SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. was incorporated in 1993. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden Road Motor Inn, Inc. (“Golden Road”), Monarch owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel and casino in Reno, Nevada (the “Atlantis”). In addition, 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 and operates Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk, a hotel and casino in Black Hawk, Colorado (the “Monarch Black Hawk”). Monarch owns a parcel of land with an industrial warehouse located between Denver, Colorado and Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk. Monarch also owns Chicago Dogs Eatery, Inc. and Monarch Promotional Association, both of which were formed in relation to licensure requirements for extended hours of liquor operation in Black Hawk, Colorado.

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.

Impact of COVID-19:

In March 2020, a global pandemic was declared due to an outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”). In an effort to contain the virus, on March 16, 2020 the state of Colorado mandated a temporary shutdown of all casinos including Monarch Black Hawk and on March 17, 2020 the state of Nevada mandated the temporary closure of all casinos including Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.

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.

Segment Reporting

The accounting guidance for disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information requires separate financial information to be disclosed for all reporting segments of a business. The Company determined that the Company’s two operating segments, Atlantis and Monarch 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.

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.

Inventories

Inventories, consisting primarily of food, beverages, and retail merchandise, are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined by the weighted average and specific identification methods. 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, net consists of the following (in thousands):

	December 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Land	$	32,986	$	32,986
Land improvements		9,898		9,847
Buildings		474,571		471,819
Buildings improvements		55,432		33,681
Furniture and equipment		235,233		229,052
Construction in progress		8,211		6,257
Right of use assets		14,246		14,784
Leasehold improvements		3,848		3,848
		834,425		802,274
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(253,618)		(229,767)
Property and equipment, net	$	580,807	$	572,507

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 recorded $37.9 million, $16.1 million and $13.7 million depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

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 indicators quarterly. 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 comparable, when available. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were no impairment charges.

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 quantitative 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.

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, 2021, we had goodwill totaling $25.1 million related to the purchase of Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk, Inc.

The Company assessed its goodwill balance for impairment using the quarterly assessment. Based on the impairment assessment, we do not believe that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. Accordingly, the two-step impairment test is not necessary. The evaluations used to assess the Company’s goodwill for impairment incorporate inherent uncertainties that are difficult to predict in the current economic environment. When evaluating for impairment, we make numerous highly subjective and judgmental estimates and assumptions, all of which are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, and many of which are based on significant unobservable inputs. The most significant assumptions and inputs used in evaluating for impairment are projected short-term and long-term operating results and cash flows, projected capital expenditures, estimated long-term growth rates and the weighted-average cost of capital of market participants, adjusted for the risk profile of the assets being evaluated. The timing and trajectory of the expected post-pandemic economic recovery is unknown, and accordingly, estimates and assumptions are likely to change as more information becomes available.

The Company believes that it has made reasonable estimates and judgments in performing its analysis in light of the risks and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if the excess of fair value over the carrying amount declines by a significant amount in the future as a result of changes in actual and projected operating results or other internal or external economic factors, the Company could be required to recognize goodwill impairment charges in future periods.

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 had not capitalized any interest in 2021. The Company capitalized $6.8 million and $5.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Capitalized interest of $16.5 million, related to the Monarch Black Hawk expansion project, was allocated to the fixed assets placed in service at the project completion date in the fourth quarter of 2020 and is amortized over the respective assets’ recovery period.

Debt Issuance Costs

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 rate method. Unamortized amounts of debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction of the outstanding debt and included in “Long-term debt, net”.

On September 3, 2020, the Company refinanced its credit facility. The unamortized costs related to the existing credit facility as of August 31, 2020 were $476 thousand. As the credit facility is a loan syndication with separate debt instruments existing between the debtor and the individual creditors participating in the syndication, in accordance with ASC 470-50, the Company expensed $95 thousand, representing a portion of unamortized debt issuance cost, allocated to the lenders that left the syndication and deferred the rest of the unamortized debt issuance cost of the existing credit facility, together with the issuance costs of the new facility.

As of December 31, 2021, debt issuance costs, net of amortization, were $1.8 million.

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 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 firm 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.

Revenue Recognition

The majority of the Company’s revenue is recognized when products are delivered or services are performed. For certain revenue transactions (when a patron uses a club loyalty card), in accordance with Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (“ASC 606”), a portion of the revenue is deferred until the points earned by the patron are redeemed or expire.

Casino revenue: Casino revenues represent the net win from gaming activity, which is the difference between the amounts won and lost, which represents the transaction price. Jackpots, other than the incremental amount of progressive jackpots, are recognized at the time they are won by customers. Funds deposited by customers in advance and outstanding chips and slot tickets in the customers’ possession are recognized as a liability until such amounts are redeemed or used in gaming play by the customer. Additionally, net win is reduced by the performance obligations for the players’ club program, progressive jackpots and any pre-arranged marker discounts. Progressive jackpot provisions are recognized in two components: 1) as wagers are made for the share of players’ wagers that are contributed to the progressive jackpot award, and 2) as jackpots are won for the portion of the progressive jackpot award contributed by the Company. Cash discounts and other cash incentives to guests related to gaming play are recorded as a reduction to gaming revenue.

Players’ Club Program: The Company operates a players’ club program under which as players perform gaming activities they earn and accumulate points, which may be redeemed for a variety of goods and services. Given the significance of the players’ club program and the ability for members to bank such points based on their past play, the Company has determined that players’ club program points granted in conjunction with gaming activity constitute a material right and, as such, represent a performance obligation associated with the gaming contracts. At the time points are earned, the Company recognizes deferred revenue at the standalone selling prices (“SSP”) of the goods and services that the points are expected to be redeemed for, with a corresponding decrease in gaming revenue. The points estimated SSP is computed as the cash redemption value of the points expected to be redeemed, which is determined through an analysis of all redemption activity over the preceding twelve-month period.

As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company had estimated the obligations related to the players’ club program at $9.4 million and $9.8 million, respectively, which is included in Accrued Expenses in the Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity section in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Food and Beverage, Hotel and Other (retail) Revenues: Food and Beverage, Hotel and Other Revenues in general are recognized when products are delivered or services are performed. The Company recognizes revenue related to the products and services associated with the players points’ redemptions at the time products are delivered or services are performed, with corresponding reduction in the deferred revenue, at SSP. Other complimentaries in conjunction with the gaming and other business are also valued at SSP. Hotel revenue is presented net of non-third-party rebates and commissions. The cost of providing these complimentary goods and services are included as expenses within their respective categories.

Other Revenues: Other revenues (excluding retail) primarily consist of commissions received on ATM transactions and cash advances, which are recorded on a net basis as the Company represents the agent in its relationship with the third-party service providers, and commissions and fees received in connection with pari-mutuel wagering, which are also recorded on a net basis.

Sales and other taxes: Sales taxes and other taxes collected from customers on behalf of governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and are not included in revenues or operating expenses. In addition, tips and other gratuities, excluding service charges, collected from customers on behalf of the Company’s employees are also accounted for on a net basis and are not included in revenues or operating expenses.

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.

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 $45.5 million, $17.2 million and $23.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Advertising Costs

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expense, was $9.3 million, $4.5 million and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Other Operating items, net

Other operating items, net, in general consist of miscellaneous operating charges. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Other operating items, net, was $4.9 million and included: $5.1 million in professional service fees relating to our construction litigation; $0.1 million in equipment, supplies and employee testing expenses directly attributable to the pandemic for reopening of the properties and incremental to normal operations; and $0.1 million loss on disposal of assets, offset by $0.3 million of litigation proceeds and $0.1 million of insurance claims proceeds. For the year ended December 31, 2020, Other operating items, net, was $6.7 million and included: $2.8 million in pre-opening expenses relating to the Monarch Black Hawk Expansion project; $1.6 million in professional service fees relating to our construction litigation; $1.4 million in Colorado legislation lobbying expenses; $0.7 million in equipment, supplies and employee testing expenses directly attributable to the pandemic for reopening of the properties and incremental to normal operations; and $0.2 million in unamortized debt issuance cost write off and loss on disposal of assets.

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, carryback 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.

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

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,
	2021			2020			2019
		Per Share			Per Share			Per Share
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount
Basic	18,617	$	3.68	18,218	$	1.30	18,025	$	1.77
Effect of dilutive stock options	810		(0.15)	659		(0.05)	659		(0.07)
Diluted	19,427	$	3.53	18,877	$	1.25	18,684	$	1.70

The following table represents weighted average number of shares that are antidilutive because the weighted average assumed proceeds per share are greater than the options’ exercise prices:

	Years ended December 31,
	2021					2020					2019
Weighted Average Options to purchase shares of common shares		274,741					1,086,244					843,980
Weighted Average Proceeds per Share	$	76.84	-	$	102.01	$	43.09	-	$	85.68	$	44.55	-	$	59.07
Expiration dates (month/year)		12/2030-12/2031					11/2027-12/2030				11/2027-12/2029

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 and cash equivalents, 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 and Credit Losses

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of bank deposits and trade receivables.

The Company accounts for credit losses in accordance with ASU 2016-13 using forward-looking expected loss model.

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.

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 and convention groups and events, which are primarily secured with a credit card. 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, current economic and business conditions and management’s expectations of future economic and business conditions. The allowance is applied even when the risk of credit loss is remote. When a situation warrants, the Company may create a specific identification reserve for a high collection risk receivables. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has recorded a reserve of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for gaming and non-gaming receivables. The Company writes off its uncollectible receivables once all efforts have been made to collect such receivables. Recoveries of accounts previously written off are recorded when received. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to gaming and non-gaming receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base. Historically, the Company has not incurred any significant credit-related losses.

The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and accounts receivable.

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

Reference Rate Reform: In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued temporary accounting guidance to ease the accounting effects of reform to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other reference rates. The guidance contains optional expedients and exceptions that apply to accounting for contract modifications, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 and may be applied from the beginning of an interim period or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes: In December 2019, the FASB issued amended accounting guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes. The amendment eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The amendment also simplifies other aspects of the accounting for income taxes. The Company adopted this amended accounting guidance in 2021. The adoption of this amendment had no impact on Company’s financial position and results of operations.

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.