date as may be required by the applicable Gaming Authority) of receipt of such notice or finding by such Gaming Authority, or
(ii) to call for the redemption of the notes of such holder or Beneficial Owner at a redemption price equal to the least of:
(A) the principal amount thereof, together with accrued interest to the earlier of the date of redemption or the date of the denial of license or qualification or of the finding of unsuitability by such Gaming Authority,
(B) the price at which such holder or Beneficial Owner acquired the notes, together with accrued interest to the earlier of the date of redemption or the date of the denial of license or qualification or of the finding of unsuitability by such Gaming Authority, or
(C) such other lesser amount as may be required by any Gaming Authority.
The Issuers shall notify the trustee in writing of any such redemption as soon as practicable. The holder or Beneficial Owner applying for license, qualification or a finding of suitability must pay all costs of the licensure or investigation for such qualification or finding of suitability.
No Mandatory Redemption
The Issuers are not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.
Selection and Notice
If less than all of the notes of any series are to be redeemed at any time, the trustee will select notes of such series for redemption as follows:
(1) if the notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the notes are listed; or
(2) if the notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate and in accordance with DTC procedures.
No notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail (or in the case of global notes, given pursuant to applicable DTC procedures) at least 30 (or 15 in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes) but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that (a) redemption notices may be mailed or given more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the indenture, and (b) redemption notices may be mailed or given less than 30 days (or 15 days in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes) or more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if so required by any applicable Gaming Authority in connection with a redemption described above under the caption “—Redemption-Gaming Redemption.”
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of the principal amount of that note that is to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original note will be issued in the name of the holder of notes upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption (subject to satisfaction of any applicable conditions precedent). Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or portions of them called for redemption. For the avoidance of doubt, the trustee shall not have any responsibility for calculating the redemption price.
Subject to applicable securities laws, the Issuers or their affiliates may at any time and from time to time purchase notes or other indebtedness. Any such purchases may be made through open market or privately negotiated transactions with third parties or pursuant to one or more tender or exchange offers or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as well as with such consideration as the Issuers or any such affiliates may determine.
Repurchase at the Option of Holders
Change of Control and Rating Decline
If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs with respect to a series of notes other than the 2032 Notes or the 2031 Notes, each holder of such notes will have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that holder’s notes of the applicable series pursuant to an offer by the Issuers (a “Change of Control Offer”) on the terms set forth in the indenture, except to the extent the Issuers have previously redeemed such notes as described under “—Redemption-Optional Redemption.” In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuers will offer a payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest on the notes repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers will mail a notice to each holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute, or are expected to constitute, the Change of Control Triggering Event, and offering to repurchase notes on the date (the “Change of Control Payment Date”) specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days after the date such notice is mailed (or in the case of global notes, given pursuant to applicable DTC procedures), pursuant
to the procedures required by the indenture and described in such notice. The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers will, to the extent lawful:
(1) accept for payment all notes or portions of notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes properly accepted together with an officer’s certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of notes being purchased by the Issuers.
The paying agent will promptly mail to each holder of notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.
The provisions described above that require the Issuers to make a Change of Control Offer following the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control Triggering Event, the indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders of the notes to require that the Issuers repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.
The Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in
compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of an anticipated Change of Control Triggering Event, conditional upon such Change of Control Triggering Event.
If holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding applicable series of notes validly tender and do not withdraw such notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Issuers, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Issuers as described above, purchase all of the notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such holders, the Issuers or such third party will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all notes of the applicable series that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including the date of redemption.
The definition of “Change of Control” includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of the Guarantor, the Issuers and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require the Issuers to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets of the Guarantor, the Issuers and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.
The Credit Facility provides that certain change of control events with respect to the Issuers would constitute a default under the Credit Facility. Any future credit agreements or other agreements to which any of the Issuers becomes a party may contain similar provisions. In the event a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs at a time when the Issuers are prohibited from purchasing notes, the Issuers could seek the consent of their senior lenders to the purchase of notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If the Issuers do not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings, the Issuers will remain prohibited from purchasing notes. In such case, the Issuers’ failure to purchase tendered notes would constitute a default under the indenture which could, in turn, constitute a default under such other indebtedness.
Certain Covenants
Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness
Limitation on Total Debt. The Issuers shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, incur any Indebtedness (other than Permitted Debt) if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness, the Total Debt of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries on a pro forma basis (including pro forma application of the net proceeds from such Indebtedness) would exceed 60% of the sum of (i) Total Asset Value as of the end of the Latest Completed Quarter and (ii) any increase in Total Asset Value since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter (such sum of (i) and (ii), “Adjusted Total Asset Value”); provided, however, that from and after the consummation of a Significant Acquisition, such percentage shall be 65% for the fiscal quarter in which such Significant Acquisition is consummated and the three consecutive fiscal quarters immediately succeeding such fiscal quarter.
Limitation on Secured Debt. The Issuers shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, incur any Secured Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Secured Debt, the Secured Debt of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries on a pro forma basis (including pro forma application of the net proceeds from such Indebtedness) would exceed 40% of Adjusted Total Asset Value.
Interest Coverage Ratio. The Issuers shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, incur any Indebtedness (other than Permitted Debt) if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Interest Expense for the Issuers and their Subsidiaries (the “Coverage Ratio”) for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ending on and including the Latest Completed Quarter would be less than 1.50 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis (including pro forma application of the net proceeds from such Indebtedness).
Limitation on Subordinated Debt and Subsidiary Guarantees. The Issuers shall not incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Issuers, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The foregoing does not apply to distinctions between categories of Indebtedness that exist by reason of any Liens securing some but not all of such Indebtedness or securing such Indebtedness with greater or lesser priority or with different collateral or as a result of provisions that apply proceeds or amounts received by the borrower, obligor or Issuer following a default or exercise of remedies in a certain order of priority.
In addition, following the date of the indenture, no Subsidiary of the Operating Partnership (excluding Capital Corp.) will directly or indirectly guarantee, or become jointly and severally liable with respect to any Debt Securities of the Operating Partnership (excluding, in any event, (x) Acquired Debt and (y) guarantees of such Acquired Debt or any other Indebtedness of the Operating Partnership to the extent a guarantee is required as a result of the assumption by the Operating Partnership of such Acquired Debt described in clause (x) pursuant to the terms thereof as they existed at the time of and after giving effect to (and are not modified in contemplation of, other than to give effect to) the assumption of or acquisition of such Acquired Debt) issued after the date of the indenture, unless a guarantee is provided in respect of the notes by such Subsidiary.
Maintenance of Total Unencumbered Assets
The Issuers and their Subsidiaries shall maintain Total Unencumbered Asset Value of not less than 150% of Unsecured Debt, in each case calculated as of the end of the Latest Completed Quarter.
Reports
Whether or not required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), so long as any notes are outstanding, the Issuers will furnish to the trustee with written instructions for mailing (or in the case of global notes, delivery pursuant to applicable DTC procedures) to the holders of notes, within 30 days after the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations:
(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that is filed or that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if or as if the Issuers were required to file such forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Issuers’ certified independent accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuers were required to file such reports.
The availability of the foregoing materials on the SEC’s EDGAR service (or any successor thereto) shall be deemed to satisfy the Issuers’ obligations to furnish such materials to the trustee with written instructions for mailing (or in the case of global
notes, delivery pursuant to applicable DTC procedures) to the holders of notes; provided, however, that the trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed pursuant to the “EDGAR” system (or its successor).
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the trustee is for informational purposes only and the trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ compliance with any of its covenants under the indenture (as to which the trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on officer’s certificates).
In addition, the Issuers have agreed that, for so long as any 2026 Notes remain outstanding, if the Issuers are not required to file with the SEC the reports required by the first paragraph of this covenant, it will furnish to the holders of the 2026 Notes and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as the Guarantor guarantees the notes (or in the event that another parent entity of the Issuers becomes a guarantor of the notes), the Issuers may satisfy their obligations to furnish the reports and other information described above by furnishing such reports filed by, or such information of, the Guarantor (or such other parent guarantor, respectively) and the availability of the Guarantor’s (or such other parent guarantor’s, as applicable) information on the SEC’s EDGAR service (or any successor thereto) shall be deemed to satisfy such obligation.
Penn Master Lease
The Issuers will not enter into any amendment to the Penn Master Lease if such amendment would materially impair the ability of the Issuers to satisfy their obligations to make payments on the notes other than the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes; provided that amendments of the Penn Master Lease (and corresponding rent reduction) pursuant to the terms of the Penn Master Lease in connection with an asset sale made in accordance with the Penn Master Lease shall not be deemed to materially impair the ability of the Issuers to satisfy their obligations to make payments on the notes or to materially impair the rights and remedies of the holders of the notes.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
Each Issuer may not, directly or indirectly: (x) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Issuer is the surviving entity); or (y) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person unless:
(1) either (a) such Issuer is the surviving Person; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia (provided that if such Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the notes is a corporation organized or existing under such laws);
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than an Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the notes and the indenture and, in the case of the 2023 Notes, the Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee; and
(3) immediately after such transaction no default or event of default exists with respect to the notes.
The Guarantor may not, directly or indirectly: (x) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Guarantor is the surviving corporation); or (y) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person unless:
(1) either (a) the Guarantor is the surviving corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Guarantor under the notes and the indenture and, in the case of the 2023 Notes, the Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee; and
(3) immediately after such transaction no default or event of default exists with respect to the notes.
Upon any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of an Issuer’s or the Guarantor’s, as applicable, and its Subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole, in compliance with the provisions of this “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” covenant, such Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, will be released from the obligations under the notes or its guarantee, respectively, and the indenture and, in the case of the 2023 Notes, the Registration Rights Agreement, except with respect to any obligations that arise from, or are related to, such transaction.
This “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” covenant will not apply to:
(1) a merger, consolidation, sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Guarantor, the Issuers (or an Issuer) or any of the Issuers’ Subsidiaries;
(2) a merger between the Issuers (or an Issuer), the Guarantor or any Subsidiary respectively, and an Affiliate of an Issuer, the Guarantor or such Subsidiary incorporated or formed solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing an Issuer, the Guarantor or such Subsidiary in another state of the United States or changing the legal domicile or form of an Issuer, the Guarantor or such Subsidiary or for the sole purpose of forming or collapsing a holding company structure;
(3) the lease of all or substantially all of the real estate assets of the Guarantor or any Issuer, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, to Penn or its Subsidiaries or another operator pursuant to the Penn Master Lease, Pinnacle Master Lease or another real estate lease or leases; or
(4) except with respect to the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes, the Penn Transactions and any transactions related thereto.
The description above includes a phrase relating to the sale or disposition of “all or substantially all” of the properties or assets of the Issuers or the Guarantor, and their respective Subsidiaries. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law.
Certain Definitions
“2013 Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum of the Issuers, dated October 23, 2013.
“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or becomes a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
“Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per year equal to the arithmetic mean of the weekly average yield to maturity (representing the average of the daily rates for the immediately preceding week) available through the most recent Statistical Release under the heading “Week Ending” for “U.S. Government Securities—Treasury Constant Maturities” for the maturity (rounded to the nearest month) corresponding to the remaining term of the notes being redeemed as of such redemption date, calculated as if the maturity date of such notes was the Par Call Date (as applicable, the “Remaining Life”). If no maturity exactly corresponds to such Remaining Life, yields for the next shortest and next longest published maturities most closely corresponding to such Remaining Life shall be calculated pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month. For the purposes of calculating the Adjusted Treasury Rate, the most recent Statistical Release published at least two business days prior to the redemption date (or at least two business days prior to the relevant Deposit Date in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of the such notes in accordance with the terms of the indenture) shall be used.
“Asset Value” means, at any date of determination, the sum of:
(1) in the case of any Income Property (or group of Income Properties, including, without limitation, the Penn Master Lease Properties), the Capitalized Value of such Income Property (or group of Income Properties) as of such date; provided, however, that (except, in the case of the 2023 Notes, with respect to the Original Master Lease Properties, the Ohio Development Facilities, the Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and the Hollywood Casino Perryville) the Asset Value of each Income Property (other than a former Development Property or Redevelopment Property) during the first four complete fiscal quarters following the date of acquisition thereof shall be the greater of (i) the acquisition price thereof and (ii) the Capitalized Value thereof (provided that the Asset Value shall be the acquisition price thereof if results of one full fiscal quarter after the acquisition thereof are not available with respect to such Income Property (or group of Income Properties) (and after results of one full
fiscal quarter after the acquisition thereof are available, the Capitalized Value thereof may be determined by annualizing such results) including for purposes of determining any increase in Total Asset Value since the end of the Latest Completed Quarter); provided, further, that an adjustment shall be made to the Asset Value of any Income Property (in an amount reasonably determined by an Issuer) as new tenancy leases are entered into, or existing tenancy leases terminate or expire, in respect of such Income Property;
(2) in the case of any Development Property or Redevelopment Property (or former Development Property or Redevelopment Property) prior to the date when financial results are available for at least one complete fiscal quarter following completion or opening of the applicable development project, 100% of the book value (determined in accordance with GAAP but determined without giving effect to any depreciation) of any such Development Property or Redevelopment Property (or former Development Property or Redevelopment Property); and
(3) 100% of the book value (determined in accordance with GAAP) of any undeveloped land owned or leased as of such date of determination.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.
“Capitalized Value” means, with respect to the Penn Master Lease Properties or any other group of related properties or any other property, the Property EBITDA of the Penn Master Lease Properties or such other group of related properties or such property, as the case may be, for the most recent four completed fiscal quarters divided by 8.25% (or 9.0% in the case of the 2023 Notes).
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Guarantor, the Operating Partnership and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act); provided, however, that for the avoidance of doubt, the lease of all or substantially all of the real estate assets of the Guarantor or any Issuer or any of their respective subsidiaries, to Penn or its Subsidiaries or to another operator pursuant to the Penn Master Lease or another real estate lease or leases shall not constitute a Change of Control;
(2) the adoption by shareholders or partners of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Guarantor or the Operating Partnership;
(3) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above), other than any holding company which owns 100% of the Voting Stock of the Guarantor (so long as no Change of Control would otherwise have occurred in respect of the Voting Stock of such holding company), becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Guarantor, measured by voting power rather than number of shares;
(4) (i) the Guarantor ceases to own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Operating Partnership or (ii) the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership ceases to be the Guarantor or one or more of the Guarantor’s wholly owned subsidiaries; or
(5) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor are not Continuing Directors.
For purposes of this definition, (1) no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of a transfer of assets among the Guarantor, any Issuer and any of their respective Subsidiaries and (2) a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.
“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both (i) a Change of Control and (ii) a Rating Decline.
“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for the applicable test period, the net income (or net loss) of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent that GAAP is not applicable, including, without limitation, with respect to the determination of all extraordinary, non-cash and non-recurring items ((x) excluding, without duplication, gains (or losses) from dispositions of depreciable real estate investments, property valuation losses and impairment charges and (y) before giving effect to cash dividends on preferred units of the Issuers or charges resulting from the redemption of preferred units of the Issuers attributable to the Issuers and their Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP);
(1) plus, without duplication and solely to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such net income (or net loss), the sum of the following amounts for such period:
(a) interest expense (whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized);
(b) income tax expense;
(c) depreciation expense;
(d) amortization expense;
(e) extraordinary, non-recurring and unusual items, charges or expenses (including, without limitation, impairment charges, fees, costs and expenses relating to the Penn Transactions, prepayment penalties and costs, fees or expenses incurred in connection with any capital markets offering, debt financing, or amendment thereto, redemption or exchange of indebtedness, lease termination, business combination, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or similar transaction (regardless of whether such transaction is completed));
(f) expenses and losses associated with hedging agreements;
(g) expenses and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates;
(h) other non-cash items, charges or expenses reducing net income (or increasing net loss) (other than items that will require cash payments and for which an accrual or reserve is, or is required by GAAP to be, made in which case, at the election of the Issuers such items may be added back when accrued and deducted from net income when paid in cash, or given effect (and not added back to net income) when accrued or reserved);
(i) the amount of integration costs deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing the net income (or net loss);
(j) severance, relocation costs, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities);
(k) in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes, equity-based compensation; and
(l) to the extent not included in net income or, if otherwise excluded from Consolidated EBITDA due to the operation of clause (2)(a) below, the amount of insurance proceeds received during such period, or after such period and on or prior to the date the calculation is made with respect to such period, attributable to any property which has been closed or had operations curtailed for such period; provided that such amount of insurance proceeds shall only be included pursuant to this clause (l) to the extent of the amount of insurance proceeds plus Consolidated EBITDA attributable to such property for such period (without giving effect to this clause (k)) does not exceed Consolidated EBITDA attributable to such property during the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarter period that such property was fully operational (or if such property has not been fully operational for the most recent such period prior to such closure or curtailment, the Consolidated EBITDA attributable to such property during the consecutive fiscal quarter period prior to such closure or curtailment (for which financial results are available) annualized over four fiscal quarters);
(2) minus, without duplication and solely to the extent included in arriving at such net income (or net loss), the sum of the following amounts for such period:
(a) extraordinary, non-recurring and unusual gains (other than insurance proceeds);
(b) gains attributable to hedging agreements;
(c) non-cash gains resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; and
(d) other non-cash gains increasing net income (or decreasing net loss) other than accruals in the ordinary course.
For purposes of this definition, net income (net loss) shall only include the Issuers’ Ownership Share of net income (net loss) of their non-wholly owned Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates and, accordingly, there shall be no deduction from net income or Consolidated EBITDA for non-controlling or minority interests in such Persons.
Consolidated EBITDA will be adjusted, without duplication, to give pro forma effect: (x) in the case of any assets having been placed-in-service or removed from service since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Consolidated EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service as if the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service occurred at the beginning of the period; and (y) in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, including, without limitation, by merger,
or stock or asset purchase or sale, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Consolidated EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the acquisition or disposition of those assets as if the acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of the period. For purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA, all amounts shall be as reasonably determined by an Issuer, and in accordance with GAAP except to the extent that GAAP is not applicable, including, without limitation, with respect to the determination of extraordinary, non-cash or non-recurring items.
“Consolidated Financial Statements” means, with respect to any Person, collectively, the consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements, of that Person and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor who:
(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of the indenture; or
(2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the continuing directors under clause (1) or this clause (2) who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election.
“Credit Facility” means the Credit Agreement, dated October 28, 2013, among the Operating Partnership, as the Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Swingline Lender and the parties named therein as Co-Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents, Joint Physical Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, including any related notes, guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and as amended, modified, renewed, refunded, restructured, replaced or refinanced from time to time including increases in principal amount (whether the same are provided by the original agents and lenders under such Credit Facility or other agents or other lenders).
“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities or commercial paper facilities (providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, other loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit) or debt securities, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, agreements relating to swap or other hedging obligations, and other instruments, agreements and documents executed in connection therewith, in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured or otherwise refinanced in whole or in part from time to time by one or more agreements, facilities (whether or not in the form of a debt facility or commercial paper facility) or instruments.
“Debt Securities” means any debt securities, as such term is commonly understood, issued in any public offering or private placement in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million or more.
“Development Property” means real property (a) acquired for, or currently under, development into an Income Property that, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as an asset on the consolidated balance sheet of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries and (b) of the type described in clause (a) of this definition to be (but not yet) acquired by the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries upon completion of construction pursuant to a contract in which the seller of such real property is required to build, develop or renovate prior to, and as a condition precedent to, such acquisition.
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc., doing business as Fitch Ratings, or any successor thereto.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth as of the relevant date in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the U.S. accounting profession), including, without limitation, any Accounting Standards Codifications, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination; provided that with respect to the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes, if, as of a particular date as of which compliance with the covenants contained in the indenture is being determined, there have been changes in generally accepted accounting principles from those that applied to the consolidated financial statements of either Issuer or the Guarantor for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Issuers may, in their sole discretion, determine compliance with the covenants contained in the indenture using generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, as in effect as of the end of any fiscal quarter selected by the Issuers, in its sole discretion, that is on or after December 31, 2019 and prior to the date as of which compliance with the covenants in the indenture is being determined (“Fixed GAAP”), and, solely for purposes of calculating the covenants as of such date, “GAAP” shall mean Fixed GAAP; provided further that, with respect to the notes other than the 2023 Notes, and in the case or GAAP or Fixed GAAP with respect to the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes, (1) any lease that is accounted for by any Person as an operating lease, (2) the Pinnacle Master Lease and (3) any similar lease to either lease referred to in clauses (1) and (2) and entered into after the issue date for the applicable series of existing senior unsecured notes by any Person may, in the sole discretion of the Operating Partnership, be accounted for as an operating lease for purposes of such notes and the indenture with respect to such notes (and shall not constitute a capitalized lease).
“Gaming Approval” means any and all approvals, licenses, authorizations, permits, consents, rulings, orders or directives (a) relating to any gaming business (including pari-mutuel betting) or enterprise, including to enable the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries or affiliates to engage in or manage the casino, gambling, horse racing or gaming business or otherwise continue to conduct or manage such business substantially as is presently conducted or managed or contemplated to be conducted or managed or (b) required by any Gaming Law.
“Gaming Authority” means any governmental agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, department, office or instrumentality with regulatory, licensing or permitting authority or jurisdiction over any gaming business or enterprise or any Gaming Facility, or with regulatory, licensing or permitting authority or jurisdiction over any gaming operation (or proposed gaming operation) owned, managed or operated by the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries.
“Gaming Facility” means any gaming or pari-mutuel wagering establishment, including any casino or “racino,” and other property or assets ancillary thereto or used in connection therewith, including any casinos, hotels, resorts, racetracks, off-track wagering sites, theaters, parking facilities, recreational vehicle parks, timeshare operations, retail shops, restaurants, other buildings, restaurants, theatres, related or ancillary businesses, land, golf courses and other recreation and entertainment facilities, marinas, vessels, barges, ships and equipment.
“Gaming Laws” means all applicable provisions of all: (a) constitutions, treaties, statutes or laws governing Gaming Facilities (including card club casinos and pari-mutuel racetracks) and rules, regulations, codes and ordinances of, and all administrative or judicial orders or decrees or other laws pursuant to which, any Gaming Authority possesses regulatory, licensing or permit authority over gambling, gaming, racing or Gaming Facility activities conducted or managed by the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries or affiliates within its jurisdiction; (b) Gaming Approvals; and (c) orders, decisions, determinations, judgments, awards and decrees of any Gaming Authority.
“Income Property” means any real or personal property or assets or vessels (including any personal property ancillary thereto or used in connection therewith or in support thereof) owned, operated or leased or otherwise controlled by the Issuers or their Subsidiaries and earning, or intended to earn, current income whether from rent, lease payments, operations or otherwise. “Income Property” shall not include any Development Property, Redevelopment Property or undeveloped land during the period such property or assets or vessels are Development Properties, Redevelopment Properties or undeveloped land as reasonably determined by an Issuer.
“Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, all indebtedness for borrowed money of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries that is included as a liability on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Issuers in accordance with GAAP, excluding: (i) any indebtedness to the extent Discharged or, in the case of the notes other than the 2023 Notes, to the extent secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee or other agent with respect to third party indebtedness), (ii) Intercompany Debt, (iii) all liabilities associated with customary exceptions to non-recourse indebtedness, such as for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, voluntary bankruptcy, collusive involuntary bankruptcy and other similar exceptions and (iv) any redeemable equity interest in the Issuers; provided that in the case of the notes other than the 2023 Notes, Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of any of the Issuers that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Issuers shall be reduced to reflect the Issuers’ proportionate interest therein.
“Intercompany Debt” means, as of any date, Indebtedness to which the only parties are the Guarantor, the Issuers and any of their respective Subsidiaries as of such date; provided, however, that with respect to any such Indebtedness of which any of the Issuers is the borrower, such Indebtedness is subordinate in right of payment to the notes.
“Interest Expense” means, for any period of time, the aggregate amount of interest payable in cash on Indebtedness of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries, net of interest income and payments received under swap and other hedging agreements or arrangements relating to interest rates, and excluding (i) any commitment, upfront, arrangement or structuring fees or premiums (including redemption and prepayment premiums) or original issue discount, (ii) interest reserves funded from the proceeds of any Indebtedness, (iii) any cash costs associated with breakage in respect of hedging agreements for interest rates, (iv) all cash interest expense consisting of liquidated damages for failure to timely comply with registration rights obligations and financing fees, and (v) amortization of deferred financing costs; provided that the components of Interest Expense relating to a Subsidiary of any of the Issuers that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Issuers shall be reduced to reflect the Issuers’ proportionate interest therein.
“Latest Completed Quarter” means, as of any date, the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Issuers for which Consolidated Financial Statements of the Issuers (or the Guarantor or another parent guarantor, as applicable) have been completed, it being understood that at any time when the Issuers (or the Guarantor or another parent guarantor, as applicable) are subject to the
informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith file annual and quarterly reports with the SEC, the term “Latest Completed Quarter” shall be deemed to refer to the fiscal quarter covered by the Issuers’ (or the Guarantor’s or another parent guarantor’s, as applicable) most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or, in the case of the last fiscal quarter of the year, the Issuers’ (or the Guarantor’s or another parent guarantor’s, as applicable) Annual Report on Form 10-K.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset (without duplication), any lien, security interest or other type of preferential arrangement for security, including, without limitation, the lien or retained security title of a conditional vendor; provided that, for purposes hereof, “Lien” shall not include any Lien related to Indebtedness that has been Discharged or otherwise satisfied by the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries in accordance with the provisions thereof, including through the deposit of cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee with respect to third party indebtedness).
“Ohio Development Facilities” means the properties under development as of the issue date of the 2023 Notes in Dayton, Ohio and Mahoning Valley, Ohio.
“Original Master Lease Properties” means the Penn Master Lease Properties as of the date of the Penn Master Lease.
“Ownership Share” means, with respect to any Subsidiary (other than a wholly owned Subsidiary of any of the Issuers) or any Unconsolidated Affiliate of the Issuers, the Issuers’ relative direct and indirect economic interest (calculated as a percentage) in such Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of the declaration of trust, articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of organization, partnership agreement, joint venture agreement or other applicable organizational document of such Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate.
“Penn” means Penn National Gaming, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation.
“Penn Master Lease” means that certain Master Lease, dated as of November 1, 2013, between the Operating Partnership (and any Subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership acting as landlord or co-landlord) and the Penn Tenant, as it may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.
“Penn Master Lease Guaranty” means the Guaranty of the Penn Master Lease by Penn in favor of the Operating Partnership or a Subsidiary thereof.
“Penn Master Lease Properties” means, as of any date of determination, the real properties that are leased to Penn Tenant pursuant to the Penn Master Lease.
“Penn Notes” means the 2023 Notes.
“Penn Notes Issue Date” means October 30, 2013, with respect to the 2023 Notes.
“Penn Spin-Off” means the spin-off of the Guarantor from Penn to the shareholders of Penn in November 2013, which resulted in the Operating Partnership having title to substantially all of the real estate assets held by Penn prior to the spin-off, and including the entering into by the Penn Tenant and the Operating Partnership (or one or more Subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership acting as landlord or co-landlord) of the Penn Master Lease.
“Penn Tenant” means Penn Tenant, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, in its capacity as tenant under the Penn Master Lease, and its successors in such capacity.
“Penn Transactions” means, collectively, (a) the Penn Spin-Off and the series of corporate restructurings and other transactions entered into in connection with the foregoing, the acquisition by the Guarantor of the GLPI Assets (as defined in the 2013 Offering Memorandum) and the entering into of the Penn Master Lease, (b) the issuance of the Penn Notes (and the Issuers’ 4.375% Senior Notes due 2018, which have been redeemed in full as of the date hereof) and the entering into of the Credit Agreement on October 28, 2013, (c) the payment of the earnings and profits purge described in the 2013 Offering Memorandum, (d) any other transactions defined as “Transactions” in the 2013 Offering Memorandum and (e) the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing.
“Permitted Debt” means:
(1) Indebtedness incurred under the Credit Facilities on or prior to the date of the indenture; and
(2) Indebtedness represented by the existing senior unsecured notes.
“Permitted Replacement Lease” means (a) any new lease entered into pursuant to Section 17.1(f) of the Penn Master Lease, (b) any new lease entered into with a Qualified Successor Tenant or (c) any assignment of the Penn Master Lease to a Qualified Successor Tenant, in each case, whether in respect of all or a portion of the gaming facilities subject to the Penn Master Lease.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
“Pinnacle” means Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Pinnacle Master Lease” means that certain master lease, dated as of April 28, 2016, between, Pinnacle MLS, LLC, as tenant, and Gold Merger Sub, LLC (as successor to Pinnacle), as landlord, as such Master Lease may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.
“pro forma basis” means:
(1) For purposes of calculating the amount of Total Debt or Secured Debt or Unsecured Debt under “—Certain Covenants-Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness-Limitation on Total Debt” and “—Limitation on Secured Debt,” there shall be excluded Indebtedness to the extent secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee or other agent with respect to third party indebtedness) or which has been repaid, discharged, defeased (whether by covenant or legal defeasance), retired, repurchased or redeemed or otherwise satisfied on or prior to the date such calculation is being made or for which the Guarantor, the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries has irrevocably made a deposit to repay, defease (whether by covenant or legal defeasance), discharge, repurchase, retire or redeem or otherwise satisfy or called for redemption, defeasance (whether by covenant or legal defeasance), discharge, repurchase or retirement, on or prior to the date such calculation is being made (collectively, “Discharged”);
(2) For purposes of calculating the Coverage Ratio:
(a) in the event that the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees or Discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date such calculation is being made, then the Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto, and the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any such transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Coverage Ratio), in each case, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period and Interest Expense relating to any such Indebtedness that has been Discharged or, in the case of the notes other than the 2023 Notes, to the extent secured by cash, cash equivalents or marketable securities (it being understood that cash collateral shall be deemed to include cash deposited with a trustee or other agent with respect to third party indebtedness) shall be excluded;
(b) acquisitions or investments that have been made by the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter period or subsequent to such period and on or prior to the date such calculation is being made, and the change in Consolidated EBITDA resulting therefrom, will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter period, and Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall include the Consolidated EBITDA of the acquired entities or applicable to such investments, and related transactions, and shall otherwise be calculated on a pro forma basis;
(c) (i) any Person that is a Subsidiary on the date such calculation is being made will be deemed to have been a Subsidiary at all times during the applicable four-quarter period, and (ii) any Person that is not a Subsidiary on the date such calculation is being made will be deemed not to have been a Subsidiary at any time during the applicable four-quarter reference period;
(d) the Consolidated EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the date such calculation is being made, will be excluded;
(e) the Interest Expense attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the date such calculation is being made, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Interest Expense will not be obligations of the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries following the date such calculation is being made;
(f) interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate as the Issuers may designate; and
(g) except with respect to the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes, for any period that includes any period of time occurring prior to the Penn Notes Issue Date, the Penn Transactions shall be given pro forma effect as if the Penn Transactions had occurred at the beginning of such period.
“Property EBITDA” means, for any period of time with respect to the Penn Master Lease Properties or any other group of related properties or any property (excluding any properties that are not Income Properties), the sum, with respect to the Penn Master Lease Properties or other group of related properties or property, of the net income (or net loss) derived from such property for such period (excluding, without duplication, gains (or losses) from dispositions of depreciable real estate investments, property valuation losses and impairment charges);
(1) plus, without duplication and solely to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such net income (or net loss), the sum of the following amounts for such period:
(a) interest expense (whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized);
(b) income tax expense;
(c) depreciation expense;
(d) amortization expense;
(e) extraordinary, non-recurring and unusual items, charges or expenses (including, without limitation, property valuation losses, impairment charges, fees, costs and expenses relating to the Penn Transactions, prepayment penalties and costs, fees or expenses incurred in connection with any capital markets offering, debt financing, or amendment thereto, redemption or exchange of indebtedness, lease termination, business combination, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or similar transaction (regardless of whether such transaction is completed));
(f) expenses and losses associated with hedging agreements;
(g) expenses and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates;
(h) other non-cash items, charges or expenses reducing net income (or increasing net loss) (other than items that will require cash payments and for which an accrual or reserve is, or is required by GAAP to be, made in which case, at the election of the Issuers such items may be added back when accrued and deducted from net income when paid in cash, or given effect (and not added back to net income) when accrued or reserved);
(i) the amount of integration costs deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing the net income (or net loss);
(j) severance, relocation costs, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities); and
(k) to the extent not included in net income or, if otherwise excluded from Property EBITDA due to the operation of clause (2)(a) below, the amount of insurance proceeds received during such period, or after such period and on or prior to the date the calculation is made with respect to such period, attributable to such property;
(2) minus, without duplication and solely to the extent included in arriving at such net income (or net loss), the sum of the following amounts for such period:
(a) extraordinary, non-recurring and unusual gains (other than insurance proceeds);
(b) gains attributable to hedging agreements;
(c) non-cash gains resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; and
(d) other non-cash gains increasing net income (or decreasing net loss) other than accruals in the ordinary course;
provided that to the extent any amounts referred to in this definition or deducted in calculating net income (or net loss) (including any costs or expenses included in calculating net income (or net loss)) are required to be paid by the Penn Tenant under the Penn Master Lease or any other Person that is a lessee or operator of any such property, such amounts will not be subtracted, and will be added back to Property EBITDA for the applicable property or group of properties.
Property EBITDA will be adjusted, without duplication, to give pro forma effect: (x) in the case of any assets having been placed-in-service or removed from service since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from service as if the placement of such assets in service or removal of such assets from
service occurred at the beginning of the period; and (y) in the case of any acquisition or disposition of any asset or group of assets since the beginning of the period and on or prior to the date of determination, including, without limitation, by merger, or stock or asset purchase or sale, to include or exclude, as the case may be, any Property EBITDA earned or eliminated as a result of the acquisition or disposition of those assets as if the acquisition or disposition occurred at the beginning of the period. For purposes of calculating Property EBITDA, all amounts shall be as determined reasonably by an Issuer, and in accordance with GAAP except to the extent that GAAP is not applicable.
“Qualified Successor Tenant” means a Person that: (a) in the reasonable judgment of an Issuer, has sufficient experience (directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries) operating or managing casinos or is owned, controlled or managed by a Person with such experience, to operate properties subject to a Permitted Replacement Lease and (b) is licensed or certified by each gaming authority with jurisdiction over any gaming facility subject to the applicable Permitted Replacement Lease as of the initial date of the effectiveness of the applicable Permitted Replacement Lease.
“Rating Agency” means (a) Fitch, Moody’s or S&P in the case of the 2030 Notes and 2024 Notes and Moody’s or S&P’s in the case of all of the other notes or (b) if any of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P in the case of the 2030 Notes and 2024 Notes and Moody’s or S&P’s in the case of all of the other notes shall not make a rating on the notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuers (as certified by a resolution of the Issuers’ Board of Directors) which shall be substituted for Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.
“Rating Category” means (a) with respect to Fitch or S&P, any of the following categories: BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); (b) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and (c) the equivalent of any such category of Fitch, S&P or Moody’s used by another Rating Agency selected by the Issuers. In determining whether the rating of the notes has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within Rating Categories ((i) + and - for S&P and Fitch; (ii) 1, 2 and 3 for Moody’s; and (iii) the equivalent gradations for another Rating Agency selected by the Issuers) shall be taken into account (e.g., with respect to S&P, a decline in a rating from BB+ to BB, or from BB- to B+, will constitute a decrease of one gradation).
“Rating Date” means the date which is 90 days prior to the earlier of (a) a Change of Control or (b) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention by the Issuers to effect a Change of Control.
“Rating Decline” with respect to a particular series of notes shall be deemed to occur if, within 90 days after public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control (which period shall be extended in respect of a Rating Agency so long as the rating of the notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any such Rating Agency with respect to a Rating Category), the rating of such series of notes by at least two of the three Rating Agencies in the case of the 2030 Notes and 2024 Notes and each of the Rating Agencies in the case of all other notes shall be decreased by one or more gradations to or within a Rating Category (including gradations within Rating Categories as well as between Rating Categories) as compared to the rating of the notes on the Rating Date.
“Redevelopment Property” means any real property owned by an Issuer or its Subsidiaries that operates or is intended to operate as an Income Property (a)(i) that has been acquired by an Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries with a view toward renovating or rehabilitating such real property at an aggregate anticipated cost of at least 10% of the acquisition cost thereof and such renovation or rehabilitation is expected to disrupt the occupancy of at least 30% of the square footage of such property or (x) that an Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries intends to renovate or rehabilitate at an aggregate anticipated cost in excess of (y) 10% of the Capitalized Value of such real property immediately prior to such renovation or rehabilitation and such renovation or rehabilitation is expected to temporarily reduce the Property EBITDA attributable to such property by at least 30% as compared to the immediately preceding comparable prior period and or (ii) with respect to which an Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof has entered into a binding construction contract or construction has commenced, (b) that does not qualify as a “Development Property” and (c) that an Issuer so desires to classify as a “Redevelopment Property” for purposes of the notes.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means (i) the Registration Rights Agreement related to the 2023 notes, dated as of October 30, 2013, which was between the Issuers and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers, as amended or supplemented, and (ii) any other registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the issuance after the applicable date of issuance of the 2023 Notes of additional 2023 Notes or additional debt securities under the indenture in a private offering by the Issuers.
“Secured Debt” means, as of any date of determination, the portion of Total Debt as of such date that is secured by a Lien on property or assets of the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries.
“Significant Acquisition” means an acquisition in which the aggregate consideration (whether in the form of cash, securities, goodwill, or otherwise) with respect to such acquisition is not less than five percent (5%) of Total Asset Value immediately prior to such acquisition.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of an Issuer having (together with its Subsidiaries) assets that constitute five percent (5%) or more of Total Asset Value as of the end any of the most recently completed fiscal year of the Issuers for which Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared prior to the date of determination.
“Statistical Release” means the statistical release designated “H.15” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve System (or companion online data resource published by the Federal Reserve System) and which establishes yields on actively traded United States government securities adjusted to constant maturities, or, if such statistical release is not published at the time of any determination under the indenture, then such other reasonably comparable index designated by us.
“Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, (i) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person has more than a 50% equity interest at the time. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of an Issuer, and in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) which is required to be consolidated with such Person in accordance with GAAP.
“Total Asset Value” means, as of any date, the sum of the following without duplication: (a) the sum of the Asset Values for all assets constituting Income Properties, Development Properties, Redevelopment Properties or undeveloped land owned by the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries at such date, plus (b) an amount (but not less than zero) equal to all unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on hand of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries (including the proceeds of the Indebtedness to be incurred), plus (c) earnest money deposits associated with potential acquisitions as of such date, plus (d) the book value (determined in accordance with GAAP) (but determined without giving effect to any depreciation or amortization) of all other investments held by the Issuers and their Subsidiaries at such date (exclusive of accounts receivable and non-real estate intangible assets in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes, accounts receivable and goodwill and other intangible assets in the case of the 2030 Notes and 2024 Notes and goodwill and other intangible assets in the case of all other notes). Total Asset Value shall be adjusted in the case of assets owned by Subsidiaries of the Issuers which are not wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Issuers to reflect the Issuers’ Ownership Share therein.
“Total Debt” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries as of such date; provided that (a) Total Debt shall not include Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, except to the extent of unreimbursed amounts thereunder, and (b) the amount of Total Debt, in the case of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the Issuers that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Issuers, shall be reduced to reflect the Issuers’ proportionate interest therein.
“Total Unencumbered Asset Value” means, as of any date of determination, the Total Asset Value for all assets owned by the Issuers or one of their Subsidiaries at such date that are not subject to any Lien which secures Indebtedness of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries; provided, however, that in the case of the 2032 Notes, 2031 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2024 Notes all investments by the Issuers and their Subsidiaries in unconsolidated joint ventures, unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities shall be excluded from Total Unencumbered Asset Value to the extent such investments would have otherwise been included.
“Unconsolidated Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person in whom such Person holds an Investment, which Investment is accounted for in the financial statements of such Person on an equity basis of accounting and whose financial results would not be consolidated under GAAP with the financial results of such Person on the Consolidated Financial Statements of such Person.
“Unsecured Debt” means, as of any date of determination, that portion of Total Debt as of that date that is not Secured Debt.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Events of Default
The following are “events of default” under the indenture with respect to debt securities of a particular series issued under the indenture, including the notes:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the debt securities of a particular series issued under the indenture, including the notes;
(2) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the debt securities of a particular series issued under the indenture, including the notes;
(3) failure by the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries for 60 days after receipt of notice from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes then outstanding to comply with any of the covenants or agreements in the indenture (other than a covenant or agreement included in the indenture for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than the notes) or the notes;
(4) certain specified events under bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws with respect to the Issuers or any of their Significant Subsidiaries;
(5) a default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any of our recourse Indebtedness (or the payment of which we guarantee), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the date of the indenture, if that default: (i) is caused by a failure to pay principal of such Indebtedness at final maturity (a “payment default”); or (ii) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity (which, in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes, such Indebtedness has not been Discharged or, in the case of any of the notes, acceleration has not been rescinded, annulled or cured within 20 business days after receipt by us of notice from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes then outstanding specifying such default), and, in each case, the due and payable principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the due and payable principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $100.0 million or more; and
(6) except with respect to the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes, other than in connection with any transaction not prohibited by “-Certain Covenants-Penn Master Lease,” the Penn Master Lease shall have terminated or the Penn Master Lease Guaranty shall have terminated (other than in accordance with the terms of the Penn Master Lease); provided that such termination shall not constitute an event of default if within 90 days after such termination the Operating Partnership has entered into one or more Permitted Replacement Leases (or in the case of the Penn Master Lease Guaranty, a replacement guaranty is entered into in accordance with the Penn Master Lease).
In the case of an event of default arising under clause (4) of the immediately preceding paragraph with respect to the Issuers, all notes then outstanding will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of then outstanding notes (or then outstanding debt securities of a particular series in case of an event of default specific to such series) may declare all the debt securities outstanding under the indenture (or all of the notes of such series, as applicable) to be due and payable immediately.
Holders of the notes may not enforce the indenture or the notes except as provided in the indenture. Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of then outstanding notes may direct the trustee, in writing, in its exercise of any trust or power. The trustee may withhold from holders of the notes notice of any continuing default or event of default if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest, except a default or event of default relating to the payment of principal or interest.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding by written notice to the trustee may on behalf of the holders of all of the notes waive any existing default or event of default with respect to the notes and its consequences under the indenture (or in the case of an event of default specific to a series of debt securities outstanding under the indenture, including the notes, holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding by written notice to the trustee may on behalf of the holders of all of such series waive any existing default or event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series and its consequences under the indenture), in each case, except a continuing default or event of default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, such debt securities, including the notes; provided that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such debt securities (or of the debt securities of such series, respectively) then outstanding may rescind an acceleration of the debt securities (or the debt securities of such series) and waive the payment default that resulted from such acceleration.
The Issuers are required to deliver to the trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the indenture. Upon becoming aware of any default or event of default, the Issuers are required to deliver to the trustee, a statement specifying such default or event of default.
Notwithstanding clause (3) of the first paragraph above or any other provision of the indenture, except as provided in the final sentence of this paragraph, the sole remedy for any failure to comply by the Issuers with the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants-Reports” shall be the payment of liquidated damages as described in the following sentence, such failure to comply shall not constitute an event of default, and holders of the notes shall not have any right under the indenture or the notes to accelerate the maturity of the notes as a result of any such failure to comply. If a failure to comply by the Issuers with the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants-Reports” continues for 60 days after the Issuers receives notice of such failure to comply in accordance with clause (3) of the first paragraph above (such notice, the “Reports Default Notice”), and is continuing on the 60th day following the Issuers’ receipt of the Reports Default Notice, the Issuers will pay liquidated damages to all holders of notes at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the notes from the 60th day following the Issuers’ receipt of the Reports Default Notice to but not including the earlier of (x) the 121st day following the Issuers’ receipt of the Reports Default Notice and (y) the date on which the failure to comply by the Issuers with the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants-Reports” shall have been cured or waived. On the earlier of the date specified in the immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y), such liquidated damages will cease to accrue. If the failure to comply by the Issuers with the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants-Reports” shall not have been cured or waived on or before the 121st day following the Issuers’ receipt of the Reports Default Notice, then the failure to comply by the Issuers with the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants-Reports” shall on such 121st day constitute an event of default. A failure to comply with the covenant described under the caption “—Certain Covenants-Reports” automatically shall cease to be continuing and shall be deemed cured at such time as the Issuers (or the Guarantor or other parent guarantor of the Issuers, as applicable) furnishes to the trustee the applicable information or report (it being understood that the availability of such information or report on the SEC’s EDGAR service (or any successor thereto) shall be deemed to satisfy the Issuers’ obligation to furnish such information or report to the trustee); provided, however, that the trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed pursuant to the “EDGAR” system (or its successor).
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided in the next three succeeding paragraphs, the notes and the indenture may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes of a series then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes), and any existing default or compliance with the notes of a series or any provision of the indenture as it relates to the notes of a series may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes of such series then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes).
Without the consent of each holder of notes affected, an amendment or waiver may not (with respect to any notes held by a non-consenting holder):
(1) reduce the principal amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the notes;
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any note;
(4) waive a default or event of default in the payment of principal of or interest or premium on the notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the notes by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(5) make any note payable in money other than that stated in the notes;
(6) make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of notes to receive payments of principal of or interest or premium on the notes;
(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any note; or
(8) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.
Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder of notes, the Issuers and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the notes:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect, mistake or inconsistency;
(2) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes;
(3) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ obligations to holders of notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Issuers’ assets;
(4) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depository;
(5) to comply with applicable Gaming Laws, to the extent that such amendment or supplement is not materially adverse to the holders of notes;
(6) to provide for the issuance of additional notes or additional debt securities of any series in accordance with the limitations set forth in the indenture;
(7) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of notes (including to provide for any guarantees of the notes or any collateral securing the notes or any guarantees of the notes) or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any such holder;
(8) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the TIA; or
(9) to conform the text of the indenture or the notes to any provision of the Description of Notes contained in the 2013 Offering Memorandum or this prospectus supplement as set forth in an officer’s certificate.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have all of their obligations discharged with respect to any series of the outstanding notes (“Legal Defeasance”) except for:
(1) the rights of holders of outstanding notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of or interest or premium on such notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
(2) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the notes concerning issuing temporary notes, the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the indenture.
In addition, the Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Issuers released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or event of default with respect to the notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including the events described in clauses (1), (2), or (4) under the caption “Events of Default” above pertaining to the Issuers) described under the caption “Events of Default” above will no longer constitute an event of default with respect to the notes. The Issuers may exercise Legal Defeasance regardless of whether they previously have exercised Covenant Defeasance.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the series of notes to be defeased, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable government securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion or based on the report of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on and accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding notes to be defeased on the stated maturity or on a redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether the notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date; provided that, with respect to any redemption pursuant to “—Redemption-Optional Redemption,” the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of the indenture to the extent that an amount is so deposited with the trustee equal to the redemption amount computed using the Treasury Rate (or the Adjusted Treasury Rate in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes) as of the third business date preceding the date of such deposit with the trustee (or the Deposit Date in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes);
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers must have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in
either case to the effect that the holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers must have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a default or event of default resulting from transactions occurring contemporaneously with the borrowing of funds, or the borrowing of funds, to be applied to such deposit or other Indebtedness which is being Discharged and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than the indenture or any agreement or instrument governing any other Indebtedness which is being Discharged) to which the Issuers are a party or by which the Issuers are bound;
(6) the Issuers must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the holders of notes over the other creditors of the Issuers or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Issuers or others; and
(7) the Issuers must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
The Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will be effective on the day on which all the applicable conditions above have been satisfied. Upon compliance with the foregoing, the trustee shall execute proper instrument(s) acknowledging such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all notes issued thereunder, when:
(1) either:
(a) all notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and, if provided for in the indenture, thereafter repaid to the Issuers, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or
(b) all notes that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Issuers have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable government securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the notes not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of maturity or redemption; provided that, in the case of the 2032 Notes, 2031 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2024 Notes, in the event that any portion of the trust funds so deposited consist of non-callable government securities, the sufficiency of such trust funds shall be determined based upon the opinion or the report of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm; provided further that, with respect to any redemption pursuant to “-Redemption-Optional Redemption,” the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of the indenture to the extent that an amount is so deposited with the trustee equal to the redemption amount computed using the Treasury Rate (or the Adjusted Treasury Rate in the case of the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes) as of the third business date preceding the date of such deposit with the trustee (or the date of such deposit with the trustee, including any such deposit in connection with a Legal or Covenant Defeasance described above under "—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance" in the case of the the 2032 Notes and the 2031 Notes) (the date of any such deposit, a “Deposit Date”);
(2) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all other sums then payable by it under the indenture; and
(3) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable written instructions to the trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Issuers must deliver an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Upon compliance with the foregoing, the trustee shall execute proper instrument(s) acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of all of the Issuers’ obligations under the notes and the indenture.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or direct or indirect partner, member or stockholder, past, present or future, of the Issuers, the Guarantor or any successor entity, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantor under the notes or the indenture or in the case of the 2023 Notes, the Registration Rights Agreement, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Forms and Denomination
The notes are issued as permanent global securities in the name of a nominee of DTC and in the case of the 2023 Notes, are available only in book-entry form except in certain limited circumstances. The notes are issued in fully registered form without coupons and are available for purchase only in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Governing Law
The indenture and the notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Concerning the Trustee
If the trustee becomes a creditor of the Issuers or the Guarantor, the indenture limits its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of then outstanding applicable series of notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee with respect to such series of notes, subject to certain exceptions. The indenture provides that in case an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of notes, unless such holder has offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
In the case the of 2032 Notes, 2031 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2024 Notes, the trustee shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under the indenture for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by any applicable law and any current or future regulations or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto or by virtue of the relevant holder failing to satisfy any certification or other requirements in respect of the notes, in which event the trustee shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted and shall have no obligation to gross up any payment hereunder or pay any additional amount as a result of such withholding tax. In connection with any proposed exchange of a certificated note for a global note interest, the Issuers or DTC shall be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide or cause to be provided to the trustee all information reasonably requested by the trustee that is necessary to allow the trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including, in the case of the 2032 Notes, 2031 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2024 Notes, without limitation, any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The trustee shall be entitled to rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
Certain Provisions of Pennsylvania Law and GLPI’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Other Governance Documents
Size of Board and Vacancies; Removal of Directors
Pursuant to GLPI’s Articles of Incorporation, each member of GLPI’s board of directors is elected until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is elected or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. At any meeting of shareholders for the uncontested election of directors at which a quorum is present, the election will be determined by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote in the election.
The Bylaws provide that the number of directors on GLPI’s board of directors will be fixed exclusively by the board of directors. Subject to the rights of holders of any stock having preference over the common stock to elect additional directors, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancies in the board of directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause will be filled by the majority vote of the remaining directors in office, even if less than a quorum is present.
Subject to the rights of any stock having preference over the common stock to elect directors, the Bylaws provide that a director may be removed only for cause (as defined in the Bylaws) by the affirmative vote of: (i) a majority of the entire GLPI board of directors (not including the director whose removal is being considered); or (ii) 75% of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. In addition, under Section 1726(c) of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, or the PBCL, a court may remove a director upon application in a derivative suit in cases of fraudulent or dishonest acts, gross abuse of authority or discretion, or for any other proper cause. Section 1726(a)(4) of the PBCL also provides that the board of directors may be removed at any time with or without cause by the unanimous vote or written consents of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon.
Pennsylvania State Takeover Statutes
Section 2538 of Subchapter 25D of the PBCL requires certain transactions with an “interested shareholder” to be approved by a majority of disinterested shareholders. “Interested shareholder” is defined broadly to include any shareholder who is a party to the transaction or who is treated differently than other shareholders and affiliates of the corporation.
Subchapter 25E of the PBCL requires a person or group of persons acting in concert which acquires 20% or more of the voting shares of the corporation to offer to purchase the shares of any other shareholder at “fair value.” “Fair value” means the value not less than the highest price paid by the controlling person or group during the 90-day period prior to the control transaction, plus a control premium. Among other exceptions, shares acquired directly from the corporation in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, are not counted towards the determination of whether the 20% share ownership threshold has been met for purposes of Subchapter 25E.
Subchapter 25F of the PBCL generally establishes a 5-year moratorium on a “business combination” with an “interested shareholder.” “Interested shareholder” is defined generally to be any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. “Business combination” is defined broadly to include mergers, consolidations, asset sales and certain self-dealing transactions. Certain restrictions apply to a business combination following the 5-year period. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25F will be rendered inapplicable if the board of directors approves the proposed business combination, or approves the interested shareholder’s acquisition of 20% of the voting shares, in either case prior to the date on which the shareholder first becomes an interested shareholder.
Subchapter 25G of the PBCL provides that “control shares” lose voting rights unless such rights are restored by the affirmative vote of a majority of (i) the disinterested shares (generally, shares held by persons other than the acquiror, executive officers of the corporation and certain employee stock plans) and (ii) the outstanding voting shares of the corporation. “Control shares” are defined as shares which, upon acquisition, will result in a person or group acquiring for the first time voting control over (a) 20%, (b) 33 1/3% or (c) 50% or more of the outstanding shares, together with shares acquired within 180 days of attaining the applicable threshold and shares purchased with the intention of attaining such threshold. A corporation may redeem control shares if the acquiring person does not request restoration of voting rights as permitted by Subchapter 25G. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25G does not apply to a merger, consolidation or a share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction agreement.
Subchapter 25H of the PBCL provides that if any person or group publicly discloses that the person or group may acquire control of the corporation, or a person or group acquires, or publicly discloses an offer or intent to acquire, 20% or more of the voting power of the corporation and, in either case, sells shares in the following 18 months, then the profits from such sale must be disgorged to the corporation if the securities that were sold were acquired during the 18-month period or within the preceding 24 months.
If shareholders approve a control share acquisition under Subchapter 25G, the corporation is also subject to Subchapters 25I and 25J of the PBCL. Subchapter 25I provides for a minimum severance payment to certain employees terminated within two years of the approval. Subchapter 25J prohibits the abrogation of certain labor contracts prior to their stated date of expiration.
Amendments to GLPI’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Approval of Extraordinary Actions
Pennsylvania law and the Articles of Incorporation generally provide that GLPI can amend its Articles of Incorporation, merge, consolidate, sell all or substantially all of our assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or dissolve if the action has first been approved by the board of directors and then by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote on the matter. The Articles of Incorporation also provide that the amendment or repeal of any Articles of Incorporation provision concerning the indemnification or limitation of liability of GLPI’s directors will require the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the voting power of all of its outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Pennsylvania law provides that GLPI’s shareholders are not entitled by statute to propose amendments to the Articles of Incorporation or to call special meetings of shareholders.
GLPI’s board of directors is authorized to adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the bylaws without shareholder approval. Except as otherwise required by law, any provision of the Bylaws may only be adopted, amended or repealed by the shareholders (i) upon receiving at least 75% of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon or (ii) in the event that the amendment has been proposed by a majority of the board of directors, upon receiving a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon.
Shareholder Meetings
Under the PBCL, shareholders will be not entitled to call special meetings of shareholders. Only the chairman of the board of directors or a majority of the directors then in office may call such meetings pursuant to the Bylaws.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
Under the PBCL, any action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if, and only if, prior to the taking of such action, all shareholders entitled to vote thereon consent in writing to such action being taken.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Shareholder Nominations and Proposals
The Bylaws contain advance notice procedures with respect to shareholder proposals and recommendations of candidates for election as directors other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors. In particular, shareholders must notify the corporate secretary in writing prior to the meeting at which the matters are to be acted upon or directors are to be elected. The notice must contain the information specified in the Bylaws. To be timely, the notice must be received at GLPI’s principal executive office not less than 120 nor more than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. In order to be eligible to present a shareholder proposal or recommend a candidate for nomination for election as a director at a shareholders meeting, a shareholder must have owned beneficially at least 1% of the outstanding GLPI common stock for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. In addition, shareholders will not be permitted to nominate directly candidates for election to the board of directors, but will instead be permitted to recommend potential nominees to the compensation and governance committee.
Effect of Certain Provisions of Pennsylvania Law and of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
The restrictions on ownership and transfer of GLPI stock will prohibit any person from acquiring more than 7% of its outstanding common stock (without prior approval of GLPI’s board of directors). The power of GLPI’s board of directors to issue authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock without shareholder approval also could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee
benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could make it more difficult, or discourage an attempt, to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
These provisions, along with other provisions of the PBCL and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws discussed above, including provisions relating to the removal of directors and the filling of vacancies, the advance notice and special meeting provisions, alone or in combination, are designed to protect GLPI’s shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with GLPI’s board of directors and by providing GLPI’s board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal.
Shareholders Rights Plan
While the PBCL authorizes a corporation to adopt a shareholder rights plan, GLPI does not have a shareholder rights plan currently in effect.
Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers
The PBCL permits a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a representative of the corporation, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In an action by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification will not be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which the person has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation.
Unless ordered by a court, the determination of whether indemnification is proper in a specific case will be determined by (1) the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action or proceeding; (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable or if obtainable and a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or (3) by the shareholders.
To the extent that a representative of a business corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of a third-party action, derivative action, or corporate action, he must be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
Pennsylvania law permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance for a director or officer against any liability asserted against him, and incurred in his capacity as a director or officer or arising out of his position, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under Pennsylvania law.
The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that a director shall, to the maximum extent permitted by Pennsylvania law, have no personal liability or monetary damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any action as a director. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws also provide for indemnification for current and former directors, officers, employees, or agents serving at the request of the corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Pennsylvania law. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws also permit the advancement of expenses.
DocumentGAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD TERMS
FOR AWARDS ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2020
All Restricted Stock is subject to the provisions of the Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. 2013 Amended Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (as amended, the “Plan”) and any rules and regulations established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. A copy of the Plan is available on the Merrill Lynch website under Document Library/Plan Documents. Unless specifically defined herein, words used herein with initial capitalized letters are defined in the Plan.
The terms provided herein are applicable to Restricted Stock Awards. Different terms may apply to any future awards under the Plan.
I.PAYMENT FOR SHARES
There is no exercise price or other payment required in exchange for a Restricted Stock Award.
II.FORFEITURE RESTRICTIONS/LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS
Restricted Stock Awards are subject to forfeiture until lapse of such forfeiture restrictions at the rate of 331/3% on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date the applicable award is granted. In the event of an Award holder’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment or service as a director, the forfeiture restrictions on a Restricted Stock Award shall lapse or shares of Restricted Stock forfeited as follows:
A.Death and Disability: On the date of death or termination of employment as a result of a Disability (as determined by the Plan) all remaining restrictions will lapse.
B.Change of Control (as defined by the Plan): All remaining restrictions will lapse in accordance with Article XIII of the Plan.
C.Retirement: On the date of Retirement (as defined by the Plan) all remaining restrictions will lapse.
D.All Other Termination Events: Except as otherwise may be provided in any severance plan or arrangement applicable to Employee and in effect at the time, all shares subject to forfeiture restrictions on the date of termination (as defined by the Plan) shall be forfeited.
The “lapse” of such forfeiture restrictions means that the common stock subject to the Award shall, thereafter, be fully transferable by the Award holder, subject to compliance with Section VI of these Award terms. Until the lapse of such forfeiture restrictions an Award holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award. There are no additional events or occurrences that shall lead to lapse of any forfeiture restrictions on this Award.
GLP Service-Based Restricted Stock Award – As of January 1, 2020
III.LEAVES OF ABSENCE
For purposes of a Restricted Stock Award, service as an employee or director, as applicable, does not terminate with a leave of absence. Please refer to Section 12.12 of the Plan for the impact of a leave of absence.
IV.STOCK CERTIFICATES
During the restricted period the shares underlying a Restricted Stock Award will be held for the holder by the Company. After the lapse of any applicable forfeiture restrictions, the shares of common stock will be released to the Award holder in the form of uncertificated shares.
V.VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS
An Award holder may vote the shares common stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award and will receive any dividends paid with respect to such shares even before the lapse of forfeiture restrictions. Dividends with respect to a Restricted Stock Award will be paid on the same date or dates that dividends are payable on the common stock to Company shareholders generally.
VI.WITHHOLDING TAXES
No evidence of shares of common stock will be released or issued to an Award holder unless such holder has made arrangements, acceptable to the Company, to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions. In accordance with the Plan, an Award holder is authorized to make payment of any such withholding tax in cash, by payroll deduction, by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of common stock from this Award or by surrendering to the Company shares of common stock already owned by such holder. In the event an Award holder elects to authorize the Company to withhold shares of common stock from this Award, such holder can only authorize the retention of shares of common stock equal to the minimum tax withholding obligation. The fair market value of the shares of common stock retained by the Company or surrendered by an Award holder shall be determined in accordance with the Plan as of the date the tax obligation arises.
VII.NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
A Restricted Stock Award does not give the holder the right to continue in service with the Company in any capacity. The Company reserves the right to terminate a holder’s services at any time, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement or other contract.
VIII.ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the common stock, the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to forfeiture will be adjusted accordingly.
GLP Service-Based Restricted Stock Award – As of January 1, 2020
DocumentGAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD TERMS
FOR AWARDS ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2021
All Restricted Stock is subject to the provisions of the Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (as amended, the “Plan”) and any rules and regulations established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. A copy of the Plan is available on the Merrill Lynch website under Document Library/Plan Documents. Unless specifically defined herein, words used herein with initial capitalized letters are defined in the Plan.
The terms provided herein are applicable to Restricted Stock Awards. Different terms may apply to any future awards under the Plan.
I.PAYMENT FOR SHARES
There is no exercise price or other payment required in exchange for a Restricted Stock Award.
II.FORFEITURE RESTRICTIONS/LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS
Restricted Stock Awards are subject to forfeiture until lapse of such forfeiture restrictions at the rate of 331/3% on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date the applicable award is granted. In the event of an Award holder’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment or service as a director, the forfeiture restrictions on a Restricted Stock Award shall lapse or shares of Restricted Stock forfeited as follows:
A.Death and Disability: On the date of death or termination of employment as a result of a Disability (as determined by the Plan) all remaining restrictions will lapse.
B.Change of Control (as defined by the Plan): All remaining restrictions will lapse in accordance with Article XIII of the Plan.
C.Retirement: On the date of Retirement (as defined by the Plan) all remaining restrictions will lapse.
D.All Other Termination Events: Except as otherwise may be provided in any severance plan or arrangement applicable to Employee and in effect at the time, all shares subject to forfeiture restrictions on the date of termination (as defined by the Plan) shall be forfeited.
The “lapse” of such forfeiture restrictions means that the common stock subject to the Award shall, thereafter, be fully transferable by the Award holder, subject to compliance with Section VI of these Award terms. Until the lapse of such forfeiture restrictions an Award holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award. There are no additional events or occurrences that shall lead to lapse of any forfeiture restrictions on this Award.
GLP Service-Based Restricted Stock Award – As of January 1, 2021
III.LEAVES OF ABSENCE
For purposes of a Restricted Stock Award, service as an employee or director, as applicable, does not terminate with a leave of absence. Please refer to Section 12.12 of the Plan for the impact of a leave of absence.
IV.STOCK CERTIFICATES
During the restricted period the shares underlying a Restricted Stock Award will be held for the holder by the Company. After the lapse of any applicable forfeiture restrictions, the shares of common stock will be released to the Award holder in the form of uncertificated shares.
V.VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS
An Award holder may vote the shares common stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award and will receive any dividends paid with respect to such shares even before the lapse of forfeiture restrictions. Dividends with respect to a Restricted Stock Award will be paid on the same date or dates that dividends are payable on the common stock to Company shareholders generally.
VI.WITHHOLDING TAXES
No evidence of shares of common stock will be released or issued to an Award holder unless such holder has made arrangements, acceptable to the Company, to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions. In accordance with the Plan, an Award holder is authorized to make payment of any such withholding tax in cash, by payroll deduction, by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of common stock from this Award or by surrendering to the Company shares of common stock already owned by such holder. In the event an Award holder elects to authorize the Company to withhold shares of common stock from this Award, such holder can only authorize the retention of shares of common stock equal to the minimum tax withholding obligation. The fair market value of the shares of common stock retained by the Company or surrendered by an Award holder shall be determined in accordance with the Plan as of the date the tax obligation arises.
VII.NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
A Restricted Stock Award does not give the holder the right to continue in service with the Company in any capacity. The Company reserves the right to terminate a holder’s services at any time, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement or other contract.
VIII.ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the common stock, the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to forfeiture will be adjusted accordingly.
GLP Service-Based Restricted Stock Award – As of January 1, 2021
DocumentGAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD TERMS
DIRECTOR AWARD – QUARTERLY VESTING
All Restricted Stock is subject to the provisions of the Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. 2013 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) and any rules and regulations established by the Compensation and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. A copy of the Plan is available on the Merrill Lynch website under Document Library/Plan Documents. Unless specifically defined herein, words used herein with initial capitalized letters are defined in the Plan.
The terms provided herein are applicable to Restricted Stock Awards. Different terms may apply to any future awards under the Plan.
I.PAYMENT FOR SHARES
There is no exercise price or other payment required in exchange for a Restricted Stock Award.
II.FORFEITURE RESTRICTIONS/LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS
Restricted Stock Awards are subject to forfeiture until lapse of such forfeiture restrictions at the rate of 25% quarterly, measured from the date the award is granted. In the event of an Award holder’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment or service as a director, the forfeiture restrictions on a Restricted Stock Award shall lapse or shares of Restricted Stock forfeited as follows:
A.Death and Disability: On the date of death or termination of employment as a result of a Disability (as determined by the Plan) all remaining restrictions will lapse.
B.Change of Control (as defined by the Plan): All remaining restrictions will lapse.
C.All Other Termination Events: All shares subject to forfeiture restrictions on the date of termination (as defined by the Plan) shall be forfeited.
The “lapse” of such forfeiture restrictions means that the Common Stock subject to the Award shall, thereafter, be fully transferable by the Award holder, subject to compliance with Section VI of these Award terms. Until the lapse of such forfeiture restrictions an Award holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award. There are no additional events or occurrences that shall lead to lapse of any forfeiture restrictions on this Award.
III.LEAVES OF ABSENCE
For purposes of a Restricted Stock Award, service as an employee or director, as applicable, does not terminate with a leave of absence. Please refer to Section 12.12 of the Plan for the impact of a leave of absence.
IV.STOCK CERTIFICATES
During the restricted period the shares underlying a Restricted Stock Award will be held for the holder by the Company. After the lapse of any applicable forfeiture restrictions,
Restricted Stock Award – Quarterly Vesting
the shares of Common Stock will be released to the Award holder in the form of uncertificated shares.
V.VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS
An Award holder may vote the shares Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award and will receive any dividends paid with respect to such shares even before the lapse of forfeiture restrictions. Dividends with respect to a Restricted Stock Award will be paid on the same date or dates that dividends are payable on the Common Stock to Company shareholders generally.
VI.WITHHOLDING TAXES
No evidence of shares of Common Stock will be released or issued to an Award holder unless such holder has made arrangements, acceptable to the Company, to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions. In accordance with the Plan, an Award holder is authorized to make payment of any such withholding tax in cash, by payroll deduction, by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from this Award or by surrendering to the Company shares of Common Stock already owned by such holder. In the event an Award holder elects to authorize the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from this Award, such holder can only authorize the retention of shares of Common Stock equal to the minimum tax withholding obligation. The fair market value of the shares of Common Stock retained by the Company or surrendered by an Award holder shall be determined in accordance with the Plan as of the date the tax obligation arises.
VII.NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
A Restricted Stock Award does not give the holder the right to continue in service with the Company in any capacity. The Company reserves the right to terminate a holder’s services at any time, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement or other contract.
VIII.ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the Common Stock, the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to forfeiture will be adjusted accordingly.
Restricted Stock Award – Quarterly Vesting
DocumentGAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD TERMS
DIRECTOR AWARD
All Restricted Stock is subject to the provisions of the Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2013 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) and any rules and regulations established by the Compensation and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. A copy of the Plan is available on the Merrill Lynch website under Document Library/Plan Documents. Unless specifically defined herein, words used herein with initial capitalized letters are defined in the Plan.
The terms provided herein are applicable to Restricted Stock Awards. Different terms may apply to any future awards under the Plan.
I.PAYMENT FOR SHARES
There is no exercise price or other payment required in exchange for a Restricted Stock Award.
II.FORFEITURE RESTRICTIONS/LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS
Restricted Stock Awards are subject to forfeiture until lapse of such forfeiture restrictions on December 1st of the year in which they are granted. In the event of an Award holder’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment or service as a director, the forfeiture restrictions on a Restricted Stock Award shall lapse or shares of Restricted Stock forfeited as follows:
A.Death and Disability: On the date of death or termination of employment as a result of a Disability (as determined by the Plan) all remaining restrictions will lapse.
B.Change of Control (as defined by the Plan): All remaining restrictions will lapse.
C.All Other Termination Events: All shares subject to forfeiture restrictions on the date of termination (as defined by the Plan) shall be forfeited unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee in accordance with the Plan.
The “lapse” of such forfeiture restrictions means that the Common Stock subject to the Award shall, thereafter, be fully transferable by the Award holder, subject to compliance with Section VI of these Award terms. Until the lapse of such forfeiture restrictions an Award holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award. Except as may otherwise be determined by the Compensation Committee in accordance with the Plan, there are no additional events or occurrences that shall lead to lapse of any forfeiture restrictions on this Award.
III.LEAVES OF ABSENCE
For purposes of a Restricted Stock Award, service as an employee or director, as applicable, does not terminate with a leave of absence. Please refer to Section 12.12 of the Plan for the impact of a leave of absence.
Restricted Stock Award – Director
IV.STOCK CERTIFICATES
During the restricted period the shares underlying a Restricted Stock Award will be held for the holder by the Company. After the lapse of any applicable forfeiture restrictions, the shares of Common Stock will be released to the Award holder in the form of uncertificated shares.
V.VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS
An Award holder may vote the shares Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award and will receive any dividends paid with respect to such shares even before the lapse of forfeiture restrictions. Dividends with respect to a Restricted Stock Award will be paid on the same date or dates that dividends are payable on the Common Stock to Company shareholders generally.
VI.WITHHOLDING TAXES
No evidence of shares of Common Stock will be released or issued to an Award holder unless such holder has made arrangements, acceptable to the Company, to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions. In accordance with the Plan, an Award holder is authorized to make payment of any such withholding tax in cash, by payroll deduction, by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from this Award or by surrendering to the Company shares of Common Stock already owned by such holder. In the event an Award holder elects to authorize the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from this Award, such holder can only authorize the retention of shares of Common Stock equal to the minimum tax withholding obligation. The fair market value of the shares of Common Stock retained by the Company or surrendered by an Award holder shall be determined in accordance with the Plan as of the date the tax obligation arises.
VII.NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
A Restricted Stock Award does not give the holder the right to continue in service with the Company in any capacity. The Company reserves the right to terminate a holder’s services at any time, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement or other contract.
VIII.ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the Common Stock, the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to forfeiture will be adjusted accordingly.
Restricted Stock Award – Director
DocumentGAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD TERMS
FOR AWARDS ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2020
All Restricted Stock is subject to the provisions of the 2013 Amended Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) and any rules and regulations established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. A copy of the Plan is available on the Merrill Lynch website under Document Library/Plan Documents. Unless specifically defined herein, words used herein with initial capitalized letters are defined in the Plan.
The terms provided herein are applicable to Performance Restricted Stock Awards issued after January 1, 2020. Different terms may apply to any prior or future awards under the Plan.
I.DEFINITIONS
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth:
A.“Initial Share Price” means the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the start of the applicable performance period.
B.“Final Share Price” means for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, based on the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the end of the applicable performance period.
C.“Peer Group” means the companies included in the MSCI US REIT Index as of the beginning of the Performance Period; provided that if a constituent company(s) in the Peer Group ceases to be actively traded, due, for example, to merger or bankruptcy, or the Compensation Committee otherwise reasonably determines that is no longer suitable for the purposes of this Agreement, then company(s) shall not be included in the Peer Group.
D.“Performance Period” means the three-year period beginning on January 1 of the calendar year with respect to which Restricted Stock Award is granted, or if applicable, earlier upon the date on which a Change in Control shall be effective.
E.“Total Shareholder Return,” or “TSR” means the Final Share Price minus the Initial Share Price, plus any dividends (ordinary and special) paid during the applicable Performance Period. All dividends are assumed to be reinvested in the stock.
II.PAYMENT FOR SHARES
There is no exercise price or other payment required in exchange for a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
III.FORFEITURE/LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS
The Compensation Committee will determine the percentage of each Performance Restricted Stock Award with respect to which restrictions will lapse based on the achievement of the following TSR thresholds as compared to the Peer Group during the applicable Performance Period:
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_MSCI_1/2020
| | | | | |
Achievement Level Peer Group Percentile | Percentage of Maximum Earned |
Below 25th | 0% |
50th | 50% |
75th or Above | 100% |
Restrictions on Performance Restricted Stock Awards will lapse on a linear basis between achievement levels. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company’s TSR for the Performance Period is negative, the maximum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be 50%.
Performance Restricted Stock Awards are subject to forfeiture until lapse of such forfeiture restrictions determined at the conclusion of the applicable Performance Period. Any shares with restrictions that do not lapse at the end of the applicable Performance Period will be forfeited. In addition, in the event of an Award Holder’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment, the forfeiture restrictions on a Performance Restricted Stock Award shall lapse and/or shares of Restricted Stock forfeited as follows:
A.Death and Disability: The Award Holder or such Holder’s estate, as applicable, will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the end of the applicable Performance Period as if such Award Holder were still employed at the end of the applicable Performance Period.
B.Termination without Cause or by Award Holder for Retirement: The Award Holder will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the end of the applicable Performance Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days during such Performance Period that such Award Holder was actively employed by the Company, and the denominator of which equals the total days in the applicable Performance Period.
C.Termination for Cause or by Award Holder other than Retirement: All shares subject to the Performance Restricted Stock Award will be forfeited and the underlying Restricted Stock will immediately revert to the Company. An Award Holder will receive no payment for shares of Restricted Stock that are forfeited.
D.Change of Control (as defined in the Plan): Subject to Article XIII of the Plan, the ending date of the applicable Performance Period will be established as the effective date of the Change of Control and the lapsing of restrictions will be determined as of such date; provided that the minimum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award in the event of a Change of Control will be 50%.
The “lapse” of forfeiture restrictions means that the common stock subject to the Award shall, thereafter, be fully transferable by the Award Holder, subject to compliance with Section VII of these Award terms. Until the lapse of such forfeiture restrictions an Award Holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award. There are no additional events or occurrences that shall lead to lapse of any forfeiture restrictions on this Award.
The term “Cause” shall be as defined in the Award Holder’s employment agreement or, if such Award Holder does not have an employment agreement with the Company or such term is otherwise not defined, such term shall mean (i) an Award Holder shall have been convicted of, or
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_MSCI_1/2020
pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any misdemeanor involving allegations of fraud, embezzlement, theft or dishonesty against the Company; (ii) Award Holder is found to be an Unsuitable Person as defined in the Plan; (iii) Award Holder engages in wrongful disclosure of confidential information or otherwise engages in competition with the Company; or (iv) the Company’s reasonable determination of Award Holder’s willful misconduct in the performance of such Holder’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical disability or mental illness); or (v) the Company’s reasonable determination of Award Holder’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially injurious to the Company or one of its affiliates.
IV.LEAVES OF ABSENCE
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, service as an employee does not automatically terminate with a leave of absence. Please refer to Section 12.12 of the Plan for the impact of a leave of absence.
V.STOCK CERTIFICATES
The common stock issued at the end of a Performance Period, if any, will be in the form of uncertificated shares. During the Restricted Period the shares of common stock underlying a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be held by the Company.
VI.VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS
An Award Holder of Performance Restricted Stock Awards may NOT vote the underlying Restricted Stock and will NOT receive any dividends paid with respect to such shares Restricted Stock until the lapse of forfeiture restrictions, at which time such Holder will receive dividends accruing during the applicable Performance Period on the shares with respect to which the restrictions lapse (in the form of additional shares).
VII.WITHHOLDING TAXES
No evidence of shares of common stock will be released or issued to an Award Holder at the end of a Performance Period unless such Holder has made arrangements, acceptable to the Company, to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions. In accordance with the Plan, an Award Holder is authorized to make payment of any such withholding tax in cash, by payroll deduction, by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an applicable Award or by surrendering to the Company shares of common stock that already owned by such Holder. In the event an Award Holder elects to authorize the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an Award, such Holder can only authorize the retention of shares of common stock equal to the minimum tax withholding obligation. The fair market value of the shares of common stock retained by the Company or surrendered by an Award Holder shall be determined in accordance with the Plan as of the date the tax obligation arises.
VIII.NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
A Performance Restricted Stock Award does not give a Holder the right to continue in service with the Company in any capacity. The Company reserves the right to terminate a Holder’s services at any time, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement or other contract.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_MSCI_1/2020
IX.ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the common stock, the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to forfeiture will be adjusted accordingly.
These Performance Restricted Stock Award terms and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between an Award Holder and the Company regarding a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_MSCI_1/2020
DocumentGAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD TERMS – MSCI INDEX
FOR AWARDS ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2021
All Restricted Stock is subject to the provisions of the Second Amended and Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) and any rules and regulations established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. A copy of the Plan is available on the Merrill Lynch website under Document Library/Plan Documents. Unless specifically defined herein, words used herein with initial capitalized letters are defined in the Plan.
The terms provided herein are applicable to Performance Restricted Stock Awards issued after January 1, 2021. Different terms may apply to any prior or future awards under the Plan.
I.DEFINITIONS
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth:
A.“Initial Share Price” means the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the start of the applicable performance period.
B.“Final Share Price” means for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, based on the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the end of the applicable performance period.
C.“Peer Group” means the companies included in the MSCI US REIT Index as of the beginning of the Performance Period; provided that if a constituent company(s) in the Peer Group ceases to be actively traded, due, for example, to merger or bankruptcy, or the Compensation Committee otherwise reasonably determines that is no longer suitable for the purposes of this Agreement, then company(s) shall not be included in the Peer Group.
D.“Performance Period” means the three-year period beginning on January 1 of the calendar year with respect to which Restricted Stock Award is granted, or if applicable, earlier upon the date on which a Change in Control shall be effective.
E.“Total Shareholder Return,” or “TSR” means the Final Share Price minus the Initial Share Price, plus any dividends (ordinary and special) paid during the applicable Performance Period. All dividends are assumed to be reinvested in the stock.
II.PAYMENT FOR SHARES
There is no exercise price or other payment required in exchange for a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
III.FORFEITURE/LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS
The Compensation Committee will determine the percentage of each Performance Restricted Stock Award with respect to which restrictions will lapse based on the achievement of the following TSR thresholds as compared to the Peer Group during the applicable Performance Period:
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_MSCI_1/2021
| | | | | |
Achievement Level Peer Group Percentile | Percentage of Maximum Earned |
Below 25th | 0% |
50th | 50% |
75th or Above | 100% |
Restrictions on Performance Restricted Stock Awards will lapse on a linear basis between achievement levels. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company’s TSR for the Performance Period is negative, the maximum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be 50%.
Performance Restricted Stock Awards are subject to forfeiture until lapse of such forfeiture restrictions determined at the conclusion of the applicable Performance Period. Any shares with restrictions that do not lapse at the end of the applicable Performance Period will be forfeited. In addition, in the event of an Award Holder’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment, the forfeiture restrictions on a Performance Restricted Stock Award shall lapse and/or shares of Restricted Stock forfeited as follows:
A.Death and Disability: The Award Holder or such Holder’s estate, as applicable, will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the end of the applicable Performance Period as if such Award Holder were still employed at the end of the applicable Performance Period.
B.Termination without Cause or by Award Holder for Retirement: The Award Holder will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the end of the applicable Performance Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days during such Performance Period that such Award Holder was actively employed by the Company, and the denominator of which equals the total days in the applicable Performance Period.
C.Termination for Cause or by Award Holder other than Retirement: All shares subject to the Performance Restricted Stock Award will be forfeited and the underlying Restricted Stock will immediately revert to the Company. An Award Holder will receive no payment for shares of Restricted Stock that are forfeited.
D.Change of Control (as defined in the Plan): Subject to Article XIII of the Plan, the ending date of the applicable Performance Period will be established as the effective date of the Change of Control and the lapsing of restrictions will be determined as of such date; provided that the minimum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award in the event of a Change of Control will be 50%.
The “lapse” of forfeiture restrictions means that the common stock subject to the Award shall, thereafter, be fully transferable by the Award Holder, subject to compliance with Section VII of these Award terms. Until the lapse of such forfeiture restrictions an Award Holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award. There are no additional events or occurrences that shall lead to lapse of any forfeiture restrictions on this Award.
The term “Cause” shall be as defined in the Award Holder’s employment agreement or, if such Award Holder does not have an employment agreement with the Company or such term is otherwise not defined, such term shall mean (i) an Award Holder shall have been convicted of, or
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_MSCI_1/2021
pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any misdemeanor involving allegations of fraud, embezzlement, theft or dishonesty against the Company; (ii) Award Holder is found to be an Unsuitable Person as defined in the Plan; (iii) Award Holder engages in wrongful disclosure of confidential information or otherwise engages in competition with the Company; or (iv) the Company’s reasonable determination of Award Holder’s willful misconduct in the performance of such Holder’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical disability or mental illness); or (v) the Company’s reasonable determination of Award Holder’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially injurious to the Company or one of its affiliates.
IV.LEAVES OF ABSENCE
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, service as an employee does not automatically terminate with a leave of absence. Please refer to Section 12.12 of the Plan for the impact of a leave of absence.
V.STOCK CERTIFICATES
The common stock issued at the end of a Performance Period, if any, will be in the form of uncertificated shares. During the Restricted Period the shares of common stock underlying a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be held by the Company.
VI.VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS
An Award Holder of Performance Restricted Stock Awards may NOT vote the underlying Restricted Stock and will NOT receive any dividends paid with respect to such shares Restricted Stock until the lapse of forfeiture restrictions, at which time such Holder will receive dividends accruing during the applicable Performance Period on the shares with respect to which the restrictions lapse (in the form of additional shares).
VII.WITHHOLDING TAXES
No evidence of shares of common stock will be released or issued to an Award Holder at the end of a Performance Period unless such Holder has made arrangements, acceptable to the Company, to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions. In accordance with the Plan, an Award Holder is authorized to make payment of any such withholding tax in cash, by payroll deduction, by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an applicable Award or by surrendering to the Company shares of common stock that already owned by such Holder. In the event an Award Holder elects to authorize the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an Award, such Holder can only authorize the retention of shares of common stock equal to the minimum tax withholding obligation. The fair market value of the shares of common stock retained by the Company or surrendered by an Award Holder shall be determined in accordance with the Plan as of the date the tax obligation arises.
VIII.NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
A Performance Restricted Stock Award does not give a Holder the right to continue in service with the Company in any capacity. The Company reserves the right to terminate a Holder’s services at any time, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement or other contract.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_MSCI_1/2021
IX.ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the common stock, the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to forfeiture will be adjusted accordingly.
These Performance Restricted Stock Award terms and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between an Award Holder and the Company regarding a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_MSCI_1/2021
DocumentGAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD TERMS
FOR AWARDS ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2020
All Restricted Stock is subject to the provisions of the 2013 Amended Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) and any rules and regulations established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. A copy of the Plan is available on the Merrill Lynch website under Document Library/Plan Documents. Unless specifically defined herein, words used herein with initial capitalized letters are defined in the Plan.
The terms provided herein are applicable to Performance Restricted Stock Awards issued after January 1, 2020. Different terms may apply to any prior or future awards under the Plan.
I.DEFINITIONS
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth:
A.“Initial Share Price” means, for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the start of the applicable Performance Period.
B.“Final Share Price” means, for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the end of the applicable Performance Period.
C.“Peer Group” means the following companies which have been identified to be triple net real estate investment trusts:
| | | | | |
Agree Realty Corporation | Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities | Realty Income Corporation |
Care Trust REIT, Inc. | Sabra Health |
EPR Properties | Safehold Inc. |
Essential Properties Realty | Service Properties Trust |
Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. | Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. |
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. | STAG Industrial Group |
Global Net Lease, Inc. | STORE Capital Corporation |
Lexington Realty Trust | Uniti Group Inc. |
LTC Properties, Inc. | VEREIT, Inc. |
Medical Properties Trust | VICI Properties Inc. |
MGM Growth Properties, LLC | W. P. Carey Inc. |
National Retail Properties, Inc. | |
Provided that if a constituent company(s) in the Peer Group ceases to be actively traded, due, for example, to merger or bankruptcy, or the Compensation Committee otherwise
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2020
reasonably determines that is no longer suitable for the purposes of this Award Agreement, then such company(s) shall not be included in the Peer Group.
D.“Performance Period” means the three-year period beginning on January 1 of the calendar year with respect to which this Performance Restricted Stock Award is granted and ending on December 31 of the third year, provided that a Performance Period shall end immediately upon the date on which a Change in Control shall be effective.
E.“Total Shareholder Return,” or “TSR” means, for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, the Final Share Price minus the Initial Share Price, plus any dividends (ordinary and special) paid during the applicable Performance Period. All dividends are assumed to be reinvested in the stock.
II.PAYMENT FOR SHARES
There is no exercise price or other payment required in exchange for a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
III.FORFEITURE/LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS
The Compensation Committee will determine the percentage of each Performance Restricted Stock Award with respect to which restrictions will lapse based on the achievement of the following TSR thresholds as compared to the Peer Group during the applicable Performance Period:
| | | | | |
Achievement Level Peer Group Percentile | Percentage of Maximum Earned |
Below 25th | 0% |
50th | 50% |
75th or Above | 100% |
Restrictions on Performance Restricted Stock Awards will lapse on a linear basis between achievement levels. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company’s TSR for the Performance Period is negative, the maximum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be 50%.
Performance Restricted Stock Awards are subject to forfeiture until lapse of such forfeiture restrictions determined at the conclusion of the applicable Performance Period. Any shares with restrictions that do not lapse at the end of the applicable Performance Period will be forfeited. In addition, in the event of a Holder’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment or service, the forfeiture restrictions on a Performance Restricted Stock Award shall lapse and/or shares of Restricted Stock forfeited as follows:
A.Death and Disability: The Holder or such Holder’s estate, as applicable, will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the end of the applicable Performance Period as if such Holder were still employed at the end of the applicable Performance Period.
B.Termination without Cause or by Holder for Retirement: The Holder will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2020
end of the applicable Performance Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days during such Performance Period that such Holder was actively employed by, or providing services to, the Company, and the denominator of which equals the total days in the applicable Performance Period.
C.Termination for Cause or by Holder other than Retirement: All shares subject to the Performance Restricted Stock Award will be forfeited and the underlying Restricted Stock will immediately revert to the Company. A Holder will receive no payment for shares of Restricted Stock that are forfeited.
D.Change of Control (as defined in the Plan): Subject to Article XIII of the Plan, the ending date of the applicable Performance Period will be established as the effective date of the Change of Control and the lapsing of restrictions will be determined as of such date; provided that the minimum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award in the event of a Change of Control will be 50%.
The “lapse” of forfeiture restrictions means that the common stock subject to the Award shall, thereafter, be fully transferable by the Holder, subject to compliance with Section VII of this Award Agreement. Until the lapse of such forfeiture restrictions a Holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award. There are no additional events or occurrences that shall lead to lapse of any forfeiture restrictions on this Award.
The term “Cause” shall be as defined in the Holder’s employment agreement or, if such Holder does not have an employment agreement with the Company or such term is otherwise not defined, such term shall mean (i) Holder shall have been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any misdemeanor involving allegations of fraud, embezzlement, theft or dishonesty against the Company; (ii) Holder is found to be an Unsuitable Person as defined in the Plan; (iii) Holder engages in wrongful disclosure of confidential information or otherwise engages in competition with the Company; or (iv) the Company’s reasonable determination of Holder’s willful misconduct in the performance of such Holder’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical disability or mental illness); or (v) the Company’s reasonable determination of Holder’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially injurious to the Company or one of its affiliates.
IV.LEAVES OF ABSENCE
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, service as an employee does not automatically terminate with a leave of absence. Please refer to Section 12.12 of the Plan for the impact of a leave of absence.
V.STOCK CERTIFICATES
The common stock issued at the end of a Performance Period, if any, will be in the form of uncertificated shares. During the Restricted Period the shares of common stock underlying a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be held by the Company.
VI.VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS
A Holder of Performance Restricted Stock Awards may NOT vote the underlying Restricted Stock and will NOT receive any dividends paid with respect to such shares Restricted Stock until the lapse of forfeiture restrictions, at which time such Holder will receive dividends accruing during the applicable Performance Period on the shares with respect to which the restrictions lapse (in the form of additional shares).
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2020
VII.WITHHOLDING TAXES
No evidence of shares of common stock will be released or issued to a Holder at the end of a Performance Period unless such Holder has made arrangements, acceptable to the Company, to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions. In accordance with the Plan, a Holder is authorized to make payment of any such withholding tax in cash, by payroll deduction, by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an applicable Award or by surrendering to the Company shares of common stock that already owned by such Holder. In the event a Holder elects to authorize the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an Award, such Holder can only authorize the retention of shares of common stock equal to the minimum tax withholding obligation. The fair market value of the shares of common stock retained by the Company or surrendered by a Holder shall be determined in accordance with the Plan as of the date the tax obligation arises.
VIII.NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
A Performance Restricted Stock Award does not give a Holder the right to continue in service with the Company in any capacity. The Company reserves the right to terminate a Holder’s services at any time, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement or other contract.
IX.ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the common stock, the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to forfeiture will be adjusted accordingly.
This Award Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between a Holder and the Company regarding a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2020
DocumentGAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD TERMS – NNN PEERS
FOR AWARDS ISSUED IN 2021
All Restricted Stock is subject to the provisions of the Second Amended and Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) and any rules and regulations established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. A copy of the Plan is available on the Merrill Lynch website under Document Library/Plan Documents. Unless specifically defined herein, words used herein with initial capitalized letters are defined in the Plan.
The terms provided herein are applicable to Performance Restricted Stock Awards based on the NNN Peer Group (as defined below) issued in 2021. Different terms may apply to any prior or future awards under the Plan.
I.DEFINITIONS
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth:
A.“Initial Share Price” means, for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the start of the applicable Performance Period.
B.“Final Share Price” means, for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the end of the applicable Performance Period.
C.“Peer Group” means the following companies which have been identified to be triple net real estate investment trusts:
| | | | | |
Agree Realty Corporation | National Retail Properties, Inc. |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities | Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. |
Broadstone Net Lease | Realty Income Corporation |
Care Trust REIT, Inc. | Sabra Health |
EPR Properties | Safehold Inc. |
Essential Properties Realty | Service Properties Trust |
Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. | Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. |
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. | STAG Industrial Group |
Global Net Lease, Inc. | STORE Capital Corporation |
Lexington Realty Trust | Uniti Group Inc. |
LTC Properties, Inc. | VEREIT, Inc. |
Medical Properties Trust | VICI Properties Inc. |
MGM Growth Properties, LLC | W. P. Carey Inc. |
Provided that if a constituent company(s) in the Peer Group ceases to be actively traded, due, for example, to merger or bankruptcy, or the Compensation Committee otherwise
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2021
reasonably determines that is no longer suitable for the purposes of this Award Agreement, then such company(s) shall not be included in the Peer Group.
D.“Performance Period” means the three-year period beginning on January 1 of the calendar year with respect to which this Performance Restricted Stock Award is granted and ending on December 31 of the third year, provided that a Performance Period shall end immediately upon the date on which a Change in Control shall be effective.
E.“Total Shareholder Return,” or “TSR” means, for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, the Final Share Price minus the Initial Share Price, plus any dividends (ordinary and special) paid during the applicable Performance Period. All dividends are assumed to be reinvested in the stock.
II.PAYMENT FOR SHARES
There is no exercise price or other payment required in exchange for a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
III.FORFEITURE/LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS
The Compensation Committee will determine the percentage of each Performance Restricted Stock Award with respect to which restrictions will lapse based on the achievement of the following TSR thresholds as compared to the Peer Group during the applicable Performance Period:
| | | | | |
Achievement Level Peer Group Percentile | Percentage of Maximum Earned |
Below 25th | 0% |
50th | 50% |
75th or Above | 100% |
Restrictions on Performance Restricted Stock Awards will lapse on a linear basis between achievement levels. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company’s TSR for the Performance Period is negative, the maximum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be 50%.
Performance Restricted Stock Awards are subject to forfeiture until lapse of such forfeiture restrictions determined at the conclusion of the applicable Performance Period. Any shares with restrictions that do not lapse at the end of the applicable Performance Period will be forfeited. In addition, in the event of a Holder’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment or service, the forfeiture restrictions on a Performance Restricted Stock Award shall lapse and/or shares of Restricted Stock forfeited as follows:
A.Death and Disability: The Holder or such Holder’s estate, as applicable, will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the end of the applicable Performance Period as if such Holder were still employed at the end of the applicable Performance Period.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2021
B.Termination without Cause or by Holder for Retirement: The Holder will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the end of the applicable Performance Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days during such Performance Period that such Holder was actively employed by, or providing services to, the Company, and the denominator of which equals the total days in the applicable Performance Period.
C.Termination for Cause or by Holder other than Retirement: All shares subject to the Performance Restricted Stock Award will be forfeited and the underlying Restricted Stock will immediately revert to the Company. A Holder will receive no payment for shares of Restricted Stock that are forfeited.
D.Change of Control (as defined in the Plan): Subject to Article XIII of the Plan, the ending date of the applicable Performance Period will be established as the effective date of the Change of Control and the lapsing of restrictions will be determined as of such date; provided that the minimum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award in the event of a Change of Control will be 50%.
The “lapse” of forfeiture restrictions means that the common stock subject to the Award shall, thereafter, be fully transferable by the Holder, subject to compliance with Section VII of this Award Agreement. Until the lapse of such forfeiture restrictions a Holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award. There are no additional events or occurrences that shall lead to lapse of any forfeiture restrictions on this Award.
The term “Cause” shall be as defined in the Holder’s employment agreement or, if such Holder does not have an employment agreement with the Company or such term is otherwise not defined, such term shall mean (i) Holder shall have been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any misdemeanor involving allegations of fraud, embezzlement, theft or dishonesty against the Company; (ii) Holder is found to be an Unsuitable Person as defined in the Plan; (iii) Holder engages in wrongful disclosure of confidential information or otherwise engages in competition with the Company; or (iv) the Company’s reasonable determination of Holder’s willful misconduct in the performance of such Holder’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical disability or mental illness); or (v) the Company’s reasonable determination of Holder’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially injurious to the Company or one of its affiliates.
IV.LEAVES OF ABSENCE
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, service as an employee does not automatically terminate with a leave of absence. Please refer to Section 12.12 of the Plan for the impact of a leave of absence.
V.STOCK CERTIFICATES
The common stock issued at the end of a Performance Period, if any, will be in the form of uncertificated shares. During the Restricted Period the shares of common stock underlying a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be held by the Company.
VI.VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS
A Holder of Performance Restricted Stock Awards may NOT vote the underlying Restricted Stock and will NOT receive any dividends paid with respect to such shares Restricted Stock until the lapse of forfeiture restrictions, at which time such Holder will receive dividends accruing
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2021
during the applicable Performance Period on the shares with respect to which the restrictions lapse (in the form of additional shares).
VII.WITHHOLDING TAXES
No evidence of shares of common stock will be released or issued to a Holder at the end of a Performance Period unless such Holder has made arrangements, acceptable to the Company, to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions. In accordance with the Plan, a Holder is authorized to make payment of any such withholding tax in cash, by payroll deduction, by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an applicable Award or by surrendering to the Company shares of common stock that already owned by such Holder. In the event a Holder elects to authorize the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an Award, such Holder can only authorize the retention of shares of common stock equal to the minimum tax withholding obligation. The fair market value of the shares of common stock retained by the Company or surrendered by a Holder shall be determined in accordance with the Plan as of the date the tax obligation arises.
VIII.NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
A Performance Restricted Stock Award does not give a Holder the right to continue in service with the Company in any capacity. The Company reserves the right to terminate a Holder’s services at any time, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement or other contract.
IX.ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the common stock, the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to forfeiture will be adjusted accordingly.
This Award Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between a Holder and the Company regarding a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2021
DocumentGAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES, INC.
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD TERMS – NNN PEERS
FOR AWARDS ISSUED IN 2022
All Restricted Stock is subject to the provisions of the Second Amended and Restated 2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) and any rules and regulations established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. A copy of the Plan is available on the Merrill Lynch website under Document Library/Plan Documents. Unless specifically defined herein, words used herein with initial capitalized letters are defined in the Plan.
The terms provided herein are applicable to Performance Restricted Stock Awards based on the NNN Peer Group (as defined below) issued in 2022. Different terms may apply to any prior or future awards under the Plan.
I.DEFINITIONS
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth:
A.“Initial Share Price” means, for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the start of the applicable Performance Period.
B.“Final Share Price” means, for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, the closing stock price for the last trading day preceding the end of the applicable Performance Period.
C.“Peer Group” means the following companies which have been identified to be triple net real estate investment trusts:
| | | | | |
Agree Realty Corporation | National Retail Properties, Inc. |
Alexandria Real Estate Equities | Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. |
Broadstone Net Lease | Realty Income Corporation |
Care Trust REIT, Inc. | Sabra Health |
EPR Properties | Safehold Inc. |
Essential Properties Realty | Service Properties Trust |
Four Corners Property Trust, Inc. | Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. |
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. | STAG Industrial Group |
Global Net Lease, Inc. | STORE Capital Corporation |
Lexington Realty Trust | Uniti Group Inc. |
LTC Properties, Inc. | VEREIT, Inc. |
Medical Properties Trust | VICI Properties Inc. |
MGM Growth Properties, LLC | W. P. Carey Inc. |
Provided that if a constituent company(s) in the Peer Group ceases to be actively traded, due, for example, to merger or bankruptcy, or the Compensation Committee otherwise
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2022
reasonably determines that is no longer suitable for the purposes of this Award Agreement, then such company(s) shall not be included in the Peer Group.
D.“Performance Period” means the three-year period beginning on January 1 of the calendar year with respect to which this Performance Restricted Stock Award is granted and ending on December 31 of the third year, provided that a Performance Period shall end immediately upon the date on which a Change in Control shall be effective.
E.“Total Shareholder Return,” or “TSR” means, for the Company and for the Peer Group companies, the Final Share Price minus the Initial Share Price, plus any dividends (ordinary and special) paid during the applicable Performance Period. All dividends are assumed to be reinvested in the stock.
II.PAYMENT FOR SHARES
There is no exercise price or other payment required in exchange for a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
III.FORFEITURE/LAPSE OF RESTRICTIONS
The Compensation Committee will determine the percentage of each Performance Restricted Stock Award with respect to which restrictions will lapse based on the achievement of the following TSR thresholds as compared to the Peer Group during the applicable Performance Period:
| | | | | |
Achievement Level Peer Group Percentile | Percentage of Maximum Earned |
Below 25th | 0% |
50th | 50% |
75th or Above | 100% |
Restrictions on Performance Restricted Stock Awards will lapse on a linear basis between achievement levels. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company’s TSR for the Performance Period is negative, the maximum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be 50%.
Performance Restricted Stock Awards are subject to forfeiture until lapse of such forfeiture restrictions determined at the conclusion of the applicable Performance Period. Any shares with restrictions that do not lapse at the end of the applicable Performance Period will be forfeited. In addition, in the event of a Holder’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment or service, the forfeiture restrictions on a Performance Restricted Stock Award shall lapse and/or shares of Restricted Stock forfeited as follows:
A.Death and Disability: The Holder or such Holder’s estate, as applicable, will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the end of the applicable Performance Period as if such Holder were still employed at the end of the applicable Performance Period.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2022
B.Termination without Cause or by Holder for Retirement: The Holder will be entitled to receive the percentage of a Performance Restricted Stock Award determined at the end of the applicable Performance Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of days during such Performance Period that such Holder was actively employed by, or providing services to, the Company, and the denominator of which equals the total days in the applicable Performance Period.
C.Termination for Cause or by Holder other than Retirement: All shares subject to the Performance Restricted Stock Award will be forfeited and the underlying Restricted Stock will immediately revert to the Company. A Holder will receive no payment for shares of Restricted Stock that are forfeited.
D.Change of Control (as defined in the Plan): Subject to Article XIII of the Plan, the ending date of the applicable Performance Period will be established as the effective date of the Change of Control and the lapsing of restrictions will be determined as of such date; provided that the minimum Percentage Earned for a Performance Restricted Stock Award in the event of a Change of Control will be 50%.
The “lapse” of forfeiture restrictions means that the common stock subject to the Award shall, thereafter, be fully transferable by the Holder, subject to compliance with Section VII of this Award Agreement. Until the lapse of such forfeiture restrictions a Holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award. There are no additional events or occurrences that shall lead to lapse of any forfeiture restrictions on this Award.
The term “Cause” shall be as defined in the Holder’s employment agreement or, if such Holder does not have an employment agreement with the Company or such term is otherwise not defined, such term shall mean (i) Holder shall have been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any misdemeanor involving allegations of fraud, embezzlement, theft or dishonesty against the Company; (ii) Holder is found to be an Unsuitable Person as defined in the Plan; (iii) Holder engages in wrongful disclosure of confidential information or otherwise engages in competition with the Company; or (iv) the Company’s reasonable determination of Holder’s willful misconduct in the performance of such Holder’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical disability or mental illness); or (v) the Company’s reasonable determination of Holder’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially injurious to the Company or one of its affiliates.
IV.LEAVES OF ABSENCE
For purposes of a Performance Restricted Stock Award, service as an employee does not automatically terminate with a leave of absence. Please refer to Section 12.12 of the Plan for the impact of a leave of absence.
V.STOCK CERTIFICATES
The common stock issued at the end of a Performance Period, if any, will be in the form of uncertificated shares. During the Restricted Period the shares of common stock underlying a Performance Restricted Stock Award will be held by the Company.
VI.VOTING AND DIVIDEND RIGHTS
A Holder of Performance Restricted Stock Awards may NOT vote the underlying Restricted Stock and will NOT receive any dividends paid with respect to such shares Restricted Stock until the lapse of forfeiture restrictions, at which time such Holder will receive dividends accruing
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2022
during the applicable Performance Period on the shares with respect to which the restrictions lapse (in the form of additional shares).
VII.WITHHOLDING TAXES
No evidence of shares of common stock will be released or issued to a Holder at the end of a Performance Period unless such Holder has made arrangements, acceptable to the Company, to pay any withholding taxes that may be due as a result of the lapse of the forfeiture restrictions. In accordance with the Plan, a Holder is authorized to make payment of any such withholding tax in cash, by payroll deduction, by authorizing the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an applicable Award or by surrendering to the Company shares of common stock that already owned by such Holder. In the event a Holder elects to authorize the Company to withhold shares of common stock from an Award, such Holder can only authorize the retention of shares of common stock equal to the minimum tax withholding obligation. The fair market value of the shares of common stock retained by the Company or surrendered by a Holder shall be determined in accordance with the Plan as of the date the tax obligation arises.
VIII.NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED SERVICE
A Performance Restricted Stock Award does not give a Holder the right to continue in service with the Company in any capacity. The Company reserves the right to terminate a Holder’s services at any time, with or without cause, subject to any employment agreement or other contract.
IX.ADJUSTMENTS
In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in the common stock, the number of shares of Restricted Stock subject to a Performance Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to forfeiture will be adjusted accordingly.
This Award Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between a Holder and the Company regarding a Performance Restricted Stock Award.
Performance Based Restricted Stock Award_NNN_1/2022
DocumentSECOND AMENDED AND
RESTATED MASTER LEASE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TO
SECOND AMENDED AND
RESTATED MASTER LEASE
iii
|US-DOCS\117166033.9||
EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
EXHIBIT A – LIST OF FACILITIES
EXHIBIT B – LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS
EXHIBIT C – GAMING LICENSES
EXHIBIT D – FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY OF MASTER LEASE
EXHIBIT E – FORM OF NONDISTURBANCE AND ATTORNMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT F – FORM OF SUBORDINATION, NONDISTURBANCE AND ATTORNMENT AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A – DISCLOSURE ITEMS
SCHEDULE B – PROPERTY AGREEMENTS
SCHEDULE C – PROPERTY VALUES
SCHEDULE D – 2019 FACILITY ADJUSTED REVENUE
SCHEDULE 1.1 – EXCLUSIONS FROM LEASED PROPERTY
SCHEDULE 6.3 – GUARANTORS UNDER THE MASTER LEASE
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER LEASE
This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER LEASE (the “Master Lease”) is entered into as of December 18, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), by and among GLP CAPITAL, L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership (together with its permitted successors and assigns, “Landlord”), TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC., a Delaware corporation (together with its permitted successors and assigns, “TEI”), IOC BLACK HAWK COUNTY, INC., an Iowa corporation (together with its permitted successors and assigns, “Waterloo Operator”), and ISLE OF CAPRI BETTENDORF, L.C., an Iowa limited liability company (together with its permitted successors and assigns, “Bettendorf Operator” and, collectively with TEI and Waterloo Operator, “Tenant”).
RECITALS
A.On October 1, 2018, Landlord, Tropicana AC Sub Corp., as co-landlord, Tenant and Tropicana Atlantic City Corp., as co-tenant, entered into that certain Master Lease, as amended by that certain Partial Termination of and First Amendment to Master Lease, dated as of June 6, 2019 and as modified by that certain Waiver to Master Lease, dated as of March 31, 2020 (as so amended and modified, the “Original Master Lease”) pursuant to which Landlord leased the Leased Property to Tenant.
B.Landlord and Tenant amended and restated the Original Master Lease in its entirety pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Master Lease, dated as of June 15, 2020 (the “First A&R Master Lease”).
C.On September 4, 2020, pursuant to Section 22.7 of the First A&R Master Lease, Tenant delivered to Landlord a Replacement Property Transaction Notice exercising its Replacement Property Right to replace the facility commonly known as Tropicana Evansville in Evansville, Indiana (the “Evansville Facility”), together with all Leased Property (as defined in First A&R Master Lease) with respect thereto, under this Master Lease with the facilities commonly known as Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf, Iowa, together with all Leased Property with respect thereto (the “Bettendorf Facility”), and Isle Casino Hotel in Waterloo, Iowa, together with all Leased Property with respect thereto (the “Waterloo Facility” and, together with the Bettendorf Facility, the “Iowa Facilities”).
D.Landlord and Tenant hereby wish to amend and restate the First A&R Master Lease in its entirety pursuant to the terms hereof to reflect, among other items, the removal of the Evansville Facility therefrom and the addition of the Iowa Facilities thereto.
E.A list of the six (6) facilities covered by this Master Lease as of the Effective Date is attached hereto as Exhibit A (each a “Facility,” and collectively, the “Facilities”).
F.Capitalized terms used in this Master Lease and not otherwise defined herein are defined in Article II hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
1.1Leased Property. Upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, Landlord leases to Tenant and Tenant leases from Landlord all of
Landlord’s rights and interest in and to the following with respect to each of the Facilities (collectively, the “Leased Property”):
(a)the real property or properties described in Exhibit B attached hereto (collectively, the “Land”);
(b)all buildings, structures, barges, riverboats, Fixtures (as hereinafter defined) and other improvements of every kind now or hereafter located on the Land or connected thereto including, but not limited to, alleyways and connecting tunnels, sidewalks, utility pipes, conduits and lines (on-site and off-site to the extent Landlord has obtained any interest in the same), parking areas and roadways appurtenant to such buildings and structures of each such Facility (collectively, the “Leased Improvements”);
(c)all easements, rights and appurtenances relating to the Land and the Leased Improvements; and
(d)all equipment, machinery, fixtures, and other items of property, including all components thereof, that (i) are now or hereafter located in, on or used in connection with and permanently affixed to or otherwise incorporated into the Leased Improvements and (ii) qualify as Long-Lived Assets, together with all replacements, modifications, alterations and additions thereto (collectively, the “Fixtures”).
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (a) Bettendorf Operator shall not acquire a leasehold interest through this Master Lease in any Facility or Leased Property, as applicable, leased to Tenant pursuant to this Master Lease other than the Bettendorf Facility and all Leased Property with respect thereto and (b) Waterloo Operator shall not acquire a leasehold interest through this Master Lease in any Facility or Leased Property, as applicable, leased to Tenant pursuant to this Master Lease other than the Waterloo Facility and all Leased Property with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (a) Bettendorf Operator holds the sole Gaming License for and shall be the sole operator of the Bettendorf Facility and TEI shall not operate the Bettendorf Facility unless and until it obtains the requisite Gaming License and complies with appropriate Gaming Regulations, and (b) Waterloo Operator holds the sole Gaming License for and shall be the sole operator of the Waterloo Facility and TEI shall not operate the Bettendorf Facility unless and until it obtains the requisite Gaming License and complies with appropriate Gaming Regulations.
The Leased Property is leased subject to all covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements and other matters affecting the Leased Property as of the Commencement Date and such subsequent covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements and other matters as may be agreed to by Landlord or Tenant in accordance with the terms of this Master Lease, whether or not of record, including any matters which would be disclosed by an inspection or accurate survey of the Leased Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Leased Property shall exclude those items referenced on Schedule 1.1.
1.2Single, Indivisible Lease. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Master Lease constitutes one indivisible lease of the Leased Property and not separate leases governed by similar terms. The Leased Property constitutes one economic unit, and the Rent and all other provisions have been negotiated and agreed to based on a demise of all of the Leased Property to Tenant as a single, composite, inseparable transaction and would have been substantially different had separate leases or a divisible lease been intended. Except as expressly provided in this Master Lease for specific, isolated purposes (and then only to the extent expressly otherwise stated), all provisions of this Master Lease apply equally and uniformly to all of the Leased Property as one unit. An Event of Default with respect to any portion of the Leased Property is an Event of Default as to all of the Leased Property. The
parties intend that the provisions of this Master Lease shall at all times be construed, interpreted and applied so as to carry out their mutual objective to create an indivisible lease of all of the Leased Property and, in particular but without limitation, that, for purposes of any assumption, rejection or assignment of this Master Lease under 11 U.S.C. Section 365, or any successor or replacement thereof or any analogous state law, this is one indivisible and non-severable lease and executory contract dealing with one legal and economic unit and that this Master Lease must be assumed, rejected or assigned as a whole with respect to all (and only as to all) of the Leased Property. The parties may amend this Master Lease from time to time to include one or more additional Facilities as part of the Leased Property and such future addition to the Leased Property shall not in any way change the indivisible and nonseverable nature of this Master Lease and all of the foregoing provisions shall continue to apply in full force.
1.3Term. The “Term” of this Master Lease is the Initial Term plus all Renewal Terms, to the extent exercised. The initial term of this Master Lease (the “Initial Term”) commenced on October 1, 2018 (the “Commencement Date”) and shall end on the day immediately preceding the twentieth (20th) anniversary of the Commencement Date, subject to renewal as set forth in Section 1.4 below.
1.4Renewal Terms. The term of this Master Lease may be extended for four (4) separate “Renewal Terms” of five (5) years each if: (a) at least twelve (12), but not more than eighteen (18) months prior to the end of the then current Term, Tenant delivers to Landlord a Notice that it desires to exercise its right to extend this Master Lease for one (1) Renewal Term (a “Renewal Notice”); and (b) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date Landlord receives the Renewal Notice (the “Exercise Date”) or on the last day of the then current Term. During any such Renewal Term, except as otherwise specifically provided for herein, all of the terms and conditions of this Master Lease shall remain in full force and effect.
Tenant may exercise such options to renew with respect to all (and no fewer than all) of the Facilities which are subject to this Master Lease as of the Exercise Date.
ARTICLE II
1.1Definitions. For all purposes of this Master Lease, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, (i) the terms defined in this Article II have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular; (ii) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP; (iii) all references in this Master Lease to designated “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this Master Lease; (iv) the word “including” shall have the same meaning as the phrase “including, without limitation,” and other similar phrases; (v) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Master Lease as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; (vi) all Exhibits, Schedules and other attachments annexed to the body of this Master Lease are hereby deemed to be incorporated into and made an integral part of this Master Lease; (vii) the word “or” is not exclusive; and (viii) for the calculation of any financial ratios or tests referenced in this Master Lease (including the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio and the Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio), this Master Lease, regardless of its treatment under GAAP, shall be deemed to be an operating lease and the Rent payable hereunder shall be treated as an operating expense and shall not constitute Indebtedness or interest expense.
AAA: As defined in Section 34.1(b).
Accounts: All accounts, including deposit accounts and any Facility Mortgage Reserve Account (to the extent actually funded by Tenant), all rents, profits, income, revenues or rights to payment or reimbursement derived from the use of any space within the Leased Property and/or from goods sold or leased or services rendered from the Leased Property (including, without limitation, from goods sold or leased or services rendered from the Leased Property by any subtenant) and all accounts receivable, in each case whether or not evidenced by a contract, document, instrument or chattel paper and whether or not earned by performance, including without limitation, the right to payment of management fees and all proceeds of the foregoing.
Additional Charges: All Impositions and all other amounts, liabilities and obligations which Tenant assumes or agrees to pay under this Master Lease and, in the event of any failure on the part of Tenant to pay any of those items, except where such failure is due to the acts or omissions of Landlord, every fine, penalty, interest and cost which may be added for non-payment or late payment of such items.
Adjusted Revenue: For any Test Period, Net Revenue (i) minus expenses other than Specified Expenses and (ii) plus Specified Proceeds, if any; provided, however, that for purposes of calculating Adjusted Revenue, Net Revenue shall not include Gaming Revenues, Retail Sales or Promotional Allowances of any subtenants of Tenant or any deemed payments under subleases of this Master Lease, licenses or other access rights from Tenant to its operating subsidiaries. Adjusted Revenue for the Leased Property shall be calculated on a pro forma basis to give effect to any increase or decrease in Rent as a result of the addition or removal of Leased Property to this Master Lease since the beginning of any Test Period of Tenant as if each such increase or decrease had been effected on the first day of such Test Period. For purposes of calculating Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio, (a) subject to clause (b) below, if any Facility is closed to the public for more than fifteen (15) days as a result of an Unavoidable Delay during any fiscal quarter of any Test Period, then (i) the Adjusted Revenue attributable to such Facility in respect of such fiscal quarter shall be excluded from the calculation of Adjusted Revenue for such Test Period and (ii) the Adjusted Revenue attributable to such Facility during any fiscal quarters of such Test Period during which such Facility is not closed to the public for more than fifteen (15) days shall be annualized as follows for purposes of calculating Adjusted Revenue for such Test Period: (A) if such Facility is not closed to the public for more than fifteen (15) days in any of the remaining three (3) fiscal quarters of such Test Period, then the aggregate Adjusted Revenue attributable to such Facility for such quarters shall be multiplied by 4/3, (B) if such Facility is not closed to the public for more than fifteen (15) days in only two (2) fiscal quarters of such Test Period, then the aggregate Adjusted Revenue attributable to such Facility for such quarters shall be multiplied by 2 and (C) if such Facility is not closed to the public for more than fifteen (15) days in only one (1) fiscal quarter of such Test Period, then the Adjusted Revenue attributable to such Facility for such quarter shall be multiplied by 4 and (b) notwithstanding clause (a) above, for purposes of calculating the Adjusted Revenue from and after any Covenant Resumption Date, (i) the Adjusted Revenue for the Test Period ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter in which the Covenant Resumption Date occurs (the “Initial Test Period”) shall be deemed to be the Adjusted Revenue for the last fiscal quarter of the Initial Test Period, in each case, multiplied by 4, (ii) the Adjusted Revenue for the first Test Period ending after the Initial Test Period (the “Second Test Period”) shall be deemed to be the Adjusted Revenue for the last two fiscal quarters of the Second Test Period, in each case, multiplied by 2 and (iii) the Adjusted Revenue for the second Test Period ending after the Initial Test Period (the “Third Test Period”) shall be deemed to be the Adjusted Revenue for the last three fiscal quarters of the Third Test Period, in each case, multiplied by 4/3.
Adjusted Revenue Pool: As of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of the Facility Adjusted Revenue of Tenant for all of the Facilities that are included in this Master Lease.
Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio: As at any date of determination, the ratio for any period of Adjusted Revenue to Rent. For purposes of calculating the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio, Adjusted Revenue shall be calculated on a pro forma basis (and shall be calculated to give effect to (x) pro forma adjustments reasonably contemplated by Tenant and (y) such other pro forma adjustments consistent with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) to give effect to any material acquisitions and material asset sales consummated by the Tenant or any Guarantor during any Test Period of Tenant as if each such material acquisition had been effected on the first day of such Test Period and as if each such material asset sale had been consummated on the day prior to the first day of such Test Period. In addition, (i) Adjusted Revenue and Rent shall be calculated on a pro forma basis to give effect to any increase or decrease in Rent as a result of the addition or removal of Leased Property to this Master Lease during any Test Period as if such increase or decrease had been effected on the first day of such Test Period and (ii) in the event Rent is to be increased in connection with the addition or inclusion of a Long-Lived Asset that is projected to increase Adjusted Revenue, such Rent increase shall not be taken into account in calculating the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio until the first fiscal quarter following the completion of the installation or construction of such Long-Lived Assets.
Affiliate: When used with respect to any corporation, limited liability company, or partnership, the term “Affiliate” shall mean any person which, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such corporation, limited liability company or partnership. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including the correlative meanings of the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, through the ownership of voting securities, partnership interests or other equity interests.
Appointing Authority: As defined in Section 34.1(b).
Award: All compensation, sums or anything of value awarded, paid or received on a total or partial Taking.
Baton Rouge Facility: The Facility commonly known as Belle of Baton Rouge located in Baton Rouge, LA, together with all Leased Property with respect thereto.
Baton Rouge Lease Amendment: An amendment to this Master Lease as is reasonably necessary and appropriate to effectuate fully the provisions and intent of Section 22.8, including to evidence and effectuate the removal of the Baton Rouge Facility from this Master Lease (including, without limitation, the removal of (i) the Baton Rouge Facility from the list of Facilities on Exhibit A, (ii) the legal description with respect to the Baton Rouge Facility from Exhibit B, (iii) the Gaming License with respect to the Baton Rouge Facility from the list of Gaming Licenses on Exhibit C, and (iv) the disclosure items with respect to the Baton Rouge Facility from Schedule A), together with such other documents (including, without limitation, the recordation of amended memorandum(s) of lease) as are reasonably necessary and appropriate to effectuate fully the provisions and intent of Section 22.8; provided, however, in no event shall the Rent under this Master Lease be adjusted or reduced as a result of the removal of the Baton Rouge Facility.
Baton Rouge Purchase Agreement: As defined in Section 22.8(b).
Baton Rouge Purchase Price: As defined in Section 22.8(b).
Baton Rouge Sale: As defined in Section 22.8(b).
Baton Rouge Severance Lease: As defined in Section 22.8(c)(i).
Baton Rouge Severance Lease Rent: An annual amount equal to One Dollar ($1.00).
Baton Rouge Severance Lease Term: With respect to a Baton Rouge Severance Lease, an initial term (commencing on the Baton Rouge Transfer Date) of fifteen (15) years without any option to renew; provided, however, such term shall not exceed eighty percent (80%) of the remaining useful life of the applicable Leased Improvements (as of the Baton Rouge Transfer Date) that are subject to the Baton Rouge Severance Lease (as shall be determined by a valuation expert or such other appropriate reputable consultant in accordance with Section 34.1 of this Master Lease).
Baton Rouge Transfer: As defined in Section 22.8(a).
Baton Rouge Transfer Date: The date of the closing of the Baton Rouge Transfer and, if applicable, entry into the Baton Rouge Severance Lease in accordance with Section 22.8.
Baton Rouge Transferee: As defined in Section 22.8(a).
Bettendorf Operator: As defined in the preamble.
Building Base Rent:
(A) During the period from the Commencement Date until (and including) the last day of the first Lease Year (i.e., September 30, 2019), an annual amount equal to Sixty Million Nine Hundred Eighteen Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars ($60,918,525).
(B) During the period from the first day of the second Lease Year until (but excluding) the Effective Date, an annual amount equal to Sixty-Two Million One Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Six Dollars ($62,136,896).
(C) During the period from the Effective Date until the end of the Initial Term, an annual amount equal to Sixty-Two Million Five Hundred Thirteen Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Six and 13/100 Dollars ($62,513,956.13); provided, however, that commencing with the fifth (5th) Lease Year (i.e., the Lease Year commencing on October 1, 2022) and continuing each Lease Year thereafter during the Initial Term, the Building Base Rent shall increase to an annual amount equal to the sum of (i) the Building Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year, and (ii) the Escalation.
(D) The Building Base Rent for the first year of each Renewal Term shall be an annual amount equal to the sum of (i) the Building Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year, and (ii) the Escalation. Commencing with the second (2nd) Lease Year of any Renewal Term and continuing each Lease Year thereafter during such Renewal Term, the Building Base Rent shall increase to an annual amount equal to the sum of (i) the Building Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year, and (ii) the Escalation.
(E) As applicable during the Term, Building Base Rent shall be increased pursuant to Section 10.3(c) in respect of Capital Improvements funded by Landlord (which increases shall, in each case, be subject to the Escalations provided in the foregoing clauses (C) and (D)).
Building Base Rent shall be subject to further adjustment as and to the extent provided in Section 14.6.
Business Day: Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which national banks in the City of New York, New York or Las Vegas, Nevada are authorized, or obligated, by law or executive order, to close.
Capital Improvements: With respect to any Facility, any improvements or alterations or modifications of the Leased Improvements, including without limitation capital improvements and structural alterations, modifications or improvements, or one or more additional structures annexed to any portion of any of the Leased Improvements of such Facility, or the expansion of existing improvements, which are constructed on any parcel or portion of the Land of such Facility, during the Term, including construction of a new wing or new story, all of which shall constitute a portion of the Leased Improvements and Leased Property hereunder in accordance with Section 10.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Article X only, “Capital Improvements” shall not include any improvements or alterations or modifications of the Leased Improvements or any expansion of the existing improvements if such (i) commenced prior to the Term in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, and (ii) costs less than Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) on an individual project basis and less than Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000) in the aggregate with respect to all of the Facilities, it being agreed, for the avoidance of doubt, such improvements or alterations or modifications of the Leased Improvements or any expansion of the existing improvements shall be deemed part of the Leased Property and the Facilities for all purposes hereunder.
Cash: Cash and cash equivalents and all instruments evidencing the same or any right thereto and all proceeds thereof.
Casualty Event: Any loss of title or any loss of or damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking (including by any governmental authority) of, any asset for which Tenant or any of its Subsidiaries (directly or through Tenant’s Parent) receives cash insurance proceeds or proceeds of a condemnation award or other similar compensation (excluding proceeds of business interruption insurance). “Casualty Event” shall include, but not be limited to, any taking of all or any part of any real property of Tenant or any of its Subsidiaries or any part thereof, in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any applicable law, or by reason of the temporary requisition of the use or occupancy of all or any part of any real property of Tenant or any of its Subsidiaries or any part thereof by any governmental authority, civil or military.
Change in Control: (i) Any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute), (a) shall have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership or control of fifty percent (50%) or more on a fully diluted basis of the direct or indirect voting power in the Equity Interests of Tenant’s Parent entitled to vote in an election of directors of Tenant’s Parent, or (b) shall have caused the election of a majority of the members of the board of directors or equivalent body of Tenant’s Parent, which such members have not been nominated by a majority of the members of the board of directors or equivalent body of Tenant’s Parent as such were constituted immediately prior to such election, (ii) except as permitted or required hereunder, the direct or indirect sale by Tenant or Tenant’s Parent of all or substantially all of Tenant’s assets, whether held directly or through Subsidiaries, relating to the Facilities in one transaction or in a series of related transactions (excluding sales to Tenant or its Subsidiaries), (iii) (a) Tenant ceasing to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary (directly or indirectly) of Tenant’s Parent or (b) Tenant’s Parent ceasing to control one hundred percent (100%) of the voting power in the Equity Interests of Tenant or (iv) Tenant’s Parent consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, Tenant’s Parent, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Equity Interests of Tenant’s Parent ordinarily entitled to vote in an election of directors of Tenant’s Parent or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property,
other than any such transaction where the Equity Interests of Tenant’s Parent ordinarily entitled to vote in an election of directors of Tenant’s Parent outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute or are converted into or exchanged into or exchanged for a majority (determined by voting power in an election of directors) of the outstanding Equity Interests ordinarily entitled to vote in an election of directors of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such transaction).
Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and, to the extent applicable, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, each as amended from time to time.
Commencement Date: As defined in Section 1.3.
Commission: As defined in Section 41.16(a).
Competing Facility: A Gaming Facility within the Restricted Area acquired or operated by Tenant or any Affiliate of Tenant; provided, however, that a “Competing Facility” shall not include any Gaming Facility which Tenant or any Affiliate of Tenant owns or operates as of the Effective Date or is under contract to acquire as of the Effective Date.
Condemnation: The exercise of any governmental power, whether by legal proceedings or otherwise, by a Condemnor or a voluntary sale or transfer by Landlord to any Condemnor, either under threat of condemnation or while legal proceedings for condemnation are pending.
Condemnor: Any public or quasi-public authority, or private corporation or individual, having the power of Condemnation.
Confidential Information: Any and all financial, technical, proprietary, confidential, and other information, including data, reports, interpretations, forecasts, analyses, compilations, studies, summaries, extracts, records, know-how, statements (written or oral) or other documents of any kind, that contain information concerning the business and affairs of a party or its affiliates, divisions and subsidiaries, which such party or its Related Persons provide to the other party or its Related Persons, whether furnished before or after the Commencement Date, and regardless of the manner in which it was furnished, and any material prepared by a party or its Related Persons, in whatever form maintained, containing, reflecting or based upon, in whole or in part, any such information; provided, however, that “Confidential Information” shall not include information which: (i) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the other party or its Related Persons in breach of this Master Lease; (ii) was or becomes available to the other party or its Related Persons on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure hereunder as evidenced by the written records of the other party or its Related Persons, provided that the source of the information is not bound by a confidentiality agreement or otherwise prohibited from transmitting such information by a contractual, legal or fiduciary duty; or (iii) was independently developed by the other party without the use of any Confidential Information, as evidenced by the written records of the other party.
Consolidated Interest Expense: For any period, interest expense of Tenant and its Subsidiaries that are Guarantors for such period as determined on a consolidated basis for Tenant and its Subsidiaries that are Guarantors in accordance with GAAP.
Covenant Resumption Date: The first day following the end of a Covenant Suspension Period.
Covenant Suspension Period: If on the last day of any Test Period more than 75% of the Facilities under this Master Lease are closed to the public, and have been closed for a period of more than fifteen (15) days, in each case due to an Unavoidable Delay, then the period commencing on (and including) the last day of any such Test Period and continuing until (but excluding) the last day of the second full consecutive fiscal quarter throughout which at least 25% of the Facilities under this Master Lease have remained open to the public. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant may, in its sole discretion, elect that any Covenant Suspension Period end on any date prior to the date that such Covenant Suspension Period would otherwise end absent such election.
CPI: The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Revised Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (1982-84=100), U.S. City Average, All Items, or, if that index is not available at the time in question, the index designated by such Department as the successor to such index, and if there is no index so designated, an index for an area in the United States that most closely corresponds to the entire United States, published by such Department, or if none, by any other instrumentality of the United States.
CPI Increase: The product of (i) the CPI published for the beginning of each Lease Year, divided by (ii) the CPI published for the beginning of the first Lease Year. If the product is less than one, the CPI Increase shall be equal to one.
CPR Institute: As defined in Section 34.1(b).
Date of Taking: The date the Condemnor has the right to possession of the property being condemned.
Debt Agreement: If designated by Tenant to Landlord in writing to be included in the definition of “Debt Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, (i) entered into from time to time by Tenant and/or its Affiliates (including Tenant’s Parent), (ii) as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time, (iii) which may be secured by assets of Tenant and its Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, their Cash, Accounts, Tenant’s Property, real property and leasehold estates in real property (including this Master Lease), and (iv) which shall provide Landlord, in accordance with Section 17.3 hereof, the right to receive copies of notices of Specified Debt Agreement Defaults thereunder and opportunity to cure any breaches or defaults by Tenant thereunder within the cure period, if any, that exists under such Debt Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each of the following is a Debt Agreement: (a) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, replaced, refinanced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Tenant’s Parent, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns, the “Collateral Agent”) and (b) that certain Indenture, dated as of July 6, 2020 (as amended, amended and restated, replaced, refinanced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Secured Indenture”), among Tenant’s Parent (as successor to Colt Merger Sub, Inc.), U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, the Collateral Agent and the other parties from time to time party thereto governing Tenant’s Parent’s 6.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2025.
Dollars and $: The lawful money of the United States.
Discretionary Transferee: A transferee that meets all of the following requirements set forth in clauses (a) through (d) below: (a) such transferee has (1) at least five (5) years of experience (directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries) operating or managing one or more casinos with revenues in the immediately preceding fiscal year of at least Seven Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($750,000,000) in the aggregate (or retains a manager with such qualifications, which manager shall not be replaced other than in accordance with Article XXII hereof) that is not in the business, and that does not have an Affiliate in the business, of leasing properties to gaming operators, or (2) in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party only, agreement(s) in place in a form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord to retain for a period of eighteen (18) months (or more) after the effective time of the transfer at least (i) eighty percent (80%) of Tenant and its Subsidiaries’ personnel employed at the Facilities who have employment contracts as of the date of the relevant agreement to transfer and (ii) seventy percent (70%) of Tenant’s and Tenant’s Parent’s ten (in the aggregate between both Tenant and Tenant’s Parent) most highly compensated corporate employees as of the date of the relevant agreement to transfer based on total compensation determined in accordance with Item 402 of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (b) such transferee (directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries) is licensed or certified by each gaming authority with jurisdiction over any portion of the Leased Property as of the date of any proposed assignment or transfer to such entity (or will be so licensed upon its assumption of the Master Lease); (c) such transferee is Solvent, and, other than in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, if such transferee has a Parent Company, the Parent Company of such transferee is Solvent, and (d) (i) other than in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, (x) the Parent Company of such transferee or, if such transferee does not have a Parent Company, such transferee, has sufficient assets so that, after giving effect to its assumption of Tenant’s obligations hereunder or the applicable assignment (including pursuant to a Change in Control under Section 22.2(iii)(b) or Section 22.2(iii)(c)), its Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP is less than 7:1 on a pro forma basis based on projected earnings and after giving effect to the proposed transaction or (y) an entity that has an investment grade credit rating from a nationally recognized rating agency with respect to such entity’s long term, unsecured debt has provided a Guaranty, or (ii) in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, (x) Tenant has an Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio of less than 8:1 on a pro forma basis based on projected earnings and after giving effect to the proposed transaction or (y) an entity that has an investment grade credit rating from a nationally recognized rating agency with respect to such entity’s long term, unsecured debt has provided a Guaranty.
Division: As defined in Section 41.16(a).
EBITDA: For any Test Period, the consolidated net income or loss of the Parent Company of a Discretionary Transferee (or, in the case of (x) a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party or (y) a Discretionary Transferee that does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee) on a consolidated basis for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted by excluding (1) income tax expense, (2) consolidated interest expense (net of interest income), (3) depreciation and amortization expense, (4) any income, gains or losses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of indebtedness or cancellation of indebtedness, (5) gains or losses on discontinued operations and asset sales, disposals or abandonments, (6) impairment charges or asset write-offs including, without limitation, those related to goodwill or intangible assets, long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities, in each case, in accordance with GAAP, (7) any non-cash items of expense (other than to the extent such non-cash items of expense require or result in an accrual or reserve for future cash expenses), (8) extraordinary gains or losses and (9) unusual or non-recurring gains or items of income or loss.
Effective Date: As defined in the preamble.
Encumbrance: Any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, encumbrance or other matter affecting title to any of the Leased Property, or any portion thereof or interest therein.
End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice: As defined in Section 36.1.
Environmental Costs: As defined in Section 32.4.
Environmental Laws: Any and all applicable federal, state, municipal and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, guidances, policies, orders, codes, decrees or judgments, whether statutory or common law, as amended from time to time, now or hereafter in effect, pertaining to the environment, public health and safety and industrial hygiene, including the use, generation, manufacture, production, storage, release, discharge, disposal, handling, treatment, removal, decontamination, cleanup, transportation or regulation of any Hazardous Substance, including, without limitation, the New Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Equity Interests: With respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents, including membership interests (however designated, whether voting or non-voting), of equity of such Person, including, if such Person is a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited) and any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, such partnership.
Equity Rights: With respect to any Person, any then outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, commitments, preemptive rights or agreements of any kind (including any stockholders’ or voting trust agreements) for the issuance, sale, registration or voting of any additional Equity Interests of any class, or partnership or other ownership interests of any type in, such Person; provided, however, that a debt instrument convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any Equity Interests shall not be deemed an Equity Right.
Escalated Building Base Rent: (a) For the fifth Lease Year and the sixth Lease Year, an amount equal to 101.25% of the Building Base Rent as of the end of the immediately preceding Lease Year, (b) for the seventh Lease Year and the eighth Lease Year, an amount equal to 101.75% of the Building Base Rent as of the end of the immediately preceding Lease Year, and (c) for the ninth Lease Year and for each Lease Year thereafter, an amount equal to 102% of the Building Base Rent as of the end of the immediately preceding Lease Year.
Escalation: For any Lease Year (commencing with the fifth Lease Year), an amount equal to the excess of (a) the Escalated Building Base Rent for such Lease Year over (b) the Building Base Rent for the immediately preceding Lease Year. The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Original Master Lease, no Escalation has been based upon, or affected by, Adjusted Revenue.
Event of Default: As defined in Section 16.1.
Exercise Date: As defined in Section 1.4.
Expert: An independent third party professional, with expertise in respect of a matter at issue, appointed by the agreement of Landlord and Tenant or otherwise in accordance with Article XXXIV hereof.
Facilit(y)(ies): As defined in Recital D.
Facility Adjusted Revenue: With respect to each Facility under this Master Lease as of any date of determination, the greater of (i) the Adjusted Revenue of Tenant for the most recently ended Test Period, as generated by such Facility individually, and (ii) the amount set forth on Schedule D annexed hereto for such Facility.
Facility Mortgage: As defined in Section 13.1.
Facility Mortgage Documents: With respect to each Facility Mortgage and Facility Mortgagee, the applicable Facility Mortgage, loan agreement, debt agreement, credit agreement or indenture, lease, note, collateral assignment instruments, guarantees, indemnity agreements and other documents or instruments evidencing, securing or otherwise relating to the loan made, credit extended, or lease or other financing vehicle entered into pursuant thereto.
Facility Mortgage Reserve Account: As defined in Section 31.3(b).
Facility Mortgagee: As defined in Section 13.1.
Financial Statements: (i) For a Fiscal Year, consolidated statements of Tenant’s Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries (as defined by GAAP) of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for such period and for the period from the beginning of the Fiscal Year to the end of such period and the related consolidated balance sheet as at the end of such period, together with the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited by a “big four” or other nationally recognized accounting firm, and (ii) for a fiscal quarter, consolidated statements of Tenant’s Parent’s income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for such period and for the period from the beginning of the Fiscal Year to the end of such period and the related consolidated balance sheet as at the end of such period, together with the notes thereto, all in reasonable detail and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Fiscal Year: The annual period commencing January 1 and terminating December 31 of each year.
Fixtures: As defined in Section 1.1(d).
Foreclosure Assignment: As defined in Section 22.2(iii)(d).
Foreclosure COC: As defined in Section 22.2(iii)(d).
Foreclosure Purchaser: As defined in Section 31.1.
GAAP: Generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied in the preparation of financial statements, as in effect from time to time (except with respect to any financial ratio defined or described herein or the components thereof, for which purposes GAAP shall refer to such principles as in effect as of the Commencement Date).
Gaming Assets FMV: As defined in Section 36.1.
Gaming Facility: A facility at which there are operations of slot machines, table games or pari-mutuel wagering.
Gaming License: Any license, permit, approval, finding of suitability or other authorization issued by a state regulatory agency to operate, carry on or conduct any gambling game, gaming device, slot machine, race book or sports pool on the Leased Property, or required by any Gaming Regulation, including each of the licenses, permits or other authorizations set forth on Exhibit C, as amended from time to time, and those related to any Facilities that are added to this Master Lease after the Commencement Date.
Gaming Regulation(s): Any and all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, orders, codes, decrees or judgments, and Gaming License conditions or restrictions, as amended from time to time, now or hereafter in effect or promulgated, pertaining to the operation, control, maintenance or Capital Improvement of a Gaming Facility or the conduct of a person or entity holding a Gaming License, including, without limitation, any requirements imposed by a regulatory agency, commission, board or other governmental body pursuant to the jurisdiction and authority granted to it under applicable law.
Gaming Revenues: As defined in the definition of Net Revenue.
GLP: Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.
Greenfield Project: As defined in Section 7.3(a).
Greenville Facility: The Facility commonly known as Tropicana Greenville located in Greenville, MS, together with all Leased Property with respect thereto.
Ground Leased Property: The real property leased pursuant to a Ground Lease.
Ground Lease: Collectively, those certain leases with respect to real property that is a portion of the Leased Property, pursuant to which Landlord is a tenant and which leases have either been approved by Tenant or are in existence as of (a) with respect to any Facility other than the Iowa Facilities, the Commencement Date and (b) with respect to any Iowa Facility, the Effective Date, each of which leases is listed on Schedule A hereto.
Ground Lessor: As defined in Section 8.4(a).
Guarantor: Any entity that guaranties the payment or collection of all or any portion of the amounts payable by Tenant, or the performance by Tenant of all or any of its obligations, under this Master Lease, including any replacement guarantor consented to by Landlord in connection with the assignment of the Master Lease or a sublease of Leased Property pursuant to Article XXII.
Guaranty: That certain Amended and Restated Guaranty of Master Lease dated as of December 18, 2020, a form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time, by and between Tenant’s Parent, Landlord and certain Subsidiaries of Tenant from time to time party thereto, and any other guaranty in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Landlord executed by a Guarantor in favor of Landlord (as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time) pursuant to which such Guarantor agrees to guaranty all of the obligations of Tenant hereunder.
Handling: As defined in Section 32.4.
Hazardous Substances: Collectively, any petroleum, petroleum product or by product, polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos, lead-based paint, mold or any other contaminant, pollutant or hazardous or toxic substance, material or waste regulated or listed pursuant to any Environmental Law.
Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor: Any Subsidiary of Tenant having assets with an aggregate fair market value of less than twenty-five million Dollars ($25.0 million) as of the most recent date on which Financial Statements have been delivered to Landlord pursuant to Section 23.1(b); provided, however, that in no event shall the aggregate fair market value of the assets of all Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantors exceed fifty million Dollars ($50.0 million) as of the most recent date on which Financial Statements have been delivered to Landlord pursuant to Section 23.1(b).
Impartial Appraiser: As defined in Section 13.2.
Impositions: Collectively, all taxes, including capital stock, franchise, margin and other state taxes of Landlord, ad valorem, sales, use, gross receipts, transaction privilege, rent or similar taxes; assessments including assessments for public improvements or benefits, whether or not commenced or completed prior to the Commencement Date and whether or not to be completed within the Term; ground rents (pursuant to the Ground Leases); all obligations of Landlord and its Affiliates under the documents listed on Schedule B hereto; water, sewer and other utility levies and charges; excise tax levies; fees including license, permit, inspection, authorization and similar fees; and all other governmental charges, in each case whether general or special, ordinary or extraordinary, or foreseen or unforeseen, of every character in respect of the Leased Property and/or the Rent and Additional Charges and all interest and penalties thereon attributable to any failure in payment by Tenant (other than failures arising from the acts or omissions of Landlord) which at any time prior to, during or in respect of the Term hereof may be assessed or imposed on or in respect of or be a lien upon (i) Landlord or Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property, (ii) the Leased Property or any part thereof or any rent therefrom or any estate, right, title or interest therein, or (iii) any occupancy, operation, use or possession of, or sales from or activity conducted on or in connection with the Leased Property or the leasing or use of the Leased Property or any part thereof; provided, however, that Impositions shall not include and nothing contained in this Master Lease shall be construed to require Tenant to pay (a) any tax based on net or overall gross income (whether denominated as a franchise or capital stock or other tax) imposed on Landlord or any other Person, (b) any transfer, or net revenue tax of Landlord or any other Person except Tenant and its successors, (c) any tax imposed with respect to the sale, exchange or other disposition by Landlord of any Leased Property or the proceeds thereof, or (d) any principal, interest or other amounts due on, or any mortgage recording taxes or other amounts relating to the incurrence of, any indebtedness on or secured by the Leased Property owed to a Facility Mortgagee for which Landlord or its Subsidiaries is the obligor; provided, further, Impositions shall include any tax, assessment, tax levy or charge set forth in clause (a) or (b) that is levied, assessed or imposed in lieu of, or as a substitute for, any Imposition.
Indebtedness: Of any Person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (b) all obligations of such Person as lessee under capital leases which have been or should be recorded as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (d) all indebtedness secured by a lien on the property of such Person, whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person, (e) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, with respect to the face amount of all letters of credit (whether or not drawn) and banker’s acceptances issued for the account of such Person, (f) all obligations under any agreement with respect to any swap,
forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar arrangement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or combination of transactions, (g) all guarantees by such Person of any of the foregoing and (h) all indebtedness of the nature described in the foregoing clauses (a)-(g) of any partnership of which such Person is a general partner.
Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio: As at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness of the applicable (x) Discretionary Transferee or Parent Company of the Discretionary Transferee or (y) in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party (such Discretionary Transferee, Parent Company or Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, as applicable the “Relevant Party”) on a consolidated basis, as of such date (excluding Indebtedness of the type referenced in clauses (e) or (f) of the definition of Indebtedness or Indebtedness referred to in clauses (d) or (g) of the definition of Indebtedness to the extent relating to Indebtedness of the type referenced in clauses (e) or (f) of the definition of Indebtedness), to (b) EBITDA for the Test Period most recently ended prior to such date for which financial statements are available. For purposes of calculating the Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio, EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma basis (and shall be calculated, except for pro forma adjustments reasonably contemplated by the potential transferee which may be included in such calculations, otherwise in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) to give effect to any material acquisitions and material asset sales consummated by the Relevant Party and its Subsidiaries since the beginning of any Test Period of the Relevant Party as if each such material acquisition had been effected on the first day of such Test Period and as if each such material asset sale had been consummated on the day prior to the first day of such period. In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the Relevant Party or any Subsidiary of the Relevant Party has incurred any Indebtedness or repaid, repurchased, acquired, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements are available, Indebtedness shall be calculated (for purposes of this definition) after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such incurrence, repayment, repurchase, acquisition, defeasance or discharge and the applications of any proceeds thereof as if it had occurred prior to the first day of such Test Period and (ii) the Indebtedness to EBITDA Ratio shall give pro forma effect to the transactions whereby the applicable Discretionary Transferee becomes party to the Master Lease or the Change in Control transactions permitted under Section 22.2(iii) and shall include the Indebtedness and EBITDA of Tenant and its Subsidiaries for the relevant period.
Initial Term: As defined in Section 1.3.
Insurance Requirements: The terms of any insurance policy required by this Master Lease and all requirements of the issuer of any such policy and of any insurance board, association, organization or company necessary for the maintenance of any such policy.
Investment Fund: A bona fide private equity fund or bona fide investment vehicle arranged by and managed by or controlled by, or under common control with, a private equity fund (excluding any private equity fund investment vehicle the primary assets of which are Tenant and its Subsidiaries and/or this Master Lease and assets related thereto) that is engaged in making, purchasing, funding or otherwise or investing in a diversified portfolio of businesses and companies and is organized primarily for the purpose of making equity investments in companies.
Iowa Facilities: As defined in Recital C.
Land: As defined in Section 1.1(a).
Land Base Rent: (a) During the period from the Commencement Date until (and including) the last day of the second Lease Year, an annual amount equal to Thirteen Million Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Thirty-Seven Dollars ($13,360,037), (b) during the period from the first day of the third Lease Year (i.e., the Lease Year commencing on October 1, 2020) until (but excluding) the Effective Date, an annual amount equal to Twenty-Three Million Five Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-Two Dollars ($23,585,462) and (c) from and after the Effective Date, an annual amount equal to Twenty-Three Million Seven Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand Five Hundred Eighty-Three and 69/100 Dollars ($23,728,583.69). Land Base Rent shall be subject to further adjustment as and to the extent provided in Section 14.6.
Landlord: As defined in the preamble.
Landlord Representatives: As defined in Section 23.4.
Landlord Tax Returns: As defined in Section 4.1(b).
Lease Year: The first Lease Year for each Facility shall be the period commencing on the Commencement Date and ending on the day immediately preceding the first (1st) anniversary of the Commencement Date, and each subsequent Lease Year for each Facility shall be each period of twelve (12) full calendar months after the last day of the prior Lease Year.
Leased Improvements: As defined in Section 1.1(b).
Leased Property: As defined in Section 1.1.
Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event: As defined in Section 14.6.
Leasehold Estate: As defined in Section 17.1(a).
Legal Requirements: All federal, state, county, municipal and other governmental statutes, laws, rules, policies, guidance, codes, orders, regulations, ordinances, permits, licenses, covenants, conditions, restrictions, judgments, decrees and injunctions (including common law, Gaming Regulations and Environmental Laws) affecting either the Leased Property, Tenant’s Property and all Capital Improvements or the construction, use or alteration thereof, whether now or hereafter enacted and in force, including, without limitation, any which may (i) require repairs, modifications or alterations in or to the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property, (ii) in any way adversely affect the use and enjoyment thereof, or (iii) regulate the transport, handling, use, storage or disposal or require the cleanup or other treatment of any Hazardous Substance.
Liquor Authority: As defined in Section 41.13(a).
Liquor Laws: As defined in Section 41.13(a).
Long-Lived Assets: (i) With respect to property owned by Tenant’s Parent as of the Commencement Date, all property capitalized in accordance with GAAP with an expected life of not less than fifteen (15) years as initially reflected on the books and records of Tenant’s Parent at or about the time of acquisition thereof or (ii) with respect to those assets purchased, replaced or otherwise maintained by Tenant after the Commencement Date, such asset capitalized in accordance with GAAP with an expected life of not less than fifteen (15) years as of or about the time of the acquisition thereof, as classified by Tenant in accordance with GAAP.
Lumiere Loan Documents: the Loan Agreement dated as of the Commencement Date by and between Landlord, as lender, and Tropicana St. Louis RE LLC, as borrower, together with any and all deeds of trusts, promissory notes, guaranties, indentures, collateral
assignment instruments, indemnity agreements and other documents or instruments evidencing, securing or otherwise related to the loan made or credit extended pursuant thereto.
Master Lease: As defined in the preamble.
Material Indebtedness: At any time, Indebtedness of any one or more of the Tenant (and its Subsidiaries) and any Guarantor in an aggregate principal amount exceeding ten percent (10%) of Adjusted Revenue of Tenant and the Guarantors that are Subsidiaries of Tenant on a consolidated basis over the most recent Test Period for which financial statements are available. As of the Commencement Date, until financial statements are available for the initial Test Period, such amount shall be Seventeen Million Six Hundred Forty Three Thousand Dollars ($17,643,000).
Maximum Foreseeable Loss: As defined in Section 13.2.
Merger Agreement: That certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 15, 2018 by and among Tenant’s Parent, Delta Merger Sub, Inc., Landlord and TEI.
Net Revenue: With respect to any Facility, the sum of, without duplication, (i) the amount received by Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and its subtenants) from patrons at such Facility for gaming, less refunds and free promotional play provided to the customers and invitees of Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and subtenants) pursuant to a rewards, marketing, and/or frequent users program, and less amounts returned to patrons through winnings at such Facility (the amounts in this clause (i), “Gaming Revenues”); and (ii) the gross receipts of Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and subtenants) for all goods and merchandise sold, the charges for all services performed, or any other revenues generated by Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and subtenants) in, at, or from such Facility for cash, credit, or otherwise (without reserve or deduction for uncollected amounts), but excluding any Gaming Revenues (the amounts in this clause (ii), “Retail Sales”); less (iii) the retail value of accommodations, food and beverage, and other services furnished without charge to guests of Tenant (and its Subsidiaries and subtenants) at such Facility (the amounts in this clause (iii), “Promotional Allowance”). For the avoidance of doubt, gaming taxes and casino operating expenses (such as salaries, income taxes, employment taxes, supplies, equipment, cost of goods and inventory, rent, office overhead, marketing and advertising and other general administrative costs) will not be deducted in arriving at Net Revenue. Net Revenue will be calculated on an accrual basis for these purposes, as required under GAAP. For the absence of doubt, if Gaming Revenues, Retail Sales or Promotional Allowances of a Subsidiary or subtenant, as applicable, are taken into account for purposes of calculating Net Revenue, any rent received by Tenant from such Subsidiary or subtenant, as applicable, pursuant to any sublease with such Subsidiary or subtenant, as applicable, shall not also be taken into account for purposes of calculating Net Revenues. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Specified Sublease, Net Revenue shall not include Gaming Revenues or Retail Sales from the subtenants under such subleases and shall include the rent received by Tenant or its subsidiaries thereunder. “Net Revenue” with respect to the Leased Property means the aggregate amount of Net Revenue for all of the Facilities.
New Lease: As defined in Section 17.1(f).
New Jersey Act: As defined in Section 41.16(a).
New Jersey Facility(ies): As defined in Section 41.16(a).
New Jersey Fair Market Value: As defined in Section 41.16(e).
New Jersey Purchase Notice: As defined in Section 41.16(d).
Notice: A notice given in accordance with Article XXXV.
Notice of Termination. As defined in Section 17.1(f).
NRS: As defined in Section 41.14.
OFAC: As defined in Section 39.1.
Officer’s Certificate: A certificate of Tenant or Landlord, as the case may be, signed by an officer of such party authorized to so sign by resolution of its board of directors or by its sole member or by the terms of its by-laws or operating agreement, as applicable.
Overdue Rate: On any date, a rate equal to five (5) percentage points above the Prime Rate, but in no event greater than the maximum rate then permitted under applicable law.
Parent Company: With respect to any Discretionary Transferee, any Person (other than an Investment Fund) (x) as to which such Discretionary Transferee is a Subsidiary; and (y) which is not a Subsidiary of any other Person (other than an Investment Fund).
Payment Date: Any due date for the payment of the installments of Rent or any other sums payable under this Master Lease.
Percentage Rent: (a) During the period from the Commencement Date until (and including) the last day of the second Lease Year, an annual amount equal to Thirteen Million Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Thirty-Seven Dollars ($13,360,037) and (b) from and after the first day of the third Lease Year, Zero Dollars ($0.00).
Permitted Facility Sublease: A sublease for all or substantially all of any Facility that is permitted under Section 22.3(ii) without Landlord’s consent.
Permitted Facility Sublease Cap Amount: As of any date of determination, an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the Adjusted Revenue Pool.
Permitted Leasehold Mortgage: A document creating or evidencing an encumbrance on Tenant’s leasehold interest (or a subtenant’s subleasehold interest) in the Leased Property, granted to or for the benefit of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee as security for the obligations under a Debt Agreement.
Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee: The lender or agent or trustee or similar representative on behalf of one or more lenders or noteholders or other investors under a Debt Agreement, in each case as and to the extent such Person has the power to act on behalf of all lenders under such Debt Agreement pursuant to the terms thereof; provided such lender, agent or trustee or similar representative (but not necessarily the lenders, noteholders or other investors which it represents) is a banking or other financial institution in the business of generally acting as a lender, agent or trustee or similar representative (in each case, on behalf of a group of lenders) under debt agreements or instruments similar to the Debt Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Agent is a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee.
Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee: An entity designated by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and acting for the benefit of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, or the lenders, noteholders or investors represented by the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee.
Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party: A Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee that forecloses on this Master Lease and assumes this Master Lease or a Subsidiary of
a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee that assumes this Master Lease in connection with a foreclosure on this Master Lease by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee.
Person or person: Any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other form of entity.
Pre-Existing Environmental Conditions: As defined in Section 32.6.
Pre-Opening Expense: With respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (including Consolidated Interest Expense) incurred with respect to capital projects which are appropriately classified as “pre-opening expenses” on the applicable financial statements of Tenant’s Parent and its Subsidiaries for such period.
Primary Intended Use: Gaming and/or pari-mutuel use consistent, with respect to each Facility, with its current use (as specified on Exhibit A attached hereto as it may be amended from time to time), or with prevailing gaming industry use at any time, together with all ancillary uses consistent with gaming use and operations, including hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.
Prime Rate: On any date, a rate equal to the annual rate on such date publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (provided that if JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ceases to publish such rate, the Prime Rate shall be determined according to the Prime Rate of another nationally known money center bank reasonably selected by Landlord), to be its prime rate for ninety (90)-day unsecured loans to its corporate borrowers of the highest credit standing, but in no event greater than the maximum rate then permitted under applicable law.
Proceeding: As defined in Section 23.1(b)(v).
Prohibited Persons: As defined in Section 39.1.
Promotional Allowance: As defined in the definition of Net Revenue.
Property Value: With respect to the Replaced Property and the Replacement Properties, the “Property Value” set forth on Schedule C attached hereto.
Purchase and Sale Agreement: That certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of April 15, 2018, by and between Landlord and TEI as amended.
Qualified Successor Tenant: As defined in Section 36.2.
Regulatory Approval Supporting Information: Information regarding Landlord (and, without limitation, its officers and Affiliates), Tenant (and, without limitation, its officers and Affiliates), a Baton Rouge Transferee (and, without limitation, its officers and Affiliates), or a Replaced Property Transferee (and, without limitation, its officers and Affiliates), as applicable, in each case, that is reasonably requested by Tenant from Landlord or by Landlord from Tenant, as the case may be, in connection with obtaining any Required Governmental Approvals.
Related Persons: With respect to a party, such party’s Affiliates and Subsidiaries and the directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and controlling persons of such party and its Affiliates and Subsidiaries.
Renewal Notice: As defined in Section 1.4.
Renewal Term: A period for which the Term is renewed in accordance with Section 1.4.
Rent: The sum of (a) the Building Base Rent, (b) the Land Base Rent and (c) the Percentage Rent.
Rent Reduction Amount: As defined in Section 41.16(f).
Replaced Property: The Greenville Facility, if designated by Tenant to be replaced by one or more Replacement Properties in connection with a Replacement Property Transaction.
Replaced Property Transferee: The transferee(s) of Landlord’s interest in the Replaced Property as designated by Tenant (in its sole discretion), which may or may not be Tenant or an Affiliate of Tenant; provided that, subject to the foregoing, immediately after giving effect to a Replacement Property Transaction, the Tenant’s and Landlord’s interest in the Replaced Property shall be owned by the same entity or by affiliated entities unless otherwise approved by Landlord; provided, further, that the Replaced Property Transferee shall not be a “real estate investment trust” (within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code), the primary business of which is leasing real properties to gaming operators.
Replacement Exchange Agreement: A replacement exchange agreement for the exchange of the Replaced Property for the Replacement Property in connection with a Replacement Property Transaction, which shall (except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Master Lease) contain customary terms and conditions for transfers of property in the jurisdiction(s) in which the Replaced Property and the Replacement Property are located, as applicable, including, but not limited to, the following terms: (i) Tenant shall provide customary representations and warranties with respect to the condition (financial and physical) of the Replacement Property, which shall survive the closing for a period of twelve (12) months and which shall include customary post-closing indemnification obligations, (ii) Tenant shall deliver the Replacement Property to Landlord free and clear of all liens other than liens that are (x) approved by Landlord in accordance with a customary title and survey objection procedure or (y) would have been permitted under this Master Lease if such Replacement Property were a “Facility” under this Master Lease when such liens were incurred; provided, that in no event shall any monetary liens (other than liens for real estate taxes or other Impositions not yet due and payable which shall be Tenant’s obligations under the Replacement Property Lease Amendment) be deemed a permitted encumbrance under such Replacement Exchange Agreement, (iii) Landlord shall provide only the following limited representations and warranties to the Replaced Property Transferee with respect to the Replaced Property: (a) due authority and execution, (b) no conflict with organizational documents of Landlord or any other agreement or judgment to which Landlord is a party, (c) Patriot Act and OFAC, (d) bankruptcy, and (e) Landlord has not entered into any contract, easement or other agreement, which will be binding on the Replaced Property Transferee after the closing of the Replacement Property Transaction, except for those contracts, easements or other agreements that are disclosed in any title report or in this Master Lease (it being understood that any property related representations and warranties requested by the Replaced Property Transferee and any post-closing indemnification obligations related thereto shall be provided solely by Tenant), and (iv) subject to the satisfaction of all closing conditions in favor of Landlord, Landlord shall convey its fee interest to the Replaced Property Transferee free and clear of: (a) all monetary liens and encumbrances voluntarily created or entered into by Landlord and (b) except to the extent that Tenant’s consent is not required under this Master Lease, all other liens and encumbrances voluntarily created or entered into by Landlord without Tenant’s prior written consent.
Replacement Guaranty: A guaranty of all obligations of a Baton Rouge Transferee under a Baton Rouge Severance Lease, in substantially the same form as the Guaranty, with such changes as are reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, in its sole discretion.
Replacement Property: One or more of Tenant’s or its Affiliates’ properties generally referred to as (a) Eldorado - Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio, (b) The Row in Reno, Nevada (consisting of Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus), (c) Isle Casino Racing at Pompano Park in Pompano Beach, Florida, (d) Isle and Lady Luck Casino Hotels in Black Hawk, Colorado or (e) Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel in Boonville, Missouri, which: (x) is or are (as applicable) designated by Tenant (in its sole discretion) as a Replacement Property and (y) has or have (as applicable) a Property Value, individually or collectively, of at least equal to the Property Value of the Replaced Property, in each case; provided that, no effects or events materially and adversely affecting the value of such property have occurred since the Effective Date, and Landlord has been provided reasonable access to and an opportunity to conduct an inspection to confirm the foregoing.
Replacement Property Lease Amendment: An amendment to this Master Lease as is reasonably necessary and appropriate to effectuate fully the provisions and intent of Section 22.7, including to evidence and effectuate (a) the removal of the Replaced Property from this Master Lease (including, without limitation, the removal of (i) the Replaced Property from the list of Facilities on Exhibit A, (ii) the legal description with respect to the Replaced Property from Exhibit B, (iii) the Gaming License with respect to the Replaced Property from the list of Gaming Licenses on Exhibit C and (iv) the disclosure items with respect to the Replaced Property from Schedule A), (b) the addition of the Replacement Property to this Master Lease (including, without limitation, the addition of (i) the Replacement Property to the list of Facilities on Exhibit A, (ii) the legal description with respect to the Replacement Property to Exhibit B and (iii) the Gaming License with respect to the Replacement Property to the list of Gaming Licenses on Exhibit C) and (c) if applicable, the adjustment of Building Base Rent and Land Base Rent under this Master Lease in accordance with Section 22.7(e), together with such other documents (including, without limitation, the recordation of amended memorandum(s) of lease) as are reasonably necessary and appropriate to effectuate fully the provisions and intent of Section 22.7.
Replacement Property Right: Tenant’s right to require Landlord to consummate a Replacement Property Transaction, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of Section 22.7 of Master Lease (it being understood that if more than one Replacement Property is identified by Tenant to replace the Replaced Property, then the acquisition of such Replacement Properties shall occur in a single transaction with the Replaced Property).
Replacement Property Transaction: (a) The sale by Tenant or an Affiliate of Tenant to Landlord of a Replacement Property and the simultaneous leaseback to Tenant of such Replacement Property pursuant to Section 22.7 of this Master Lease and (b) the transfer by Landlord to the Replaced Property Transferee of all of Landlord’s interest in the Replaced Property (including Landlord’s fee interest therein), in each case, free and clear of all liens for borrowed money; provided that, in the event that the Replaced Property Transferee is not Tenant or any of its Affiliates, then Tenant shall simultaneously transfer to the Replaced Property Transferee all of Tenant’s Property and its operations (in each case, excluding Tenant’s intellectual property, any of which Tenant may, in its sole discretion, elect to transfer) with respect to the Replaced Property.
Replacement Property Transaction Notice: As defined in Section 22.7(a).
Representative: With respect to the lenders or holders under a Debt Agreement, a Person designated as agent or trustee or a Person acting in a similar capacity or as representative for such lenders or holders.
Required Governmental Approvals: All Gaming Licenses and other necessary approvals from all gaming authorities and other governmental authorities required under applicable law (including applicable Gaming Regulations) for (as applicable) (a) the consummation of a Baton Rouge Transfer, a Baton Rouge Sale and/or the execution and implementation of a Baton Rouge Severance Lease, or (b) the exercise of the Replacement Property Right and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.
Restricted Area: The geographical area that at any time during the Term is within a sixty (60) mile radius of any Facility covered under this Master Lease at such time.
Restricted Information: As defined in Section 23.1(c).
Restricted Payment: Dividends (in cash, property or obligations) on, or other payments or distributions on account of, or the setting apart of money for a sinking or other analogous fund for, or the purchase, redemption, retirement, repurchase or other acquisition of, any Equity Interests or Equity Rights (other than outstanding securities convertible into Equity Interests) of Tenant, but excluding dividends, payments or distributions paid through the issuance of additional shares of Equity Interests and any redemption, retirement or exchange of any Equity Interest through, or with the proceeds of, the issuance of Equity Interests of Tenant.
Retail Sales: As defined in the definition of Net Revenue.
SEC: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Severance Lease: A separate lease with respect to a New Jersey Facility, created when Landlord transfers a specific Facility (Facilities), which lease shall provide that the rent payable under the Severance Lease at the time of commencement of such Severance Lease shall be equal to the amount of the Rent Reduction Amount for the applicable Leased Property to be subject to such Severance Lease.
Solvent: With respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person, on a going-concern basis, is greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person, on a going-concern basis, is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts (including contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person has not incurred, and does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur, debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital and (e) such Person is “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Accounting Standards Codification No. 450).
Specified Debt Agreement Default: Any event or occurrence under a Debt Agreement or Material Indebtedness that enables or permits the lenders or holders (or Representatives of such lenders or holders) to accelerate the maturity of the Indebtedness outstanding under a Debt Agreement or Material Indebtedness.
Specified Expenses: For any Test Period, (i) Rent incurred for the same Test Period, and (ii) the (1) income tax expense, (2) consolidated interest expense, (3) depreciation and amortization expense, (4) any nonrecurring, unusual, or extraordinary items of income, cost or expense, including but not limited to, (a) any gains or losses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of indebtedness, (b) gains or losses on discontinued operations and asset sales, disposals or abandonments, and (c) impairment charges or asset write-offs including, without limitation, those related to goodwill or intangible assets, long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, (5) any non-cash items of expense (other than to the extent such non-cash items of expense require an accrual or reserve for future cash expenses (provided that if such accrual or reserve is for contingent items, the outcome of which is subject to uncertainty, such non-cash items of expense may, at the election of the Tenant, be added to net income and deducted when and to the extent actually paid in cash)), (6) any Pre-Opening Expenses, (7) transaction costs for the spin-off of Tenant’s Parent, the entry into this Master Lease, the negotiation and consummation of the financing transactions in connection therewith and the other transactions contemplated in connection with the foregoing consummated on or before the Commencement Date, (8) non-cash valuation adjustments, (9) any expenses related to the repurchase of stock options, and (10) expenses related to the grant of stock options, restricted stock, or other equivalent or similar instruments; in the case of each of (1) through (10), of Tenant and the Subsidiaries of Tenant that are Guarantors on a consolidated basis for such period.
Specified Proceeds: For any Test Period, to the extent not otherwise included in Net Revenue, the amount of insurance proceeds (calculated net of any applicable deductible and the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses actually incurred by Tenant, if any, to collect such proceeds) received during such period by Tenant or the Guarantors in respect of any Casualty Event; provided, however, that for purposes of this definition, (i) with respect to any Facility subject to such Casualty Event which had been in operation for at least one complete fiscal quarter the amount of insurance proceeds plus the Net Revenue (excluding such insurance proceeds), if any, attributable to the Facility subject to such Casualty Event for such period shall not exceed an amount equal to the Net Revenue attributable to such Facility for the Test Period ended immediately prior to the date of such Casualty Event (calculated on a pro forma annualized basis to the extent such Facility was not operational for the full previous Test Period) and (ii) with respect to any Facility subject to such Casualty Event which had not been in operation for at least one complete fiscal quarter, the amount of insurance proceeds plus the Net Revenue attributable to such Facility for such period shall not exceed the Net Revenue reasonably projected by Tenant to be derived from such Facility for such period.
Specified Sublease: (a) With respect to any Facility other than the Iowa Facilities, any lease in effect on the Commencement Date constituting part of the Leased Property with respect to which Tenant is a sublessor, substantially as in effect on the Commencement Date and (b) with respect to any Iowa Facility, any lease in effect on the Effective Date constituting part of the Leased Property with respect to which Tenant is a sublessor, substantially as in effect on the Effective Date, in each case, a list of which is attached on Schedule A hereto.
State: With respect to each Facility, the state or commonwealth in which such Facility is located.
Subsidiary: As to any Person, (i) any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time of determination owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other entity in which such person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of
such person has more than a fifty percent (50%) equity interest at the time of determination. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Master Lease shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Tenant.
Successor Tenant: As defined in Section 36.1.
Successor Tenant Rent: As defined in Section 36.2.
Taking: As defined in Section 15.1(a).
TEI: As defined in the preamble.
Tenant: As defined in the preamble.
Tenant Capital Improvement: A Capital Improvement funded by Tenant, as compared to Landlord.
Tenant COC: As defined in Section 22.2(iii).
Tenant Parent COC: As defined in Section 22.2(iii).
Tenant Representatives: As defined in Section 23.4.
Tenant’s Parent: Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (f/k/a Eldorado Resorts, Inc.), and any permitted successor thereto.
Tenant’s Property: With respect to each Facility, all assets (other than the Leased Property and property owned by a third party) primarily related to or used in connection with the operation of the business conducted on or about the Leased Property, together with all replacements, modifications, additions, alterations and substitutes therefor.
Term: As defined in Section 1.3.
Termination Notice: As defined in Section 17.1(d).
Test Period: With respect to any Person, for any date of determination, the period of the four (4) most recently ended consecutive fiscal quarters of such Person.
Unavoidable Delay: Any of the following events: epidemics, pandemics, strikes, lock-outs, inability to procure materials, power failure, acts of God, governmental restrictions, enemy action, civil commotion, fire, unavoidable casualty, condemnation or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the party responsible for performing an obligation hereunder; provided that lack of funds shall not be deemed a cause beyond the reasonable control of a party.
Unsuitable for Its Primary Intended Use: A state or condition of any Facility such that by reason of damage or destruction, or a partial taking by Condemnation, such Facility cannot, following restoration thereof (to the extent commercially practical), be operated on a commercially practicable basis for its Primary Intended Use, taking into account, among other relevant factors, the amount of square footage and the estimated revenue affected by such damage or destruction.
Waterloo Operator: As defined in the preamble.
ARTICLE III
1.1Rent. During the Term, Tenant will pay to Landlord the Rent and Additional Charges in lawful money of the United States of America and legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, in the manner provided in Section 3.3. The Rent during any Lease Year is payable in advance in consecutive monthly installments on the fifth (5th) Business Day of each calendar month during that Lease Year. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, Rent and Additional Charges shall be prorated as to any partial months at the beginning and end of the Term. The parties will agree on an allocation of the Rent on a declining basis for federal income tax purposes within the 115/85 safe harbor of Section 467 of the Code, assuming a projected schedule of Rent for this purpose.
1.2Late Payment of Rent. Tenant hereby acknowledges that late payment by Tenant to Landlord of Rent will cause Landlord to incur costs not contemplated hereunder, the exact amount of which is presently anticipated to be extremely difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, if any installment of Rent other than Additional Charges payable to a Person other than Landlord shall not be paid within five (5) days after its due date, Tenant will pay Landlord on demand a late charge equal to the lesser of (a) five percent (5%) of the amount of such installment or (b) the maximum amount permitted by law; provided, however, that in no event shall any late charge be assessed on the full amount of Rent due pursuant to Section 16.3. The parties agree that this late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the costs that Landlord will incur by reason of late payment by Tenant. The parties further agree that such late charge is Rent and not interest and such assessment does not constitute a lender or borrower/creditor relationship between Landlord and Tenant. Thereafter, if any installment of Rent other than Additional Charges payable to a Person other than Landlord shall not be paid within ten (10) days after its due date, the amount unpaid, including any late charges previously accrued, shall bear interest at the Overdue Rate from the due date of such installment to the date of payment thereof, and Tenant shall pay such interest to Landlord on demand. The payment of such late charge or such interest shall not constitute waiver of, nor excuse or cure, any default under this Master Lease, nor prevent Landlord from exercising any other rights and remedies available to Landlord.
1.3Method of Payment of Rent. Rent and Additional Charges to be paid to Landlord shall be paid by electronic funds transfer debit transactions through wire transfer of immediately available funds and shall be initiated by Tenant for settlement on or before the Payment Date; provided, however, if the Payment Date is not a Business Day, then settlement shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day. Landlord shall provide Tenant with appropriate wire transfer information in a Notice from Landlord to Tenant. If Landlord directs Tenant to pay any Rent to any party other than Landlord, Tenant shall send to Landlord simultaneously with such payment, a copy of the transmittal letter or invoice and a check whereby such payment is made or such other evidence of payment as Landlord may reasonably require.
1.4Net Lease. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that (i) this Master Lease is and is intended to be what is commonly referred to as a “net, net, net” or “triple net” lease, and (ii) the Rent shall be paid absolutely net to Landlord, so that this Master Lease shall yield to Landlord the full amount or benefit of the installments of Rent and Additional Charges throughout the Term with respect to each Facility, all as more fully set forth in Article IV and subject to any other provisions of this Master Lease which expressly provide for adjustment or abatement of Rent or other charges. If Landlord commences any proceedings for non-payment of Rent, Tenant will not interpose any counterclaim or cross complaint or similar pleading of any nature or description in such proceedings unless Tenant would lose or waive such claim by the failure to assert it. This shall not, however, be construed as a waiver of Tenant’s right to assert such claims in a separate action brought by Tenant. The covenants to pay
Rent and other amounts hereunder are independent covenants, and Tenant shall have no right to hold back, offset or fail to pay any such amounts for default by Landlord or for any other reason whatsoever, except as provided in Section 3.1.
ARTICLE IV
1.1Impositions. Subject to Article XII relating to permitted contests, Tenant shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Impositions before any fine, penalty, interest or cost may be added for non-payment. Tenant shall make such payments directly to the taxing authorities where feasible, and promptly furnish to Landlord copies of official receipts or other satisfactory proof evidencing such payments. Tenant’s obligation to pay Impositions shall be absolutely fixed upon the date such Impositions become a lien upon the Leased Property or any part thereof subject to Article XII. If any Imposition may, at the option of the taxpayer, lawfully be paid in installments, whether or not interest shall accrue on the unpaid balance of such Imposition, Tenant may pay the same, and any accrued interest on the unpaid balance of such Imposition, in installments as the same respectively become due and before any fine, penalty, premium, further interest or cost may be added thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, Tenant shall be responsible for the payment of all Impositions that are due and payable as of the Commencement Date (regardless as to whether such Impositions are attributable to a period preceding the Commencement Date).
(b)Landlord or GLP shall prepare and file all tax returns and reports as may be required by Legal Requirements with respect to Landlord’s net income, gross receipts, franchise taxes and taxes on its capital stock and any other returns required to be filed by or in the name of Landlord (the “Landlord Tax Returns”), and Tenant or Tenant’s Parent shall prepare and file all other tax returns and reports as may be required by Legal Requirements with respect to or relating to the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements), and Tenant’s Property.
(c)Any refund due from any taxing authority in respect of any Imposition paid by or on behalf of Tenant or Tenant’s Affiliates, including prior to the merger effected pursuant to the Merger Agreement, shall be paid over to or retained by Tenant.
(d)Landlord and Tenant shall, upon request of the other, provide such data as is maintained by the party to whom the request is made with respect to the Leased Property as may be necessary to prepare any required returns and reports. If any property covered by this Master Lease is classified as personal property for tax purposes, Tenant shall file all personal property tax returns in such jurisdictions where it must legally so file. Landlord, to the extent it possesses the same, and Tenant, to the extent it possesses the same, shall provide the other party, upon request, with cost and depreciation records necessary for filing returns for any property so classified as personal property. Where Landlord is legally required to file personal property tax returns, Tenant shall be provided with copies of assessment notices indicating a value in excess of the reported value in sufficient time for Tenant to file a protest.
(e)Billings for reimbursement by Tenant to Landlord of personal property or real property taxes and any taxes due under the Landlord Tax Returns, if and to the extent Tenant is responsible for such taxes under the terms of this Section 4.1, shall be accompanied by copies of a bill therefor and payments thereof which identify the personal property or real property or other tax obligations of Landlord with respect to which such payments are made.
(f)Impositions imposed or assessed in respect of the tax-fiscal period during which the Term terminates shall be adjusted and prorated between Landlord and Tenant, whether or not such Imposition is imposed or assessed before or after such termination, and Tenant’s
obligation to pay its prorated share thereof in respect of a tax-fiscal period during the Term shall survive such termination. Landlord will not voluntarily enter into agreements that will result in additional Impositions without Tenant’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld (it being understood that it shall not be reasonable to withhold consent to customary additional Impositions that other property owners of properties similar to the Leased Property customarily consent to in the ordinary course of business); provided Tenant is given reasonable opportunity to participate in the process leading to such agreement.
1.2Utilities. Tenant shall pay or cause to be paid all charges for electricity, power, gas, oil, water and other utilities used in the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements). Tenant shall also pay or reimburse Landlord for all costs and expenses of any kind whatsoever which at any time with respect to the Term hereof with respect to any Facility may be imposed against Landlord by reason of any of the covenants, conditions and/or restrictions affecting the Leased Property or any portion thereof, or with respect to easements, licenses or other rights over, across or with respect to any adjacent or other property which benefits the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement, including any and all costs and expenses associated with any utility, drainage and parking easements. Landlord will not enter into agreements that will encumber the Leased Property without Tenant’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld (it being understood that it shall not be reasonable to withhold consent to encumbrances that do not adversely affect the use or future development of the Facility as a Gaming Facility or increase Additional Charges payable under this Master Lease); provided Tenant is given reasonable opportunity to participate in the process leading to such agreement. Tenant will not enter into agreements that will encumber the Leased Property after the expiration of the Term without Landlord’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld (it being understood that it shall not be reasonable to withhold consent to encumbrances that do not adversely affect the value of the Leased Property or the Facility); provided Landlord is given reasonable opportunity to participate in the process leading to such agreement.
1.3Impound Account. At Landlord’s option following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default or a default by Tenant of Section 23.3(b) hereof (to be exercised by thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Tenant); and provided Tenant is not already being required to impound such payments in accordance with the requirements of Section 31.3(b) below, Tenant shall be required to deposit, at the time of any payment of Rent, an amount equal to one-twelfth of the sum of (i) Tenant’s estimated annual real and personal property taxes required pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof (as reasonably determined by Landlord), and (ii) Tenant’s estimated annual maintenance expenses and insurance premium costs pursuant to Articles IX and XIII hereof (as reasonably determined by Landlord). Such amounts shall be applied to the payment of the obligations in respect of which said amounts were deposited in such order of priority as Landlord shall reasonably determine, on or before the respective dates on which the same or any of them would become delinquent. Such amount shall be deposited in an interest-bearing segregated account with a banking institution and the reasonable cost of such bank for administering such impound account shall be paid by Tenant. Nothing in this Section 4.3 shall be deemed to affect any right or remedy of Landlord hereunder.
ARTICLE V
1.1No Termination, Abatement, etc. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Master Lease, Tenant shall remain bound by this Master Lease in accordance with its terms and shall not seek or be entitled to any abatement, deduction, deferment or reduction of Rent, or set-off against the Rent. Except as may be otherwise specifically provided in this Master Lease, the respective obligations of Landlord and Tenant shall not be affected by reason of (i) any damage to or destruction of the Leased Property or any portion thereof from whatever cause or any Condemnation of the Leased Property, any Capital Improvement or any
portion thereof; (ii) other than as a result of Landlord’s willful misconduct or gross negligence, the lawful or unlawful prohibition of, or restriction upon, Tenant’s use of the Leased Property, any Capital Improvement or any portion thereof, the interference with such use by any Person or by reason of eviction by paramount title; (iii) any claim that Tenant has or might have against Landlord by reason of any default or breach of any warranty by Landlord hereunder or under any other agreement between Landlord and Tenant or to which Landlord and Tenant are parties; (iv) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, consolidation, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or other proceedings affecting Landlord or any assignee or transferee of Landlord; or (v) for any other cause, whether similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing, other than a discharge of Tenant from any such obligations as a matter of law. Tenant hereby specifically waives all rights arising from any occurrence whatsoever which may now or hereafter be conferred upon it by law (a) to modify, surrender or terminate this Master Lease or quit or surrender the Leased Property or any portion thereof, or (b) which may entitle Tenant to any abatement, reduction, suspension or deferment of the Rent or other sums payable by Tenant hereunder except in each case as may be otherwise specifically provided in this Master Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Article V shall preclude Tenant from bringing a separate action against Landlord for any matter described in the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii) or (v) and Tenant is not waiving other rights and remedies not expressly waived herein. The obligations of Landlord and Tenant hereunder shall be separate and independent covenants and agreements and the Rent and all other sums payable by Tenant hereunder shall continue to be payable in all events unless the obligations to pay the same shall be terminated pursuant to the express provisions of this Master Lease or by termination of this Master Lease as to all or any portion of the Leased Property other than by reason of an Event of Default. Tenant’s agreement that, except as may be otherwise specifically provided in this Master Lease, any eviction by paramount title as described in item (ii) above shall not affect Tenant’s obligations under this Master Lease, shall not in any way discharge or diminish any obligation of any insurer under any policy of title or other insurance and, to the extent the recovery thereof is not necessary to compensate Landlord for any damages incurred by any such eviction, Tenant shall be entitled to a credit for any sums recovered by Landlord under any such policy of title or other insurance up to the maximum amount paid by Tenant to Landlord under this Section 5.1, and Landlord, upon request by Tenant, shall assign Landlord’s rights under such policies to Tenant; provided that such assignment does not adversely affect Landlord’s rights under any such policy and provided further, that Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect and save Landlord harmless from and against any liability, cost or expense of any kind that may be imposed upon Landlord in connection with any such assignment except to the extent such liability, cost or expense arises from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord.
ARTICLE VI
1.1Ownership of the Leased Property. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that they have executed and delivered this Master Lease with the understanding that (i) the Leased Property is the property of Landlord, (ii) Tenant has only the right to the possession and use of the Leased Property upon the terms and conditions of this Master Lease, (iii) this Master Lease is a “true lease,” is not a financing lease, capital lease, mortgage, equitable mortgage, deed of trust, trust agreement, security agreement or other financing or trust arrangement, and the economic realities of this Master Lease are those of a true lease, (iv) the business relationship created by this Master Lease and any related documents is and at all times shall remain that of landlord and tenant, (v) this Master Lease has been entered into by each party in reliance upon the mutual covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, and (vi) none of the agreements contained herein is intended, nor shall the same be deemed or construed, to create a partnership between Landlord and Tenant, to make them joint venturers, to make Tenant an agent, legal representative, partner, subsidiary or employee of Landlord, or to make Landlord in any way responsible for the debts, obligations or losses of Tenant.
(b)Each of the parties hereto covenants and agrees, subject to Section 6.1(c), not to (i) file any income tax return or other associated documents; (ii) file any other document with or submit any document to any governmental body or authority; (iii) enter into any written contractual arrangement with any Person; or (iv) release any financial statements of Tenant, in each case that takes a position other than that this Master Lease is a “true lease” with Landlord as owner of the Leased Property and Tenant as the tenant of the Leased Property, including (x) treating Landlord as the owner of such Leased Property eligible to claim depreciation deductions under Sections 167 or 168 of the Code with respect to such Leased Property, (y) Tenant reporting its Rent payments as rent expense under Section 162 of the Code, and (z) Landlord reporting the Rent payments as rental income under Section 61 of the Code, in each case except as otherwise required by a change in law or a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or similar provision of state or local law).
(c)If Tenant should reasonably conclude that GAAP or the SEC require treatment different from that set forth in Section 6.1(b) for applicable non-tax purposes, then (x) Tenant shall promptly give prior Notice to Landlord, accompanied by a written statement that references the applicable pronouncement that controls such treatment and contains a brief description and/or analysis that sets forth in reasonable detail the basis upon which Tenant reached such conclusion, and (y) notwithstanding Section 6.1(b), Tenant may comply with such requirements.
(d)The Rent is the fair market rent for the use of the Leased Property and was agreed to by Landlord and Tenant on that basis, and the execution and delivery of, and the performance by Tenant of its obligations under, this Master Lease does not constitute a transfer of all or any part of the Leased Property.
(e)Tenant waives any claim or defense based upon the characterization of this Master Lease as anything other than a true lease and as a master lease of all of the Leased Property. Tenant stipulates and agrees (1) not to challenge the validity, enforceability or characterization of the lease of the Leased Property as a true lease and/or as a single, unseverable instrument pertaining to the lease of all, but not less than all, of the Leased Property, and (2) not to assert or take or omit to take any action inconsistent with the agreements and understandings set forth in Section 3.4 or this Section 6.1, in each case except as otherwise required by a change in law or a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or similar provision of state or local law).
1.2Tenant’s Property. Tenant shall, during the entire Term, own (or lease) and maintain (or cause its Subsidiaries to own (or lease) and maintain) on the Leased Property adequate and sufficient Tenant’s Property, and shall maintain (or cause its Subsidiaries to maintain) all of such Tenant’s Property in good order, condition and repair, in all cases as shall be necessary and appropriate in order to operate the Facilities for the Primary Intended Use in compliance with all applicable licensure and certification requirements and in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements, Insurance Requirements and Gaming Regulations. If any of Tenant’s Property requires replacement in order to comply with the foregoing, Tenant shall replace (or cause a Subsidiary to replace) it with similar property of the same or better quality at Tenant’s (or such Subsidiary’s) sole cost and expense. Subject to the foregoing, Tenant and its Subsidiaries may sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of Tenant’s Property (other than Gaming Licenses and subject to Section 6.3) in their discretion in the ordinary course of its business and Landlord shall have no rights to such Tenant’s Property. Tenant shall, upon Landlord’s request, from time to time but not more frequently than one time per Lease Year,
provide Landlord with a list of the material Tenant’s Property located at each of the Facilities. In the case of any such Tenant’s Property that is leased (rather than owned) by Tenant (or its Subsidiaries), Tenant shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the lease agreements pursuant to which Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) leases such Tenant’s Property are assignable to third parties in connection with any transfer by Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) to a replacement lessee or operator at the end of the Term. Tenant shall remove all of Tenant’s Property from the Leased Property at the end of the Term, except to the extent Tenant has transferred ownership of such Tenant’s Property to a Successor Tenant or Landlord. Any Tenant’s Property left on the Leased Property at the end of the Term whose ownership was not transferred to a Successor Tenant shall be deemed abandoned by Tenant and shall become the property of Landlord.
1.3Guarantors; Tenant’s Property. Each of Tenant’s Parent and each of Tenant’s Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 6.3 shall be a Guarantor under this Master Lease and shall execute and deliver to the Landlord the Guaranty attached hereto as Exhibit D. In addition, if any material Gaming License or other license or other material asset necessary to operate any portion of the Leased Property is owned by a Subsidiary, Tenant shall within two (2) Business Days after the date such Subsidiary acquires such Gaming License, other license or other material asset, (a) notify the Landlord thereof and (b) cause such Subsidiary (if it is not already a Guarantor) to become a Guarantor by executing the Guaranty in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Landlord.
ARTICLE VII
1.1Condition of the Leased Property. Tenant acknowledges receipt and delivery of possession of the Leased Property and confirms that Tenant has examined and otherwise has knowledge of the condition of the Leased Property prior to the execution and delivery of this Master Lease and has found the same (except as included in the disclosures on Schedule A) to be in good order and repair and, to the best of Tenant’s knowledge, free from Hazardous Substances not in compliance with Legal Requirements and satisfactory for its purposes hereunder. Regardless, however, of any examination or inspection made by Tenant and whether or not any patent or latent defect or condition was revealed or discovered thereby, Tenant is leasing the Leased Property “as is” in its present condition. Subject to Section 32.6, Tenant waives any claim or action against Landlord in respect of the condition of the Leased Property including any defects or adverse conditions not discovered or otherwise known by Tenant as of the Commencement Date. LANDLORD MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN RESPECT OF THE LEASED PROPERTY OR ANY PART THEREOF, EITHER AS TO ITS FITNESS FOR USE, DESIGN OR CONDITION FOR ANY PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE, OR AS TO THE NATURE OR QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP THEREIN, OR THE EXISTENCE OF ANY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE ON THE LEASED PROPERTY OR ANY PART THEREOF, IT BEING AGREED THAT ALL SUCH RISKS, LATENT OR PATENT, ARE TO BE BORNE SOLELY BY TENANT INCLUDING ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ANY REMEDIATION AND COMPLIANCE WITH ALL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 32.6 HEREOF.
1.2Use of the Leased Property. Tenant shall use or cause to be used the Leased Property and the improvements thereon of each Facility for its Primary Intended Use. Tenant shall not use the Leased Property or any portion thereof or any Capital Improvement thereto for any other use without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent Landlord may withhold in its sole discretion. Landlord acknowledges that operation of each Facility for its Primary Intended Use generally requires a Gaming License under applicable Gaming
Regulations and that without such a license neither Landlord nor GLP may operate, control or participate in the conduct of the gaming and/or racing operations at the Facilities.
(b)Tenant shall not commit or suffer to be committed any waste on the Leased Property (including any Capital Improvement thereto) or cause or permit any nuisance thereon or to, except as required by law, take or suffer any action or condition that will diminish the ability of the Leased Property to be used as a Gaming Facility after the expiration or earlier termination of the Term.
(c)Tenant shall neither suffer nor permit the Leased Property or any portion thereof to be used in such a manner as (i) might reasonably tend to impair Landlord’s title thereto or to any portion thereof or (ii) may make possible a claim of adverse use or possession, or an implied dedication of the Leased Property or any portion thereof.
(d)Tenant shall continuously operate each Facility for the Primary Intended Use (except as a result of casualty, condemnation or Unavoidable Delay that affects such Facility). Tenant in its discretion shall be permitted to cease operations at a Facility or Facilities if such cessation would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Tenant, the Facilities, or on the Leased Property, taken as a whole, provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing immediately prior to or immediately after the date that operations are ceased or as a result of such cessation.
1.3Competing Business.
(a)Tenant’s Obligations for Greenfields. Tenant agrees that during the Term, neither Tenant nor any of its Affiliates shall (i) build or otherwise participate in the development of a new Gaming Facility (including a facility that has been shut down for a period of more than twelve (12) months) located within a Restricted Area of a Facility (a “Greenfield Project”) or (ii) acquire or operate any Competing Facility, unless Tenant shall first offer Landlord the opportunity to include the Greenfield Project or the Competing Facility, as the case may be, as a Leased Property under this Master Lease on terms to be negotiated by the parties (which terms with respect to Landlord funding the development of any such Greenfield Project shall include the terms set forth in Section 10.3 hereof regarding Capital Improvements). Within thirty (30) days of Landlord’s receipt of notice from Tenant providing the opportunity to fund and include as Leased Property under this Master Lease a Greenfield Project or a Competing Facility, as the case may be, on terms to be negotiated by the parties, Landlord shall notify Tenant as to whether it intends to participate in such Greenfield Project or acquire such Competing Facility, as applicable, and, if Landlord indicates such intent, the parties shall negotiate in good faith the terms and conditions upon which this would be effected, including the terms of any amendment to this Master Lease and any development, funding or purchase agreement, which Landlord might require. Should Landlord notify Tenant that it does not intend to pursue such Greenfield Project or Competing Facility (or should Landlord decline to notify Tenant of its affirmative response within such thirty (30) day period), or if the parties despite good faith efforts on both sides fail to reach agreement on the terms under which such opportunity would be jointly pursued under this Master Lease and such new Greenfield Project or Competing Facility, would become a portion of the Leased Property hereunder, in any event, within forty-five (45) days after Landlord’s notice to Tenant of Landlord’s intent to participate in such Greenfield Project or Competing Facility, then Tenant shall have no further obligation to Landlord with respect to, and may pursue, such Greenfield Project or Competing Facility, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.3(a), Tenant and its Affiliates shall not be restricted under this Section 7.3(a) from expanding any Facility under this Master Lease (subject to Tenant’s compliance with the terms of Section 10.3 and the other provisions of Article X).
(b)Landlord’s Obligations for Greenfields. Landlord agrees that during the Term, neither Landlord nor any of its Affiliates shall, without the prior written consent of the Tenant (which consent may be withheld in Tenant’s sole discretion), build or otherwise participate in the development of a Greenfield Project within the Restricted Area. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.3(b), (i) Landlord and its Affiliates shall not be restricted under this Section 7.3(b) from acquiring, financing or providing refinancing for any facility that is in operation or has been in operation at any time during the twelve month period prior to the time in question, and (ii) subject to the provisions of Section 7.3(d) hereof, Landlord and its Affiliates shall not be restricted under this Section 7.3(b) from expanding any Competing Facility existing at the time in question.
(c)Tenant’s Rights Regarding Facility Expansions. Tenant shall be permitted to construct Capital Improvements in accordance with the terms of Article X hereof.
(d)Landlord’s Rights Regarding Facility Expansions. Landlord shall be permitted to finance expansions of any Competing Facility within the Restricted Area that is already in existence at any time in question.
(e)Landlord’s Rights to Acquire or Finance Existing Facilities. Landlord shall not be restricted under this Section 7.3 from acquiring or providing any kind of financing or refinancing to any Competing Facility within the Restricted Area that is already in existence at any time in question.
(f)No Restrictions Outside of Restricted Area. Each of Landlord and Tenant shall not be restricted from participating in opportunities, including, without limitation, developing, building, purchasing or operating Gaming Facilities, outside the Restricted Area at any time.
ARTICLE VIII
1.1Representations and Warranties. Each party represents and warrants to the other that: (i) this Master Lease and all other documents executed or to be executed by it in connection herewith have been duly authorized and shall be binding upon it; (ii) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its formation and is duly authorized and qualified to perform this Master Lease within the State(s) where any portion of the Leased Property is located; and (iii) neither this Master Lease nor any other document executed or to be executed in connection herewith violates the terms of any other agreement of such party.
1.2Compliance with Legal and Insurance Requirements, etc. Subject to Article XII regarding permitted contests, Tenant, at its expense, shall promptly (a) comply in all material respects with all Legal Requirements and Insurance Requirements regarding the use, operation, maintenance, repair and restoration of the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements thereto) and Tenant’s Property whether or not compliance therewith may require structural changes in any of the Leased Improvements or interfere with the use and enjoyment of the Leased Property, and (b) procure, maintain and comply in all material respects with all Gaming Regulations and Gaming Licenses, and other authorizations required for the use of the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements) and Tenant’s Property for the applicable Primary Intended Use and any other use of the Leased Property (including Capital Improvements then being made) and Tenant’s Property, and for the proper erection, installation, operation and maintenance of the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property. In an emergency or in the event of a breach by Tenant of its obligations under this Section 8.2 which is not cured within any
applicable cure period, Landlord may, but shall not be obligated to, enter upon the Leased Property and take such reasonable actions and incur such reasonable costs and expenses to effect such compliance as it deems advisable to protect its interest in the Leased Property, and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for all such reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with such actions. Tenant covenants and agrees that the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property shall not be used for any unlawful purpose. In the event that a regulatory agency, commission, board or other governmental body notifies Tenant that it is in jeopardy of losing a Gaming License material to the continued operation of a Facility, and, assuming no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Tenant shall be given reasonable time to address the regulatory issue, after which period (but in all events prior to an actual revocation of such Gaming License) Tenant shall be required to sell (i) if permitted by applicable law, the Gaming License, and to the extent such sale is not permitted by applicable law Tenant shall use reasonable best efforts to transfer the applicable Gaming License or to cause the issuance of a new or replacement Gaming License, pursuant to the procedures permitted by applicable state law, and (ii) Tenant’s Property related to such Facility to a successor operator of such Facility determined by Landlord choosing one and Tenant choosing three (for a total of four) potential operators and Landlord indicating the reasonable, market terms under which it would agree to lease such Facility to such potential operators, which in Landlord’s reasonable discretion may contain reasonable variations in terms to the extent required to account for credit quality differences among the potential operators (e.g., Landlord may require different letter of credit terms and amounts, but may not set different rent terms). Tenant will then be entitled to auction off Tenant’s Property relating to such Facility and Landlord will thereafter be entitled to lease the Facility to the potential successor that is the successful bidder. In the event of a new lease from Landlord to the successor, the Leased Property relating to such Facility shall be severed from the Leased Property hereunder and thereafter Rent shall be reduced based on the formula set forth in Section 14.6 hereof. Landlord shall comply with any Gaming Regulations or other regulatory requirements required of it as owner of the Facilities taking into account its Primary Intended Use (except to the extent Tenant fulfills or is required to fulfill any such requirements hereunder). In the event that a regulatory agency, commission, board or other governmental body notifies Landlord that it is in jeopardy of failing to comply with any such Gaming Regulation or other regulatory requirements material to the continued operation of a Facility for its Primary Intended Use, Landlord shall be given reasonable time to address the regulatory issue, after which period (but in all events prior to an actual cessation of the use of the Facility for its Primary Intended Use as a result of the failure by Landlord to comply with such regulatory requirements) Landlord shall be required to sell the Leased Property relating to such Facility to the highest bidder (and Tenant shall be entitled to be one of the bidders) who would agree to lease such Facility to Tenant on terms substantially the same as the terms hereof (including rent calculated in the manner provided pursuant to Section 14.6 hereof, an identical amount of which, after the effective time of such sale, shall be credited against Rent hereunder); provided that if Tenant is the bidder it shall not be required to agree to lease the Facility, but if it is the winning bidder shall be entitled to a credit against the Rent hereunder calculated in the manner provided pursuant to Section 14.6. In the event during the period in which Landlord conducts such auction such regulatory agency notifies Landlord and Tenant that Tenant may not pay any portion of the Rent to Landlord, Tenant shall be entitled to fund such amount into an escrow account, to be released to Landlord or the party legally entitled thereto at or upon resolution of such regulatory issues and otherwise on terms reasonably satisfactory to the parties. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, no transfer of Tenant’s Property used in the conduct of gaming (including the purported or attempted transfer of a Gaming License) or the operation of a Gaming Facility for its Primary Intended Use shall be effected or permitted without receipt of all necessary approvals and/or Gaming Licenses in accordance with applicable Gaming Regulations.
1.3Zoning and Uses. Without the prior written consent of Landlord, which shall not be unreasonably withheld unless the action for which consent is sought could adversely
affect the Primary Intended Use of a Facility (in which event Landlord may withhold its consent in its sole and absolute discretion), Tenant shall not (i) initiate or support any limiting change in the permitted uses of the Leased Property (or to the extent applicable, limiting zoning reclassification of the Leased Property); (ii) seek any variance under existing land use restrictions, laws, rules or regulations (or, to the extent applicable, zoning ordinances) applicable to the Leased Property or use or permit the use of the Leased Property; (iii) impose or permit or suffer the imposition of any restrictive covenants, easements or encumbrances (other than Permitted Leasehold Mortgages) upon the Leased Property in any manner that adversely affects in any material respect the value or utility of the Leased Property; (iv) execute or file any subdivision plat affecting the Leased Property, or institute, or permit the institution of, proceedings to alter any tax lot comprising the Leased Property; or (v) permit or suffer the Leased Property to be used by the public or any Person in such manner as might make possible a claim of adverse usage or possession or of any implied dedication or easement (provided that the proscription in this clause (v) is not intended to and shall not restrict Tenant in any way from complying with any obligation it may have under applicable Legal Requirements, including, without limitation, Gaming Regulations, to afford to the public access to the Leased Property).
1.4Compliance with Ground Lease.
(a)This Master Lease, to the extent affecting and solely with respect to the Ground Leased Property, is and shall be subject and subordinate to all of the terms and conditions of the Ground Lease. Tenant hereby acknowledges that Tenant has reviewed and agreed to all of the terms and conditions of the Ground Lease. Tenant hereby agrees that Tenant shall not do, or fail to do, anything that would cause any violation of the Ground Lease. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) Tenant shall pay Landlord on demand as an Additional Charge hereunder all rent required to be paid by, and other monetary obligations of, Landlord as tenant under the Ground Lease (and, at Landlord’s option, Tenant shall make such payments directly to the Ground Lessor); provided, however, such Additional Charges payable by Tenant shall exclude any additional costs under the Ground Lease which are caused solely by Landlord after the Commencement Date without consent or fault of or omission by Tenant, (ii) to the extent Landlord is required to obtain the written consent of the lessor under the Ground Lease (the “Ground Lessor”) to alterations of or the subleasing of all or any portion of the Ground Leased Property pursuant to the Ground Lease, Tenant shall likewise obtain Ground Lessor’s written consent to alterations of or the subleasing of all or any portion of the Ground Leased Property (and Landlord will use commercially reasonable efforts to submit such requests to Ground Lessor and cooperate, at no cost or expense to Landlord, with the reasonable requests of Tenant and Ground Lessor to facilitate such requests), and (iii) Tenant shall carry and maintain general liability, automobile liability, property and casualty, worker’s compensation and employer’s liability insurance in amounts and with policy provisions, coverages and certificates as required of Landlord as tenant under the Ground Lease.
(b)In the event of cancellation or termination of the Ground Lease for any reason whatsoever whether voluntary or involuntary (by operation of law or otherwise) prior to the expiration date of this Master Lease, including extensions and renewals granted thereunder, then, at Ground Lessor’s option, Tenant shall make full and complete attornment to Ground Lessor with respect to the obligations of Landlord to Ground Lessor in connection with the Ground Leased Property for the balance of the term of the Ground Lease (notwithstanding that this Master Lease shall have expired with respect to the Ground Leased Property as a result of the cancellation or termination of the Ground Lease). Tenant’s attornment shall be evidenced by a written agreement which shall provide that the Tenant is in direct privity of contract with Ground Lessor (i.e., that all obligations previously owed to Landlord under this Master Lease with respect to the Ground Lease or the Ground Leased Property shall be obligations owed to Ground Lessor for the balance of the term of this Master Lease, notwithstanding that this Master Lease shall have expired with respect to the Ground Leased Property as a result of the
cancellation or termination of the Ground Lease) and which shall otherwise be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Ground Lessor. Tenant shall execute and deliver such written attornment within thirty (30) days after request by Ground Lessor. Unless and until such time as an attornment agreement is executed by Tenant pursuant to this Section 8.4(b), nothing contained in this Master Lease shall create, or be construed as creating, any privity of contract or privity of estate between Ground Lessor and Tenant.
(c)Nothing contained in this Master Lease amends, or shall be construed to amend, any provision of the Ground Lease.
ARTICLE IX
1.1Maintenance and Repair. Tenant, at its expense and without the prior consent of Landlord, shall maintain the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property, and every portion thereof, and all private roadways, sidewalks and curbs appurtenant to the Leased Property, and which are under Tenant’s control in good order and repair whether or not the need for such repairs occurs as a result of Tenant’s use, any prior use, the elements or the age of the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property, and, with reasonable promptness, make all reasonably necessary and appropriate repairs thereto of every kind and nature, including those necessary to ensure continuing compliance with all Legal Requirements, whether interior or exterior, structural or non-structural, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen or arising by reason of a condition existing prior to the Commencement Date. All repairs shall be at least equivalent in quality to the original work. Tenant will not take or omit to take any action the taking or omission of which would reasonably be expected to materially impair the value or the usefulness of the Leased Property or any part thereof or any Capital Improvement thereto for its Primary Intended Use.
(b)Landlord shall not under any circumstances be required to (i) build or rebuild any improvements on the Leased Property; (ii) make any repairs, replacements, alterations, restorations or renewals of any nature to the Leased Property, whether ordinary or extraordinary, structural or non-structural, foreseen or unforeseen, or to make any expenditure whatsoever with respect thereto; or (iii) maintain the Leased Property in any way. Tenant hereby waives, to the extent permitted by law, the right to make repairs at the expense of Landlord pursuant to any law in effect at the time of the execution of this Master Lease or hereafter enacted.
(c)Nothing contained in this Master Lease and no action or inaction by Landlord shall be construed as (i) constituting the consent or request of Landlord, expressed or implied, to any contractor, subcontractor, laborer, materialman or vendor to or for the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property for the construction, alteration, addition, repair or demolition of or to the Leased Property or any part thereof or any Capital Improvement thereto; or (ii) giving Tenant any right, power or permission to contract for or permit the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in such fashion as would permit the making of any claim against Landlord in respect thereof or to make any agreement that may create, or in any way be the basis for, any right, title, interest, lien, claim or other encumbrance upon the estate of Landlord in the Leased Property, or any portion thereof or upon the estate of Landlord in any Capital Improvement thereto.
(d)Tenant shall, upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Term, vacate and surrender the Leased Property (including all Capital Improvements, subject to the provisions of Article X), in each case with respect to such Facility, to Landlord in the condition in which such Leased Property was originally received from Landlord and Capital Improvements were
originally introduced to such Facility, except as repaired, rebuilt, restored, altered or added to as permitted or required by the provisions of this Master Lease (including Section 14.2 and 15.1) and except for ordinary wear and tear.
(e)Without limiting Tenant’s obligations to maintain the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property under this Master Lease, within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar year (commencing with the calendar year ending December 31, 2018), Tenant shall provide Landlord with evidence satisfactory to Landlord in the reasonable exercise of Landlord’s discretion that Tenant has in such calendar year spent, with respect to the Leased Property and Tenant’s Property, an aggregate amount equal to at least 1% of its actual Net Revenue from the Facilities for such calendar year on installation or restoration and repair or other improvement of items, which installations, restorations and repairs and other improvements are capitalized in accordance with GAAP with an expected life of not less than three (3) years; provided that, in the event an Unavoidable Delay occurs during the time during which Tenant is required to make the foregoing expenditures and such Unavoidable Delay actually prevents or delays Tenant’s performance of such installations, restorations, repairs or other improvements, then the relevant period in which Tenant was obligated to perform such installations, restorations, repairs or other improvements shall be extended, on a day-for-day basis, for the same amount of time that such Unavoidable Delay actually delayed Tenant’s ability to perform such installations, restorations, repairs or other improvements; provided, further, that with respect to the installations, restorations, repairs or other improvements required to be made during the calendar year ending December 31, 2020, Tenant shall be required to make such installations, restorations, repairs or other improvements no later than June 30, 2021. If Tenant fails to make at least the above amount of capital expenditures and fails within sixty (60) days after receipt of a written demand from Landlord to either (i) cure such deficiency or (ii) obtain Landlord’s written approval, in its reasonable discretion, of a repair and maintenance program satisfactory to cure such deficiency, then the same shall be deemed an Event of Default hereunder.
1.2Encroachments, Restrictions, Mineral Leases, etc. If any of the Leased Improvements shall, at any time, encroach upon any property, street or right-of-way, or shall violate any restrictive covenant or other agreement affecting the Leased Property, or any part thereof or any Capital Improvement thereto, or shall impair the rights of others under any easement or right-of-way to which the Leased Property is subject, or the use of the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto is impaired, limited or interfered with by reason of the exercise of the right of surface entry or any other provision of a lease or reservation of any oil, gas, water or other minerals, then promptly upon the request of Landlord or any Person affected by any such encroachment, violation or impairment, each of Tenant and Landlord, subject to their right to contest the existence of any such encroachment, violation or impairment, shall protect, indemnify, save harmless and defend the other party hereto from and against fifty percent (50%) of all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, damages, penalties, causes of action, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’, consultants’ and experts’ fees and expenses) based on or arising by reason of any such encroachment, violation or impairment. In the event of an adverse final determination with respect to any such encroachment, violation or impairment, either (a) each of Tenant and Landlord shall be entitled to obtain valid and effective waivers or settlements of all claims, liabilities and damages resulting from each such encroachment, violation or impairment, whether the same shall affect Landlord or Tenant or (b) Tenant at the shared cost and expense of Tenant and Landlord on a 50-50 basis shall make such changes in the Leased Improvements, and take such other actions, as Tenant in the good faith exercise of its judgment deems reasonably practicable, to remove such encroachment or to end such violation or impairment, including, if necessary, the alteration of any of the Leased Improvements, and in any event take all such actions as may be necessary in order to be able to continue the operation of the Leased Improvements for the Primary Intended Use substantially in the manner and to the extent the Leased Improvements were operated prior to the assertion of such encroachment, violation or impairment. Tenant’s (and Landlord’s) obligations under this Section 9.2 shall be in
addition to and shall in no way discharge or diminish any obligation of any insurer under any policy of title or other insurance and, to the extent the recovery thereof is not necessary to compensate Landlord and Tenant for any damages incurred by any such encroachment, violation or impairment, Tenant shall be entitled to fifty percent (50%) of any sums recovered by Landlord under any such policy of title or other insurance up to the maximum amount paid by Tenant under this Section 9.2 and Landlord, upon request by Tenant, shall assign Landlord’s rights under such policies to Tenant; provided such assignment does not adversely affect Landlord’s rights under any such policy. Landlord agrees to use reasonable efforts to seek recovery under any policy of title or other insurance under which Landlord is an insured party for all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, damages, penalties, causes of action, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’, consultants’ and experts’ fees and expenses) based on or arising by reason of any such encroachment, violation or impairment as set forth in this Section 9.2; provided, however, that in no event shall Landlord be obligated to institute any litigation, arbitration or other legal proceedings in connection therewith unless Landlord is reasonably satisfied that Tenant has the financial resources needed to fund such litigation and Tenant and Landlord have agreed upon the terms and conditions on which such funding will be made available by Tenant, including, but not limited to, the mutual approval of a litigation budget.
ARTICLE X
1.1Construction of Capital Improvements to the Leased Property. Tenant shall, with respect to any Facility, have the right to make a Capital Improvement, including, without limitation, any Capital Improvement required by Section 8.2 or 9.1(a), without the consent of Landlord if the Capital Improvement (i) is of equal or better quality than the existing Leased Improvements it is improving, altering or modifying, (ii) does not consist of adding new structures or enlarging existing structures, and (iii) does not have an adverse effect on the structure of any existing Leased Improvements. Tenant shall provide Landlord copies of the plans and specifications in respect of all Capital Improvements, which plans and specifications shall be prepared in a high-grade professional manner and shall adequately demonstrate compliance with clauses (i)-(iii) of the preceding sentence with respect to projects that do not require Landlord’s written consent and shall be in such form as Landlord may reasonably require for any other projects. All other Capital Improvements shall be subject to Landlord’s review and approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. For any Capital Improvement which does not require the approval of Landlord, Tenant shall, prior to commencing construction of such Capital Improvement, provide to Landlord a written description of such Capital Improvement and on an ongoing basis supply Landlord with related documentation and information as Landlord may reasonably request (including plans and specifications of any such Capital Improvements). If Tenant desires to make a Capital Improvement for which Landlord’s approval is required, Tenant shall submit to Landlord in reasonable detail a general description of the proposal, the projected cost of construction and such plans and specifications, permits, licenses, contracts and other information concerning the proposal as Landlord may reasonably request. Such description shall indicate the use or uses to which such Capital Improvement will be put and the impact, if any, on current and forecasted gross revenues and operating income attributable thereto. It shall be reasonable for Landlord to condition its approval of any Capital Improvement upon any or all of the following terms and conditions:
(a)Such construction shall be effected pursuant to detailed plans and specifications approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(b)Such construction shall be conducted under the supervision of a licensed architect or engineer selected by Tenant and approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(c)Landlord’s receipt, from the general contractor and, if reasonably requested by Landlord, a major subcontractor(s) of a performance and payment bond (or, if Tenant elects in lieu of performance and payment bond covering any major subcontractor, Sub-guard insurance, which policy shall be in form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord and which shall include a financial interest endorsement naming Landlord as a beneficiary) for the full value of such construction, which such bond shall name Landlord as an additional obligee and otherwise be in form and substance and issued by a Person reasonably satisfactory to Landlord;
(d)In the case of a Tenant Capital Improvement, such construction shall not be undertaken unless Tenant demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of Landlord the financial ability to complete the construction without adversely affecting its cash flow position or financial viability; and
(e)No Capital Improvement will result in the Leased Property becoming a “limited use” property for purposes of United States federal income taxes.
1.2Construction Requirements for All Capital Improvements. Whether or not Landlord’s review and approval is required, for all Capital Improvements:
(a)Such construction shall not be commenced until Tenant shall have procured and paid for all municipal and other governmental permits and authorizations required to be obtained prior to such commencement, including those permits and authorizations required pursuant to any Gaming Regulations, and Landlord shall join in the application for such permits or authorizations whenever such action is necessary; provided, however, that (i) any such joinder shall be at no cost or expense to Landlord; and (ii) any plans required to be filed in connection with any such application which require the approval of Landlord as hereinabove provided shall have been so approved by Landlord;
(b)(i) Such construction shall not, and Tenant’s licensed architect or engineer shall certify to Landlord that such architect or engineer believes that the design of such construction (as illustrated through the applicable corresponding construction documents) shall not, impair the structural strength of any component of the applicable Facility or overburden the electrical, water, plumbing, HVAC or other building systems of any such component in a manner that would violate applicable building codes or prudent industry practices, and (ii) Tenant’s general contractor shall certify to Landlord that such construction is in compliance with such design and corresponding construction documents;
(c)Tenant’s licensed architect or engineer shall certify to Landlord that such architect or engineer believes that the detailed plans and specifications conform to, and comply with, in all material respects all applicable building, subdivision and zoning codes, laws, ordinances and regulations imposed by all governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the Leased Property of the applicable Facility;
(d)During and following completion of such construction, the parking and other amenities which are located in the applicable Facility or on the Land of such Facility shall remain adequate for the operation of such Facility for its Primary Intended Use and in no event shall such parking be less than that which is required by law (including any variances with respect thereto); provided, however, with Landlord’s prior consent and at no additional expense to Landlord, (i) to the extent additional parking is not already a part of a Capital Improvement, Tenant may construct additional parking on the Land; or (ii) Tenant may acquire or lease off-site parking to serve such Facility as long as such parking shall be reasonably proximate to, and dedicated to, or otherwise made available to serve, such Facility;
(e)All work done in connection with such construction shall be done promptly and using materials and resulting in work that is at least as good product and condition as the remaining areas of the applicable Facility and in conformity with all Legal Requirements, including, without limitation, any applicable minority or women owned business requirements; and
(f)Promptly following the completion of such construction, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord “as built” drawings of such addition, certified as accurate by the licensed architect or engineer selected by Tenant to supervise such work, and copies of any new or revised certificates of occupancy.
1.3Landlord’s Right of First Offer to Fund. Tenant shall request that Landlord fund or finance the construction and acquisition of any Capital Improvement that includes Long-Lived Assets (along with reasonably related fees and expenses, such as title fees, costs of permits, legal fees and other similar transaction related costs) if the cost of such Capital Improvements constituting Long-Lived Assets is expected to be in excess of $2 million (subject to the CPI Increase), and Tenant shall provide to Landlord any information about such Capital Improvements which Landlord may reasonably request (including any specifics regarding the terms upon which Tenant will be seeking financing for such Capital Improvements). Landlord may, but shall be under no obligation to, provide the funds necessary to meet the request. Within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of a request to fund a proposed Capital Improvement pursuant to this Section 10.3, Landlord shall notify Tenant as to whether it will fund all or a portion of such proposed Capital Improvement and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which it would do so (including the terms with respect to any increases in Rent hereunder due to such Capital Improvements). If Landlord agrees to fund such proposed Capital Improvement, Tenant shall have ten (10) Business Days to accept or reject Landlord’s funding proposal. If Landlord declines to fund a proposed Capital Improvement (or declines to provide Tenant written notice within such ten (10) Business Day period of the terms of its proposal to fund such Capital Improvements), Tenant shall be permitted to secure outside financing or utilize then existing available financing for such Capital Improvement for a six-month period, after which six-month period (if Tenant has not secured outside financing or determined to utilize then existing available financing) Tenant shall again be required to first seek funding from Landlord. If Landlord agrees to fund all or a portion of a proposed Capital Improvement and Tenant rejects the terms thereof, Tenant shall be permitted to either use then existing available financing or seek outside financing for such Capital Improvement for a six-month period. If Tenant constructs a Capital Improvement with its then existing available financing or outside financing obtained in accordance with this Section 10.3, (i) except as may otherwise be expressly provided in this Master Lease to the contrary, (A) during the Term, such Capital Improvements shall be deemed part of the Leased Property and the Facilities solely for the purpose of calculating Net Revenues hereunder and shall for all other purposes be Tenant’s Property and (B) following expiration or termination of the Term, shall be either, at the option of Landlord, purchased by Landlord for fair market value or, if not purchased by Landlord, Tenant shall be entitled to either remove such Tenant Capital Improvements, provided that the Leased Property is restored in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, or receive fair value for such Tenant Capital Improvements in accordance with Article XXXVI. If Landlord agrees to fund a proposed Capital Improvement and Tenant accepts the terms thereof, such Capital Improvements shall be deemed part of the Leased Property and the Facilities for all purposes and Tenant shall provide Landlord with the following prior to any advance of funds:
(a)any information, certificates, licenses, permits or documents reasonably requested by Landlord which are necessary and obtainable to confirm that Tenant will be able to use the Capital Improvement upon completion thereof in accordance with the Primary Intended Use, including all required federal, state or local government licenses and approvals;
(b)an Officer’s Certificate and, if requested, a certificate from Tenant’s architect providing appropriate backup information, setting forth in reasonable detail the projected or actual costs related to such Capital Improvements;
(c)an amendment to this Master Lease (and any development or funding agreement agreed to in accordance with this Section 10.3), in a form reasonably agreed to by Landlord and Tenant, which may include, among other things, an increase in the Rent in amounts as agreed upon by the parties hereto pursuant to the agreed funding proposal terms described above and other provisions as may be necessary or appropriate;
(d)a deed conveying title to Landlord to any land acquired for the purpose of constructing the Capital Improvement free and clear of any liens or encumbrances except those approved by Landlord, and accompanied by an ALTA survey thereof satisfactory to Landlord;
(e)for each advance, endorsements to any outstanding policy of title insurance covering the Leased Property or commitments therefor reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Landlord (i) updating the same without any additional exception except those that do not materially affect the value of such land and do not interfere with the use of the Leased Property or as may be approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and (ii) increasing the coverage thereof by an amount equal to the cost of the Capital Improvement, except to the extent covered by the owner’s policy of title insurance referred to in paragraph (f) below;
(f)if appropriate, an owner’s policy of title insurance insuring the fair market value of fee simple title to any land and improvements conveyed to Landlord free and clear of all liens and encumbrances except those that do not materially affect the value of such land and do not interfere with the use of the Leased Property or are approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that if the requirement in this paragraph (f) is not satisfied (or waived by Landlord), Tenant shall be entitled to seek third party financing or use available financing in lieu of seeking such advance from Landlord;
(g)if requested by Landlord, an appraisal by a member of the Appraisal Institute of the Leased Property indicating that the fair market value of the Leased Property upon completion of the Capital Improvement will exceed the fair market value of the Leased Property immediately prior thereto by an amount not less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the cost of the Capital Improvement, provided that if the requirement in this paragraph (g) is not satisfied (or waived by Landlord), Tenant shall be entitled to seek third party financing or use available financing in lieu of seeking such advance from Landlord; and
(h)such other billing statements, invoices, certificates, endorsements, opinions, site assessments, surveys, resolutions, ratifications, lien releases and waivers and other instruments and information reasonably required by Landlord.
ARTICLE XI
1.1Liens. Subject to the provisions of Article XII relating to permitted contests, Tenant will not directly or indirectly create or allow to remain and will promptly discharge at its expense any lien, encumbrance, attachment, title retention agreement or claim upon the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto or upon the Gaming Licenses (including indirectly through a pledge of shares in the direct or indirect entity owning an interest in the Gaming Licenses) or any attachment, levy, claim or encumbrance in respect of the Rent, excluding, however, (i) this Master Lease; (ii) the matters that existed as of the Commencement Date with respect to such Facility and disclosed on Schedule A; (iii) restrictions, liens and other
encumbrances which are consented to in writing by Landlord (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld); (iv) liens for Impositions which Tenant is not required to pay hereunder; (v) subleases permitted by Article XXII; (vi) liens for Impositions not yet delinquent or being contested in accordance with Article XII, provided that Tenant has provided appropriate reserves as required under GAAP and any foreclosure or similar remedies with respect to such Impositions have not been instituted and no notice as to the institution or commencement thereof has been issued except to the extent such institution or commencement is stayed no later than the earlier of (x) ten (10) Business Days after such notice is issued or (y) five (5) Business Days prior to the institution or commencement thereof; (vii) liens of mechanics, laborers, materialmen, suppliers or vendors for sums either disputed or not yet due, provided that (1) the payment of such sums shall not be postponed under any related contract for more than sixty (60) days after the completion of the action giving rise to such lien unless being contested in accordance with Article XII and such reserve or other appropriate provisions as shall be required by law or GAAP shall have been made therefor and no foreclosure or similar remedies with respect to such liens has been instituted and no notice as to the institution or commencement thereof have been issued except to the extent such institution or commencement is stayed no later than the earlier of (x) ten (10) Business Days after such notice is issued or (y) five (5) Business Days prior to the institution or commencement thereof; or (2) any such liens are in the process of being contested as permitted by Article XII; (viii) any liens created by Landlord; (ix) liens related to equipment leases or equipment financing for Tenant’s Property which are used or useful in Tenant’s business on the Leased Property, provided that the payment of any sums due under such equipment leases or equipment financing shall either (1) be paid as and when due in accordance with the terms thereof, or (2) be in the process of being contested as permitted by Article XII and provided that a lien holder’s removal of any such Tenant’s Property from the Leased Property shall be made in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Section 11.1; (x) liens granted as security for the obligations of Tenant and its Affiliates under a Debt Agreement; provided, however, in no event shall the foregoing be deemed or construed to permit Tenant to encumber its leasehold interest (or a subtenant to encumber its subleasehold interest) in the Leased Property or its direct or indirect interest (or the interest of any of its Subsidiaries) in the Gaming Licenses (other than, in each case, to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, for which no consent shall be required), without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent may be granted or withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion; and provided, further, that Tenant shall be required to provide Landlord with fully executed copies of any and all Permitted Leasehold Mortgages and related principal Debt Agreements; (xi) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), covenants, encroachments, protrusions and other similar charges or encumbrances, and minor title deficiencies on or with respect to any Leased Property, in each case whether now or hereafter in existence, not individually or in the aggregate materially interfering with the conduct of the business on the Leased Property, taken as a whole; and (xii) liens granted as security for the obligations of Landlord and its Affiliates under any Facility Mortgage. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge and agree that Tenant has not granted any liens in favor of Landlord as security for its obligations hereunder (except to the extent contemplated in the final paragraph of this Section 11.1) and nothing contained herein shall be deemed or construed to prohibit the issuance of a lien on the Equity Interests in Tenant (it being agreed that any foreclosure by a lien holder on such interests in Tenant shall be subject to the restriction on Change in Control set forth in Article XXII) or to prohibit Tenant from pledging its Accounts and other Tenant’s Property and other property of Tenant, including fixtures and equipment installed by Tenant at the Facilities, as collateral in connection with financings from equipment lenders (or to Permitted Leasehold Mortgagees); provided that Tenant shall in no event pledge to any Person that is not granted a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage hereunder any of the Gaming Licenses or other of Tenant’s Property to the extent that such Tenant’s Property cannot be removed from the Leased Property without damaging or impairing the Leased Property (other than in a de minimis manner). For the further avoidance of doubt, by way of example, Tenant shall not grant to any lender (other than a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee) a lien on, and any and all lien holders (including a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee) shall not have the right to remove,
carpeting, internal wiring, elevators, or escalators at the Leased Property, but lien holders may have the right to remove (and Tenant shall have the right to grant a lien on) manual or electronic gaming machines and other gaming equipment (including, without limitation, electronic equipment used to monitor and/or operate gaming machines and other gaming equipment) and electronic or other equipment used to operate player affinity systems, even if the removal thereof from the Leased Property could result in damage; provided any such damage is repaired by the lien holder or Tenant in accordance with the terms of this Master Lease.
Landlord and Tenant intend that this Master Lease be an indivisible true lease that affords the parties hereto the rights and remedies of landlord and tenant hereunder and does not represent a financing arrangement. This Master Lease is not an attempt by Landlord or Tenant to evade the operation of any aspect of the law applicable to any of the Leased Property. Except as otherwise required by a change in tax law or any change in accounting rules or regulations or a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or similar provision of state or local law), Landlord and Tenant hereby acknowledge and agree that this Master Lease shall be treated as an operating lease for all purposes and not as a synthetic lease, financing lease or loan and that Landlord shall be entitled to all the benefits of ownership of the Leased Property, including depreciation for all federal, state and local tax purposes.
If, notwithstanding (a) the form and substance of this Master Lease and (b) the intent of the parties, and the language contained herein providing that this Master Lease shall at all times be construed, interpreted and applied to create an indivisible lease of all of the Leased Property, any court of competent jurisdiction finds that this Master Lease is a financing arrangement, this Master Lease shall be considered a secured financing agreement and Landlord’s title to the Leased Property shall constitute a perfected first priority lien in Landlord’s favor on the Leased Property to secure the payment and performance of all the obligations of Tenant hereunder (and to that end, Tenant hereby grants, assigns and transfers to the Landlord a security interest in all right, title or interest in or to any and all of the Leased Property, as security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due of Tenant’s obligations hereunder). Tenant authorizes Landlord, at the expense of Tenant, to make any filings or take other actions as Landlord reasonably determines are necessary or advisable in order to effect fully this Master Lease or to more fully perfect or renew the rights of the Landlord, and to subordinate to the Landlord the lien of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, with respect to the Leased Property (it being understood that nothing herein shall affect the rights of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee under Article XVII hereof). At any time and from time to time upon the request of the Landlord, and at the expense of the Tenant, Tenant shall promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such further documents and do such other acts as the Landlord may reasonably request in order to effect fully this Master Lease or to more fully perfect or renew the rights of the Landlord with respect to the Leased Property. Upon the exercise by the Landlord of any power, right, privilege or remedy pursuant to this Master Lease which requires any consent, approval, recording, qualification or authorization of any governmental authority, Tenant will execute and deliver, or will cause the execution and delivery of, all applications, certifications, instruments and other documents and papers that Landlord may be required to obtain from Tenant for such consent, approval, recording, qualification or authorization.
ARTICLE XII
1.1Permitted Contests. Tenant, upon prior written notice to Landlord, on its own or in Landlord’s name, at Tenant’s expense, may contest, by appropriate legal proceedings conducted in good faith and with due diligence, the amount, validity or application, in whole or in part, of any licensure or certification decision (including pursuant to any Gaming Regulation), Imposition, Legal Requirement, Insurance Requirement, lien, attachment, levy, encumbrance, charge or claim; provided, however, that (i) in the case of an unpaid Imposition, lien, attachment,
levy, encumbrance, charge or claim, the commencement and continuation of such proceedings shall suspend the collection thereof from Landlord and from the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto; (ii) neither the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto, the Rent therefrom nor any part or interest in either thereof would be in any danger of being sold, forfeited, attached or lost pending the outcome of such proceedings; (iii) in the case of a Legal Requirement, neither Landlord nor Tenant would be in any danger of civil or criminal liability for failure to comply therewith pending the outcome of such proceedings; (iv) if any such contest shall involve a sum of money or potential loss in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), upon request of Landlord, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to Landlord to the effect set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, to the extent applicable (it being agreed that the matters set forth in clause (i) can be addressed by Tenant paying the contested amount prior to any such contest); (v) in the case of a Legal Requirement, Imposition, lien, encumbrance or charge, Tenant shall give such reasonable security as may be required by Landlord to prevent any sale or forfeiture of the Leased Property or any Capital Improvement thereto or the Rent by reason of such non-payment or noncompliance; (vi) in the case of an Insurance Requirement, the coverage required by Article XIII shall be maintained; (vii) Tenant shall keep Landlord reasonably informed as to the status of the proceedings; and (viii) if such contest be finally resolved against Landlord or Tenant, Tenant shall promptly pay the amount required to be paid, together with all interest and penalties accrued thereon, or comply with the applicable Legal Requirement or Insurance Requirement. Landlord, at Tenant’s expense, shall execute and deliver to Tenant such authorizations and other documents as may reasonably be required in any such contest, and, if reasonably requested by Tenant or if Landlord so desires, Landlord shall join as a party therein. The provisions of this Article XII shall not be construed to permit Tenant to contest the payment of Rent or any other amount (other than Impositions or Additional Charges which Tenant may from time to time be required to impound with Landlord) payable by Tenant to Landlord hereunder. Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect and save Landlord harmless from and against any liability, cost or expense of any kind that may be imposed upon Landlord in connection with any such contest and any loss resulting therefrom, except in any instance where Landlord opted to join and joined as a party in the proceeding despite Tenant’s having sent written notice to Landlord of Tenant’s preference that Landlord not join in such proceeding.
ARTICLE XIII
1.1General Insurance Requirements. During the Term, Tenant shall at all times keep the Leased Property, and all property located in or on the Leased Property, including Capital Improvements, the Fixtures and Tenant’s Property, insured with the kinds and amounts of insurance described below. Each element of insurance described in this Article XIII shall be maintained with respect to the Leased Property of each Facility and Tenant’s Property and operations thereon. Such insurance shall be written by companies permitted to conduct business in the applicable State. All third party liability type policies must name Landlord as an “additional insured.” All property policies shall name Landlord as “loss payee” for its interests in each Facility. All business interruption policies shall name Landlord as “loss payee” with respect to Rent only. Property losses shall be payable to Landlord and/or Tenant as provided in Article XIV. In addition, the policies, as appropriate, shall name as an “additional insured” and/or “loss payee” each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and as an “additional insured” or “loss payee” the holder of any mortgage, deed of trust or other security agreement (“Facility Mortgagee”) securing any indebtedness or any other Encumbrance placed on the Leased Property in accordance with the provisions of Article XXXI (“Facility Mortgage”) by way of a standard form of mortgagee’s loss payable endorsement. Except as otherwise set forth herein, any property insurance loss adjustment settlement shall require the written consent of Landlord, Tenant, and each Facility Mortgagee (to the extent required under the applicable Facility Mortgage Documents) unless the amount of the loss net of the applicable deductible is less than
Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) in which event no consent shall be required. Evidence of insurance shall be deposited with Landlord and, if requested, with any Facility Mortgagee(s). The insurance policies required to be carried by Tenant hereunder shall insure against all the following risks with respect to each Facility:
(a)Loss or damage by fire, vandalism, collapse and malicious mischief, extended coverage perils commonly known as “All Risk,” and all physical loss perils normally included in such All Risk insurance, including, but not limited to, sprinkler leakage and windstorm, in an amount not less than the insurable value on a Maximum Foreseeable Loss (as defined below in Section 13.2) basis and including a building ordinance coverage endorsement; provided, that Tenant shall have the right (i) to limit maximum insurance coverage for loss or damage by earthquake (including earth movement) to a minimum amount of Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000) or as may be reasonably requested by Landlord and commercially available, and (ii) to limit maximum insurance coverage for loss or damage by windstorm (including but not limited to named windstorms) to a minimum amount of Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000) or as may be reasonably requested by Landlord and commercially available; provided, further, that in the event the premium cost of any or all of earthquake, flood, windstorm (including named windstorm) or terrorism coverages are available only for a premium that is more than 2.5 times the average premium paid by Tenant (or prior operator of Facilities) over the preceding three years for the insurance policy contemplated by this Section 13.1(a), then Tenant shall be entitled and required to purchase the maximum insurance coverage it deems most efficient and prudent to purchase and Tenant shall not be required to spend additional funds to purchase additional coverages insuring against such risks; and provided, further, that some property coverages might be sub-limited in an amount less than the Maximum Foreseeable Loss as long as the sub-limits are commercially reasonable and prudent as deemed by Tenant;
(b)Loss or damage by explosion of steam boilers, pressure vessels or similar apparatus, now or hereafter installed in each Facility, in such limits with respect to any one accident as may be reasonably requested by Landlord from time to time;
(c)Flood (when any of the improvements comprising the Leased Property of a Facility is located in whole or in part within a designated 100-year flood plain area) in an amount not less than the greater of (i) probable maximum loss of a 250 year event, and (ii) One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000), and such other hazards and in such amounts as may be customary for comparable properties in the area;
(d)Loss of rental value in an amount not less than twelve (12) months’ Rent payable hereunder or business interruption in an amount not less than twelve (12) months of income and normal operating expenses including 90-days ordinary payroll and Rent payable hereunder with an extended period of indemnity coverage of at least ninety (90) days necessitated by the occurrence of any of the hazards described in Sections 13.1(a), 13.1(b) or 13.1(c), provided that Tenant may self-insure specific Facilities for the insurance contemplated under this Section 13.1(d), provided that (i) such Facilities that Tenant chooses to self-insure are not expected to generate more than ten percent (10%) of Net Revenues anticipated to be generated from all the Facilities and (ii) Tenant deposits in any impound account created under Section 4.3 hereof an amount equal to the product of (1) the sum of (A) the insurance premiums paid by Tenant for such period under this Section 13.1(d) to insurance companies and (B) the amount deposited by Tenant in an impound account pursuant to this provision, and (2) the
percentage of Net Revenues that are anticipated to be generated by the Facilities that are being self-insured by Tenant under this provision;
(e)Claims for personal injury or property damage under a policy of comprehensive general public liability insurance with amounts not less than One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000) each occurrence and One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000) in the annual aggregate, provided that such requirements may be satisfied through the purchase of a primary general liability policy and excess liability policies;
(f)During such time as Tenant is constructing any improvements, Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall carry, or cause to be carried (i) workers’ compensation insurance and employers’ liability insurance covering all persons employed in connection with the improvements in statutory limits, (ii) a completed operations endorsement to the commercial general liability insurance policy referred to above, (iii) builder’s risk insurance, completed value form (or its equivalent), covering all physical loss, in an amount and subject to policy conditions satisfactory to Landlord, and (iv) such other insurance, in such amounts, as Landlord deems reasonably necessary to protect Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property from any act or omission of Tenant’s contractors or subcontractors.
1.2Maximum Foreseeable Loss. The term “Maximum Foreseeable Loss” shall mean the largest monetary loss within one area that may be expected to result from a single fire with protection impaired, the control of the fire mainly dependent on physical barriers or separations and a delayed manual firefighting by public and/or private fire brigades. If Landlord reasonably believes that the Maximum Foreseeable Loss has increased at any time during the Term, it shall have the right (unless Tenant and Landlord agree otherwise) to have such Maximum Foreseeable Loss redetermined by an impartial national insurance company reasonably acceptable to both parties (the “Impartial Appraiser”), or, if the parties cannot agree on an Impartial Appraiser, then by an Expert appointed in accordance with Section 34.1 hereof. The determination of the Impartial Appraiser (or the Expert, as the case may be) shall be final and binding on the parties hereto, and Tenant shall forthwith adjust the amount of the insurance carried pursuant to this Article XIII to the amount so determined by the Impartial Appraiser (or the Expert, as the case may be), subject to the approval of the Facility Mortgagee, as applicable. Each party shall pay one-half (1/2) of the fee, if any, of the Impartial Appraiser. If Landlord pays the Impartial Appraiser, fifty percent (50%) of such costs shall be Additional Charges hereunder and if Tenant pays such Impartial Appraiser, fifty percent (50%) of such costs shall be a credit against the next Rent payment hereunder. If Tenant has undertaken any structural alterations or additions to the Leased Property having a cost or value in excess of Twenty Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000), Landlord may at Tenant’s expense have the Maximum Foreseeable Loss redetermined at any time after such improvements are made, regardless of when the Maximum Foreseeable Loss was last determined.
1.3Additional Insurance. In addition to the insurance described above, Tenant shall maintain such additional insurance upon notice from Landlord as may be reasonably required from time to time by any Facility Mortgagee and shall further at all times maintain adequate workers’ compensation coverage and any other coverage required by Legal Requirements for all Persons employed by Tenant on the Leased Property in accordance with Legal Requirements.
1.4Waiver of Subrogation. All insurance policies carried by either party covering the Leased Property or Tenant’s Property, including, without limitation, contents, fire and liability insurance, shall expressly waive any right of subrogation on the part of the insurer against the other party. Each party, respectively, shall pay any additional costs or charges for obtaining such waiver.
1.5Policy Requirements. All of the policies of insurance referred to in this Article XIII shall be written in form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord and any Facility Mortgagee and issued by insurance companies with a minimum policyholder rating of “A-” and a financial rating of “VII” in the most recent version of Best’s Key Rating Guide, or a minimum rating of “BBB” from Standard & Poor’s or equivalent. If Tenant obtains and maintains the general liability insurance described in Section 13.1(e) above on a “claims made” basis, Tenant shall provide continuous liability coverage for claims arising during the Term. In the event such “claims made” basis policy is canceled or not renewed for any reason whatsoever (or converted to an “occurrence” basis policy), Tenant shall either obtain (a) “tail” insurance coverage converting the policies to “occurrence” basis policies providing coverage for a period of at least three (3) years beyond the expiration of the Term, or (b) an extended reporting period of at least three (3) years beyond the expiration of the Term. Tenant shall pay all of the premiums therefor, and deliver certificates thereof to Landlord prior to their effective date (and with respect to any renewal policy, prior to the expiration of the existing policy), and in the event of the failure of Tenant either to effect such insurance in the names herein called for or to pay the premiums therefor, or to deliver such certificates thereof to Landlord, at the times required, Landlord shall be entitled, but shall have no obligation, to effect such insurance and pay the premiums therefor, in which event the cost thereof, together with interest thereon at the Overdue Rate, shall be repayable to Landlord upon demand therefor. Tenant shall obtain, to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms, the agreement of each insurer, by endorsement on the policy or policies issued by it, or by independent instrument furnished to Landlord, that it will give to Landlord thirty (30) days’ (or ten (10) days’ in the case of non-payment of premium) written notice before the policy or policies in question shall be altered, allowed to expire or cancelled. Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIII to the contrary, Landlord acknowledges and agrees that the coverage required to be maintained by Tenant may be provided under one or more policies with various deductibles or self-insurance retentions by Tenant or its Affiliates, subject to Landlord’s approval not to be unreasonably withheld. Upon written request by Landlord, Tenant shall provide Landlord copies of the property insurance policies when issued by the insurers providing such coverage.
1.6Increase in Limits. If, from time to time after the Commencement Date, Landlord determines in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment that the limits of the personal injury or property damage-public liability insurance then carried pursuant to Section 13.1(e) hereof are insufficient, Landlord may give Tenant Notice of acceptable limits for the insurance to be carried; provided that in no event will Tenant be required to carry insurance in an amount which exceeds the product of (i) the amounts set forth in Section 13.1(e) hereof and (ii) the CPI Increase; and subject to the foregoing limitation, within ninety (90) days after the receipt of such Notice, the insurance shall thereafter be carried with limits as prescribed by Landlord until further increase pursuant to the provisions of this Section 13.6.
1.7Blanket Policy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article XIII, Tenant’s obligations to carry the insurance provided for herein may be brought within the coverage of a so-called blanket policy or policies of insurance carried and maintained by Tenant; provided that the requirements of this Article XIII (including satisfaction of the Facility Mortgagee’s requirements and the approval of the Facility Mortgagee) are otherwise satisfied, and provided further that Tenant maintains specific allocations acceptable to Landlord.
1.8No Separate Insurance. Tenant shall not, on Tenant’s own initiative or pursuant to the request or requirement of any third party, (i) take out separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required in this Article XIII to be furnished by, or which may reasonably be required to be furnished by, Tenant or (ii) increase the amounts of any then existing insurance by securing an additional policy or additional policies, unless all parties having an insurable interest in the subject matter of the insurance, including in all cases Landlord and all Facility Mortgagees, are included therein as additional insureds and the
loss is payable under such insurance in the same manner as losses are payable under this Master Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit Tenant from insuring against risks not required to be insured hereby, and as to such insurance, Landlord and any Facility Mortgagee need not be included therein as additional insureds, nor must the loss thereunder be payable in the same manner as losses are payable hereunder except to the extent required to avoid a default under the Facility Mortgage.
ARTICLE XIV
1.1Property Insurance Proceeds. All proceeds (except business interruption not allocated to rent expenses) payable by reason of any property loss or damage to the Leased Property, or any portion thereof, under any property policy of insurance required to be carried hereunder shall be paid to Facility Mortgagee or to an escrow account held by a third party depositary reasonably acceptable to Landlord and Tenant (pursuant to an escrow agreement acceptable to the parties and intended to implement the terms hereof) and made available to Tenant upon request for the reasonable out-of-pocket costs of preservation, stabilization, emergency restoration, business interruption, reconstruction and repair, as the case may be, of any damage to or destruction of the Leased Property, or any portion thereof; provided, however, that the portion of such proceeds that are attributable to Tenant’s obligation to pay Rent shall be applied against Rents due by Tenant hereunder; and provided, further, that if the total amount of proceeds payable net of the applicable deductibles is One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or less, and if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the proceeds shall be paid directly to Tenant and, subject to the limitations set forth in this Article XIV used for the repair of any damage to the Leased Property, it being understood and agreed that Tenant shall have no obligation to rebuild any Tenant Capital Improvement, provided that the Leased Property is rebuilt in a manner substantially similar to the condition in which it existed prior to the related casualty or otherwise in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord. Any excess proceeds of insurance remaining after the completion of the restoration or reconstruction of the Leased Property to substantially the same condition as existed immediately before the damage or destruction and with materials and workmanship of like kind and quality and to Landlord’s reasonable satisfaction shall be provided to Landlord within fifteen (15) days after such restoration or reconstruction has been completed. All salvage resulting from any risk covered by insurance for damage or loss to the Leased Property shall belong to Landlord. Tenant shall have the right to prosecute and settle insurance claims, provided that Tenant shall consult with and involve Landlord in the process of adjusting any insurance claims under this Article XIV and any final settlement with the insurance company shall be subject to Landlord’s consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
1.2Tenant’s Obligations Following Casualty. If a Facility and/or any Tenant Capital Improvements to a Facility are damaged, whether or not from a risk covered by insurance carried by Tenant, except as otherwise provided herein, (i) Tenant shall restore such Leased Property (excluding any Tenant Capital Improvement, it being understood and agreed that Tenant shall not be required to repair any Tenant Capital Improvement, provided that the Leased Property is rebuilt in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord), to substantially the same condition as existed immediately before such damage and (ii) such damage shall not terminate this Master Lease.
(b)If Tenant restores the affected Leased Property and the cost of the repair or restoration exceeds the amount of proceeds received from the insurance required to be carried hereunder, Tenant shall provide Landlord with evidence reasonably acceptable to Landlord that Tenant has available to it any excess amounts needed to restore such Facility. Such excess amounts necessary to restore such Facility shall be paid by Tenant.
(c)If Tenant has not restored the affected Leased Property and gaming operations have not recommenced by the date that is the third anniversary of the date of any casualty, all remaining insurance proceeds shall be paid to and retained by Landlord free and clear of any claim by or through Tenant.
(d)In the event neither Landlord nor Tenant is required or elects to repair and restore the Leased Property, all insurance proceeds, other than proceeds reasonably attributed to any Tenant Capital Improvements (and, subject to no Event of Default having occurred and being continuing, any business interruption proceeds in excess of Tenant’s Rent obligations hereunder), which proceeds shall be and remain the property of Tenant, shall be paid to and retained by Landlord free and clear of any claim by or through Tenant except as otherwise specifically provided below in this Article XIV.
1.3No Abatement of Rent. This Master Lease shall remain in full force and effect and Tenant’s obligation to pay the Rent and all other charges required by this Master Lease shall remain unabated during the period required for adjusting insurance, satisfying Legal Requirements, repair and restoration.
1.4Waiver. Tenant waives any statutory rights of termination which may arise by reason of any damage or destruction of the Leased Property but such waiver shall not affect any contractual rights granted to Tenant under this Article XIV.
1.5Insurance Proceeds Paid to Facility Mortgagee. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that Landlord obtains any Facility Mortgage, the terms of such Facility Mortgage shall provide that any insurance proceeds (excluding business interruption proceeds, which shall continue to be payable to Landlord in payment of Rent) may be held by such Facility Mortgagee and shall be applied to the restoration of the Leased Property and/or disbursed to Tenant to permit Tenant to restore the Leased Property, in the manner required by Section 14.2 and other applicable provisions of this Master Lease and may not be applied by such Facility Mortgagee to the indebtedness secured by the Facility Mortgage, provided that Tenant satisfies each of the following conditions to the reasonable satisfaction of Landlord and such Facility Mortgagee: (a) at the time of the related casualty, there shall exist no Event of Default; (b) the Leased Property affected by such casualty shall be capable of being restored to the condition required by Section 14.2; (c) Tenant shall demonstrate to Landlord’s and such Facility Mortgagee’s reasonable satisfaction Tenant’s ability to pay the Rent coming due during such repair or restoration period (after taking into account proceeds from business interruption insurance carried by Tenant); (d) Tenant shall have provided to Landlord and such Facility Mortgagee all of the following: (i) an architect’s contract with an architect reasonably acceptable to Landlord and such Facility Mortgagee; (ii) complete plans and specifications for the restoration of the affected portions of the Leased Property, which plans and specifications shall cause the Leased Property to be restored or reconstructed to the condition required under Section 14.2; provided, however, Tenant agrees to incorporate Landlord’s reasonable comments to such plans and specifications; (iii) fixed-price or guaranteed maximum cost construction contracts with contractors reasonably acceptable to Landlord and such Facility Mortgagee for completion of the restoration work in accordance with the aforementioned plans and specifications; (iv) such additional funds (if any) as are necessary from time to time, in Landlord’s and such Facility Mortgagee’s reasonable opinion, to complete the restoration pursuant to the plans and specifications and in the condition required under Section 14.2; and (v) copies of all permits, licenses and approvals necessary to complete the restoration in accordance with the plans and specifications and all Legal Requirements; (e) Tenant shall, promptly following the related casualty, diligently pursue all items required pursuant to clause (d) above and, after obtaining and providing the same to Landlord and any Facility Mortgagee, shall promptly commence and diligently pursue such work to completion; (f) Tenant shall complete (and shall provide to Landlord and any Facility Mortgagee such documentation evidencing the
same) the restoration on or before the earliest to occur of (i) three (3) years after the date of the related casualty, and (ii) the expiration of the Term (provided, however, in the event that such restoration or reconstruction cannot be reasonably completed prior to the expiration of the Term, the deadline imposed under this subclause (iii) shall include any properly exercised Renewal Term); (g) the Property and the use thereof after the restoration will be in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements; (h) Tenant shall promptly deliver to Landlord and any Facility Mortgagee all certificates of occupancy, lien waivers and such other documentation reasonably requested by Landlord or any Facility Mortgagee in connection with the restoration and reconstruction of the Leased Property; and (i) Tenant agrees to comply with any commercially reasonable draw or other disbursement requirements imposed by any such Facility Mortgagee.
1.6Termination of Master Lease; Abatement of Rent. In the event this Master Lease is terminated as to an affected Leased Property pursuant to Section 8.2 (in respect of Tenant being in jeopardy of losing a Gaming License or Landlord being in jeopardy of failing to comply with a regulatory requirement material to the continued operation of a Facility), Section 15.5 (as provided therein) or Section 41.16 (in the event Tenant elects to purchase a New Jersey Facility or require Landlord to sell such New Jersey Facility to a third party) (such termination or cessation, a “Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event”), then:
(i)the Building Base Rent due hereunder from and after the effective date of any such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event shall be reduced by an amount determined by multiplying (A) a fraction, (x) the numerator of which shall be the fair market value of the affected Leased Property immediately prior to the effective date of such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event and (y) the denominator of which shall be the fair market value of all of the Leased Property then subject to the terms of this Master Lease, including the affected Leased Property, immediately prior to the effective date of such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event (in each case as determined in good faith by the parties (or, if the parties cannot agree, by an Expert pursuant to Section 34.1 of this Master Lease)), by (B) the Building Base Rent payable under this Master Lease immediately prior to the effective date of such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event;
(ii)the Land Base Rent due hereunder from and after the effective date of any such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event shall be reduced by an amount determined by multiplying (A) a fraction, (x) the numerator of which shall be the fair market value of such affected Leased Property immediately prior to the effective date of such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event and (y) the denominator of which shall be the fair market value of all of the Leased Property then subject to the terms of this Master Lease, including the affected Leased Property, immediately prior to the effective date of such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event (in each case as determined in good faith by the parties (or, if the parties cannot agree, by an Expert pursuant to Section 34.1 of this Master Lease)), by (B) the Land Base Rent payable under this Master Lease immediately prior to the effective date of such Leased Property Rent Adjustment Event; and
(iii)Landlord shall retain any claim which Landlord may have against Tenant for failure to insure such Leased Property as required by Article XIII.
ARTICLE XV
1.1Condemnation.
(a)Total Taking. If the Leased Property of a Facility is totally and permanently taken by Condemnation (a “Taking”), this Master Lease shall terminate with respect to such Facility as of the day before the Date of Taking for such Facility.
(b)Partial Taking. If a portion of the Leased Property of, and any Tenant Capital Improvements to, a Facility are taken by Condemnation, this Master Lease shall remain in effect if the affected Facility is not thereby rendered Unsuitable for Its Primary Intended Use, but if such Facility is thereby rendered Unsuitable for Its Primary Intended Use, this Master Lease shall terminate with respect to such Facility as of the day before the Date of Taking for such Facility.
(c)Restoration. If there is a partial Taking of the Leased Property of, and any Tenant Capital Improvements to, a Facility and this Master Lease remains in full force and effect with respect to such Facility, Landlord shall make available to Tenant the portion of the Award applicable to restoration of the Leased Property (excluding any Tenant Capital Improvements, it being understood and agreed that Tenant shall not be required to repair or restore any Tenant Capital Improvements, provided that the Leased Property is restored in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord and, whether or not Tenant elects to restore such Tenant Capital Improvements, the portion of such Award attributable thereto shall also be paid to Tenant), and Tenant shall accomplish all necessary restoration whether or not the amount provided by the Condemnor for restoration is sufficient and the Rent shall be reduced by such amount as may be agreed upon by Landlord and Tenant or, if they are unable to reach such an agreement within a period of thirty (30) days after the occurrence of the Taking, then the Rent for such Facility shall be proportionately reduced, based on the proportion of the Facility that was subject to the partial Taking and pursuant to the formula set forth in Section 14.6 hereof. Tenant shall restore such Leased Property (as nearly as possible under the circumstances) to a complete architectural unit of the same general character and condition as such Leased Property existing immediately prior to such Taking.
1.2Award Distribution. Except as set forth below and except to the extent of restoration proceeds to be made available to Tenant as provided in Section 15.1(c) hereof, the entire Award shall belong to and be paid to Landlord. Tenant shall, however, be entitled to pursue its own claim with respect to the Taking for Tenant’s lost profits value and moving expenses and, the portion of the Award, if any, allocated to any Tenant Capital Improvements (subject to Tenant’s restoring the Leased Property not subject to a Taking in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Landlord) and Tenant’s Property shall be and remain the property of Tenant free of any claim thereto by Landlord.
1.3Temporary Taking. The taking of the Leased Property, or any part thereof, shall constitute a taking by Condemnation only when the use and occupancy by the taking authority has continued for longer than 180 consecutive days. During any shorter period, which shall be a temporary taking, all the provisions of this Master Lease shall remain in full force and effect and the Award allocable to the Term shall be paid to Tenant.
1.4Condemnation Awards Paid to Facility Mortgagee. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that any Facility Mortgagee is entitled to any Condemnation Award, or any portion thereof, under the terms of any Facility Mortgage or related financing agreement, such award shall be applied, held and/or disbursed in accordance with the terms of the Facility Mortgage or related financing agreement. In the event that the Facility Mortgagee elects to apply the Condemnation Award to the indebtedness secured by the
Facility Mortgage in the case of a Taking as to which the restoration provisions apply (or the related financing agreement requires such application), Landlord shall either (i) within ninety (90) days of the notice from the Facility Mortgagee make available to Tenant for restoration of such Leased Property funds (either through refinance or otherwise) equal to the amount applied by the Facility Mortgagee or applicable to restoration of the Leased Property and shall pay to Tenant any amount of the Award allocated to Tenant Capital Improvements, or (ii) sell to Tenant the portion of the Leased Property consisting of the Facility that is not subject to the Taking in exchange for a payment equal to the greater of (1) the difference between (a) the value of such Facility immediately prior to such Taking, based on the average fair market value of similar real estate in the areas surrounding such Facility, and (b) the amount of the Condemnation Award retained by the Facility Mortgagee, and (2) the value of the remaining portion of such Facility after such Taking, based on the average fair market value of similar real estate in the areas surrounding such Facility.
1.5Termination of Master Lease; Abatement of Rent. In the event this Master Lease is terminated with respect to the affected portion of the Leased Property as a result of a Taking (or pursuant to Section 15.4 hereof as a result of a Facility Mortgagee electing to apply a Condemnation Award to the indebtedness secured by the Facility Mortgage), the Rent due hereunder from and after the effective date of such termination shall be reduced by an amount determined in the same manner as set forth in Section 14.6 hereof.
ARTICLE XVI
1.1Events of Default. Any one or more of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:
(a) Tenant shall fail to pay any installment of Rent within four (4) Business Days of when due and such failure is not cured by Tenant within three (3) Business Days after notice from Landlord of Tenant’s failure to pay such installment of Rent when due (and such notice of failure from Landlord may be given any time after such installment is four (4) Business Days late);
(ii)Tenant shall fail on any two separate occasions in the same Fiscal Year to pay any installment of Rent within four (4) Business Days of when due;
(iii)Reserved; or
(iv)Tenant shall fail to pay any Additional Charge within five (5) Business Days after notice from Landlord of Tenant’s failure to make such payment of such Additional Charge when due (and such notice of failure from Landlord may be given any time after such payment is more than one (1) Business Day late);
(b)a default shall occur under any Guaranty, where the default is not cured within any applicable grace period set forth therein or, if no cure periods are provided, within fifteen (15) days after notice from Landlord (or in the case of a breach of Paragraph 8 of the Guaranty, the cure periods provided herein with respect to such action or omission);
(c)Tenant or any Guarantor shall:
(i)admit in writing in a legal proceeding its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due;
(ii)file a petition in bankruptcy or a petition to take advantage of any insolvency act;
(iii)make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
(iv)consent to the appointment of a receiver of itself or of the whole or any substantial part of its property; or
(v)file a petition or answer seeking reorganization or arrangement under the United States bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute of the United States of America or any state thereof pertaining to debtor relief or insolvency;
(d)Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be adjudicated as bankrupt or a court of competent jurisdiction shall enter an order or decree appointing, without the consent of Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor), a receiver of Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) or of the whole or substantially all of the Tenant’s or any Guarantor’s (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor’s) property, or approving a petition filed against Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) seeking reorganization or arrangement of Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) under the United States bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute of the United States of America or any state thereof, and such judgment, order or decree shall not be vacated or set aside or stayed within sixty (60) days from the date of the entry thereof;
(e)Tenant or any Guarantor (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be liquidated or dissolved (except that any Guarantor may be liquidated or dissolved into another Guarantor or the Tenant or so long as its assets are distributed following such liquidation or dissolution to another Guarantor or Tenant);
(f)the estate or interest of Tenant in the Leased Property or any part thereof shall be levied upon or attached in any proceeding relating to more than $1,000,000 and the same shall not be vacated, discharged or stayed pending appeal (or bonded or otherwise similarly secured payment) within the later of ninety (90) days after commencement thereof or thirty (30) days after receipt by Tenant of notice thereof from Landlord; provided, however, that such notice shall be in lieu of and not in addition to any notice required under applicable law and the foregoing shall not apply to the lien of real estate Taxes on the Leased Property to the extent that such Taxes are not delinquent or are being contested in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.1 of this Master Lease;
(g)Tenant voluntarily ceases operations for its Primary Intended Use at a Facility (except as a result of Unavoidable Delay, material damage, destruction or Condemnation that affects such Facility) and such event would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Tenant, the Facilities, or on the Leased Property, in each case, taken as a whole;
(h)any of the representations or warranties made by Tenant hereunder or by any Guarantor in a Guaranty proves to be untrue when made in any material respect which materially and adversely affects Landlord;
(i)any applicable license or other agreements material to a Facility’s operation for its Primary Intended Use are at any time terminated or revoked or suspended for more than thirty (30) days (and causes cessation of gaming activity at a Facility) and such termination, revocation or suspension is not stayed pending appeal and would reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on Tenant, the Facilities, or on the Leased Property, taken as a whole;
(j)except to a permitted assignee pursuant to Section 22.2 or a permitted subtenant or Subsidiary that joins as a Guarantor to the Guaranty pursuant to Section 22.3, or with respect to the granting of a permitted pledge hereunder to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, the sale or transfer, without Landlord’s consent, of all or any portion of any Gaming License or similar certificate or license relating to the Leased Property;
(k)Tenant or any Guarantor, by its acts or omissions, causes the occurrence of a default under any provision (to the extent Tenant has knowledge of such provision and Tenant’s or such Guarantor’s obligations with respect thereto) of any Facility Mortgage, related documents or obligations thereunder by which Tenant is bound in accordance with Section 31.1 or has agreed under the terms of this Master Lease to be bound, which default is not cured within the applicable time period, if the effect of such default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Facility Mortgage or Indebtedness secured by that Facility Mortgage (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders), to cause, that Facility Mortgage (or the Indebtedness secured thereby) to become or be declared due and payable (or redeemable) prior to its stated maturity (excluding in any case any default related to the financial performance of Tenant or any Guarantor);
(l)(x) a breach by Tenant of Section 23.3(a) hereof for two consecutive Test Periods ending on the last day of two consecutive fiscal quarters or (y) a breach of Section 23.3(b) hereof;
(m)The occurrence of an Event of Default under the Lumiere Loan Documents;
(n)if Tenant shall fail to observe or perform any other term, covenant or condition of this Master Lease and such failure is not cured by Tenant within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Landlord, unless such failure cannot with due diligence be cured within a period of thirty (30) days, in which case such failure shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default if Tenant proceeds promptly and with due diligence to cure the failure and diligently completes the curing thereof within one hundred twenty (120) days after such notice from Landlord; provided, however, that such notice shall be in lieu of and not in addition to any notice required under applicable law;
(o)if Tenant or any Guarantor shall fail to pay, bond, escrow or otherwise similarly secure payment of one or more final judgments aggregating in excess of the product of (i) $100 million and (ii) the CPI Increase (and only to the extent not covered by insurance), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 45 consecutive days; and
(p)an assignment of Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease (including pursuant to a Change in Control) shall have occurred without the consent of Landlord to the extent such consent is required under Article XXII or Tenant is otherwise in default of the provisions set forth in Section 22.1 below.
No Event of Default (other than a failure to make payment of money) shall be deemed to exist under this Section 16.1 during any time the curing thereof is prevented by an Unavoidable Delay, provided that upon the cessation of the Unavoidable Delay, Tenant remedies the default without further delay.
1.2Certain Remedies. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Landlord may (a) terminate this Master Lease by giving Tenant no less than ten (10) days’ notice of such termination and the Term shall terminate and all rights of Tenant under this Master Lease shall cease, (b) seek damages as provided in Section 16.3 hereof, and/or (c) exercise any other right or remedy at law or in equity available to Landlord as a result of any Event of Default. Tenant shall pay as Additional Charges all costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Landlord, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, as a result of any Event of Default hereunder. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, whether or not this Master Lease has been terminated pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 16.2, Tenant shall, to the extent permitted by law (including applicable Gaming Regulations), if required by Landlord to do so, immediately surrender to Landlord possession of all or any portion of the Leased Property (including any Tenant Capital Improvements of the Facilities) as to which Landlord has so demanded and quit the same and Landlord may, to the extent permitted by law (including applicable Gaming Regulations), enter upon and repossess such Leased Property and any Capital Improvement thereto by reasonable force, summary proceedings, ejectment or otherwise, and, to the extent permitted by law (including applicable Gaming Regulations), may remove Tenant and all other Persons and any of Tenant’s Property from such Leased Property (including any such Tenant Capital Improvement thereto).
1.3Damages. None of (i) the termination of this Master Lease, (ii) the repossession of the Leased Property (including any Capital Improvements to any Facility), (iii) the failure of Landlord to relet the Leased Property or any portion thereof, (iv) the reletting of all or any portion of the Leased Property, or (v) the inability of Landlord to collect or receive any rentals due upon any such reletting, shall relieve Tenant of its liabilities and obligations hereunder, all of which shall survive any such termination, repossession or reletting. Landlord and Tenant agree that Landlord shall have no obligation to mitigate Landlord’s damages under this Master Lease. If any such termination of this Master Lease occurs (whether or not Landlord terminates Tenant’s right to possession of the Leased Property), Tenant shall forthwith pay to Landlord all Rent due and payable under this Master Lease to and including the date of such termination. Thereafter:
Tenant shall forthwith pay to Landlord, at Landlord’s option, as and for liquidated and agreed current damages for the occurrence of an Event of Default, either:
(A)the sum of:
(i)the worth at the time of award of the unpaid Rent which had been earned at the time of termination to the extent not previously paid by Tenant under this Section 16.3;
(ii)the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent which would have been earned after termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves was in fact avoided or could have been reasonably avoided;
(iii)the worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance of the Term after the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves was in fact avoided or could be reasonably avoided; plus
(iv)any other amount necessary to compensate Landlord for all the detriment proximately caused by Tenant’s failure to perform its obligations under this Master Lease or which in the ordinary course of things would be likely to result therefrom; provided, however, no compensation shall be
due for consequential damages or diminution in value of the Land or the Buildings resulting from the Event of Default; provided, further, that Tenant shall be responsible for consequential damages resulting solely from Tenant’s holding over and remaining in all or any portion of the Leased Property following the expiration or earlier termination of this Master Lease (or any partial termination thereof with respect to a particular Facility) and first accruing after the date that is six (6) months following such termination.
As used in clauses (i) and (ii) above, the “worth at the time of award” shall be computed by allowing interest at the Overdue Rate. As used in clause (iii) above, the “worth at the time of award” shall be computed by discounting such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at the time of award plus one percent (1%) and reducing such amount by the portion of the unpaid Rent that Tenant proves could be reasonably avoided.
or
(B) if Landlord chooses not to terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the Leased Property (whether or not Landlord terminates the Master Lease), each installment of said Rent and other sums payable by Tenant to Landlord under this Master Lease as the same becomes due and payable, together with interest at the Overdue Rate from the date when due until paid, and Landlord may enforce, by action or otherwise, any other term or covenant of this Master Lease (and Landlord may at any time thereafter terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the Leased Property and seek damages under subparagraph (A) hereof, to the extent not already paid for by Tenant under this subparagraph (B)).
1.4Receiver. Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, and upon commencement of proceedings to enforce the rights of Landlord hereunder, but subject to any limitations of applicable law, Landlord shall be entitled, as a matter of right, to the appointment of a receiver or receivers acceptable to Landlord of the Leased Property and of the revenues, earnings, income, products and profits thereof, pending the outcome of such proceedings, with such powers as the court making such appointment shall confer.
1.5Waiver. If Landlord initiates judicial proceedings or if this Master Lease is terminated by Landlord pursuant to this Article XVI, Tenant waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (i) any right of redemption, re-entry or repossession; and (ii) the benefit of any laws now or hereafter in force exempting property from liability for rent or for debt.
1.6Application of Funds. Any payments received by Landlord under any of the provisions of this Master Lease during the existence or continuance of any Event of Default which are made to Landlord rather than Tenant due to the existence of an Event of Default shall be applied to Tenant’s obligations in the order which Landlord may reasonably determine or as may be prescribed by the laws of the State.
ARTICLE XVII
1.1Permitted Leasehold Mortgagees.
(a)On one or more occasions without Landlord’s prior consent Tenant may mortgage or otherwise encumber Tenant’s estate in and to the Leased Property (the “Leasehold Estate”) to one or more Permitted Leasehold Mortgagees under one or more Permitted
Leasehold Mortgages and pledge its right, title and interest under this Master Lease and/or Equity Interests in Tenant or its direct or indirect equity owners as security for such Permitted Leasehold Mortgages or any Debt Agreement secured thereby; provided that, except as provided in Section 17.1(b)(i)(3), no Person shall be considered a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee unless (1) such Person delivers to Landlord a written agreement (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Landlord) providing (i) that (unless this Master Lease has been terminated as to a particular Facility) such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and any lenders for whom it acts as representative, agent or trustee, will not use or dispose of any Gaming License for use at a location other than at the Facility to which such Gaming License relates as of the date such Person becomes a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (or, in the case of any Facility added to the Master Lease after such date, as of the date that such Facility is added to the Master Lease), and (ii) an express acknowledgement that, in the event of the exercise by the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee of its rights under the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall be required to (except for a transfer that meets the requirements of Section 22.2(iii)) secure the approval of Landlord for the replacement of Tenant with respect to the affected portion of the Leased Property and contain the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s acknowledgment that such approval may be granted or withheld by Landlord in accordance with the provisions of Article XXII of this Master Lease, and (2) the underlying Permitted Leasehold Mortgage includes an express acknowledgement that any exercise of remedies thereunder that would affect the Leasehold Estate shall be subject to the terms of the Master Lease.
(b)Notice to Landlord.
(i) If Tenant shall, on one or more occasions, mortgage Tenant’s Leasehold Estate and if the holder of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage shall provide Landlord with written notice of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage together with a true copy of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage and the name and address of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, Landlord and Tenant agree that, following receipt of such written notice by Landlord, the provisions of this Section 17.1 shall apply in respect to each such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage.
(2)In the event of any assignment of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or in the event of a change of address of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or of an assignee of such Mortgage, written notice of the new name and address shall be provided to Landlord.
(3)Landlord hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent has satisfied all conditions precedent set forth in this Section 17.1 to be, and for all purposes under this Master Lease is, a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee.
(ii)Landlord shall promptly upon receipt of a communication purporting to constitute the notice provided for by subsection (b)(i) above acknowledge by an executed and notarized instrument receipt of such communication as constituting the notice provided for by subsection (b)(i) above and confirming the status of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee as such or, in the alternative, notify the Tenant and the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee of the rejection of such communication as not conforming with the provisions of this Section 17.1 and specify the specific basis of such rejection.
(iii)After Landlord has received the notice provided for by subsection (b)(i) above, the Tenant, upon being requested to do so by Landlord, shall with reasonable promptness provide Landlord with copies of the note or other obligation secured by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgage and of any other documents pertinent to the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage as specified by the Landlord. If requested to do so by Landlord, Tenant shall thereafter also provide the Landlord from time to time with a copy of each amendment or other modification or supplement to such instruments. All recorded documents shall be accompanied by the appropriate recording stamp or other certification of the custodian of the relevant recording office as to their authenticity as true and correct copies of official records and all nonrecorded documents shall be accompanied by a certification by Tenant that such documents are true and correct copies of the originals. From time to time upon being requested to do so by Landlord, Tenant shall also notify Landlord of the date and place of recording and other pertinent recording data with respect to such instruments as have been recorded.
(c)Default Notice. Landlord, upon providing Tenant any notice of: (i) default under this Master Lease or (ii) a termination of this Master Lease, shall at the same time provide a copy of such notice to every Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof. No such notice by Landlord to Tenant shall be deemed to have been duly given unless and until a copy thereof has been sent, in the manner prescribed in Section 35.1 of this Master Lease, to every Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof. From and after such notice has been sent to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall have the same period, with respect to its remedying any default or acts or omissions which are the subject matter of such notice or causing the same to be remedied, as is given Tenant after the giving of such notice to Tenant, plus in each instance, the additional periods of time specified in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section 17.1 to remedy, commence remedying or cause to be remedied the defaults or acts or omissions which are the subject matter of such notice specified in any such notice. Landlord shall accept such performance by or at the instigation of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee as if the same had been done by Tenant. Tenant authorizes each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (to the extent such action is authorized under the applicable Debt Agreement) to take any such action at such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s option and does hereby authorize entry upon the premises by the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for such purpose.
(d)Notice to Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee. Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, if any default shall occur which entitles Landlord to terminate this Master Lease, Landlord shall have no right to terminate this Master Lease on account of such default unless, following the expiration of the period of time given Tenant to cure such default or the act or omission which gave rise to such default, Landlord shall notify every Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof of Landlord’s intent to so terminate at least thirty (30) days in advance of the proposed effective date of such termination if such default is capable of being cured by the payment of money, and at least ninety (90) days in advance of the proposed effective date of such termination if such default is not capable of being cured by the payment of money (“Termination Notice”). The provisions of subsection (e) below of this Section 17.1 shall apply if, during such thirty (30) or ninety (90) days (as the case may be) Termination Notice period, any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall:
(i)notify Landlord of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s desire to nullify such Termination Notice; and
(ii)pay or cause to be paid all Rent, Additional Charges, and other payments (i) then due and in arrears as specified in the Termination Notice to such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and (ii) which may become due during such thirty (30) or ninety (90) day (as the case may be) period (as the same may become due); and
(iii)comply or in good faith, with reasonable diligence and continuity, commence to comply with all nonmonetary requirements of this Master Lease then in default and reasonably susceptible of being complied with by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, provided, however, that such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall not be required during such ninety (90) day period to cure or commence to cure any default consisting of Tenant’s failure to satisfy and discharge any lien, charge or encumbrance against the Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease or the Leased Property, or any of Tenant’s other assets junior in priority to the lien of the mortgage or other security documents held by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee; and
(iv)during such thirty (30) or ninety (90) day period, the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall respond, with reasonable diligence, to requests for information from Landlord as to the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s (and related lenders’) intent to pay such Rent and other charges and comply with this Master Lease.
(e)Procedure on Default.
(i)If Landlord shall elect to terminate this Master Lease by reason of any Event of Default of Tenant that has occurred and is continuing, and a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall have proceeded in the manner provided for by subsection (d) of this Section 17.1, the specified date for the termination of this Master Lease as fixed by Landlord in its Termination Notice shall be extended for a period of six (6) months; provided that such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall, during such six-month period (and during the period of any continuance referred to in subsection (e)(ii) below):
(1)pay or cause to be paid the Rent, Additional Charges and other monetary obligations of Tenant under this Master Lease as the same become due, and continue its good faith efforts to perform or cause to be performed all of Tenant’s other obligations under this Master Lease, excepting (A) obligations of Tenant to satisfy or otherwise discharge any lien, charge or encumbrance against Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease or the Leased Property or any of Tenant’s other assets junior in priority to the lien of the mortgage or other security documents held by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and (B) past nonmonetary obligations then in default and not reasonably susceptible of being cured by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee; and
(2)if not enjoined or stayed pursuant to a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or other judicial order, diligently continue to pursue acquiring or selling Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease and the Leased Property by foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or other appropriate means and diligently prosecute the same to completion.
(ii)If at the end of such six (6) month period such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is complying with subsection (e)(i) above, this Master Lease shall not then terminate, and the time for completion by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee of its proceedings shall continue (provided that for the time of such continuance, such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is in compliance with subsection (e)(i) above) (x) so long as such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is enjoined or stayed pursuant to a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or other judicial order and if so enjoined or stayed, thereafter for so long as such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee proceeds to complete steps to acquire or sell Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease by foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or by other appropriate means with reasonable diligence and continuity but not to exceed twelve (12) months after the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is no longer so enjoined or stayed from prosecuting the same and in no event longer than twenty-four (24) months from the date of Landlord’s initial notification to Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee pursuant to Section 17.1(d) hereof, and (y) if such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is not so enjoined or stayed, thereafter for so long as such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee proceeds to complete steps to acquire or sell Tenant’s interests in this Master Lease by foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or by other appropriate means with reasonable diligence and continuity but not to exceed twelve (12) months from the date of Landlord’s initial notification to Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee pursuant to Section 17.1(d) hereof. Nothing in this subsection (e) of this Section 17.1, however, shall be construed to extend this Master Lease beyond the original term thereof as extended by any options to extend the term of this Master Lease properly exercised by Tenant or a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee in accordance with Section 1.4, nor to require a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee to continue such foreclosure proceeding after the default has been cured. If the default shall be cured pursuant to the terms and within the time periods allowed in subsections (d) and (e) of this Section 17.1 and the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall discontinue such foreclosure proceedings, this Master Lease shall continue in full force and effect as if Tenant had not defaulted under this Master Lease.
(iii)If a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee is complying with subsection (e)(i) of this Section 17.1, upon the acquisition of Tenant’s Leasehold Estate herein by a Discretionary Transferee this Master Lease shall continue in full force and effect as if Tenant had not defaulted under this Master Lease, provided that such Discretionary Transferee cures all outstanding defaults that can be cured through the payment of money and all other defaults that are reasonably susceptible of being cured.
(iv)For the purposes of this Section 17.1, the making of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage shall not be deemed to constitute an assignment or transfer of this Master Lease nor of the Leasehold Estate hereby created, nor shall any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, as such, be deemed to be an assignee or transferee of this Master Lease or of the Leasehold Estate hereby created so as to require such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, as such, to assume the performance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions on the part of the Tenant to be performed hereunder; but the purchaser at any sale of this Master Lease (including a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee if it is the purchaser at foreclosure) and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created in any proceedings for the foreclosure of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, or the assignee or transferee of this Master Lease and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created under any instrument of assignment or transfer in lieu of the foreclosure of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, shall be subject to Article XXII hereof (including the requirement that such purchaser
assume the performance of the terms, covenants or conditions on the part of the Tenant to be performed hereunder and meet the qualifications of Discretionary Transferee or be reasonably consented to by Landlord in accordance with Section 22.2(i) hereof).
(v)Any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or other acquirer of the Leasehold Estate of Tenant pursuant to foreclosure, assignment in lieu of foreclosure or other proceedings in accordance with the requirements of Section 22.2(iii) of this Master Lease may, upon acquiring Tenant’s Leasehold Estate, without further consent of Landlord, sell and assign the Leasehold Estate in accordance with the requirements of Section 22.2(iii) of this Master Lease and enter into Permitted Leasehold Mortgages in the same manner as the original Tenant, subject to the terms hereof.
(vi)Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Master Lease, any sale of this Master Lease and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created in any proceedings for the foreclosure of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, or the assignment or transfer of this Master Lease and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created in lieu of the foreclosure of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage, shall be deemed to be a permitted sale, transfer or assignment of this Master Lease and of the Leasehold Estate hereby created to the extent that the successor tenant under this Master Lease is a Discretionary Transferee and the transfer otherwise complies with the requirements of Section 22.2(iii) of this Master Lease or the transferee is reasonably consented to by Landlord in accordance with Section 22.2(i) hereof.
(f)New Lease. In the event of the termination of this Master Lease other than due to a default as to which the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee had the opportunity (without legal impediment) to, but did not, cure the default as set forth in Sections 17.1(d) and 17.1(e) above, including pursuant to the disaffirmance or rejection of this Master Lease by Tenant in a bankruptcy, Landlord shall provide each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee with written notice that this Master Lease has been terminated (“Notice of Termination”), together with a statement of all sums which would at that time be due under this Master Lease but for such termination, and of all other defaults, if any, then known to Landlord. Landlord agrees to enter into a new lease (“New Lease”) of the Leased Property with such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee (in each case if a Discretionary Transferee) or any other transferee permitted to be assigned this Master Lease without consent of the Landlord pursuant to Section 22.2(iii)(d), for the remainder of the term of this Master Lease, effective as of the date of termination, at the rent and additional rent, and upon the terms, covenants and conditions (including all options to renew but excluding requirements which have already been fulfilled) of this Master Lease, provided:
(i)Such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee shall make a binding, written, irrevocable commitment to Landlord for such New Lease within thirty (30) days after the date such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee receives Landlord’s Notice of Termination of this Master Lease given pursuant to this Section 17.1(f);
(ii)Such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee shall pay or cause to be paid to Landlord at the time of the execution and delivery of such New Lease, any and all sums which would at the time of execution and delivery thereof be due pursuant to this Master Lease but for such termination and, in addition thereto, all reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, which Landlord shall have incurred by
reason of such termination and the execution and delivery of the New Lease and which have not otherwise been received by Landlord from Tenant or other party in interest under Tenant; and
(iii)Such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee shall agree to remedy any of Tenant’s defaults of which said Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee was notified by Landlord’s Notice of Termination (or in any subsequent notice) and which can be cured through the payment of money or are reasonably susceptible of being cured by Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee.
(g)New Lease Priorities. If more than one Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall request a New Lease pursuant to subsection (f)(i) of this Section 17.1, Landlord shall enter into such New Lease with the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee whose mortgage is senior in lien, or with its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee acting for the benefit of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee prior in lien foreclosing on Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease. Landlord, without liability to Tenant or any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee with an adverse claim, may rely upon a title insurance policy issued by a reputable title insurance company as the basis for determining the appropriate Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee who is entitled to such New Lease.
(h)Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Need Not Cure Specified Defaults. Nothing herein contained shall require any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee as a condition to its exercise of the right hereunder to cure any default of Tenant not reasonably susceptible of being cured by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or its Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee (including but not limited to the default referred to in Section 16.1(c), (d), (e), (f) (if the levy or attachment is in favor of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (provided such levy is extinguished upon foreclosure or similar proceeding or in a transfer in lieu of any such foreclosure) or is junior to the lien of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and would be extinguished by the foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage that is held by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee), (m) (as related to the Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage that is junior to the lien of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and such junior lien would be extinguished by the foreclosure of the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage that is held by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee) or (o) (if the judgment is in favor of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee other than a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee holding a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage that is senior to the lien of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee) and any other sections of this Master Lease which may impose conditions of default not susceptible to being cured by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or a subsequent owner of the Leasehold Estate through foreclosure hereof), in order to comply with the provisions of Sections 17.1(d) and 17.1(e), or as a condition of entering into the New Lease provided for by Section 17.1(f).
(i)Casualty Loss. A standard mortgagee clause naming each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof may be added to any and all insurance policies required to be carried by Tenant hereunder on condition that the insurance proceeds are to be applied in the manner specified in this Master Lease and the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage shall so provide; except that the Permitted Leasehold Mortgage may provide a manner for the disposition of such proceeds, if any, otherwise payable directly to the Tenant (but not such proceeds, if any, payable jointly to the Landlord and the Tenant or to the Landlord, to the Facility Mortgagee or to a third-party escrowee) pursuant to the provisions of this Master Lease.
(j)Arbitration; Legal Proceedings. Landlord shall give prompt notice to each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof) of any arbitration or legal proceedings between Landlord and Tenant involving obligations under this Master Lease.
(k)No Merger. The fee title to the Leased Property and the Leasehold Estate of Tenant therein created by this Master Lease shall not merge but shall remain separate and distinct, notwithstanding the acquisition of said fee title and said Leasehold Estate by Landlord or by Tenant or by a third party, by purchase or otherwise.
(l) Notices. Notices from Landlord to the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof shall be provided in the method provided in Section 35.1 hereof to the address or fax number furnished Landlord pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 17.1, and those from the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee to Landlord shall be mailed to the address designated pursuant to the provisions of Section 35.1 hereof. Such notices, demands and requests shall be given in the manner described in this Section 17.1 and in Section 35.1 and shall in all respects be governed by the provisions of those sections.
(m) Limitation of Liability. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, (i) Landlord agrees that any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s liability to Landlord in its capacity as Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee hereunder howsoever arising shall be limited to and enforceable only against such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s interest in the Leasehold Estate and such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee’s interest in such other collateral granted to such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee to secure the obligations under its Debt Agreement to the extent such other collateral is acquired by such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee by foreclosure or in lieu of foreclosure; provided, however, if necessary to satisfy the Landlord’s claim the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall use diligent efforts to foreclose or acquire by a deed in lieu of such foreclosure such other collateral granted to such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, and (ii) each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee agrees that Landlord’s liability to such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee hereunder howsoever arising shall be limited to and enforceable only against Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property, and no recourse against Landlord shall be had against any other assets of Landlord whatsoever.
(n) Sale Procedure. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee for which notice has been properly provided to Landlord pursuant to Section 17.1(b) hereof with the most senior lien on the Leasehold Estate shall have the right to make all determinations and agreements on behalf of Tenant under Article XXXVI (including, without limitation, requesting that the sale process described in Article XXXVI be commenced, the determination and agreement of the Gaming Assets FMV, the Successor Tenant Rent, and the potential Successor Tenants that should be included in the process, and negotiation with such Successor Tenants), in each case, in accordance with and subject to the terms and provisions of Article XXXVI, including without limitation the requirement that Successor Tenant meet the qualifications of Discretionary Transferee.
(o) Third Party Beneficiary. Each Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (for so long as such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee holds a Permitted Leasehold Mortgage) is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Article XVII entitled to enforce the same as if a party to this Master Lease.
1.2Landlord’s Right to Cure Tenant’s Default. If Tenant shall fail to make any payment or to perform any act required to be made or performed hereunder when due or within any cure period provided for herein, Landlord, without waiving or releasing any obligation or default, may, but shall be under no obligation to, upon prior written notice to Tenant specifying the default to be cured and that it is curing such default under this Section 17.2 make such payment or perform such act for the account and at the expense of Tenant, and may, to the extent permitted by law, enter upon the Leased Property for such purpose and take all such action thereon as, in Landlord’s opinion, may be necessary or appropriate therefor. No such entry shall be deemed an eviction of Tenant. All sums so paid by Landlord and all costs and
expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, so incurred, together with interest thereon at the Overdue Rate from the date on which such sums or expenses are paid or incurred by Landlord, shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord on demand as an Additional Charge.
1.3Landlord’s Right to Cure Debt Agreement. Tenant agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to include in any agreement related to Material Indebtedness and any Debt Agreement (or the principal or controlling agreement relating to such Material Indebtedness or series of related Debt Agreements) obtained by or entered into by Tenant after the Commencement Date a provision requiring the lender or lenders thereunder (or the Representatives of such lenders) to provide a copy to Landlord of any notices issued by such lender or lenders thereunder or the Representative of such lenders to Tenant of a Specified Debt Agreement Default. In addition, Tenant agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to include in any such agreement related to Material Indebtedness and any Debt Agreement (or the principal or controlling agreement relating to such Material Indebtedness or series of related Debt Agreements) a provision with the effect that should Tenant shall fail to make any payment or to perform any act required to be made or performed under an agreement related to Material Indebtedness or under the Debt Agreement when due or within any cure period provided for therein (if any), Landlord may, subject to applicable Gaming Regulations and the terms hereof, upon prior written notice to Tenant specifying the default and that it is curing such default under this Section 17.3, cure any such default by making such payment to the applicable lenders or Representative or otherwise performing such acts within the cure period thereunder (if any) for the account of Tenant, to the extent such default is susceptible to cure by Landlord; provided that Landlord’s right to cure such default shall not be any greater than the rights of the obligors under such Material Indebtedness or Debt Agreement to cure such default. Landlord and Tenant agree that all sums so paid by Landlord and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, so incurred, together with interest thereon at the Overdue Rate from the date on which such sums or expenses are paid or incurred by Landlord, shall be for the account of Tenant and paid by Tenant to Landlord on demand.
ARTICLE XVIII
1.1Sale of the Leased Property. Landlord shall not voluntarily sell all or portions of the Leased Property (including via entering into a merger transaction) during the Term without the prior written consent of Tenant, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant’s consent shall not be required for (A) any transfer to a Facility Mortgagee contemplated under Article XXXI hereof which may include, without limitation, a transfer by foreclosure brought by the Facility Mortgagee or a transfer by deed in lieu of foreclosure (and the first subsequent sale by such Facility Mortgagee to the extent the Facility Mortgagee has been diligently attempting to expedite such first subsequent sale from the time it initiated foreclosure proceedings taking into account the interest of such Facility Mortgagee to maximize the proceeds of such sale), (B) a sale by Landlord of all of the Leased Property to a single buyer or group of buyers, other than to an operator, or an Affiliate of such an operator, of Gaming Facilities (provided that Landlord shall be permitted to sell all of the Leased Property to a real estate investment trust even if such real estate investment trust is an Affiliate of such an operator), (C) a merger transaction or sale by Landlord or GLP involving all of the Facilities, other than with an operator, or an Affiliate of an operator, of Gaming Facilities (provided that Landlord or GLP shall be permitted to merge with or sell all of the Leased Property to a real estate investment trust even if such real estate investment trust is an Affiliate of an operator), (D) a sale/leaseback transaction by Landlord with respect to any or all of the Leased Properties for financing purposes, (E) any sale of all or a portion of the Leased Property or the Facilities that does not change the identity of the Landlord hereunder, including without limitation a participating interest in Landlord’s interest under this Master Lease or a sale of Landlord’s reversionary interest in the Leased Property, or (F) a sale or transfer to an Affiliate of
GLP or a joint venture entity in which GLP or its Affiliate is the managing member or partner. Any sale by Landlord of all or any portion of the Leased Property pursuant to this Section 18.1 shall be subject in each instance to all of the rights of Tenant under this Master Lease and, to the extent necessary, any purchaser or successor Landlord and/or other controlling persons must be approved by all applicable gaming regulatory agencies to ensure that there is no material impact on the validity of any of the Gaming Licenses or the ability of Tenant to continue to use the Facilities for gaming activities in substantially the same manner as immediately prior to Landlord’s sale.
ARTICLE XIX
1.1Holding Over. If Tenant shall for any reason remain in possession of the Leased Property of a Facility after the expiration or earlier termination of the Term without the consent, or other than at the request, of Landlord, such possession shall be as a month-to-month tenant during which time Tenant shall pay as Rent each month the monthly Rent applicable to the prior Lease Year for such Facility multiplied by (A) 150% for the first three months of such holdover and (B) 200% for any succeeding months of such holdover, together with all Additional Charges and all other sums payable by Tenant pursuant to this Master Lease. During such period of month-to-month tenancy, Tenant shall be obligated to perform and observe all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Master Lease, but shall have no rights hereunder other than the right, to the extent given by law to month-to-month tenancies, to continue its occupancy and use of the Leased Property of, and/or any Tenant Capital Improvements to, such Facility. Nothing contained herein shall constitute the consent, express or implied, of Landlord to the holding over of Tenant after the expiration or earlier termination of this Master Lease.
ARTICLE XX
1.1Risk of Loss. The risk of loss or of decrease in the enjoyment and beneficial use of the Leased Property as a consequence of the damage or destruction thereof by fire, the elements, casualties, thefts, riots, wars or otherwise, or in consequence of foreclosures, attachments, levies or executions (other than by Landlord and Persons claiming from, through or under Landlord) is assumed by Tenant, and except as otherwise provided herein no such event shall entitle Tenant to any abatement of Rent.
ARTICLE XXI
1.1General Indemnification. In addition to the other indemnities contained herein, and notwithstanding the existence of any insurance carried by or for the benefit of Landlord or Tenant, and without regard to the policy limits of any such insurance, Tenant shall protect, indemnify, save harmless and defend Landlord from and against all liabilities, obligations, claims, damages, penalties, causes of action, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’, consultants’ and experts’ fees and expenses, imposed upon or incurred by or asserted against Landlord by reason of: (i) except to the extent caused solely as a result of Landlord’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, any accident, injury to or death of Persons or loss of or damage to property occurring on or about the Leased Property or adjoining sidewalks under the control of Tenant; (ii) any use, misuse, non-use, condition, maintenance or repair by Tenant of the Leased Property; (iii) any failure on the part of Tenant to perform or comply with any of the terms of this Master Lease (notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 1.2(a) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement); (iv) the non-performance of any of the terms and provisions of any and all existing and future subleases of the Leased Property to be performed by any party thereunder; (v) any claim for malpractice, negligence or misconduct
committed by any Person on or working from the Leased Property; and (vi) the violation by Tenant of any Legal Requirement (notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 1.2(d) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement). Any amounts which become payable by Tenant under this Article XXI shall be paid within ten (10) days after liability therefor is determined by a final non appealable judgment or settlement or other agreement of the parties, and if not timely paid shall bear interest at the Overdue Rate from the date of such determination to the date of payment. Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall contest, resist and defend any such claim, action or proceeding asserted or instituted against Landlord. For purposes of this Article XXI, any acts or omissions of Tenant, or by employees, agents, assignees, contractors, subcontractors or others acting for or on behalf of Tenant (whether or not they are negligent, intentional, willful or unlawful), shall be strictly attributable to Tenant.
ARTICLE XXII
1.1Subletting and Assignment. Tenant shall not, without Landlord’s prior written consent, which, except as specifically set forth herein, may be withheld in Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion, voluntarily or by operation of law assign (which term includes any transfer, sale, encumbering, pledge or other transfer or hypothecation) this Master Lease, sublet all or any part of the Leased Property of any Facility or engage the services of any Person (other than an Affiliate of Tenant that becomes or is also a Guarantor) for the management or operation of any Facility (provided that the foregoing shall not restrict a transferee of Tenant from retaining a manager necessary for such transferee’s satisfying the requirement set forth in clause (a)(1) of the definition of “Discretionary Transferee”). Tenant acknowledges that Landlord is relying upon the expertise of Tenant in the operation of the Facilities and that Landlord entered into this Master Lease with the expectation that Tenant would remain in and operate such Facilities during the entire Term and for that reason, except as set forth herein, Landlord retains sole and absolute discretion in approving or disapproving any assignment or sublease. Any Change in Control shall constitute an assignment of Tenant’s interest in this Master Lease within the meaning of this Article XXII and the provisions requiring consent contained herein shall apply.
1.2Permitted Assignments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Section 40.1, Tenant may:
(i)with Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, allow to occur or undergo a Change in Control (including without limitation a transfer or assignment of this Master Lease to any third party in conjunction with a sale by Tenant of all or substantially all of Tenant’s assets relating to the Facilities);
(ii)without Landlord’s prior written consent, assign this Master Lease or sublease the Leased Property to Tenant’s Parent, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Tenant’s Parent or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Tenant if all of the following are first satisfied: (w) such Affiliate becomes a party to the Guaranty as a Guarantor and in the case of an assignment of this Master Lease, becomes party to and bound by this Master Lease; (x) Tenant remains fully liable hereunder; (y) the use of the Leased Property continues to comply with the requirements of this Master Lease; and (z) Landlord in its reasonable discretion shall have approved the form and content of all documents for such assignment or sublease and received an executed counterpart thereof; and
(iii)without Landlord’s prior written consent:
(a) undergo a Change in Control of the type referred to in clause (i)(a) of the definition of Change in Control (such Change in Control, a “Tenant Parent COC”) if a Person acquiring such beneficial ownership or control is (1) a
Discretionary Transferee and (2) the Parent Company of such Discretionary Transferee, if any, has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms substantially similar to the Guaranty or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Landlord or, if such Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms substantially similar to the Guaranty or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Landlord;
(b) undergo a Change in Control whereby a Person acquires beneficial ownership and control of 100% of the Equity Interests in Tenant in connection with a Change in Control that does not constitute a Tenant Parent COC or a Foreclosure COC (such Change in Control, a “Tenant COC”) if (1) such Person is a Discretionary Transferee, (2) the Parent Company of such Discretionary Transferee, if any, has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms substantially similar to the Guaranty or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Landlord or, if such Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, and (3) the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio with respect to all of the Facilities (determined at the proposed effective time of the Change in Control) for the then most recently preceding four (4) fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available is at least 1.4:1;
(c) assign this Master Lease to any Person in an assignment that does not constitute a Foreclosure Assignment if (1) such Person is a Discretionary Transferee, (2) such Discretionary Transferee agrees in writing to assume the obligations of the Tenant under this Master Lease without amendment or modification other than as provided below, (3) the Parent Company of such Discretionary Transferee, if any, has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms substantially similar to the Guaranty or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Landlord or, if such Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms substantially similar to the Guaranty or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, and (4) the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio with respect to all of the Facilities (determined at the proposed effective time of the assignment) for the then most recently preceding four (4) fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available is at least 1.4:1; or
(d) (i) assign this Master Lease by way of foreclosure of the Leasehold Estate, an assignment-in-lieu of foreclosure to any Person or an assignment (by sale or through a plan of reorganization) pursuant to any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law to any Person, (any such assignment, a “Foreclosure Assignment”) or (ii) undergo a Change in Control whereby a Person acquires beneficial ownership and control of 100% of the Equity Interests in Tenant as a result of the purchase at a foreclosure on a permitted pledge of, or an assignment (by sale or through a plan of reorganization) pursuant to any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law to any Person of, the Equity Interests in Tenant or an assignment in lieu of such foreclosure (a “Foreclosure COC”) or (iii) effect the first subsequent sale or assignment of the Leasehold Estate or Change in Control after a Foreclosure Assignment or a Foreclosure COC whereby a Person so acquires the Leasehold Estate or beneficial ownership and control of 100% of the Equity Interests in Tenant or the Person who acquired the Leasehold Estate in connection with the Foreclosure Assignment, in each case, effected by a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, to the extent such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or Permitted Leasehold
Mortgagee Designee has been diligently attempting to expedite such first subsequent sale from the time it has initiated foreclosure proceedings taking into account the interest of such Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee in maximizing the proceeds of such disposition if (1) such Person is a Discretionary Transferee, (2) in the case of any Foreclosure Assignment, if such Discretionary Transferee is not a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee such Discretionary Transferee agrees in writing to assume the obligations of the Tenant under this Master Lease without amendment or modification other than as provided below (which written assumption, in the case of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, may be made by a Subsidiary of a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee or a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Designee) and (3) if such Discretionary Transferee is not a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee Foreclosing Party, the Parent Company of such Discretionary Transferee, if any, has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms substantially similar to the Guaranty or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Landlord or, if such Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, such Discretionary Transferee has become a Guarantor and provided a Guaranty on terms substantially similar to the Guaranty or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Landlord;
provided that no such Change in Control or assignment referred to in this Section 22.2(iii) shall be permitted without Landlord’s prior written consent unless, and in which case such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (A) the use of the Leased Property at the time of such Change in Control or assignment and immediately after giving effect thereto is permitted by Section 7.2 hereof, and (B) Landlord in its reasonable discretion shall have approved the form and content of all documents for such assignment and assumption and received an executed counterpart thereof (provided no such approval shall be required in the case of a Tenant Parent COC or a Tenant COC, so long as (A) Tenant remains obligated under the Master Lease and the Guaranty remains in effect except with respect to any release of Tenant’s Parent permitted thereunder, (B) the requirements for a Guaranty from the Parent Company or Discretionary Transferee under clause (a) or (b) above are met, and (C) any modifications to this Master Lease required pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph are made); and
(iv)without Landlord’s prior written consent, pledge or mortgage its Leasehold Estate to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee and permit a pledge of the equity interests in Tenant to be pledged to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee. Upon the effectiveness of any Change in Control or assignment permitted pursuant to this Section 22.2), such Discretionary Transferee (and, if applicable, its Parent Company) and Landlord shall make such amendments and other modifications to this Master Lease as are reasonably requested by either party to give effect to such Change in Control or assignment and such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of such requesting party in connection with such Change in Control or assignment including, without limitation, changes to the definition of Change in Control to substitute the Parent Company (or, if the Discretionary Transferee does not have a Parent Company, the Discretionary Transferee) for Tenant’s Parent therein and in the provisions of this Master Lease regarding delivery of financial statements and other reporting requirements with respect to Tenant’s Parent. After giving effect to any such Change in Control or assignment, unless the context otherwise requires, references to Tenant and Tenant’s Parent hereunder shall be deemed to refer to the Discretionary Transferee or its Parent Company, as applicable.
1.3Permitted Sublease Agreements. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 22.1, but subject to compliance with the provisions of this Section 22.3 and of
Section 40.1, (a) provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Tenant shall be permitted to sublease gaming operations to a wholly-owned Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor by executing the Guaranty in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Landlord, (b) the Specified Subleases shall be permitted without any further consent from Landlord, and (c) provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Tenant may enter into any sublease agreement (including any management agreement or similar agreements with sports betting and/or online gaming operators) with respect to all or any portion (including any portion used for gaming purposes) of any Facility without the prior written consent of Landlord, provided, further that, (i) all sublease agreements under this Section 22.3 are made in furtherance of the Primary Intended Use, except with respect to the Specified Subleases; and (ii) any sublease with respect to all or substantially all of any Facility shall be subject to the prior written consent of Landlord (in its sole discretion) unless, subject to the further requirements set forth in the final paragraph of this Section 22.3, as of the date on which Tenant intends to enter into any Permitted Facility Sublease, the Facility Adjusted Revenue of Tenant generated by such Facility when taken together with the Facility Adjusted Revenue of Tenant for all other Facilities subject to a Permitted Facility Sublease at the time of entry into such sublease, in the aggregate, does not exceed the Permitted Facility Sublease Cap Amount. After an Event of Default has occurred and while it is continuing, Landlord may collect rents from any subtenant and apply the net amount collected to the Rent, but no such collection shall be deemed (i) a waiver by Landlord of any of the provisions of this Master Lease, (ii) the acceptance by Landlord of such subtenant as a tenant or (iii) a release of Tenant from the future performance of its obligations hereunder. If reasonably requested by Tenant in connection with a sublease permitted under clause (c) above, Landlord and such sublessee shall enter into a subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement with respect to such sublease in a form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord (and if a Facility Mortgage is then in effect, Landlord shall use reasonable efforts to cause the Facility Mortgagee to enter into such subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement).
Tenant shall give Landlord at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice before entering into any Permitted Facility Sublease, which notice shall be accompanied by the proposed form of such Permitted Facility Sublease. In addition, Tenant shall furnish Landlord reasonably promptly with such materials as Landlord may reasonably request in order to determine that the requirements of this Section 22.3 with respect to such Permitted Facility Sublease are satisfied. Reasonably promptly following entry into any such Permitted Facility Sublease, Tenant shall provide Landlord with a copy of the executed Permitted Facility Sublease, and Tenant shall furnish Landlord with copies of any amendments of, or supplements to, any Permitted Facility Sublease with reasonable promptness after the execution thereof.
1.4Required Assignment and Subletting Provisions. Any assignment and/or sublease (excluding a Specified Sublease until such Specified Sublease is amended or modified, in which case such amendment or modification shall incorporate the requirements of Section 22.4) must provide that:
(i)in the case of a sublease, it shall be subject and subordinate to all of the terms and conditions of this Master Lease;
(ii)the use of the applicable Facility (or portion thereof) shall not conflict with any Legal Requirement or any other provision of this Master Lease;
(iii)except as otherwise provided herein, no subtenant or assignee shall be permitted to further sublet all or any part of the applicable Leased Property or assign this Master Lease or its sublease except insofar as the same would be permitted if it were a sublease by Tenant under this Master Lease (it being understood that any subtenant under Section 22.3(a)
may pledge and mortgage its subleasehold estate (or allow the pledge of its equity interests) to a Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee);
(iv)in the case of a sublease, in the event of cancellation or termination of this Master Lease for any reason whatsoever or of the surrender of this Master Lease (whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law) prior to the expiration date of such sublease, including extensions and renewals granted thereunder, then, subject to Article XXXVI, at Landlord’s option, the subtenant shall make full and complete attornment to Landlord for the balance of the term of the sublease, which attornment shall be evidenced by an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Landlord and which the subtenant shall execute and deliver within five (5) days after request by Landlord and the subtenant shall waive the provisions of any law now or hereafter in effect which may give the subtenant any right of election to terminate the sublease or to surrender possession in the event any proceeding is brought by Landlord to terminate this Master Lease; and
(v)in the event the subtenant receives a written notice from Landlord stating that this Master Lease has been cancelled, surrendered or terminated, then, subject to Article XXXVI, the subtenant shall thereafter be obligated to pay all rentals accruing under said sublease directly to Landlord (or as Landlord shall so direct); all rentals received from the subtenant by Landlord shall be credited against the amounts owing by Tenant under this Master Lease.
1.5Costs. Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for Landlord’s reasonable costs and expenses incurred after the Commencement Date in conjunction with the processing and documentation of any assignment, subletting or management arrangement, including reasonable attorneys’, architects’, engineers’ or other consultants’ fees whether or not such sublease, assignment or management agreement is actually consummated.
1.6No Release of Tenant’s Obligations; Exception. No assignment (other than a permitted transfer pursuant to Section 22.2(i) or Section 22.2(iii)(c) or Section 22.2(iii)(d)(1) or Section 22.2(iii)(d)(3), in connection with a sale or assignment of the Leasehold Estate), subletting or management agreement shall relieve Tenant of its obligation to pay the Rent and to perform all of the other obligations to be performed by Tenant hereunder. The liability of Tenant and any immediate and remote successor in interest of Tenant (by assignment or otherwise), and the due performance of the obligations of this Master Lease on Tenant’s part to be performed or observed, shall not in any way be discharged, released or impaired by any (i) stipulation which extends the time within which an obligation under this Master Lease is to be performed, (ii) waiver of the performance of an obligation required under this Master Lease that is not entered into for the benefit of Tenant or such successor, or (iii) failure to enforce any of the obligations set forth in this Master Lease, provided that Tenant shall not be responsible for any additional obligations or liability arising as the result of any modification or amendment of this Master Lease by Landlord and any assignee of Tenant that is not an Affiliate of Tenant.
1.7Replacement Property Transaction.
(a)Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary (including, but not limited to, Section 22.1) and subject to no Event of Default having occurred and being continuing at such time of delivering any Replacement Property Transaction Notice, Tenant shall have the right, at any time, and from time to time, prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the Effective Date, to exercise the Replacement Property Right in accordance with the terms, conditions and procedures set forth in this Section 22.7.
(b)In order to exercise the Replacement Property Right, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord a written notice (the “Replacement Property Transaction Notice”) of Tenant’s
election to exercise the Replacement Property Right, which (as a condition to the effectiveness of such Replacement Property Transaction Notice) shall set forth all material information with respect to the proposed Replacement Property Transaction, including, without limitation, (i) the proposed Replacement Property and the Replaced Property, (ii) the proposed Replaced Property Transferee, (iii) the proposed closing date of the Replacement Property Transaction, which date shall be not less than sixty (60) days after the date of such Replacement Property Transaction Notice, and (iv) the proposed Replacement Exchange Agreement and Replacement Property Lease Amendment. Promptly upon Landlord’s reasonable request therefor, Tenant shall provide to Landlord additional information reasonably related to the proposed Replacement Property Transaction, to the extent such information is reasonably available to Tenant.
(c)Within fifteen (15) days after Landlord’s receipt of a Replacement Property Transaction Notice, Landlord shall (i) provide its commercially reasonable comments or revisions (unless such comments or revisions are necessary to cause the Replacement Exchange Agreement and/or Replacement Property Lease Amendment to satisfy the requirements of this Master Lease, in which case such comments may be made regardless as to whether such comments are otherwise “commercially reasonable”) to the proposed Replacement Exchange Agreement and/or the Replacement Property Lease Amendment, which shall be attached as an exhibit to the Replacement Exchange Agreement, (ii) advise Tenant as to whether the proposed Replacement Property meets the requirements under this Section 22.7 and the definition of “Replacement Property”, and if the Replacement Property does not meet such requirements the reasons therefor, and (iii) advise Tenant as to whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing thereby prohibiting Tenant from exercising its Replacement Property Right (in which case Landlord shall have no obligation to proceed with a Replacement Property Transaction until Tenant cures such Event of Default to Landlord’s reasonable satisfaction). Subject to no Event of Default having occurred and being continuing, Landlord and Tenant shall thereafter negotiate in good faith to reconcile any applicable issues(s) and use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into the Replacement Exchange Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
(d)In the event the Property Value of the Replacement Property is greater than the Property Value of the Replaced Property (it being understood that in no event shall the Landlord be obligated to engage in a Replacement Property Transaction if the Property Value of the Replacement Property (in the aggregate) is less than the Property Value of the Replaced Property), then upon the consummation of the closing under the Replacement Exchange Agreement and entry into the Replacement Property Lease Amendment (i) Landlord shall pay to Tenant in cash an amount equal to such excess and (ii) Building Base Rent and Land Base Rent under this Master Lease shall increase by an annual amount equal to one-eleventh of such excess, with such increase being split between Building Base Rent and Land Base Rent in the same proportion as Building Base Rent and Land Base Rent bear to one another at the time the Replacement Property Lease Amendment is executed. In the event that the Property Value of the Replacement Property is equal to the Property Value of the Replaced Property, then there shall be no payment from Landlord to Tenant on account thereof and there shall be no adjustment to the amount of Rent due from Tenant under this Master Lease.
(e)The consummation of the closing under the Replacement Exchange Agreement shall be subject to obtaining all Required Governmental Approvals by Tenant,
Landlord and/or the Replaced Property Transferee (and each of their respective applicable Affiliates) in accordance with applicable law (including applicable Gaming Regulations). Each of Landlord and Tenant shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, (a) file or cause to be filed, as promptly as practicable, and in any event no later than ten (10) days, following the date on which Landlord and Tenant execute such Replacement Exchange Agreement, all applications and supporting documentation necessary to obtain all Required Governmental Approvals for the Replacement Property Transaction, (b) use commercially reasonable efforts in order to obtain such Required Governmental Approvals as promptly as practicable, and (c) use commercially reasonable efforts in order to assist the other party in its efforts to obtain such Required Governmental Approvals as promptly as practicable. Landlord, at no cost or expense to Landlord, agrees to reasonably cooperate with Tenant and use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Regulatory Approval Supporting Information that is reasonably requested by Tenant in connection with the Replacement Property Transaction, in Tenant’s efforts to obtain any Required Governmental Approvals.
(f)Upon the consummation of the closing under the Replacement Exchange Agreement, Landlord and Tenant shall execute the Replacement Property Lease Amendment, and upon the execution of the Replacement Property Lease Amendment, this Master Lease shall terminate with respect to the Replaced Property, the Replaced Property shall cease to constitute Leased Property hereunder, neither Tenant nor Landlord shall have any further liabilities or obligations under this Master Lease, from and after the consummation of the closing under the Replacement Exchange Agreement, in respect of the Replaced Property, and the Guaranty shall automatically, and without further action by any party, cease to apply with respect to any Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty) with respect to the Replaced Property to the extent arising from and after the consummation of the closing under the Replacement Exchange Agreement and the execution of the Replacement Property Lease Amendment (provided that any such Obligations arising prior to such closing date shall not be terminated, limited or affected by or upon the closing under the Replacement Exchange Agreement).
(g)Upon the consummation of the closing under the Replacement Exchange Agreement and the entry into the Replacement Property Lease Amendment, this Master Lease shall apply to the Replacement Property, the Replacement Property shall constitute Leased Property and a Facility hereunder, each of Tenant’s and Landlord’s obligations under this Master Lease in respect of the Leased Property and the Facilities shall apply to the Replacement Property, and the Guaranty shall automatically, and without further action by any party, apply with respect to any Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty) with respect to the Replacement Property to the extent arising from and after the consummation of the closing under the Replacement Exchange Agreement.
(h)Each of Tenant and Landlord (at no cost or expense to Landlord) shall furnish to the other party Regulatory Approval Supporting Information and reasonable assistance as such party may reasonably request in connection with obtaining the Required Governmental Approvals. Subject to Section 23.2 and applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, outside counsel for Landlord and Tenant shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent practicable each party shall consult with the other in connection with, all of the information relating to Landlord or Tenant, as the case may be, and any of their respective subsidiaries, that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any Person
and/or any governmental authority in connection with the Replacement Property Transaction; provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to applications made with respect to Gaming Licenses and other gaming approvals required under applicable Gaming Regulations that include personal identifying information or other similarly sensitive information (as reasonably determined by such party in good faith). In exercising the foregoing rights, each of Landlord and Tenant shall act reasonably and as promptly as practicable. Subject to applicable law and the instructions of any governmental authority, Landlord and Tenant shall keep the other party reasonably apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the Replacement Property Transaction, including promptly furnishing the other party with copies of notices or other written substantive communications received from any governmental authority and/or other Person with respect to the Replacement Property Transaction and, to the extent practicable under the circumstances, shall provide the other party with the opportunity to participate in any meeting with any governmental authority in respect of any substantive filing, investigation or other inquiry in connection with the Replacement Property Transaction.
(i)If Tenant exercises the Replacement Property Right, Tenant and Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effectuate the Replacement Property Transaction and minimize all costs, fees (including consent fees), taxes and expenses incurred by Tenant and Landlord in consummating the Replacement Property Transaction. All reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to an exercise of the Replacement Property Right and/or otherwise in connection with any transfer or proposed transfer pursuant to this Section 22.7 (including reasonable, documented attorneys’ fees and other reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs incurred by Landlord for outside counsel, if any) shall be borne by Tenant and not Landlord.
1.8Baton Rouge Transfer.
(a)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary (including, but not limited to, Section 22.1) and subject to no Event of Default having occurred and being continuing at the time of exercise, Tenant shall have the right to assign and sell Tenant’s entire Leasehold Estate in the Baton Rouge Facility or Tenant’s entire Equity Interest in any Subsidiary that owns the Gaming License applicable to the Baton Rouge Facility and operates the Baton Rouge Facility (a “Baton Rouge Transfer”) to a Person (a “Baton Rouge Transferee”) designated by Tenant (in its sole discretion) in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, this Section 22.8. In the event Tenant desires to effectuate a Baton Rouge Transfer, Tenant shall deliver written notice thereof to Landlord (a “Baton Rouge Transfer Notice”), which notice shall specify (i) in reasonable detail the nature of the Baton Rouge Transfer, (ii) the proposed closing date of such Baton Rouge Transfer, which closing date shall be not less than sixty (60) days after the date of such Baton Rouge Transfer Notice, (iii) the identity of the Baton Rouge Transferee and such information as is reasonably necessary to determine the Baton Rouge Transferee’s experience operating Gaming Facilities and creditworthiness, (iv) the proposed form of the Baton Rouge Severance Lease and Replacement Guaranty (if required hereunder), and (v) the proposed fair market value of the Baton Rouge Facility.
(b)Within fifteen (15) days after Landlord’s receipt of a Baton Rouge Transfer Notice, Landlord shall notify Tenant as to whether Landlord shall sell its fee interest in the Baton Rouge Facility to the Baton Rouge Transferee (a “Baton Rouge Sale”) for a price determined in accordance with this Section 22.8(b) (the “Baton Rouge Purchase Price”) (it being understood and agreed that in no event shall Tenant be liable for any portion of the Baton Rouge Purchase Price and that Tenant may retract the Baton Rouge Transfer Notice prior to Landlord’s execution of the Baton Rouge Purchase Agreement (defined below) if the final determination of the Baton Rouge Purchase Price could reasonably be expected to cause the amount to be paid by the Baton Rouge Transferee for the Baton Rouge Transfer to be less than Tenant’s share of the costs to consummate the Baton Rouge Transfer) or will retain its fee interest in the Baton Rouge Facility and will enter into a Baton Rouge Severance Lease with the Baton Rouge Transferee. In the event that Landlord does not respond within such fifteen (15) day period, then Landlord shall be deemed to have elected to enter into a Baton Rouge Severance Lease in accordance with Section 28.8(c) below. In the event Landlord elects to sell its fee interest in the Baton Rouge Facility, then Tenant shall cause the Baton Rouge Transferee to acquire Landlord’s fee interest in the Baton Rouge Facility pursuant to the terms hereof. Landlord, Tenant and the Baton Rouge Transferee shall negotiate the Baton Rouge Purchase Price and if the parties cannot agree on a Baton Rouge Purchase Price within fifteen (15) days following Landlord’s election to effectuate a Baton Rouge Sale, then an Expert shall determine the fair market value of Landlord’s fee interest in the Baton Rouge Facility in accordance with Section 34.1 of this Master Lease, and such determination shall be the Baton Rouge Purchase Price. Upon determining the Baton Rouge Purchase Price, Landlord shall enter into a purchase agreement (a “Baton Rouge Purchase Agreement”) with the Baton Rouge Transferee, which shall be in form satisfactory to Landlord in its reasonable discretion, and which shall provide: (i) the closing date of the Baton Rouge Sale shall occur concurrently with the closing of the Baton Rouge Transfer, (ii) on the Baton Rouge Transfer Date, Landlord shall convey its fee interest to the Baton Rouge Transferee free and clear of (1) all monetary liens and encumbrances voluntarily created or entered into by Landlord and (2) except for any liens that did not require Tenant’s consent under this Master Lease, all other liens and encumbrances voluntarily created or entered into by Landlord without Tenant’s prior written consent, (iii) Landlord shall provide only the following limited representations and warranties to the Baton Rouge Transferee: (a) due authority and execution, (b) no conflict with the organizational documents of Landlord or any other agreement or judgment to which Landlord is a party, (c) Patriot Act and OFAC, (d) bankruptcy, and (e) Landlord has not entered into any contract, easement or other agreement, which will be binding on the Baton Rouge Transferee after the closing of the Baton Rouge Sale, except for those contracts, easements or other agreements that are disclosed in any title report or in this Master Lease (it being understood that any property related representations and warranties requested by the Baton Rouge Transferee and any post-closing indemnification obligations related thereto shall be provided solely by Tenant). At the closing of the Baton Rouge Sale, (i) Landlord and Tenant shall enter into the Baton Rouge Lease Amendment, (ii) Landlord shall receive the net proceeds of the Baton Rouge Sale and (iii) Tenant shall receive the net proceeds of the Baton Rouge Transfer.
(c)In the event that Landlord does not elect to proceed with a Baton Rouge Sale, at the closing of any Baton Rouge Transfer, Landlord and Tenant shall enter into the Baton Rouge Lease Amendment and Tenant shall cause the Baton Rouge Transferee to deliver a
Replacement Guaranty (if required hereunder) and enter into a Baton Rouge Severance Lease with Landlord, in accordance with the following:
(i)At the closing of the Baton Rouge Transfer, Landlord shall enter into a separate lease for the Baton Rouge Facility with the Baton Rouge Transferee, which lease shall be on substantially the same terms and provisions as this Master Lease (a “Baton Rouge Severance Lease”), subject to the following modifications:
(A)The term of the Baton Rouge Severance Lease shall be the Baton Rouge Severance Lease Term determined in accordance with the definition thereof;
(B)The rent initially payable under the Baton Rouge Severance Lease as of the Baton Rouge Transfer Date will be equal to the Baton Rouge Severance Lease Rent, and shall thereafter be subject to escalation and adjustment consistent with the provisions of this Master Lease (as if this Master Lease shall have commenced on the Baton Rouge Transfer Date), modified to reflect that the rent payable under the Baton Rouge Severance Lease will be calculated on a stand-alone basis with respect to the Baton Rouge Facility only;
(C)The Baton Rouge Severance Lease shall contain minimum capital expenditure requirements consistent with the capital expenditure requirements in Section 9.1(e) of this Master Lease, modified to reflect that such minimum capital expenditure requirements will apply to the Baton Rouge Severance Lease on a stand-alone basis; and
(D) Sections 22.7 and 22.8 of this Master Lease shall be omitted in their entirety from the Baton Rouge Severance Lease and Section 22.3 in the Baton Rouge Severance Lease shall be consistent with the Section 22.3 of the Original Master Lease.
(ii)As a condition to the effectiveness of any Baton Rouge Transfer (except in the event Landlord has elected to proceed with a Baton Rouge Sale in accordance with Section 22.8(b) above), Tenant shall require and cause the Parent Company of such Baton Rouge Transferee, or if such Baton Rouge Transferee does not have a Parent Company, the Baton Rouge Transferee, to deliver to Landlord a Replacement Guaranty; provided, however, if as of the Baton Rouge Transfer Date such Baton Rouge Transferee, the Parent Company of such Baton Rouge Transferee or any of their respective Affiliates is the tenant under any lease under which Landlord or any of its Affiliates is the landlord and any such lease does not require the tenant or the Parent Company of the tenant thereunder to have delivered a guaranty of such lease, then neither the Parent Company of such Baton Rouge Transferee nor the Baton Rouge Transferee shall be required to deliver a Replacement Guaranty with respect to the Baton Rouge Severance Lease.
(iii)If Landlord has any comments or revisions that are commercially reasonable or required to cause the proposed Baton Rouge Severance Lease and/or the Baton Rouge Lease Amendment to comply with the provisions of this Master Lease, then Landlord shall notify Tenant thereof within fifteen (15) days after Landlord’s receipt of the proposed Baton Rouge Severance Lease and the Baton Rouge Lease Amendment. In such event, Tenant and Landlord shall negotiate in good faith to reconcile the applicable issue(s) and use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into, and cause the Baton Rouge Transferee and its Parent Company to enter into, the Baton Rouge Lease Amendment, the Baton Rouge Severance Lease and a Replacement Guaranty (if required hereunder), as applicable, as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
(iv)Upon the execution and delivery of the Baton Rouge Severance Lease, the Baton Rouge Lease Amendment and the Replacement Guaranty (if applicable) in accordance with this Section 22.8, this Master Lease shall be terminated with respect to the Baton Rouge Facility, the Baton Rouge Facility shall cease to constitute Leased Property hereunder, neither Tenant nor Landlord shall have any further liabilities or obligations under this Master Lease, from and after the Baton Rouge Transfer Date, with respect to the Baton Rouge Facility, and the Guaranty shall automatically, and without further action by any party, cease to apply with respect to any Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty) with respect to the Baton Rouge Facility to the extent arising from and after the Baton Rouge Transfer Date (provided that any such Obligations arising prior to the Baton Rouge Transfer Date shall not be terminated, limited or affected by or upon entry into the Baton Rouge Severance Lease or the Baton Rouge Lease Amendment). Landlord and Tenant expressly acknowledge and agree that (a) there shall be no reduction in the Rent under this Master Lease as a result of the removal of the Baton Rouge Facility from this Master Lease or otherwise as a result of a Baton Rouge Transfer or a Baton Rouge Sale and (b) Tenant shall be entitled to all of the proceeds from any Baton Rouge Transfer (excluding any proceeds attributable to a Baton Rouge Sale).
(v)The execution and implementation of the Baton Rouge Transfer and/or Baton Rouge Sale shall be subject to obtaining all Required Governmental Approvals by Tenant and/or the Baton Rouge Transferee (and each of their respective applicable Affiliates) in accordance with applicable law (including applicable Gaming Regulations). Each of Landlord and Tenant shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, (a) file or cause to be filed, as promptly as practicable, and in any event no later than ten (10) days, following the date on which Landlord and Tenant agree on the form of the Baton Rouge Severance Lease or a Baton Rouge Purchase Agreement, as applicable, all applications and supporting documentation necessary to obtain all Required Governmental Approvals for the Baton Rouge Severance Lease, the Baton Rouge Transfer and/or the Baton Rouge Sale, as applicable, (b) use commercially reasonable efforts in order to obtain such Required Governmental Approvals as promptly as practicable, and (c) use commercially reasonable efforts in order to assist the other party in its efforts to obtain such Required Governmental Approvals as promptly as practicable. Landlord, at no cost or expense to Landlord, agrees to reasonably cooperate with Tenant and use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Regulatory Approval Supporting Information that is reasonably requested by Tenant in connection with the Baton Rouge Transfer and/or Baton Rouge Sale, in Tenant’s or the Baton Rouge Transferee’s efforts to obtain any Required Governmental Approvals.
(vi)Each of Tenant and Landlord shall furnish to the other party Regulatory Approval Supporting Information and reasonable assistance as such party may reasonably request in connection with obtaining the Required Governmental Approvals. Subject to Section 23.2 and applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, outside counsel for Landlord and Tenant shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent practicable each party shall consult with the other in connection with, all of the information relating to Landlord or Tenant, as the case may be, and any of their respective subsidiaries, that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any Person and/or any governmental authority in connection with the Baton Rouge Transfer or a Baton Rouge Sale; provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to applications made with respect to Gaming Licenses and other gaming approvals required under applicable Gaming Regulations that include personal identifying information or other similarly sensitive information (as reasonably determined by such party in good faith). In exercising the foregoing rights, each of Landlord and Tenant shall act reasonably and as promptly as practicable. Subject to applicable law and the instructions of any governmental authority, Landlord and Tenant shall keep the other party reasonably apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the Baton Rouge Transfer and/or Baton Rouge Sale, including promptly furnishing the other party with copies of notices or other written substantive communications received from any governmental authority and/or other Person with respect to the Baton Rouge Transfer and/or Baton Rouge Sale and, to the extent practicable
under the circumstances, shall provide the other party with the opportunity to participate in any meeting with any governmental authority in respect of any substantive filing, investigation or other inquiry in connection with the Baton Rouge Transfer and/or Baton Rouge Sale.
(vii)In the event Tenant desires to effectuate a Baton Rouge Transfer, Tenant and Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effectuate the Baton Rouge Transfer and any Baton Rouge Sale, if applicable, and minimize all costs, fees (including consent fees), taxes and expenses incurred by Tenant and Landlord in consummating the Baton Rouge Transfer and Baton Rouge Sale. All reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to a Baton Rouge Transfer (but not the Baton Rouge Sale) (including reasonable, documented attorneys’ fees and other reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs incurred by Landlord for outside counsel, if any) shall be borne by Tenant and not Landlord. Landlord and Tenant shall each be responsible for their own costs and expenses incurred in connection with any Baton Rouge Sale.
ARTICLE XXIII
1.1Officer’s Certificates and Financial Statements.
(a)Officer’s Certificate. Each of Landlord and Tenant shall, at any time and from time to time upon receipt of not less than ten (10) Business Days’ prior written request from the other party hereto, furnish an Officer’s Certificate certifying (i) that this Master Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect, or that this Master Lease is in full force and effect as modified and setting forth the modifications; (ii) the Rent and Additional Charges payable hereunder and the dates to which the Rent and Additional Charges payable have been paid; (iii) that the address for notices to be sent to the party furnishing such Officer’s Certificate is as set forth in this Master Lease (or, if such address for notices has changed, the correct address for notices to such party); (iv) whether or not, to its actual knowledge, such party or the other party hereto is in default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Master Lease (together with back-up calculation and information reasonably necessary to support such determination) and, if so, specifying each such default of which such party may have knowledge; (v) that Tenant is in possession of the Leased Property (other than portions that are subleased or assigned to third parties in accordance with this Master Lease); and (vi) responses to such other questions or statements of fact as such other party, any ground or underlying landlord, any purchaser or any current or prospective Facility Mortgagee or Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee shall reasonably request. Landlord’s or Tenant’s failure to deliver such statement within such time shall constitute an acknowledgement by such failing party that, to such party’s knowledge, (x) this Master Lease is unmodified and in full force and effect except as may be represented to the contrary by the other party; (y) the other party is not in default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Master Lease; and (z) the other matters set forth in such request, if any, are true and correct. Any such certificate furnished pursuant to this Article XXIII may be relied upon by the receiving party and any current or prospective Facility Mortgagee, Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, ground or underlying landlord or purchaser of the Leased Property. Each Guarantor or Tenant, as the case may be, shall deliver a written notice to Landlord within two (2) Business Days of obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of a default hereunder. Such notice shall include a detailed description of the default and the actions such Guarantor or Tenant has taken or shall take, if any, to remedy such default.
(b)Statements. Tenant shall furnish the following statements to Landlord:
(i)Within sixty-five (65) days after the end of Tenant’s Parent’s Fiscal Years (commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2018) or concurrently with the filing by Tenant’s Parent of its annual report on Form 10-K with the SEC, whichever is earlier: (x) Tenant’s Parent’s Financial Statements; (y) a certificate, executed by the
chief financial officer or treasurer of the Tenant’s Parent (a) certifying that, to such person’s knowledge after due inquiry, no default has occurred under this Master Lease or, if such person has knowledge after due inquiry that a default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (b) setting forth the calculation of the financial covenants set forth in Section 23.3 hereof in reasonable detail as of such Fiscal Year (commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2018); and (z) a report with respect to Tenant’s Parent’s Financial Statements from Tenant’s Parent’s accountants, which report shall be unqualified as to going concern and scope of audit of Tenant’s Parent and its Subsidiaries (excluding any qualification as to going concern relating to any debt maturities in the twelve month period following the date of such audit or any projected financial performance or covenant default in any Material Indebtedness or this Master Lease in such twelve month period) and shall provide in substance that (a) such consolidated financial statements present fairly the consolidated financial position of Tenant’s Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP and (b) that the examination by Tenant’s Parent’s accountants in connection with such Financial Statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;
(ii)Within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of the Tenant’s Parent’s Fiscal Year (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2018) or concurrently with the filing by Tenant’s Parent of its quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the SEC, whichever is earlier, a copy of Tenant’s Parent’s Financial Statements for such period, together with a certificate, executed by the chief financial officer or treasurer of Tenant’s Parent (i) certifying that no default has occurred or, if such a default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth the calculation of the financial covenants set forth in Section 23.3 hereof in reasonable detail as of such quarter, to the extent one complete Test Period has been completed which has commenced following the Commencement Date and (iii) certifying that such Financial Statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of Tenant’s Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes);
(iii)Promptly following Landlord’s request from time to time, (a) five-year forecasts of Tenant’s income statement and balance sheet covering such quarterly and annual periods as may be reasonably requested by Landlord, and in a format consistent with Tenant’s Parent’s quarterly and annual financial statements filed with the SEC, and such additional financial information and projections as may be reasonably requested by Landlord in connection with syndications, private placements, or public offerings of GLP’s or Landlord’s debt securities or loans or equity or hybrid securities and (b) such additional information and unaudited quarterly financial information concerning the Leased Property and Tenant as Landlord or GLP may require for its ongoing filings with the SEC under both the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, but not limited to 10-Q Quarterly Reports, 10-K Annual Reports and registration statements to be filed by Landlord or GLP during the Term of this Master Lease, the Internal Revenue Service (including in respect of GLP’s qualification as a “real estate investment trust” (within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code)) and any other federal, state or local regulatory agency with jurisdiction over GLP or its Subsidiaries subject to Section 23.1(c) below;
(iv)Within thirty-five (35) days after the end of each calendar month, a copy of Tenant’s income statement for such month and Tenant’s balance sheet as of the end of such month (which may be subject to quarterly and year-end adjustments and the absence
of footnotes); provided, however, that with respect to each calendar quarter, Tenant shall provide such financial reports for the final month thereof as soon as is reasonably practicable following the closing of the books for such month and in sufficient time so that Landlord or its Affiliate is able to include the operational results for the entire quarter in its current Form 10-Q or Form 10-K (or supplemental report filed in connection therewith);
(v)Prompt Notice to Landlord of any action, proposal or investigation by any agency or entity, or complaint to such agency or entity, (any of which is called a “Proceeding”), known to Tenant, the result of which Proceeding would reasonably be expected to be to revoke or suspend or terminate or modify in a way adverse to Tenant, or fail to renew or fully continue in effect, any license or certificate or operating authority pursuant to which Tenant carries on any part of the Primary Intended Use of all or any portion of the Leased Property;
(vi)As soon as it is prepared and in no event later than sixty (60) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a capital and operating budget for each Facility for the Fiscal Year in which it is delivered; and
(vii)Tenant further agrees to provide the financial and operational reports to be delivered to Landlord under this Master Lease in such electronic format(s) as may reasonably be required by Landlord from time to time in order to (i) facilitate Landlord’s internal financial and reporting database and (ii) permit Landlord to calculate any rent, fee or other payments due under Ground Leases. Tenant also agrees that Landlord shall have audit rights with respect to such information to the extent required to confirm Tenant’s compliance with the Master Lease terms (including, without limitation, calculation of Net Revenues).
(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 23.1, Tenant shall not be obligated (1) to provide information that is subject to the quality assurance immunity or is subject to attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product doctrine or (2) to provide information or assistance that could give Landlord or its Affiliates a “competitive” advantage with respect to markets in which GLP, Landlord or any of Landlord’s Affiliates and Tenant, Tenant’s Parent or any of Tenant’s Affiliates might be competing at any time (“Restricted Information”) it being understood that Restricted Information shall not include revenue and expense information relevant to Landlord’s calculation and verification of (i) the Escalation amount hereunder and (ii) Tenant’s compliance with Section 23.3(a) hereof, provided that the foregoing information shall be provided on a portfolio wide (as opposed to Facility by Facility) basis, except where required by Landlord to be able to make submissions to, or otherwise to comply with requirements of, gaming and other regulatory authorities, in which case such additional information (including Facility by Facility performance information) will be provided by Tenant to Landlord to the extent so required (provided that Landlord shall in such instance first execute a nondisclosure agreement in a form reasonably satisfactory to Tenant with respect to such information). Landlord shall retain audit rights with respect to Restricted Information to the extent required to confirm Tenant’s compliance with the Master Lease terms (and GLP’s compliance with SEC, Internal Revenue Service and other legal and regulatory requirements) and provided that appropriate measures are in place to ensure that only Landlord’s auditors and attorneys (and not Landlord or GLP or any of Landlord’s other Affiliates) are provided access to such information. In addition, Landlord shall not disclose any Restricted Information to any Person or any employee, officer or director of any Person (other than GLP or a Subsidiary of Landlord) that directly or indirectly owns or operates any gaming business or is a competitor of Tenant, Tenant’s Parent or any Affiliate of Tenant.
1.2Confidentiality; Public Offering Information.
(a)The parties recognize and acknowledge that they may receive certain Confidential Information of the other party. Each party agrees that neither such party nor any of its Representatives acting on its behalf shall, during or within five (5) years after the term of the termination or expiration of this Master Lease, directly or indirectly use any Confidential Information of the other party or disclose Confidential Information of the other party to any person for any reason or purpose whatsoever, except as reasonably required in order to comply with the obligations and otherwise as permitted under the provisions of this Master Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a party or any of its Representatives is requested or becomes legally compelled (pursuant to any legal, governmental, administrative or regulatory order, authority or process) to disclose any Confidential Information of the other party, it will, to the extent reasonably practicable and not prohibited by law, provide the party to whom such Confidential Information belongs prompt written notice of the existence, terms or circumstances of such event so that the party to whom such Confidential Information belongs may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section 23.2(a). In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained or the party to whom such Confidential Information belongs waives compliance with this Section 23.2(a), the party compelled to disclose such Confidential information will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information or take only such action as, based upon the advice of your legal counsel, is legally required and will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded any Confidential Information so furnished. The party compelled to disclose the Confidential Information shall cooperate with any action reasonably requested by the party to whom such Confidential Information belongs to obtain a protective order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to the Confidential Information.
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 23.2(a), Tenant specifically agrees that Landlord may include financial information and such information concerning the operation of the Facilities (1) which is approved by Tenant in its sole discretion, (2) which is publicly available, (3) the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio, or (4) the inclusion of which is approved by Tenant in writing, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld, in offering memoranda or prospectuses or confidential information memoranda, or similar publications or marketing materials, rating agency presentations, investor presentations or disclosure documents in connection with syndications, private placements or public offerings of GLP’s or Landlord’s securities or loans or securities or loans of any direct or indirect parent entity of Landlord, and any other reporting requirements under applicable federal and state laws, including those of any successor to Landlord, provided that, with respect to matters permitted to be disclosed solely under this clause (4), the recipients thereof shall be obligated to maintain the confidentiality thereof pursuant to Section 23.2(a) or pursuant to confidentiality provisions substantially similar thereto and to comply with all federal, state and other securities laws applicable with respect to such information. Unless otherwise agreed by Tenant, neither Landlord nor GLP shall revise or change the wording of information previously publicly disclosed by Tenant and furnished to Landlord or GLP or any direct or indirect parent entity of Landlord pursuant to Section 23.1 or this Section 23.2 and Landlord’s Form 10-Q or Form 10-K (or supplemental report filed in connection therewith) shall not disclose the operational results of the Facilities prior to Tenant’s Parent’s, Tenant’s or its Affiliate’s public disclosure thereof so long as Tenant’s Parent, Tenant or such Affiliate reports such information in a timely manner consistent with historical practices and SEC disclosure requirements. Tenant agrees to provide
such other reasonable information and, if necessary, participation in road shows and other presentations at Landlord’s or GLP’s sole cost and expense, with respect to Tenant and its Leased Property to facilitate a public or private debt or equity offering or syndication by Landlord or GLP or any direct or indirect parent entity of Landlord or GLP or to satisfy GLP’s or Landlord’s SEC disclosure requirements or the disclosure requirements of any direct or indirect parent entity of Landlord or GLP. In this regard, Landlord shall provide to Tenant a copy of any information prepared by Landlord to be published, and Tenant shall have a reasonable period of time (not to exceed three (3) Business Days) after receipt of such information to notify Landlord of any corrections.
1.3Financial Covenants. Tenant on a consolidated basis with respect to all of the Facilities shall maintain an Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio determined on the last day of any fiscal quarter on a cumulative basis for the preceding Test Period (commencing with the Test Period ending on June 30, 2021, but excluding any fiscal quarter the last day of which occurs during a Covenant Suspension Period) of at least 1.2:1.
(b)In the event that Tenant does not satisfy at any time the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio set forth in Section 23.3(a), Tenant’s Parent shall not be permitted to make any Restricted Payment until Tenant is in compliance with such ratio in a subsequent period.
(c)Tenant’s Parent shall not make any Restricted Payment during any Covenant Suspension Period.
1.4Landlord Obligations. Landlord acknowledges and agrees that certain of the information contained in the Financial Statements may be non-public financial or operational information with respect to Tenant and/or the Leased Property. Landlord further agrees (i) to maintain the confidentiality of such non-public information; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 23.2(a) hereof or otherwise herein, Landlord shall have the right to share such information with GLP and their respective officers, employees, directors, Facility Mortgagee, agents and lenders party to material debt instruments entered into by GLP or Landlord, actual or prospective arrangers, underwriters, investors or lenders with respect to Indebtedness or Equity Interests that may be issued by GLP or Landlord, rating agencies, accountants, attorneys and other consultants (the “Landlord Representatives”), provided that each such Landlord Representative is advised of the confidential nature of such information and agrees, to the extent such information is not publicly available, to maintain the confidentiality thereof pursuant to Section 23.2(a) or pursuant to confidentiality provisions substantially similar thereto and to comply with all federal, state and other securities laws applicable with respect to such information and (ii) that neither it nor any Landlord Representative shall be permitted to engage in any transactions with respect to the stock or other equity or debt securities or syndicated loans of Tenant or Tenant’s Parent based on any such non-public information provided by or on behalf of Landlord or GLP (provided that this provision shall not govern the provision of information by Tenant or Tenant’s Parent). In addition to the foregoing, Landlord agrees that, upon request of Tenant, it shall from time to time provide such information as may be reasonably requested by Tenant with respect to Landlord’s capital structure and/or any financing secured by this Master Lease or the Leased Property in connection with Tenant’s review of the treatment of this Master Lease under GAAP. In connection therewith, Tenant agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any such non-public information; provided, however, Tenant shall have the right to share such information with Tenant’s Parent and their respective officers, employees, directors, Permitted Leasehold Mortgagees, agents and lenders party to material debt instruments entered into by Tenant or Tenant’s Parent, actual or prospective arrangers, underwriters, investors or lenders with respect to Indebtedness or Equity Interests that may be issued by Tenant or Tenant’s Parent, rating
agencies, accountants, attorneys and other consultants (the “Tenant Representatives”) so long as such Tenant Representative is advised of the confidential nature of such information and agrees, to the extent such information is not publicly available, (i) to maintain the confidentiality thereof pursuant to Section 23.2(a) or pursuant to confidentiality provisions substantially similar thereto and to comply with all federal, state and other securities laws applicable with respect to such information and (ii) not to engage in any transactions with respect to the stock or other equity or debt securities or syndicated loans of GLP or Landlord based on any such non-public information provided by or on behalf of Tenant or Tenant’s Parent (provided that this provision shall not govern the provision of information by Landlord or GLP).
ARTICLE XXIV
1.1Landlord’s Right to Inspect. Upon reasonable advance notice to Tenant and subject to the rights of hotel guests and subtenants under subleases, Tenant shall permit Landlord and its authorized representatives to inspect the Leased Property during usual business hours. Landlord shall take care to minimize disturbance of the operations on the Leased Property, except in the case of emergency.
ARTICLE XXV
1.1No Waiver. No delay, omission or failure by Landlord or Tenant to insist upon the strict performance of any term hereof or to exercise any right, power or remedy hereunder and no acceptance of full or partial payment of Rent by Landlord during the continuance of any default or Event of Default, shall impair any such right or constitute a waiver of any such breach or of any such term. No waiver of any breach shall affect or alter this Master Lease, which shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any other then existing or subsequent breach.
ARTICLE XXVI
1.1Remedies Cumulative. To the extent permitted by law, each legal, equitable or contractual right, power and remedy of Landlord now or hereafter provided either in this Master Lease or by statute or otherwise shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other right, power and remedy and the exercise or beginning of the exercise by Landlord of any one or more of such rights, powers and remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or subsequent exercise by Landlord of any or all of such other rights, powers and remedies.
ARTICLE XXVII
1.1Acceptance of Surrender. No surrender to Landlord of this Master Lease or of any Leased Property or any part thereof, or of any interest therein, shall be valid or effective unless agreed to and accepted in writing by Landlord, and no act by Landlord or any representative or agent of Landlord, other than such a written acceptance by Landlord, shall constitute an acceptance of any such surrender.
ARTICLE XXVIII
1.1No Merger. There shall be no merger of this Master Lease or of the leasehold estate created hereby by reason of the fact that the same Person may acquire, own or hold, directly or indirectly, (i) this Master Lease or the leasehold estate created hereby or any interest in this Master Lease or such leasehold estate and (ii) the fee estate in the Leased Property.
ARTICLE XXIX
1.1Conveyance by Landlord. If Landlord or any successor owner of the Leased Property shall convey the Leased Property in accordance with Section 18.1 and the other terms of this Master Lease other than as security for a debt, and the grantee or transferee expressly assumes all obligations of Landlord arising after the date of the conveyance, Landlord or such successor owner, as the case may be, shall thereupon be released from all future liabilities and obligations of the Landlord under this Master Lease arising or accruing from and after the date of such conveyance or other transfer and all such future liabilities and obligations shall thereupon be binding upon the new owner.
ARTICLE XXX
1.1Quiet Enjoyment. So long as Tenant shall pay the Rent as the same becomes due and shall fully comply with all of the terms of this Master Lease and fully perform its obligations hereunder, Tenant shall peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Leased Property for the Term, free of any claim or other action by Landlord or anyone claiming by, through or under Landlord, but subject to all liens and encumbrances of record as of the Commencement Date or thereafter provided for in this Master Lease or consented to by Tenant. No failure by Landlord to comply with the foregoing covenant shall give Tenant any right to cancel or terminate this Master Lease or abate, reduce or make a deduction from or offset against the Rent or any other sum payable under this Master Lease, or to fail to perform any other obligation of Tenant hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall have the right, by separate and independent action to pursue any claim it may have against Landlord as a result of a breach by Landlord of the covenant of quiet enjoyment contained in this Article XXX or any other covenant of Landlord set forth in this Master Lease.
ARTICLE XXXI
1.1Landlord’s Financing. Without the consent of Tenant, Landlord may from time to time, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause to exist any Facility Mortgage upon the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein; provided, however, if Tenant has not consented to any such Facility Mortgage entered into by Landlord after the Commencement Date, Tenant’s obligations with respect thereto shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Section 31.3. This Master Lease is and at all times shall be subject and subordinate to any such Facility Mortgage which may now or hereafter affect the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements, restatements and extensions thereof or any parts or portions thereof; provided, however, that the subjection and subordination of this Master Lease and Tenant’s leasehold interest hereunder to any Facility Mortgage shall be conditioned upon the execution by the holder of each Facility Mortgage and delivery to Tenant of a nondisturbance and attornment agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E and with respect to any Facility Mortgage on any vessel or barge, Landlord shall be required to deliver such nondisturbance and
attornment agreement to Tenant from each holder of a Facility Mortgage on such vessel or barge prior to the recording or registration of such Facility Mortgage on such vessel or barge in a manner that would, or the enforcement of remedies thereunder would, affect or disturb the rights of Tenant under this Master Lease or the provisions of Article XVII which benefit any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee, in the case of any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (provided that upon the request of Landlord such nondisturbance and attornment agreement shall also incorporate subordination provisions referenced above, as contemplated below, and be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, and be executed by Tenant as well as Landlord), which will bind such holder of such Facility Mortgage and its successors and assigns as well as any person who acquires any portion of the Leased Property in a foreclosure or similar proceeding or in a transfer in lieu of any such foreclosure or a successor owner of the Leased Property (each, a “Foreclosure Purchaser”) and which provides that so long as there is not then outstanding and continuing an Event of Default under this Master Lease, the holder of such Facility Mortgage, and any Foreclosure Purchaser shall disturb neither Tenant’s leasehold interest or possession of the Leased Property in accordance with the terms hereof, nor any of its rights, privileges and options, and shall give effect to this Master Lease, including the provisions of Article XVII which benefit any Permitted Leasehold Mortgagee (as if such Facility Mortgagee or Foreclosure Purchaser were the landlord under this Master Lease (it being understood that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at such time such parties shall be subject to the terms and provisions hereof concerning the exercise of rights and remedies upon such Event of Default including the provisions of Articles XVI and XXXVI)). In connection with the foregoing and at the request of Landlord, Tenant shall promptly execute a subordination, nondisturbance and attornment agreement, in form and substance substantially in the form of Exhibit F or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Tenant, and the Facility Mortgagee or prospective Facility Mortgagee, as the case may be, which will incorporate the terms set forth in the preceding sentence. Except for the documents described in the preceding sentences, this provision shall be self-operative and no further instrument of subordination shall be required to give it full force and effect. If, in connection with obtaining any Facility Mortgage for the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein, a Facility Mortgagee or prospective Facility Mortgagee shall request (A) reasonable cooperation from Tenant, Tenant shall provide the same at no cost or expense to Tenant, it being understood and agreed that Landlord shall be required to reimburse Tenant for all such costs and expenses so incurred by Tenant, including, but not limited to, its reasonable attorneys’ fees, or (B) reasonable amendments or modifications to this Master Lease as a condition thereto, Tenant hereby agrees to execute and deliver the same so long as any such amendments or modifications do not (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease, (ii) adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Master Lease in any material respect, or (iii) diminish Tenant’s rights under this Master Lease in any material respect.
1.2Attornment. If Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein is sold, conveyed or terminated upon the exercise of any remedy provided for in any Facility Mortgage Documents (or in lieu of such exercise), or otherwise by operation of law: (a) at the request and option of the new owner or superior lessor, as the case may be, Tenant shall attorn to and recognize the new owner or superior lessor as Tenant’s “landlord” under this Master Lease or enter into a new lease substantially in the form of this Master Lease with the new owner or superior lessor, and Tenant shall take such actions to confirm the foregoing within ten (10) days after request; and (b) the new owner or superior lessor shall not be (i) liable for any act or omission of Landlord under this Master Lease occurring prior to such sale, conveyance or termination; (ii) subject to any offset, abatement or reduction of rent because of any default of Landlord under this Master Lease occurring prior to such sale, conveyance or termination; (iii) bound by any previous modification or amendment to this Master Lease or any previous prepayment of more than one month’s rent, unless such modification, amendment or prepayment shall have been approved in writing by such Facility Mortgagee (to the extent such approval was required at the time of such amendment or
modification or prepayment under the terms of the applicable Facility Mortgage Documents) or, in the case of such prepayment, such prepayment of rent has actually been delivered to such new owner or superior lessor or in either case, such modification, amendment or prepayment occurred before Landlord provided Tenant with notice of the Facility Mortgage and the identity and address of the Facility Mortgagee; or (iv) liable for any security deposit or other collateral deposited or delivered to Landlord pursuant to this Master Lease unless such security deposit or other collateral has actually been delivered to such new owner or superior lessor.
1.3Compliance with Facility Mortgage Documents. Tenant acknowledges that any Facility Mortgage Documents executed by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord may impose certain obligations on the “borrower” or other counterparty thereunder to comply with or cause the operator and/or lessee of a Facility to comply with all representations, covenants and warranties contained therein relating to such Facility and the operator and/or lessee of such Facility, including, covenants relating to (i) the maintenance and repair of such Facility; (ii) maintenance and submission of financial records and accounts of the operation of such Facility and related financial and other information regarding the operator and/or lessee of such Facility and such Facility itself; (iii) the procurement of insurance policies with respect to such Facility; and (iv) without limiting the foregoing, compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements relating to such Facility and the operation of the business thereof. For so long as any Facility Mortgages encumber the Leased Property or any portion thereof or interest therein, Tenant covenants and agrees, at its sole cost and expense and for the express benefit of Landlord, to operate the applicable Facility(ies) in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Master Lease for the benefit of Landlord so that Landlord is in compliance with such representations, warranties and covenants as the same apply to the Leased Property and to timely perform all of the obligations of Tenant under this Master Lease relating thereto. To the extent that any of duties and obligations of Landlord under such Facility Mortgage are beyond Tenant’s obligations under this Master Lease or may not properly be performed by Tenant, Tenant shall cooperate with and assist Landlord, at Landlord’s expense, in the performance thereof (other than payment of any indebtedness evidenced or secured thereby); provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) this Section 31.3(a) shall not be deemed to, and shall not, impose on Tenant obligations which (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease, (ii) adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Master Lease in any material respect, or (iii) diminish Tenant’s rights or remedies under this Master Lease in any material respect and (B) in the event of a conflict between the obligations, duties, rights and/or remedies of Tenant hereunder or under the Facility Mortgage Documents, this Master Lease shall govern. For purposes of the foregoing, any proposed implementation of new financial covenants shall be deemed to diminish Tenant’s rights under this Master Lease in a material respect (it being understood that Landlord may agree to such financial covenants in any Facility Mortgage Documents and such financial covenants will not impose obligations on Tenant). If any new Facility Mortgage Documents to be executed by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord would impose on Tenant any obligations under this Section 31.3(a), Landlord shall provide copies of the same to Tenant for informational purposes (but not for Tenant’s approval) prior to the execution and delivery thereof by Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord; provided, however, that neither Landlord nor its Affiliates shall enter into any new Facility Mortgage Documents imposing obligations on Tenant with respect to impounds that are more restrictive than obligations imposed on Tenant pursuant to this Master Lease. (b)Without limiting or expanding Tenant’s obligations pursuant to Section 31.3(a), during the Term of this Master Lease, Tenant acknowledges and agrees that, except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Master Lease, it shall undertake at its own cost and expense the performance of any and all repairs, replacements, capital improvements, maintenance items and all other requirements relating to the condition of a Facility that are required by any Facility Mortgage Documents or by Facility Mortgagee, and Tenant shall be solely responsible and hereby covenants to fund and maintain any and all impound, escrow or other reserve or similar
accounts required under any Facility Mortgage Documents as security for or otherwise relating to any operating expenses of a Facility, including any capital repair or replacement reserves and/or impounds or escrow accounts for taxes or insurance premiums (each a “Facility Mortgage Reserve Account”); provided, however, this Section 31.3(b) shall not (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease, (ii) adversely increase Tenant’s non-monetary obligations under this Master Lease in any material respect, (iii) diminish Tenant’s rights or remedies under this Master Lease in any material respect, or (iv) impose obligations to fund such reserve or similar accounts in excess of amounts required under this Master Lease in respect of reserve or similar accounts under the circumstances required under this Master Lease; and provided, further, that any amounts which Tenant is required to fund into a Facility Mortgage Reserve Account with respect to satisfaction of any repair or replacement reserve requirements imposed by a Facility Mortgagee or Facility Mortgage Documents shall be credited on a dollar for dollar basis against the mandatory expenditure obligations of Tenant for such applicable Facility(ies) under Section 9.1(e) and, if Landlord defaults under such Facility Mortgage and such amounts funded into a Facility Mortgage Reserve Account are applied by the Facility Mortgagee for purposes other than their intended purposes for such operating expenses, such amounts shall be credited on a dollar for dollar basis against Rents next coming due. During the Term of this Master Lease and provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder, Tenant shall, subject to the terms and conditions of such Facility Mortgage Reserve Account and the requirements of the Facility Mortgagee(s) thereunder (and the related Facility Mortgage Documents), have access to and the right to apply or use (including for reimbursement) to the same extent as Landlord all monies held in each such Facility Mortgage Reserve Account for the purposes and subject to the limitations for which such Facility Mortgage Reserve Account is maintained, and Landlord agrees to reasonably cooperate with Tenant in connection therewith. Landlord hereby acknowledges that funds deposited by Tenant in any Facility Mortgage Reserve Account are the property of Tenant and Landlord is obligated to return the portion of such funds not previously released to Tenant within fifteen (15) days following the earlier of (x) the expiration or earlier termination of this Master Lease with respect to such applicable Facility, (y) the maturity or earlier prepayment of the applicable Facility Mortgage and obligations secured thereby, or (z) an involuntary prepayment or deemed prepayment arising out of the acceleration of the amounts due to a Facility Mortgagee or secured under a Facility Mortgage as a result of the exercise of remedies under the applicable Facility Mortgage or Facility Mortgage Documents; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be deemed or construed to limit or prohibit Landlord’s right to bring any damage claim against Tenant for any breach of its obligations under this Master Lease that may have resulted in the loss of any impound funds held by a Facility Mortgagee.
ARTICLE XXXII
1.1Hazardous Substances. Tenant shall not allow any Hazardous Substance to be located in, on, under or about the Leased Property or incorporated in any Facility; provided, however, that Hazardous Substances may be located, brought, kept, stored, used or disposed of in, on or about the Leased Property in quantities and for purposes similar to those located, brought, kept, used or disposed of in, on or about similar facilities used for purposes similar to the Primary Intended Use or in connection with the construction of facilities similar to the applicable Facility or to the extent in existence at any Facility and which are located, brought, kept, stored, used and disposed of in strict compliance with Legal Requirements. Tenant shall not allow the Leased Property to be used as a waste disposal site or for the manufacturing, handling, storage, distribution or disposal of any Hazardous Substance other than in the ordinary course of the business conducted at the Leased Property and in compliance with applicable Legal Requirements.
1.2Notices. Tenant shall provide to Landlord, within five (5) Business Days after Tenant’s receipt thereof, a copy of any written notice, or notification from any governmental or quasi-governmental authority or other Person with respect to (i) any violation of any Legal Requirement relating to the presence or release of Hazardous Substances located in, on, or under the Leased Property; (ii) any material enforcement, cleanup, removal, or other governmental or regulatory action instituted, completed or threatened with respect to the Leased Property; (iii) any claim made or threatened by any Person against Tenant with respect to the Leased Property relating to damage, contribution, cost recovery, compensation, loss, or injury resulting from or claimed to result from any Hazardous Substance; and (iv) any reports made to any federal state or local environmental agency arising out of or in connection with any Hazardous Substances in, on, under or removed from the Leased Property, including any complaints, notices or assertions of violations in connection therewith.
1.3Remediation. If Tenant becomes aware of a violation of any Environmental Law relating to the presence or release of any Hazardous Substance in, on or under the Leased Property, or if Tenant, Landlord or the Leased Property becomes subject to any order of any federal, state or local governmental agency to repair, close, detoxify, decontaminate, clean, perform corrective action or otherwise remediate (“Remediate”) the Leased Property, Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord of such event and, at its sole cost and expense, cure such violation or effect such repair, closure, detoxification, decontamination, cleanup, corrective action or other remediation (“Remediation”) to the extent required pursuant to Environmental Law; provided that Remediation is required only to the extent as is required or necessary to attain compliance with minimum remedial standards applicable under Environmental Law, employing where applicable risk-based remedial standards and institutional or engineering controls, where such standards or controls would not unreasonably interfere with the operation and use of the Leased Property for purposes similar to the Primary Intended Use, provided, further, that Landlord shall have the right to review and approve in accordance with Section 11.1 any encumbrances to be placed upon the Leased Property in connection with any Remediation undertaken by Tenant.
1.4Indemnity by Tenant. Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect, save, hold harmless, and reimburse Landlord for, from and against any and all costs, losses (including, losses of use), liabilities, damages, assessments, lawsuits, deficiencies, demands, claims and expenses (collectively, “Environmental Costs”) (whether or not arising out of third-party claims and regardless of whether liability without fault is imposed, or sought to be imposed, on Landlord) incurred in connection with, arising out of, resulting from or incident to, directly or indirectly, before (except to the extent first discovered after the end of the Term) or during (but not after) the Term or such portion thereof during which the Leased Property is leased to Tenant, (i) the production, use, generation, storage, treatment, transporting, disposal, discharge, release or other handling or disposition of any Hazardous Substances from, in, on, under or about the Leased Property (collectively, “Handling”), including the effects of such Handling of any Hazardous Substances on any Person or property within or outside the boundaries of the Leased Property, (ii) the presence of any Hazardous Substances present or located in, on, under or about the Leased Property and (iii) the violation of any Environmental Law. “Environmental Costs” include costs of Remediation (including costs of response, removal, containment and cleanup), investigation, design, engineering and construction, damages (including actual but excluding consequential damages or loss of value) for personal injuries and for injury to, destruction of or loss of property or natural resources, relocation or replacement costs, penalties, fines, charges or expenses, reasonable attorney’s fees, expert fees, consultation fees, and court costs, and all amounts paid in investigating, defending or settling any of the foregoing.
Without limiting the scope or generality of the foregoing, Tenant expressly agrees that, in the event of a breach by Tenant in its obligations under this Article XXXII that is not cured within any applicable notice and cure period, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for any and
all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with, arising out of, resulting from or incident to, directly or indirectly, before (with respect to any period of time in which Tenant or its Affiliate was in possession and control of the applicable Leased Property) or during (but not after) the Term or such portion thereof during which the Leased Property is leased to Tenant of the following:
(a)in investigating any and all matters relating to the Handling of any Hazardous Substances, in, on, from, under or about the Leased Property;
(b)in bringing the Leased Property into compliance with all Legal Requirements; and
(c)in Remediating any Hazardous Substances used, stored, generated, released or disposed of in, on, from, under or about the Leased Property or off-site other than in the ordinary course of the business conducted at the Leased Property and in compliance with applicable Legal Requirements.
If any claim is made by Landlord for reimbursement for Environmental Costs incurred by it hereunder, Tenant agrees to pay such claim promptly, and in any event to pay such claim within sixty (60) calendar days after receipt by Tenant of written notice thereof and any amount not so paid within such sixty (60) calendar day period shall bear interest at the Overdue Rate from the date due to the date paid in full.
1.5Environmental Inspections. In the event Landlord has a reasonable basis to believe that Tenant is in breach of its obligations under this Article XXXII, Landlord shall have the right, from time to time, during normal business hours, subject to the rights of subtenants and hotel guests at the Leased Property and upon not less than five (5) days written notice to Tenant, except in the case of an emergency in which event no notice shall be required, to conduct an inspection of the Leased Property to determine the existence or presence of Hazardous Substances on or about the Leased Property. Landlord shall have the right to enter and inspect the Leased Property, (upon not less than ten (10) days written notice to Tenant for invasive testing except in the case of emergency when no advance notice shall be required; provided, that Landlord shall provide notice to Tenant within a reasonable period thereafter) conduct any testing, sampling and analyses it deems necessary and shall have the right to inspect Hazardous Substances brought into the Leased Property; provided that, except in the case of emergency or during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, Landlord shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any such testing, sampling and analyses to be performed in such a manner so as to reasonably minimize any interference with the operations and occupancy of the Leased Property and to reasonably minimize any disturbance to guests of Tenant. Landlord may, in its discretion, retain such experts to conduct the inspection, perform the tests referred to herein, and to prepare a written report in connection therewith. All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Landlord under this Section 32.5 shall be paid on demand as Additional Charges by Tenant to Landlord. Failure to conduct an environmental inspection or to detect unfavorable conditions if such inspection is conducted shall in no fashion be intended as a release of any liability for environmental conditions subsequently determined to be associated with or to have occurred during Tenant’s tenancy. To the extent Tenant may be liable pursuant to this Article XXXII, Tenant shall remain liable for any environmental condition related to or having occurred during its tenancy regardless of when such conditions are discovered and regardless of whether or not Landlord conducts an environmental inspection at the termination of this Master Lease.
1.6Indemnity by Landlord. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Master Lease to the contrary, Landlord shall be responsible for and shall indemnify, defend,
protect, save, hold harmless, and reimburse Tenant for, from and against any and all Environmental Costs (whether or not arising out of third-party claims and regardless of whether liability without fault is imposed, or sought to be imposed, on Tenant) incurred in connection with, arising out of, resulting from or incident to, before or during (but not after) the Term or such portion thereof, any Pre-Existing Environmental Conditions, provided that such Environmental Costs to conduct any Remediation with respect to any Pre-Existing Conditions are not incurred primarily as a result of or in connection to any alteration, renovation, remodeling or expansion activities performed by or on behalf of Tenant in, on or about the Leased Property during the Term (other than any such alteration or renovation activities, except to the extent such Remediation is required due to, or such Environmental Costs are incurred by Landlord or Tenant as a result of, Tenant’s negligence or willful misconduct, (a) performed in compliance with Section 8.2 or Section 9.1(a) hereof, or (b) required pursuant to any Applicable Law due to any safety risk or emergency), in which case Tenant shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify, defend, protect, save, hold harmless and reimburse any indemnitees for, such Environmental Costs in accordance with this Article XXXII. “Pre-Existing Environmental Conditions” means (i) any condition that exists at or on the Leased Property on or prior to the Commencement Date with respect to contamination of soil, surface or ground waters, stream sediments, and every other environmental media from Hazardous Substances, (ii) any Hazardous Substances present or located in, on, under or about Leased Property on or prior to the Commencement Date or to the extent due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord thereafter and (iii) any Hazardous Substances that have migrated from the Leased Property on or prior to the Commencement Date. Tenant shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any interference with or disruption of any Pre-Existing Environmental Conditions located within the Leased Property of which it is aware or becomes aware when performing its obligations under this Master Lease (including, without limitation, Sections 8.2 and 9.1(a)).
If any claim is made by Tenant for reimbursement for Environmental Costs incurred by it hereunder, Landlord agrees to pay such claim promptly, and in any event to pay such claim within sixty (60) calendar days after receipt by Landlord of written notice thereof and any amount not so paid within such sixty (60) calendar day period shall bear interest at the Overdue Rate from the date due to the date paid in full.
1.7Survival. The obligations set forth in this Article XXXII shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Master Lease.
ARTICLE XXXIII
1.1Memorandum of Lease. Landlord and Tenant shall enter into one or more short form memoranda of this Master Lease, in form suitable for recording in each county or other applicable location in which the Leased Property is located. Tenant shall pay all costs and expenses of recording any such memorandum and shall fully cooperate with Landlord in removing from record any such memorandum upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Term with respect to the applicable Facility.
1.2Tenant Financing. If, in connection with granting any Permitted Leasehold Mortgage or entering into a Debt Agreement, Tenant shall reasonably request (A) reasonable cooperation from Landlord, Landlord shall provide the same at no cost or expense
to Landlord, it being understood and agreed that Tenant shall be required to reimburse Landlord for all such costs and expenses so incurred by Landlord, including, but not limited to, its reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees, or (B) reasonable amendments or modifications to this Master Lease as a condition thereto, Landlord hereby agrees to execute and deliver the same so long as any such amendments or modifications do not (i) increase Landlord’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease, (ii) adversely increase Landlord’s non-monetary obligations under this Master Lease in any material respect, (iii) diminish Landlord’s rights under this Master Lease in any material respect, (iv) adversely impact the value of the Leased Property or (v) adversely impact Landlord’s (or any Affiliate of Landlord’s) tax treatment or position.
ARTICLE XXXIV
1.1Expert Valuation Process.
(a)In the event that the opinion of an “Expert” is required under this Master Lease and Landlord and Tenant have not been able to reach agreement on such Person after at least ten (10) days of good faith negotiations, then either party shall each have the right to seek appointment of the Expert by the “Appointing Authority,” as defined below, by writing to the Appointing Authority, copying the other party, and asking it to serve as the Appointing Authority and appoint the Expert. The Appointing Authority shall appoint an Expert who is independent of the parties and has at least ten (10) years of experience valuing commercial real estate and/or in leasing or other matters, as applicable with respect to any of the matters to be determined by the Expert and in the geographic area where the related Leased Property is located.
(b)The “Appointing Authority” shall be (i) the Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (also known as, and shall be defined herein as, the “CPR Institute”), unless it is unable to serve, in which case the Appointing Authority shall be (ii) the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Arbitrator Select Program for non-administered arbitrations or whatever AAA process is in effect at the time for the appointment of arbitrators in cases not administered by the AAA, unless it is unable to serve, in which case (iii) the parties shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint an Appointing Authority or an Expert in accordance with the court’s power to appoint arbitrators. The CPR Institute and the AAA shall each be considered unable to serve if it no longer exists, or if it no longer provides neutral appointment services, or if it does not confirm (in form or substance) that it will serve as the Appointing Authority within thirty (30) days after receiving a written request from either Landlord or Tenant to serve as the Appointing Authority, or if, despite agreeing to serve as the Appointing Authority, it does not confirm its Expert appointment within sixty (60) after receiving such written request. The Appointing Authority’s appointment of the Expert shall be final and binding upon the parties. The Appointing Authority shall have no power or authority except to appoint the Expert, and no rules of the Appointing Authority shall be applied to the valuation or other determination of the Expert other than the rules necessary for the appointment of the Expert.
(c)Once the Expert is finally selected, either by agreement of the parties or by confirmation to the parties from the Appointing Authority, the Expert will determine the matter in question, by proceeding as follows:
In the case of an Expert required for any other purpose, including without limitation under Section 13.2 and Section 36.2(a) hereof, each of Landlord and Tenant shall have a period of ten (10) days to submit to the Expert its position as to the Maximum Foreseeable Loss, as to the replacement cost of the Facilities as of the date of the expiration of this Master Lease and as to the appropriate per annum yield for leases between owners and operators of Gaming Facilities at the
time in question (or as to any other matter to be resolved by an Expert hereunder), as the case may be, and any materials each of Landlord and Tenant wishes the Expert to consider when determining such Maximum Foreseeable Loss, replacement cost of the Facilities and the appropriate per annum yield for leases between owners and operators of Gaming Facilities (or as to any other matter to be resolved by an Expert hereunder), and the Expert will then make the relevant determination, by a “baseball arbitration” proceeding with the Expert limited to awarding only one or the other of the two positions submitted (and not any position in between or other compromise or ruling not consistent with one of the two positions submitted, except that in the case of a determination in respect of a dispute under Section 36.2(a), the Expert in its discretion may choose the position of one party with respect to the replacement cost of the Facilities as of the date of the expiration of this Master Lease and the position of the other party with respect to the appropriate per annum yield for leases between owners and operators of Gaming Facilities at the time in question), which shall then be binding on the parties hereto. The Expert, in his or her sole discretion, shall consider any and all materials that he or she deems relevant, except that there shall be no live hearings and the parties shall not be permitted to take discovery. The Expert may submit written questions or information requests to the parties, and the parties may respond with written materials within a time frame agreed by the parties or, absent agreement by the parties, set by the Expert.
(d)All communications between a party and either the Appointing Authority or the Expert shall also be copied to the other party. The parties shall cooperate in good faith to facilitate the valuation or other determination by the Expert.
(e)The costs of any Appointing Authority or Expert engaged with respect to any issue under Section 34.1(c) of this Master Lease shall be borne by the party against whom the Expert rules on such issue. If Landlord pays such Expert or Appointing Authority and is the prevailing party, such costs shall be Additional Charges hereunder and if Tenant pays such Expert or Appointing Authority and is the prevailing party, such costs shall be a credit against the next Rent payment hereunder.
ARTICLE XXXV
1.1Notices. Any notice, request or other communication to be given by any party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, by hand delivery or express courier service, by facsimile transmission or by an overnight express service to the following address:
| | | | | |
To Tenant: | Tropicana Entertainment Inc. IOC Black Hawk County, Inc. Isle of Capri Bettendorf, L.C. c/o Caesars Entertainment, Inc. 100 West Liberty Street Suite 1150 Reno, Nevada 89501 Attention: General Counsel Facsimile No.: 281-683-7511 |
With a copy to: (that shall not constitute notice) | Latham & Watkins LLP 12670 High Bluff Drive San Diego, CA 92130 Attention: Sony Ben-Moshe Facsimile No.: (858) 523-5450 |
To Landlord: | GLP Capital, L.P. c/o Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. 845 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 200 Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610 Attention: Chief Executive Officer Facsimile: (610) 401-2901 |
And with copy to (which shall not constitute notice): | Goodwin Procter LLP The New York Times Building 620 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10018 Attention: Yoel Kranz, Esq. Facsimile: (617) 649-1471 |
or to such other address as either party may hereafter designate. Notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of delivery if such delivery is made on a Business Day, or if not, on the first Business Day after delivery. If delivery is refused, Notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivery was first attempted. Notice sent by facsimile transmission shall be deemed given upon confirmation that such Notice was received at the number specified above or in a Notice to the sender.
ARTICLE XXXVI
1.1Transfer of Tenant’s Property and Operational Control of the Facilities. Upon the written request (an “End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice”) of Landlord either immediately prior to or in connection with the expiration or earlier termination of the Term, or of Tenant in connection with a termination of this Master Lease that occurs (i) either on the last date of the Initial Term or the last date of any Renewal Term, or (ii) in the event Landlord exercises its right to terminate this Master Lease or repossess the Leased Property in accordance with the terms of this Master Lease and, provided that, in each of the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii), Tenant complies with the provisions of Section 36.3, Tenant shall transfer (or cause to be transferred) upon the expiration of the Term, or as soon thereafter as Landlord shall request, the business operations conducted by Tenant and its Subsidiaries at the Facilities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, all Tenant’s Property relating to each of the Facilities other than tradenames and trademarks, but including all customer lists and all other Facility specific information and assets) to a successor lessee or operator (or lessees or operators) of the Facilities (collectively, the “Successor Tenant”) designated pursuant to Section 36.2 for
consideration to be received by Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) from the Successor Tenant in an amount equal to the fair market value of such business operations conducted at the Facilities and Tenant’s Property (including any Tenant Capital Improvements not funded by Landlord in accordance with Section 10.3) (the “Gaming Assets FMV”) as negotiated and agreed by Tenant and the Successor Tenant; provided, however, that in the event an End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice is delivered hereunder, then notwithstanding the expiration or earlier termination of the Term, until such time that Tenant transfers the business operations conducted at the Facilities and Tenant’s Property to a Successor Tenant, Tenant shall (or shall cause its Subsidiaries to) continue to (and Landlord shall permit Tenant to maintain possession of the Leased Property to the extent necessary to) operate the Facilities in accordance with the applicable terms of this Master Lease and the course and manner in which Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) has operated the Facilities prior to the end of the Term (including, but not limited to, the payment of Rent hereunder). If Tenant and a potential Successor Tenant designated by Landlord cannot agree on the Gaming Assets FMV within a reasonable time not to exceed thirty (30) days after receipt of an End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice hereunder, then such Gaming Assets FMV shall be determined, and Tenant’s transfer of Tenant’s Property to a Successor Tenant in consideration for a payment in such amount shall be determined and transferred, in accordance with the provisions of Section 36.2.
1.2Determination of Successor Tenant and Gaming Assets FMV.
If not effected pursuant to Section 36.1, then the determination of the Gaming Assets FMV and the transfer of Tenant’s Property to a Successor Tenant in consideration for the Gaming Assets FMV shall be effected by (i) first, determining in accordance with Section 36.2(a) the rent that Landlord would be entitled to receive from Successor Tenant assuming a lease term of ten (10) years (the “Successor Tenant Rent”) pursuant to a lease agreement containing substantially the same terms and conditions of this Master Lease (other than, in the case of a new lease at the end of the final Renewal Term, the terms of this Article XXXVI, which will not be included in such new lease), (ii) second, identifying and designating in accordance with the terms of Section 36.2(b), a pool of qualified potential Successor Tenants (each, a “Qualified Successor Tenant”) prepared to lease the Facilities at the Successor Tenant Rent and to bid for the business operations (which will include a one (1) year transition license for tradenames and trademarks used at the Facilities) conducted at the Facilities and Tenant’s Property, and (iii) third, in accordance with the terms of Section 36.2(c), determining the highest price a Qualified Successor Tenant would agree to pay for Tenant’s Property and setting such highest price as the Gaming Assets FMV in exchange for which Tenant shall be required to transfer Tenant’s Property and Landlord will enter into a lease with such Qualified Successor Tenant on substantially the same terms and conditions of this Master Lease (other than, in the case of a new lease at the end of the final Renewal Term, the terms of this Article XXXVI, which will not be included in such new lease) through the remaining term of this Master Lease (assuming that this Master Lease will not have terminated prior to its natural expiration at the end of the final Renewal Term) or ten (10) years, whichever is greater for a rent calculated pursuant to Section 36.2(a) hereof. Notwithstanding anything in the contrary in this Article XXXVI, the transfer of Tenant’s Property will be conditioned upon the Successor Tenant obtaining the Gaming Licenses or the approval of the applicable regulatory agencies of the transfer of the Gaming Licenses and any other gaming assets to the Successor Tenant and/or the issuance of new gaming licenses as required by applicable Gaming Regulations and the relevant regulatory agencies both with respect to operating and suitability criteria, as the case may be.
(a)Determining Successor Tenant Rent. Landlord and Tenant shall first attempt to agree on the amount of Successor Tenant Rent that it will be assumed Landlord will be entitled to receive for a term of ten (10) years and pursuant to a lease containing substantially the same terms and conditions of this Master Lease (other than, in the case of a new lease at the end of the final Renewal Term, the terms of this Article XXXVI, which will not be included in
such new lease). If Landlord and Tenant cannot agree on the Successor Tenant Rent amount within a reasonable time not to exceed sixty (60) days after receipt of an End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice hereunder, then the Successor Tenant Rent shall be set as follows:
(i)for the period preceding the day immediately preceding the fortieth (40th) anniversary of the Commencement Date occurs, then the annual Successor Tenant Rent shall be an amount equal to the annual Rent that would have accrued under the terms of this Master Lease for such period (assuming the Master Lease will have not been terminated prior to its natural expiration); and
(ii)for the period following the day immediately preceding the fortieth (40th) anniversary of the Commencement Date occurs, then the Successor Tenant Rent shall be calculated in the same manner as Rent is calculated under this Master Lease.
(b)Designating Potential Successor Tenants. Landlord will select one and Tenant will select three additional (for a total of up to four) potential Qualified Successor Tenants prepared to lease the Facilities for the Successor Tenant Rent, each of whom must meet the criteria established for a Discretionary Transferee (and none of whom may be Tenant or an Affiliate of Tenant (it being understood and agreed that there shall be no restriction on Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord from being a potential Qualified Successor Tenant), except in the case of termination of the Master Lease on the day immediately preceding the fortieth (40th) anniversary of the Commencement Date occurs). Landlord and Tenant must designate their proposed Qualified Successor Tenants within ninety (90) days after receipt of an End of Term Gaming Asset Transfer Notice hereunder. In the event that Landlord or Tenant fails to designate such party’s allotted number of potential Qualified Successor Tenants, the other party may designate additional potential Qualified Successor Tenants such that the total number of potential Qualified Successor Tenants does not exceed four; provided that, in the event the total number of potential Qualified Successor Tenants is less than four, the transfer process will still proceed as set forth in Section 36.2(c) below.
(c)Determining Gaming Assets FMV. Tenant will have a three (3) month period to negotiate an acceptable sales price for Tenant’s Property with one of the Qualified Successor Tenants, which three (3) month period will commence immediately upon the conclusion of the steps set forth above in Section 36.2(b). If Tenant does not reach an agreement prior to the end of such three (3) month period, Landlord shall conduct an auction for Tenant’s Property among the four potential successor lessees, and Tenant will be required to transfer Tenant’s Property to the highest bidder.
1.3Operation Transfer. Upon designation of a Successor Tenant (pursuant to either Section 36.1 or 36.2, as the case may be), Tenant shall reasonably cooperate and take all actions reasonably necessary (including providing all reasonable assistance to Successor Tenant) to effectuate the transfer of operational control of the Facilities to Successor Tenant in an orderly manner so as to minimize to the maximum extent possible any disruption to the continued orderly operation of the Facilities for its Primary Intended Use. Notwithstanding the expiration or earlier termination of the Term and anything to the contrary herein, unless Landlord consents to the contrary, until such time that Tenant transfers Tenant’s Property and operational control of the Facilities to a Successor Tenant in accordance with the provisions of this Article XXXVI, Tenant shall (or shall cause its Subsidiaries to) continue to (and Landlord shall permit Tenant to maintain possession of the Leased Property to the extent necessary to) operate the Facilities in accordance with the applicable terms of this Master Lease and the course and manner in which Tenant (or its Subsidiaries) has operated the Facilities prior to the end of the Term (including, but not limited to, the payment of Rent hereunder). Concurrently with the transfer of Tenant’s Property to Successor Tenant, Landlord and Successor Tenant shall execute a new master lease
in accordance with the terms as set forth in the final clause of the first sentence of Section 36.2 hereof.
ARTICLE XXXVII
1.1Attorneys’ Fees. If Landlord or Tenant brings an action or other proceeding against the other to enforce or interpret any of the terms, covenants or conditions hereof or any instrument executed pursuant to this Master Lease, or by reason of any breach or default hereunder or thereunder, the party prevailing in any such action or proceeding and any appeal thereupon shall be paid all of its costs and reasonable outside attorneys’ fees incurred therein. In addition to the foregoing and other provisions of this Master Lease that specifically require Tenant to reimburse, pay or indemnify against Landlord’s attorneys’ fees, Tenant shall pay, as Additional Charges, all of Landlord’s reasonable outside attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Master Lease (except to the extent provided above), including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the review, negotiation or documentation of any subletting, assignment, or management arrangement or any consent requested in connection therewith, and the collection of past due Rent.
ARTICLE XXXVIII
1.1Brokers. Tenant warrants that it has not had any contact or dealings with any Person or real estate broker which would give rise to the payment of any fee or brokerage commission in connection with this Master Lease, and Tenant shall indemnify, protect, hold harmless and defend Landlord from and against any liability with respect to any fee or brokerage commission arising out of any act or omission of Tenant. Landlord warrants that it has not had any contact or dealings with any Person or real estate broker which would give rise to the payment of any fee or brokerage commission in connection with this Master Lease, and Landlord shall indemnify, protect, hold harmless and defend Tenant from and against any liability with respect to any fee or brokerage commission arising out of any act or omission of Landlord.
ARTICLE XXXIX
1.1Anti-Terrorism Representations. Tenant hereby represents and warrants that neither Tenant, nor, to the knowledge of Tenant, any persons or entities holding any legal or beneficial interest whatsoever in Tenant, are (i) the target of any sanctions program that is established by Executive Order of the President or published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”); (ii) designated by the President or OFAC pursuant to the Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. § 5, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-06, the Patriot Act, Public Law 107-56, Executive Order 13224 (September 23, 2001) or any Executive Order of the President issued pursuant to such statutes; or (iii) named on the following list that is published by OFAC: “List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” (collectively, “Prohibited Persons”). Tenant hereby represents and warrants to Landlord that no funds tendered to Landlord by Tenant under the terms of this Master Lease are or will be directly or indirectly derived from activities that may contravene U.S. federal, state or international laws and regulations, including anti-money laundering laws. If the foregoing representations are untrue at any time during the Term and Landlord suffers actual damages as a result thereof, an Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred, without the necessity of notice to Tenant.
Tenant will not during the Term of this Master Lease knowingly engage in any transactions or dealings, or knowingly be otherwise associated with, any Prohibited Persons in
connection with the use or occupancy of the Leased Property. A breach of the representations contained in this Section 39.1 by Tenant as a result of which Landlord suffers actual damages shall constitute a material breach of this Master Lease and shall entitle Landlord to any and all remedies available hereunder, or at law or in equity.
ARTICLE XL
1.1GLP REIT Protection. The parties hereto intend that Rent and other amounts paid by Tenant hereunder will qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto and this Master Lease shall be interpreted consistent with this intent.
(b)Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, Tenant shall not without Landlord’s advance written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) (i) sublet, assign or enter into a management arrangement for the Leased Property on any basis such that the rental or other amounts to be paid by the subtenant, assignee or manager thereunder would be based, in whole or in part, on either (x) the income or profits derived by the business activities of the subtenant, assignee or manager or (y) any other formula such that any portion of any amount received by Landlord would fail to qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto; (ii) furnish or render any services to the subtenant, assignee or manager or manage or operate the Leased Property so subleased, assigned or managed; (iii) sublet, assign or enter into a management arrangement for the Leased Property to any Person (other than a “taxable REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code) of GLP) in which Landlord or GLP owns an interest, directly or indirectly (by applying constructive ownership rules set forth in Section 856(d)(5) of the Code); or (iv) sublet, assign or enter into a management arrangement for the Leased Property in any other manner which could cause any portion of the amounts received by Landlord pursuant to this Master Lease or any sublease to fail to qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto, or which could cause any other income of Landlord to fail to qualify as income described in Section 856(c)(2) of the Code. The requirements of this Section 40.1(b) shall likewise apply to any further subleasing by any subtenant.
(c)Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, the parties acknowledge and agree that Landlord, in its sole discretion, may assign this Master Lease or any interest herein to another Person (including without limitation, a “taxable REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Section 856(l) of the Code)) in order to maintain Landlord’s status as a “real estate investment trust” (within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code); provided, however, Landlord shall be required to (i) comply with any applicable legal requirements related to such transfer and (ii) give Tenant notice of any such assignment; and provided, further, that any such assignment shall be subject to all of the rights of Tenant hereunder.
(d)Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, upon request of Landlord, Tenant shall cooperate with Landlord in good faith and at no cost or expense to Tenant, and provide such documentation and/or information as may be in Tenant’s possession or under Tenant’s control and otherwise readily available to Tenant as shall be reasonably requested by Landlord in connection with verification of GLP’s “real estate investment trust” (within the meaning of Section 856(a) of the Code) compliance requirements. Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, Tenant shall take such reasonable action as may be requested by Landlord from time to time in order to ensure compliance with the Internal Revenue Service requirement that Rent allocable for purposes of Section 856 of the Code to personal property, if any, at the beginning and end of a calendar year
does not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total Rent due hereunder as long as such compliance does not (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Master Lease or (ii) materially and adversely increase Tenant’s nonmonetary obligations under this Master Lease or (iii) materially diminish Tenant’s rights under this Master Lease.
ARTICLE XLI
1.1Survival. Anything contained in this Master Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, all claims against, and liabilities and indemnities of Tenant or Landlord arising prior to the expiration or earlier termination of the Term shall survive such expiration or termination.
1.2Severability. If any term or provision of this Master Lease or any application thereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Master Lease and any other application of such term or provision shall not be affected thereby.
1.3Non-Recourse; Consequential Damages. Tenant specifically agrees to look solely to the Leased Property for recovery of any judgment from Landlord (and Landlord’s liability hereunder shall be limited solely to its interest in the Leased Property, and no recourse under or in respect of this Master Lease shall be had against any other assets of Landlord whatsoever). It is specifically agreed that (a) no constituent partner or shareholder in Landlord or officer or employee of Landlord shall ever be personally liable for any such judgment or for the payment of any monetary obligation to Tenant and (b) no shareholder that is an individual, officer or employee of Tenant shall ever be personally liable for any such judgment or for payment of any monetary obligation to Landlord. The provision contained in the foregoing sentence is not intended to, and shall not, limit any right that Tenant might otherwise have to obtain injunctive relief against Landlord, or any action not involving the personal liability of Landlord. Furthermore, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, in no event shall either party ever be liable to the other party for any indirect or consequential damages suffered by the claiming party from whatever cause.
1.4Successors and Assigns. This Master Lease shall be binding upon Landlord and its successors and assigns and, subject to the provisions of Article XXII, upon Tenant and its successors and assigns.
1.5Governing Law. THIS MASTER LEASE WAS NEGOTIATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WHICH STATE THE PARTIES AGREE HAS A SUBSTANTIAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE PARTIES AND TO THE UNDERLYING TRANSACTION EMBODIED HEREBY. ACCORDINGLY, IN ALL RESPECTS THIS MASTER LEASE (AND ANY AGREEMENT FORMED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OR CONFLICTS OF LAW) AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, EXCEPT THAT ALL PROVISIONS HEREOF RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE LEASEHOLD ESTATE AND ALL REMEDIES SET FORTH IN ARTICLE XVI RELATING TO RECOVERY OF POSSESSION OF THE LEASED PROPERTY OF ANY FACILITY (SUCH AS AN ACTION FOR UNLAWFUL DETAINER, IN REM ACTION OR OTHER SIMILAR ACTION) SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED ACCORDING TO, AND GOVERNED BY, THE LAWS OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE LEASED PROPERTY IS LOCATED.
1.6Waiver of Trial by Jury. EACH OF LANDLORD AND TENANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS HAD THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE
WITH RESPECT TO ITS RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE. EACH OF LANDLORD AND TENANT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (i) ARISING UNDER THIS MASTER LEASE (OR ANY AGREEMENT FORMED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF) OR (ii) IN ANY MANNER CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF LANDLORD AND TENANT WITH RESPECT TO THIS MASTER LEASE (OR ANY AGREEMENT FORMED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF) OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREINAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; EACH OF LANDLORD AND TENANT HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT EITHER PARTY MAY FILE A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
1.7Amendment and Restatement; Entire Agreement. This Master Lease hereby amends and restates the First A&R Master Lease in its entirety, and Landlord and Tenant hereby adopt this Master Lease in full substitution of the First A&R Master Lease. This Master Lease and the Exhibits and Schedules hereto constitute the entire and final agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be changed or modified except by an agreement in writing signed by the parties and, with respect to the provisions set forth in Section 40.1, no such change or modification shall be effective without the explicit reference to such section by number and paragraph. Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that all prior or contemporaneous oral understandings, agreements or negotiations relative to the leasing of the Leased Property, including, but not limited to, the First A&R Master Lease, are merged into and revoked by this Master Lease.
1.8Headings. All titles and headings to sections, subsections, paragraphs or other divisions of this Master Lease are only for the convenience of the parties and shall not be construed to have any effect or meaning with respect to the other contents of such sections, subsections, paragraphs or other divisions, such other content being controlling as to the agreement among the parties hereto.
1.9Counterparts. This Master Lease may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be a valid and binding original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The words “execution,” “execute,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Master Lease and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
1.10Interpretation. Both Landlord and Tenant have been represented by counsel and this Master Lease and every provision hereof has been freely and fairly negotiated. Consequently, all provisions of this Master Lease shall be interpreted according to their fair meaning and shall not be strictly construed against any party.
1.11Time of Essence. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS MASTER LEASE AND EACH PROVISION HEREOF IN WHICH TIME OF PERFORMANCE IS ESTABLISHED.
1.12Further Assurances. The parties agree to promptly sign all documents reasonably requested to give effect to the provisions of this Master Lease. In addition, Landlord agrees to, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, reasonably cooperate with all applicable gaming authorities in connection with the administration of their regulatory jurisdiction over Tenant’s Parent, Tenant and its Subsidiaries, including the provision of such documents and other information as may be requested by such gaming authorities relating to Tenant or any of its Subsidiaries or to this Master Lease and which are within Landlord’s reasonable control to obtain and provide.
1.13Gaming Regulations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Master Lease, this Master Lease and any agreement formed pursuant to the terms hereof are subject to: (i) the Gaming Regulations; and (ii) the laws involving the sale, distribution and possession of alcoholic beverages (the “Liquor Laws”). Without limiting the foregoing, each of Tenant, Landlord, and each of Tenant’s or Landlord’s successors and assigns acknowledges that (i) it is subject to being called forward by (a) the gaming authority or (b) any governmental authority enforcing the Liquor Laws (the “Liquor Authority”), in each of their discretion, for licensing or a finding of suitability or to file or provide other information, and (ii) all rights, remedies and powers under this Master Lease and any agreement formed pursuant to the terms hereof, including with respect to the entry into and ownership and operation of the Gaming Facilities, and the possession or control of gaming equipment, alcoholic beverages or a gaming or liquor license, may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any applicable provisions of the Gaming Regulations and Liquor Laws and only to the extent that required approvals (including prior approvals) are obtained from the requisite governmental authorities.
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Master Lease or any agreement formed pursuant to the terms hereof, each of Tenant, Landlord, and each of Tenant’s or Landlord’s successors and assigns agrees to cooperate with each gaming authority and each Liquor Authority in connection with the administration of their regulatory jurisdiction over the parties hereto, including, without limitation, the provision of such documents or other information as may be requested by any such gaming authorities and/or Liquor Authorities relating to Tenant, Landlord, Tenant’s or Landlord’s successors and assigns or to this Master Lease or any agreement formed pursuant to the terms hereof.
1.14Certain Provisions of Nevada Law. Pursuant to the provisions of NRS 108.2403 Section 108.2405 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (as amended or supplemented from time to time, “NRS”), to the extent the Leased Property is located in Nevada, Landlord hereby waives the provisions of NRS 108.2403 and 108.2407, including, without limitation, any and all requirements under such sections to (i) establish a construction disbursement account, (ii) fund such construction disbursement account in an amount equal to the total cost of the work of improvement, (iii) obtain the services of a construction control to administer such construction disbursement account, (iv) provide notice of such construction disbursement account and (v) record a surety bond for the prime contract that meets the requirements of NRS 108.2415. Notwithstanding the foregoing waiver, however, Tenant shall, except as otherwise provided in this Master Lease, take all actions necessary under laws of the State of Nevada to ensure that no liens encumbering Landlord’s interest in the Leased Property located in Nevada arise as a result of Capital Improvements by Tenant. Tenant shall notify Land-lord of the name and address of Tenant’s prime contractor who will be performing such Capital Improvements as soon as it is known. Tenant shall notify Landlord immediately upon the signing of any contract with the prime contractor for such Capital Improvements or other construction, alteration or repair of any
portion of such Leased Property or any improvements to such Leased Property. Tenant may not enter such Leased Property to begin any alteration or other work in such Leased Property until Tenant has delivered evidence satisfactory to Landlord that Tenant has complied with the terms of this Section 41.14. Failure by Tenant to comply with the terms of this Section 41.14 shall permit Landlord to declare an Event of Default. Further, Landlord shall have the right to post and maintain any notices of non-responsibility.
1.15Certain Provisions of Louisiana Law. For Facilities located in the State of Louisiana, Landlord hereby waives and releases all liens and privileges it may have now or hereafter on or against any personal property (e.g., movable property under Louisiana law) now or hereafter located on or about the Leased Property, whether such property is owned by Tenant or any other Person, including without limitation the lessor's lien and privilege provided by Louisiana Civil Code Articles 2707 - 2710. This waiver and release shall be self-operative. However, Landlord shall, upon request of Tenant made from time to time, execute instruments reasonably required to effect or confirm this waiver and release.
1.16Certain Provisions of New Jersey Law.
(a) This Master Lease and the parties hereto, in each case as it relates to the Facilities located in the State of New Jersey (the “New Jersey Facility(ies)”) only, are subject to compliance with the requirements of the New Jersey Casino Control Act, N.J.S.A. 5:12-1 et seq., (the “New Jersey Act”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 5:12—82c, this Master Lease or any further amendments thereto relating to the New Jersey Facilities must be filed with the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (the “Commission”) and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (the “Division”) and, to the extent that this Master Lease or any further amendment thereto relates to the New Jersey Facilities, the same shall only be effective as to the New Jersey Facilities if approved by the Commission.
(b) The parties acknowledge and agree that the Master Lease and any transfer or assignments under the Master Lease, in each case to the extent the same relate to the New Jersey Facilities, are subject to the applicable provisions of N.J.S.A. 5:12-82 et seq. To the extent required by N.J.S.A. 5:12-82c(10), with respect to the New Jersey Facilities only, each party to the Master Lease is jointly and severally liable for all acts, omissions and violations of the New Jersey Act by any party, regardless of actual knowledge of such act, omission o violation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if Tenant violates the New Jersey Act then Tenant shall indemnify Landlord for any liability incurred by Landlord as a result of any such violation in a manner consistent with Section 21.1 of this Master Lease and (ii) if Landlord violates the New Jersey Act then Landlord shall indemnify Tenant for any liability incurred by Tenant as a result of any such violation.
(c) Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 5:12-104b, this Master Lease, as it relates to the New Jersey Facilities only, may be terminated by the Division or Commission without liability on the part of Tenant or Landlord, if the Division or Commission disapproves of its terms, including the terms of compensation, or of the qualifications of Landlord or Tenant, their respective owners, officers, directors or employees based on the standards contained in N.J.S.A. 5:12-86.
(d) In accordance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 5:12-82c(5), if at any time during the Term (so long as a New Jersey Facility remains a Facility under this Master Lease), Landlord or any person associated with Landlord (other than Tenant or any subtenant thereof), is found by the Commission or the Director of the Division, as applicable, to be
unsuitable to be associated with a casino enterprise in New Jersey, and is not removed from such association in a manner acceptable to the Commission or the Director of the Division, as applicable, then upon written notice delivered by Tenant to Landlord (the “New Jersey Purchase Notice”), following such final unstayed decision of the Commission or Director of the Division, as applicable, which provides that a purchase of Landlord’s interest in a New Jersey Facility is required, Tenant may elect either (a) to require Landlord to sell all (but not less than all) of Landlord’s interest in such New Jersey Facility (but no other Facility under the Master Lease) to a third party pursuant to a Severance Lease provided, that the Commission or Director of the Division, as applicable, does not object, or (b); to purchase all (but not less than all) of Landlord’s interest in an applicable New Jersey Facility (but no other Facility under the Lease) for an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the New Jersey Fair Market Value (as finally determined in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section 41.16 below), which amount shall be payable in cash.
(e) The “New Jersey Fair Market Value” shall be an amount equal to the fair market value of an applicable New Jersey Facility based on the amount that would be paid by a willing purchaser to a willing seller if neither were under any compulsion to buy or sell. If the parties are unable to mutually agree upon the New Jersey Fair Market Value within thirty (30) days after delivery of the New Jersey Purchase Notice, the New Jersey Fair Market Value will be determined by Experts appointed in accordance with Section 34.1 in which case Landlord and Tenant shall each submit to the Experts their respective determinations of the New Jersey Fair Market Value. The Experts may only select either the New Jersey Fair Market Value set forth by Landlord or by Tenant and may not select any other amount or make any other determination (and the Experts shall be so instructed). The Experts shall notify the parties in writing within thirty (30) days of the submission of the matter to the Experts of their selection of either Tenant’s or Landlord’s determination of the New Jersey Fair Market Value as the conclusive determination of the New Jersey Fair Market Value.
(f) In the event that Tenant has elected to purchase a New Jersey Facility, the closing of the purchase and a sale of such New Jersey Facility shall occur not later than ninety (90) days after the determination of the New Jersey Fair Market Value, or such other time as may be directed by the New Jersey Gaming Authorities. At such closing, Landlord shall deliver to Tenant all fee and leasehold title to the applicable New Jersey Facility, free and clear of any liens, claims or other encumbrances other than (A) any liens and encumbrances created to or in place as of the Commencement Date and (B) any liens and encumbrances caused by Tenant or as permitted by the Master Lease. Landlord shall use all its commercially reasonable efforts to deliver title to the applicable New Jersey Facility in the condition required in this Section 41.16(f). All closing costs and expenses, including any applicable real property transfer taxes or fees, of conveying a New Jersey Facility to Tenant shall be allocated between Landlord and Tenant in the manner as the same are customarily allocated between a seller and buyer of similar real property located in the State of New Jersey. Upon such closing the Master Lease, as it relates to the applicable New Jersey Facility only, shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect, and Rent due under this Master Lease from and after the date of such closing shall be reduced by an amount determined in the same manner as set forth in Section 14.6 hereof (the “Rent Reduction Amount”). Nothing in this Section 41.16 shall be deemed to supersede any provisions of the Master Lease which expressly survives the termination of the Master Lease, and nothing contained in this Section 41.16 shall be deemed to release either party from any obligation or liability relating to any Facility other than an applicable New Jersey Facility or any obligation or liability relating to such applicable New Jersey Facility which shall have arisen under the Master Lease prior to the effective date of the sale to Tenant of the applicable New Jersey Facility.
(g) In the event that Tenant has elected to require Landlord to sell a New Jersey Facility to a third-party, in connection with the closing of the purchase and sale of such New Jersey
100
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Facility from Landlord to such third-party, Tenant and such third-party shall enter into a Severance Lease and the Master Lease shall be amended to reflect the removal of the applicable New Jersey Facility from the Lease.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Master Lease has been executed by Landlord and Tenant as of the date first written above.
LANDLORD:
GLP CAPITAL, L.P.
By: /s/ Brandon J. Moore
Name: Brandon J. Moore
Title: SVP, General Counsel & Secretary
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Master Lease]
TENANT:
TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.
Name: Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.
Title: Secretary
IOC BLACK HAWK COUNTY, INC.,
an Iowa corporation
By: /s/ Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.
Name: Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.
Title: Secretary
ISLE OF CAPRI BETTENDORF, L.C.,
an Iowa limited liability company
By: /s/ Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.
Name: Edmund L. Quatmann, Jr.
Title: Secretary
[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Master Lease]
Schedule 6.3
|US-DOCS\117166033.9||
DocumentExhibit 21
| | | | | | | | |
Subsidiaries of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (a Pennsylvania corporation) |
| | |
Name of Subsidiary | | State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation |
CCR PA Racing, LLC | | Pennsylvania |
GLP Capital, L.P. | | Pennsylvania |
GLP Financing I, LLC | | Delaware |
GLP Financing II, Inc. | | Delaware |
Gold Merger Sub, LLC | | Delaware |
Morgantown Real Property, LLC | | Delaware |
PA Meadows, LLC | | Delaware |
SE Inlet Properties, LLC | | Delaware |
Tropicana LV, LLC | | Delaware |
WTA II, LLC | | Delaware |
DocumentExhibit 22.1
List of Subsidiary Issuers of Guaranteed Securities
The following subsidiaries of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (the “Company”) were, as of December 31, 2021, issuers of the (i) $500 million 5.375% senior unsecured notes due November 2023, (ii) $400 million 3.35% senior unsecured notes due September 2024, (iii) $850 million 5.25% senior unsecured notes due June 2025, (iv) $975 million 5.375% senior unsecured notes due April 2026, (v) $500 million 5.75% senior unsecured notes due June 2028, (vi) $750 million 5.30% senior unsecured notes due January 2029, (vii) $700 million 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2030, (viii) $700 million 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2031, and (ix) $800 million 3.25% senior unsecured notes due January 2032, each guaranteed by the Company: | | | | | |
Entity | Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Formation |
GLP Capital, L.P. | Pennsylvania |
GLP Financing II, Inc. | Delaware |
DocumentExhibit 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements of our reports dated February 24, 2022, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries, and the effectiveness of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Registration Statement No. 333-233213 on Form S-3
Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement No. 333-206649 on Form S-4
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-196662 on Form S-4
Registration Statement No. 333-192017 on Form S-8
Registration Statement No. 333-249523 on Form S-8
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
February 24, 2022
DocumentExhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
I, Peter M. Carlino, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| | | | | | | | |
Date: | February 24, 2022 | /s/ Peter M. Carlino |
| | Name: Peter M. Carlino |
| | Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
DocumentExhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
In connection with the annual report of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Peter M. Carlino, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that, to my knowledge:
1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| | | | | |
| /s/ Peter M. Carlino |
| Peter M. Carlino |
| Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
Date: | February 24, 2022 |