Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates

. Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates

William Hill

The Company entered into a 25-year agreement, which became effective January 29, 2019, with William Hill which granted to William Hill the right to conduct betting activities, including operating our sportsbooks, in retail channels under certain skins for online channels with respect to the Company’s current and future properties, and conduct certain real money online gaming activities. The Company received a 20% ownership interest in William Hill US as well as 13 million ordinary shares of William Hill PLC, which shares initially received were subject to restrictions on transfer. The time restrictions on approximately 6 million shares expire within the next twelve months and are classified as current. Additionally, the Company receives a profit share from the operations of sports betting and other gaming activities associated with the Company’s properties. “Skin” in the context of this agreement refers to the Company’s ability to grant to William Hill an online channel that allows William Hill to operate online casino and sports gaming activities in reliance on, and utilizing the benefit of, any licenses granted to the Company or its subsidiaries.

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company’s receivable from William Hill totaled $13 million and $7 million, respectively, and is reflected in Due from affiliates on the Balance Sheets.

The Company is accounting for its investment in William Hill US under the equity method. The fair value of the Company’s initial investment in William Hill US of $129 million at January 29, 2019 was determined using Level 3 inputs. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying value of the Company’s interest in William Hill US totaled $126 million and $128 million, respectively, and is recorded in Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates on the Balance Sheets.

The Company is accounting for its investment in William Hill PLC as an investment in equity securities. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the fair value of the William Hill PLC shares totaled $45 million and $44 million, respectively, net of cumulative unrealized gains of $18 million and $17 million, respectively, and is included in Other assets, net on the Balance Sheets. The Company recorded an unrealized gain of $1 million and an unrealized loss of $19 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

As described above, the Company granted William Hill the right to the use of certain skins to operate online sports betting operations through our market access in each state and operate retail sports betting in our current and future properties for an equity method investment. The fair value of the William Hill US and William Hill PLC shares received have been deferred and are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the 25-year agreement term. The Company recognized revenue of $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and is recorded in Other revenue in the Statements of Operations.

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the balance of the William Hill deferred revenue totaled $132 million and $134 million, respectively, and is recorded in other long-term liabilities on the Balance Sheets.

On April 22, 2021, the Company consummated its previously announced acquisition of William Hill PLC in an all-cash transaction. See Note 1. The investments and transactions among Caesars and William Hill described above will be assessed as part of the consideration transferred and the allocation of the purchase price. See Note 2.

Pompano Joint Venture

In April 2018, the Company entered into a joint venture with Cordish Companies (“Cordish”) to plan and develop a mixed-use entertainment and hospitality destination expected to be located on unused land adjacent to the casino and racetrack at the Company’s Pompano property. As the managing member, Cordish will operate the business and manage the development, construction, financing, marketing, leasing, maintenance and day-to-day operation of the various phases of the project. Additionally, Cordish will be responsible for the development of the master plan for the project with the Company’s input and will submit it for the Company’s review and approval. The Company has made cash contributions totaling $1 million and has contributed land. On February 12, 2021, the Company contributed an additional 186 acres to the joint venture for a fair value of $61 million. Total contributions of approximately 206 acres of land have been made with a fair value of approximately $69 million, and the Company has no further obligation to contribute additional real estate or cash as of March 31, 2021. We entered into a short-term lease agreement in February 2021, which we can cancel at anytime, to lease back a portion of the land from the joint venture.

While the Company holds a 50% variable interest in the joint venture, it is not the primary beneficiary; as such the investment in the joint venture is accounted for using the equity method. The Company participates evenly with Cordish in the profits and losses of the joint venture, which are included in Transaction costs and other operating costs on the Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company’s investment in the joint venture is recorded in Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates on the Balance Sheets.