Description of Business

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Description of Business

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Churchill Downs Incorporated (the "Company", "we", "us", "our") is an industry-leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event, the Kentucky Derby. We own and operate three pari-mutuel gaming entertainment venues with approximately 3,050 historical racing machines ("HRMs") in Kentucky. We also own and operate TwinSpires, one of the largest and most profitable online wagering platforms for horse racing, sports and iGaming in the U.S. and we have seven retail sportsbooks. We are also a leader in brick-and-mortar casino gaming in eight states with approximately 11,000 slot machines and video lottery terminals ("VLTs") and 200 table games. We were organized as a Kentucky corporation in 1928, and our principal executive offices are located in Louisville, Kentucky.

Impact of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Considerable uncertainty still surrounds the COVID-19 virus and the potential effects of COVID-19, and the extent of and effectiveness of responses taken on international, national and local levels. Measures taken to limit the impact of COVID-19, including shelter-in-place orders, social distancing measures, travel bans and restrictions, and business and government shutdowns, have resulted and continue to result in significant negative economic impacts in the U.S. and in relation to our business. The long-term impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. and world economies and continuing impact on our business remains uncertain, the duration and scope of which cannot currently be predicted.

In response to the measures taken to limit the impact of COVID-19 described above, and for the protection of our employees, customers, and communities, we temporarily suspended operations at our properties in March 2020. In May 2020, we began to reopen our properties with patron restrictions and gaming limitations. One property temporarily suspended operations again in July 2020 and reopened in August 2020, and three properties temporarily suspended operations again in December 2020 and reopened in January 2021.

We implemented a number of initiatives to facilitate social distancing and enhanced cleaning, such as increased frequency of cleaning and sanitizing of all high-touch surfaces, mandatory temperature checks of all guests and team members upon entry and required training for all team members on safety protocols. Certain amenities at our properties have continued to be suspended, including food buffets and valet services, and certain restaurants and food outlets. A summary of the temporary closures and the current restrictions at each property is provided in Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained within this Report.

On March 25, 2020, as a result of the temporary closures and suspended operations described above, the Company announced the temporary furlough of employees at the Company's wholly-owned and managed gaming properties and certain racing operations. As the Company reopened these properties, certain employees have returned to work while others remain on temporary furlough due to the capacity restrictions at these properties. The Company provided health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits to furloughed employees through July 31, 2020 and during the subsequent property closure periods.

The Company also implemented a temporary salary reduction for all remaining non-furloughed salaried employees based on a percentage that varies dependent upon the amount of each employee’s salary. The most senior level of executive management received the largest salary decrease, based on both percentage and dollar amount. Salaries for non-furloughed employees resumed at the annual base salary beginning with the start of the employee's first full pay period after July 31, 2020.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") provides an employee retention credit (“CARES Employee Retention Credit”), which is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes of up to $5,000 per employee for eligible employers. The tax credit is equal to 50% of qualified wages paid to employees during a quarter, capped at $10,000 of qualified wages per employee. The Company qualified for the tax credit and received additional tax credits for qualified wages, and the Company recorded a $2.7 million benefit related to the CARES Employee Retention Credit in operating expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss) income for the year ended December 31, 2020. The CARES Act also provides for deferred payment of the employer portion of social security taxes through December 31, 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% due December 31, 2022. Approximately $5.3 million of deferred payments are recorded as liabilities within accrued expense and other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.

The Company reduced planned maintenance and project capital expenditures for 2020 as a result of the temporary property and operations closures and prioritized capital investments based on the highest near-term return opportunities in order to maintain financial flexibility.

Refer to Note 12, Total Debt, for discussion of from borrowings and repayments on our revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and the amendments entered into during 2020.

Based on our current projected operating cash flow needs, interest and debt repayments, and revised maintenance and project capital expenditures, we believe we have adequate cash to fund our business operations, meet all of our financial commitments, and invest in our prioritized key growth capital projects for well beyond the next twelve months.