SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

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”), Golden East, Inc. (“Golden East”) and Golden North, Inc. (“Golden North”), each owns separate parcels of land located proximate to the Atlantis.

Monarch’s wholly owned subsidiary Monarch Growth Inc. (“Monarch Growth”), formed in 2011, owns Monarch Black Hawk, Inc. which owns and operates Monarch Casino Black Hawk. In addition to owning the Monarch Casino Black Hawk, Monarch Black Hawk, Inc. also wholly owns Chicago Dogs Eatery, Inc. and Monarch Promotional Association, both of which were formed related to licensure requirements for extended hours of liquor operation in Black Hawk. Monarch Growth’s wholly owned subsidiary, Inter-Mountain Construction, LLC, owns a parcel of land with an industrial warehouse located between Denver and Monarch Casino Black Hawk.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Monarch and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for the previous periods have been reclassified to be consistent with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net income. 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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and in bank, as well as money market funds 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 writes 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.

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 and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation.

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 annually during the fourth quarter of each year or 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, the 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, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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”). ASC Topic 350 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 a 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 a 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 in April 2012. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had goodwill totaling $25.1 million related to the purchase of Black Hawk, Inc. (see NOTE 4). For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, there were no impairment charges.

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 Casino Black Hawk’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, 2019 and 2018, the customer relationships net intangible asset balance was $1.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

The accounting guidance for disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information requires separate financial information to be disclosed for all operating segments of a business. The Company determined that the Company’s two operating segments, Atlantis and Monarch Casino Black Hawk, meet all of the aggregation criteria stipulated by ASC 280-10-50-11. The Company views each property as an operating segment and the two operating segments have been aggregated into one reporting segment.

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 Monarch Casino 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 company engages a third party actuarial at least once per year for a more precise reserves review and calculation. The reserve is an amount estimated to pay both reported and unreported claims as of the balance sheet date, which management believes is adequate.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt Issuance Costs

Prior to 2019, debt issuance costs were capitalized and included in “Other assets, net” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2018, debt issuance costs, net of amortization, were $1.4 million. As of December 31, 2019, any unamortized amounts of debt issuance costs were recorded as a reduction of the outstanding debt and included in “Long-term debt, net”. As of December 31, 2019, debt issuance costs, net of amortization, were $0.8 million. Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt agreement utilizing the effective-interest method.

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 capitalized $5.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, $2.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 and $0.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 in interest.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expense, was $5.0 million, $4.9 million and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Other Operating items, net

Other Operating items, net

Other operating items, net, in general consist of miscellaneous operating charges. For the year ended December 31, 2019, Other operating items, net,  was $3.1 million, which includes $2.5 million in pre-opening expenses relating to the Monarch Black Hawk Expansion project, $0.3 million in professional service fees relating to our construction litigation and $0.3 million in professional service fees relating to a due diligence on an acquisition opportunity.

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.

Gaming taxes

Gaming Taxes

The Company is subject to taxes based on gross gaming revenue in the jurisdictions in which it operates, subject to applicable jurisdictional adjustments. These gaming taxes are an assessment on the Company’s gaming revenue and are recorded as casino expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. These taxes totaled $23.0 million, $22.3 million and $21.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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 NOTE 10.

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 (in thousands, except per share data):

	Years ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
		Per Share			Per Share			Per Share
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount
Basic	18,025	$	1.77	17,846	$	1.91	17,585	$	1.45
Effect of dilutive stock options	659		(0.07)	728		(0.08)	782		(0.06)
Diluted	18,684	$	1.70	18,574	$	1.83	18,367	$	1.39

The following options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the December 31 closing market price of the common shares and their inclusion would be antidilutive:

	Years ended December 31,
	2019					2018					2017
Options to purchase shares of common stock		843,980					697,968					203,667
Exercise prices	$	44.55	-	$	59.07	$	39.82	-	$	47.81	$	45.32	-	$	46.73
Expiration dates (month/year)		11/27-12/29					11/27-12/28				11/27-12/27

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 on the travel industry and any disruption or restriction on national or international travel and entertainment, like a pandemic disease or a risk of pandemic disease, could materially and adversely affect our 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 August 2018, the FASB issued an ASU to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract should be presented as a prepaid asset in the balance sheet and expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement to the same line item in the statement of income as the costs related to the hosting fees. The guidance in this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted including adoption in any interim period. The amendments should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued an ASU that simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment for all entities by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (i.e., Step 2 of today’s goodwill impairment test) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (i.e., measure the charge based on today’s Step 1). The standard does not change the guidance on completing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity will still be able to perform today’s optional qualitative goodwill impairment assessment before determining whether to proceed to Step 1. The standard will be applied prospectively and is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued amended accounting guidance for the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The amended accounting guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment model with a forward-looking expected loss model, and is applicable to most financial assets, including trade receivables other than those arising from operating leases. The amended guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. A modified retrospective transition method with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings is required to be applied at the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU, amended January 2017, which addresses the recognition and measurement of leases. Under the new guidance, for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases), at the commencement date, the lessee is required to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Further, the new lease guidance simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and liabilities, which no longer provides a source for off- balance sheet financing. The standard permits two approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new guidance with restatement of prior years, and one requiring prospective application of the new guidance. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, amending certain aspects of the new leasing standard. The amendment allows an additional optional transition method whereby an entity records a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the year of adoption without restating prior periods. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019. See NOTE. 6.

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.