SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., was incorporated in 1993 and through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden Road Motor Inn, Inc. (“Golden Road”), owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel/casino facility in Reno, Nevada (the “Atlantis”).  Monarch’s wholly owned subsidiaries, High Desert Sunshine, Inc. (“High Desert”) and Golden North, Inc. (“Golden North”), each own separate parcels of land located proximate to the Atlantis.  Monarch’s wholly owned subsidiary Monarch Growth Inc. (“Monarch Growth”), formed in 2011, acquired Riviera Black Hawk, Inc., owner of the Riviera Black Hawk Casino (collectively “Monarch Black Hawk” or “Black Hawk”) on April 26, 2012. Riviera Black Hawk Casino was renamed Monarch Casino Black Hawk in October 2013.  Monarch Growth also owns a parcel of land in Black Hawk, Colorado contiguous to the Monarch Black Hawk Casino. The Company has included the results of Black Hawk in its consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.

Monarch’s wholly owned subsidiary Monarch Interactive, Inc. (“Monarch Interactive”) was formed on January 4, 2012 and received approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission on August 23, 2012, which approval was extended three times, each for an additional six month period, pending commencement of operations, for a license as an operator of interactive gaming.  Before the license can be issued, a number of conditions must be met and before operations can commence, the Company must enter into contracts with a licensed interactive gaming service provider with an approved system.  None of these conditions have occurred, and Monarch Interactive is not currently engaged in any operating activities.  In Nevada, legal interactive gaming is currently limited to intrastate poker.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Monarch and its subsidiaries.  Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.  Reference to the number of square feet or acreage are unaudited and considered outside the scope of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

Unless otherwise indicated, “Monarch,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the year.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Correction of Immaterial Error and Reclassification

Correction of Immaterial Error and Reclassification

During the second quarter of 2013, the Company identified that immaterial amounts of promotional items provided to its patrons including free play and cash back awards to casino patrons were improperly recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses instead of being recorded as a direct offset to revenue. In accordance with ASC 605-50, Revenue Recognition, free play and cash vouchers should be recorded as an offset to revenues instead of being reported as an expense. This change also resulted in immaterial reclassifications among casino, food and beverage, hotel and other operating expense categories.  The following table compares previously reported net revenues and operating expenses to as adjusted amounts, reflecting the reclassification of immaterial promotional amounts in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles:

Amount in thousands

	Three months ended March 31, 2013 (unaudited)							Twelve months ended December 31, 2012							Twelve months ended December 31, 2011
	Previously reported		Correction			As adjusted		Previously reported		Correction			As adjusted		Previously reported		Correction			As adjusted
Net Revenues	$	47,644	$	(2,039	)	$	45,605	$	170,357	$	(7,055	)	$	163,302	$	140,632	$	(6,103	)	$	134,529
Operating Expenses	40,459		(2,039		)	38,420		154,374		(7,055		)	147,319		130,862		(6,103		)	124,759

The reclassifications had no effect on previously reported, net income, income from operations, consolidated Adjusted EBITDA or cash flows of the Company. Additionally, the Company reclassified approximately $1.0 million in stock-based compensation expense from the Atlantis Adjusted EBITDA segment to the Corporate and other segment for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012. This reclassification had no effect on Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. The Company has evaluated the change in presentation on prior period financial statements taking into account the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (SAB 108). In accordance with the relevant guidance, we evaluated the materiality of the error from a qualitative and quantitative perspective. Based on such evaluation, we concluded that correcting the error did not have a material impact on any individual prior period financial statement or affect the trend of financial results. As provided by SAB 108, the portion of the immaterial error and reclassification that impacts previously reported net revenues and operating expenses for the three month ended March 31, 2013, and the annual and quarterly periods for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 will not require the previously filed annual reports on Form 10-K or quarterly reports on Form 10-Q to be amended and the correction is permitted to be made the next time we file our prior period financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, as well as investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company extends short-term credit to its gaming customers. Such credit is non-interest bearing and is due on demand.  In addition, the Company also has receivables due from hotel guests which are primarily secured with a credit card at the time a customer checks in.  An allowance for doubtful accounts is set up for all Company receivables based upon the Company’s historical collection and write-off experience, unless situations warrant a specific identification of a necessary reserve related to certain receivables.  The Company charges off its uncollectible receivables once all efforts have been made to collect such receivables. The book value of receivables approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the receivables. In December 2013, the Company recorded an adjustment to its reserve for casino accounts receivable based on the results of historical collection patterns and current collection trends. For the year ended December 31, 2013, this adjustment benefitted income from operations by $0.3 million and net income by $0.2 million (or $0.01 per share on a fully diluted basis).

Casino Jackpots

Casino Jackpots

The Company does not accrue a liability for base jackpots because it has the ability to avoid such payment as gaming devices can legally be removed from the gaming floor without payment of the base amount. When the Company is unable to avoid payment of a jackpot such as the incremental jackpot amounts of progressive-type slot machines, due to legal requirements, the jackpot is accrued as the obligation becomes unavoidable. This liability is accrued over the time period in which the incremental progressive jackpot amount is generated commensurate with a corresponding reduction in casino revenue.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories, consisting primarily of food, beverages, and retail merchandise, are stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Property and equipment is depreciated principally on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows:

Land improvements	15-40 years
Buildings	30-40 years
Building improvements	5-40 years
Furniture	5-10 years
Equipment	3-20 years

The Company evaluates property and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with the guidance for accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. For assets to be disposed of, the Company recognizes the asset to be sold at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs of disposal. Fair value for assets to be disposed of is generally estimated based on comparable asset sales, solicited offers or a discounted cash flow model. For assets to be held and used, the Company reviews fixed assets for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. If an indicator of impairment exists, we compare the estimated future cash flows of the asset, on an undiscounted basis, to the carrying value of the asset. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, then an impairment is measured based on fair value compared to carrying value, with fair value typically based on a discounted cash flow model or market comparables, when available. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, there were no impairment charges.

Goodwill

Goodwill

The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (“ASC Topic 350”). ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles- Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment (ASU 2011-08) gives companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment that may allow them to skip the annual two-step test as appropriate. The Company tests its goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each year, or whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing for goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level, and each of the Company’s casino properties is considered to be a reporting unit. We perform qualitative analysis to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount by assessing the relevant events and circumstances. If that is the case, the company utilizes two-step testing process. In the first step, the estimated fair value of each reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, then the goodwill of the reporting unit is considered to be impaired, and impairment is measured in the second step of the process.  In the second step, the Company estimates the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill by allocating the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Goodwill consists of the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. As of December 31, 2013, we had goodwill totaling $25.1 million related to the purchase of Black Hawk, Inc. (see NOTES 3 and 11).

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires us to use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the business combination date and to refine those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which we may adjust the provisional amounts recognized for a business combination) in a manner that is generally similar to the previous purchase method of accounting.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, we recognize separately from goodwill the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests in an acquiree, generally at the acquisition date fair value. We measure goodwill as of the acquisition date as the excess of consideration transferred, which we also measure at fair value, over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Costs that we incur to complete the business combination such as investment banking, legal and other professional fees are not considered part of consideration and we charge them to acquisition expense as they are incurred.

Should the initial accounting for a business combination be incomplete by the end of a reporting period that falls within the measurement period, we report provisional amounts in our financial statements. During the measurement period, we adjust the provisional amounts recognized at the acquisition date to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date and we record those adjustments to our financial statements. We apply those measurement period adjustments that we determine to be significant retrospectively to comparative information in our financial statements, including adjustments to depreciation and amortization expense.

Under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, if we identify changes to acquired deferred tax asset valuation allowances or liabilities related to uncertain tax positions during the measurement period and they relate to new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, those changes are considered a measurement period adjustment and we record the offset to goodwill. We record all other changes to deferred tax asset valuation allowances and liabilities related to uncertain tax positions in current period income tax expense.

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets include assets related to its customer relationships which are amortized over its estimated useful life using the straight-line method. The Company periodically evaluates the remaining useful lives of its finite-lived intangible assets to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization.

The customer relationship intangible asset represents the value associated with Monarch Black Hawk Casino’s rated casino guests. The initial fair value of the customer relationship intangible asset was estimated based on the projected net cash flows associated with these casino guests. The recoverability of the Company’s customer relationship intangible asset could be affected by, among other things, increased competition within the gaming industry, a downturn in the economy, declines in customer spending which would impact the expected future cash flows associated with the rated casino guests, declines in the number of visitations which could impact the expected attrition rate of the rated casino guests, and erosion of operating margins associated with rated casino guests. Should events or changes in circumstances cause the carrying value of the customer relationship intangible asset to exceed its estimated fair value, an impairment charge in the amount of the excess would be recognized. As of December 31, 2013, the customer relationships net intangible asset balance was $8.5 million. The trade name, related to the Riviera Black Hawk name was fully amortized by October 2013 when Riviera Black Hawk was renamed Monarch Casino Black Hawk.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement

ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used for various valuation techniques e.g. market value, income approach and cost approach.  The levels of the hierarchy 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 and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and

· Level 3:  Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

The fair value measurements relating to the acquired assets of Monarch Black Hawk Casino was determined using inputs within Level 2 and Level 3 of ASC 820’s hierarchy.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

We have defined two reportable segments based on factors such as how we manage our operations and how our chief operating decision maker views results. We define the chief operating decision maker as our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. Our chief operating decision maker organizes and manages our business primarily on the basis of Adjusted EBITDA (see NOTE 12).

We include expenses such as corporate selling, general and administrative expense, which is not allocated to specific segments, in corporate and other expense.

Self-insurance Reserves

Self-insurance Reserves

We are currently self-insured up to certain stop loss amounts for Atlantis workers’ compensation and certain medical benefit costs provided to all of our employees.  As required by the state of Colorado, we are fully-insured for Black Hawk workers’ compensation costs.  The Company reviews self-insurance reserves at least quarterly. The reserve is determined by reviewing the actual expenditures for the previous twelve-month period and reports prepared by the third party plan administrator for any significant unpaid claims.  The reserve is an amount estimated to pay both reported and unreported claims as of the balance sheet date, which management believes is adequate.

Capitalized Interest

Capitalized Interest

The Company capitalizes interest costs associated with debt incurred in connection with major construction projects.  When no debt is specifically identified as being incurred in connection with a construction project, the Company capitalizes interest on amounts expended on the project at the Company’s average borrowing cost.  Interest capitalization is ceased when the project is substantially complete.  The Company did not capitalize interest during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Casino Revenues

Casino Revenues

Casino revenues represent the net win from gaming activity, which is the difference between wins and losses.  Additionally, net win is reduced by a provision for anticipated payouts on slot participation fees, progressive jackpots and any pre-arranged marker discounts.

Promotional Allowances

Promotional Allowances

The Company’s frequent player program allows members, through the frequency of their play at the Company’s casino, to earn and accumulate points which may be redeemed for a variety of goods and services.  Points may be applied toward room stays at the hotel, food and beverage consumption at the food outlets, gift shop items as well as goods and services at the spa and beauty salon and for cash at our Black Hawk property. Points earned may also be applied toward off-property events such as concerts, shows and sporting events.

The retail value of hotel, food and beverage services provided to customers without charge is included in gross revenue and deducted as promotional allowances. The estimated departmental costs of providing such promotional allowances are included in casino operating expenses and are as follows:

	Years ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Food and beverage	$	21,712,938	$	20,464,456	$	16,244,303
Hotel	2,622,010		2,850,105		2,328,566
Other	1,777,333		1,856,992		1,696,485
	$	26,112,281	$	25,171,553	$	20,269,354

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred.  Advertising expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expense, was $5,200,634, $4,675,771 and $4,083,700 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded in accordance with the liability method pursuant to authoritative guidance.  Under the asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes, the following basic principles are applied in accounting for income taxes at the date of the financial statements: (a) a current liability or asset is recognized for the estimated taxes payable or refundable on taxes for the current year; (b) a deferred income tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards; (c) the measurement of current and deferred tax liabilities and assets is based on the provisions of the enacted tax law; the effects of future changes in tax laws or rates are not anticipated; and (d) the measurement of deferred income taxes is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits that, based upon available evidence, are not expected to be realized.

Under the accounting guidance, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position.  The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50.0% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure.  The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is included in current and noncurrent tax liabilities, based on when expected to be recognized, within the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the authoritative guidance requiring that compensation cost relating to stock-based payment transactions be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.  The cost is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for stock options, and based on the closing share price of the Company’s stock on the grant date for restricted stock awards. The cost is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period (the vesting period of the equity award). The Company’s stock-based employee compensation plan is more fully discussed in (see NOTE 9).

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing reported net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflect the additional dilution for all potentially dilutive securities such as stock options.

The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

Shares in thousands

	Years ended December 31,
	2013				2012			2011
	Shares	Per Share Amount			Shares	Per Share Amount		Shares	Per Share Amount
Basic	16,302	$	1.10		16,140	$	0.55	16,138	$	0.35
Effect of dilutive stock options	642	(0.04		)	110	—		93	—
Diluted	16,944	$	1.06		16,250	$	0.55	16,231	$	0.35

The following options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and their inclusion would be antidilutive:

	Years ended December 31,
	2013	2012	2011
Options to purchase shares of common stock (in thousands)	418,071	1,518	1,720
Exercise prices	$21.65-$29.00	$11.00-$29.00	$10.43-$29.00
Expiration dates (month/year)	05/16-10/23	10/14-2/22	10/14-12/21

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments has been determined by the Company, using available market information and valuation methodologies.  However, considerable judgment is required to develop the estimates of fair value; thus, the estimates provided herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange.

The carrying amounts of cash, account receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.  Additionally, the carrying value of our long-term debt approximates fair value due to the variable nature of applicable interest rates and relative short-term maturity.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of bank deposits and trade receivables. The Company maintains its surplus cash in bank accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base.  The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and accounts receivable.  Accounts are written off when management determines that an account is uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts previously written off are recorded when received. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined to reduce the Company’s receivables to their carrying value, which approximates fair value. The allowance is estimated based on historical collection experience, specific review of individual customer accounts, and current economic and business conditions.  Historically, the Company has not incurred any significant credit-related losses.

Certain Risks and Uncertainties

Certain Risks and Uncertainties

The Company’s operations are dependent on its continued licensing by the Nevada and Colorado gaming regulatory bodies.  The loss of a license could have a material adverse effect on future results of operations.

The Company is dependent on the northern Nevada and Denver, Colorado markets for a significant number of its patrons and revenues. If economic conditions in these areas deteriorate or additional gaming licenses are awarded, the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected.

The Company is dependent on the U.S. economy in general, and any deterioration in the national economic, energy, credit and capital markets could have a material adverse effect on future results of operations.

The Company is dependent upon a stable gaming and admission tax structure in the locations in which it operates. Any change in the tax structure could have a material adverse effect on future results of operations.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amendments to enhance disclosures about offsetting and related arrangements. This information will enable the users of the financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial and derivative instruments. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2013 which did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that amends the presentation requirements of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists.  The update would require an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward in most cases.  The standard update is effective for our 2014 financial statements.  We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this statement on our consolidated financial statements.

A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under review and study by standard-setting organizations and certain regulatory agencies. Because of the tentative and preliminary nature of such proposed standards, we have not yet determined the effect, if any, the implementation of any such proposed or revised standards would have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.