XML 31 R16.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.23.3
Leases
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Leases [Abstract]  
Leases Leases
Master Leases
The components contained within the Master Leases are accounted for as either (i) operating leases, (ii) finance leases, or (iii) financing obligations. Changes to future lease payments that are not fixed within the Master Leases (i.e., when future escalators become known or future variable rent resets occur), which are discussed below, require the Company to either (i) increase both the Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities with respect to operating and finance leases or (ii) record the incremental variable payment associated with the financing obligation to interest expense. In addition, prior to the effective date of the AR PENN Master Lease (as defined and as discussed below), monthly rent associated with Hollywood Casino Columbus (“Columbus”) and monthly rent in excess of the Hollywood Casino Toledo (“Toledo”) rent floor as contained within the PENN Master Lease (as defined and discussed below), were considered contingent rent.
AR PENN Master Lease
Prior to the effective date of the AR PENN Master Lease (as defined and discussed below) the Company leased real estate assets associated with 19 of the gaming facilities used in its operations via a triple net master lease with GLPI (the “PENN Master Lease”), which became effective November 1, 2013. The PENN Master Lease had an initial term of 15 years with four subsequent, five-year renewal periods on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option.
On February 21, 2023, the Company and GLPI entered into an agreement to amend and restate the PENN Master Lease (the “AR PENN Master Lease”), effective January 1, 2023, to (i) remove the land and buildings for Hollywood Casino Aurora (“Aurora”), Hollywood Casino Joliet (“Joliet”), Columbus, Toledo and the M Resort Spa Casino (“M Resort”), and (ii) make associated adjustments to the rent after which the initial rent in the AR PENN Master Lease will be $284.1 million, consisting of $208.2 million of building base rent, $43.0 million of land base rent and $32.9 million of percentage rent (as such terms are defined in the AR PENN Master Lease). Subsequent to the execution of the AR PENN Master Lease, the Company leases real estate assets associated with 14 of the gaming facilities used in its operations via a triple net master lease. The current term of the AR PENN Master Lease expires on October 31, 2033 and thereafter contains three renewal terms of five years each on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The AR PENN Master Lease along with the 2023 Master Lease (as defined and discussed below) are cross-defaulted, cross-collateralized, and coterminous, and subject to a parent guarantee.
The payment structure under the AR PENN Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2%, depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the AR PENN Master Lease) of 1.8:1, and a component that is based on performance, which is prospectively adjusted every five years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues of all properties associated with the AR PENN Master Lease compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding five years (“PENN Percentage Rent”).
As a result of the annual escalator, effective November 1, 2023, for the lease year ending October 31, 2023, the fixed component of rent increased by $4.2 million. The PENN Percentage Rent test date occurred on November 1, 2023 of which we are currently determining the impact to the performance component of rent which will be in effect until October 31, 2028.

We concluded the execution of the AR PENN Master Lease constituted a modification event under ASC Topic 842, “Leases” (“ASC 842”), which required us to reassess the classifications of the lease components and remeasure the associated lease liabilities. We concluded the lease term should end at the current lease expiration date of October 31, 2033 and the optional three renewal terms of five years each were not included in the lease term. The Company continues to evolve from a leading retail gaming operator to a leading provider of integrated entertainment, sports content, and casino gaming experiences. The execution of our omni-channel strategy continues to diversify our earning streams and precluded us from concluding all renewal periods were reasonably assured to be exercised.
As a result of the January 1, 2023 lease modification event, we concluded (i) the land components contained within the AR PENN Master Lease, which were previously primarily classified as finance leases under the PENN Master Lease, to be classified as operating leases, and (ii) control of the building assets have transferred from the Company to the lessor allowing for sale recognition in accordance with ASC 842 which results in the building components to be classified as operating leases. Prior to the January 1, 2023 lease modification event, control of substantially all of the building components were concluded not to have passed from the Company to the lessor in accordance with ASC 842 which required recognition of a financing obligation in accordance with ASC Topic 470, “Debt” (“ASC 470”) and continued recognition of the underlying asset in Property and Equipment, net within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. In conjunction with the sale recognition on the building components, we (i) derecognized $1.6 billion of financing obligations within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, offset to “Gain on REIT transaction, net” within our unaudited Statements of Operations; and (ii) derecognized $1.1 billion of Property and Equipment, net associated with the building assets within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, offset to “Gain on REIT transaction, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of our measurement of the associated operating lease liabilities, we recognized a reduction of the ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $1.2 billion within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On January 14, 2022, the ninth amendment to the PENN Master Lease between the Company and GLPI became effective. The ninth amendment restated the definition of “Net Revenue” to clarify the inclusion of online-based revenues derived when a patron is physically present at a leased property, established a “floor” with respect to the Hollywood Casino at PENN National Race Course Net Revenue amount used in the calculation of the annual rent escalator and PENN Percentage Rent, and modified the rent calculations upon a lease termination event as defined in the amendment.
We concluded the ninth amendment constituted a modification event under ASC 842, which required us to reassess the classifications of the lease components and remeasure the associated lease liabilities. As a result of our reassessment of the lease classifications, (i) the land components of substantially all of the PENN Master Lease properties, which were previously classified as operating leases, were then primarily classified as finance leases, and (ii) the land and building components associated with the operations of Dayton and Mahoning Valley, which were previously classified as finance leases, were then classified as operating leases. As a result of our measurement of the associated lease liabilities, we recognized additional ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $455.4 million. The building components of substantially all of the PENN Master Lease properties continued to be classified as financing obligations.
2023 Master Lease
Concurrent with the execution of the AR PENN Master Lease, the Company and GLPI entered into a new triple net master lease (the “2023 Master Lease”), effective January 1, 2023, specific to the property associated with Aurora, Joliet, Columbus, Toledo, M Resort, Hollywood Casino at The Meadows (“Meadows”), and Hollywood Casino Perryville (“Perryville”) and a master development agreement (the “Master Development Agreement”). The 2023 Master Lease has an initial term through October 31, 2033 with three subsequent five-year renewal periods on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The 2023 Master Lease terminated the individual triple net leases associated with Meadows and Perryville. The 2023 Master Lease and AR PENN Master Lease are cross-defaulted, cross-collateralized, and coterminous, and subject to a parent guarantee.
The AR PENN Master Lease and the 2023 Master Lease are coterminous, as such consistent with the AR PENN Master Lease, we concluded the 2023 Master Lease term ends at the current lease expiration date of October 31, 2033 and does not include any of the remaining three renewal terms of five years each. (See above lease term discussion for AR PENN Master Lease.)
As a result of our lease classification assessment, we concluded all land and building components contained within the 2023 Master Lease to be operating leases. As a result of our measurement of the operating lease liabilities, we recognized ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $1.8 billion. Additionally, in connection with the termination of the prior Meadows Lease and Perryville Lease (both defined and discussed below), we (i) derecognized $171.9 million in ROU assets within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) derecognized $165.5 million in lease liabilities within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets; and (iii) recognized a $6.5 million loss on the termination which is recorded in “Gain on REIT transaction, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The 2023 Master Lease includes a base rent (the “2023 Master Lease Base Rent”) equal to $232.2 million and the Master Development Agreement contains additional rent (together with the 2023 Master Lease Base Rent, the “2023 Master Lease Rent”) equal to (i) 7.75% of any project funding received by PENN from GLPI for an anticipated relocation of PENN’s riverboat casino and related developments with respect to Aurora (the “Aurora Project”) and (ii) a percentage, based on the
then-current GLPI stock price, of any project funding received by PENN from GLPI for certain anticipated development projects with respect to Joliet, Columbus and M Resort (the “Other Development Projects”). The Master Development Agreement provides that GLPI will fund up to $225.0 million for the Aurora Project and, upon PENN’s request, up to $350.0 million in the aggregate for the Other Development Projects, in accordance with certain terms and conditions set forth in the Master Development Agreement. These funding obligations of GLPI expire on January 1, 2026. The 2023 Master Lease Rent will be subject to a one-time increase of $1.4 million, effective November 1, 2027. The 2023 Master Lease Rent was subject to a fixed escalator of 1.5% on November 1, 2023 and will be annually thereafter. The Master Development Agreement provides that PENN may elect not to proceed with a development project prior to GLPI’s commencement of any equity or debt offering or credit facility draw intended to fund such a project or after such time in certain instances, provided that GLPI will be reimbursed for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such discontinued project. The Aurora Project and the Other Development Projects are all subject to necessary regulatory and other government approvals.
Pinnacle Master Lease
In connection with the acquisition of Pinnacle, on October 15, 2018, the Company assumed a triple net master lease with GLPI (the “Pinnacle Master Lease”), originally effective April 28, 2016, pursuant to which the Company leases real estate assets associated with 12 of the gaming facilities used in its operations. Upon assumption of the Pinnacle Master Lease, as amended, there were 7.5 years remaining of the initial ten-year term, with five subsequent, five-year renewal periods, on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The Company has determined that the lease term is 32.5 years.
The payment structure under the Pinnacle Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2%, depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Pinnacle Master Lease) of 1.8:1, and a component that is based on performance of the properties, which is prospectively adjusted every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding two years (“Pinnacle Percentage Rent”).
As a result of the annual escalator, effective May 1, 2023 for the lease year ended April 30, 2023, the fixed component of rent increased by $4.7 million and an additional ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $33.3 million were recognized associated with the finance lease components of the Pinnacle Master Lease. Both the next annual escalator and the next Pinnacle Percentage Rent reset are scheduled to occur on May 1, 2024.
On January 14, 2022, the fifth amendment to the Pinnacle Master Lease between the Company and GLPI became effective. The fifth amendment restates the definition of “Net Revenue” to clarify the inclusion of online-based revenues derived when a patron is physically present at a leased property and modifies the rent calculations upon a lease termination event as defined in the amendment.
We concluded the fifth amendment to the Pinnacle Master Lease constituted a modification event under ASC 842 (collectively with the ninth amendment to the PENN Master Lease, the “2022 Lease Modification”). As a result of the modification, the land components of substantially all of the Pinnacle Master Lease properties, which were previously classified as operating leases, are now primarily classified as finance leases. As a result of our measurement of the associated lease liabilities, we recognized additional ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $937.6 million. The building components of substantially all of the Pinnacle Master Lease properties continue to be classified as financing obligations. Lease components classified as a finance lease are recorded to “Depreciation and amortization” and “Interest expense, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognizes interest expense on the lease payments related to the financing obligation under the effective yield method.
Other Triple Net Leases with REIT Landlords
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company entered into a triple net lease with a subsidiary of GLPI for the land underlying our development project in Morgantown, Pennsylvania (“Morgantown Lease”) in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits which were utilized to pay rent under the Master Leases, Meadows Lease (as defined and discussed below), and the Morgantown Lease during the year ended December 31, 2020.
All improvements made on the land, including the constructed building, will be owned by the Company while the lease is in effect, however, on the expiration or termination of the Morgantown Lease, ownership of all tenant improvements on the land will transfer to GLPI.
We concluded control of the land underlying the Morgantown facility was not passed from the Company to the lessor in accordance with ASC 842. As such we recognized a financing obligation in accordance with ASC 470 and continue to recognize the underlying asset in Property and Equipment, net within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognizes interest expense on the lease payments related to the financing obligation under the effective yield method.
Perryville Lease
In conjunction with the acquisition of the operations of Perryville on July 1, 2021, the Company entered into a triple net lease with GLPI for the real estate assets associated with the property (“Perryville Lease”) for initial annual rent of $7.8 million per year subject to escalation.
As discussed above, as a result of entering into the 2023 Master Lease, the Perryville Lease was terminated effective January 1, 2023.
Prior to the lease termination, the land and building components were classified as finance leases. Lease components classified as a finance lease were recorded to “Depreciation and amortization” and “Interest expense, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Meadows Lease
In connection with the acquisition of Pinnacle, we assumed a triple net operating lease associated with the real estate assets at Meadows (“Meadows Lease”), originally effective September 9, 2016. Upon assumption of the Meadows Lease, there were eight years remaining of the initial ten-year term, with three subsequent, five-year renewal options followed by one four-year renewal option on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option.
As discussed above, as a result of entering into the 2023 Master Lease, the Meadows Lease was terminated effective January 1, 2023.
Prior to the termination of the Meadows Lease, the land and building components were classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease were recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Margaritaville Lease
On January 1, 2019, the Company entered into an individual triple net lease with VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE: VICI) (“VICI”) for the real estate assets used in the operations of Margaritaville Resort Casino (the “Margaritaville Lease”). The Margaritaville Lease has an initial term of 15 years, with four subsequent five-year renewal options on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The payment structure under the Margaritaville Lease includes a fixed component, a portion that is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% depending on a minimum coverage floor ratio of Net Revenue to Rent of 6.1:1, and a component that is based on performance, which is prospectively adjusted every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues of the property compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding two years (“Margaritaville Percentage Rent”).
On February 1, 2023, the Margaritaville Lease annual escalator test resulted in an annual rent increase of $0.4 million and the recognition of an additional operating lease ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $2.8 million. The next annual escalator test date is scheduled to occur on February 1, 2024. Additionally, on February 1, 2023, the Margaritaville Percentage Rent reset resulted in an annual rent increase of $2.3 million which will be in effect until the next Margaritaville Percentage Rent reset, scheduled to occur on February 1, 2025. Upon reset of the Margaritaville Percentage Rent, effective February 1, 2023, we recognized an additional operating lease ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $9.8 million.
The land and building components contained within the Margaritaville Lease are classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Greektown Lease
On May 23, 2019, the Company entered into an individual triple net lease with VICI for the real estate assets used in the operations of Hollywood Casino at Greektown (the “Greektown Lease”). The Greektown Lease has an initial term of 15 years, with four subsequent five-year renewal options on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The payment structure under the Greektown Lease includes a fixed component, a portion subject to an annual escalator of up to 2%
depending on an Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Greektown Lease) of 1.85:1, and a component that is based on performance, which is prospectively adjusted every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues of the property compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding two years (Greektown Percentage Rent”).
On June 1, 2023, the Greektown Percentage Rent reset resulted in an annual rent increase of $1.5 million, which will be in effect until the next Greektown Percentage Rent reset, scheduled to occur on June 1, 2025. Upon reset of the Greektown Percentage Rent, effective June 1, 2023, we recognized an additional operating lease ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $7.0 million. We did not incur an annual escalator for the lease year ended May 31, 2023. On April 1, 2023, the lease was amended to provide for a Net Revenue to Rent coverage floor to be mutually agreed upon prior to the commencement of the sixth lease year (June 1, 2024).
The land and building components contained within the Greektown Lease are classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Tropicana Lease
Prior to the closing of the sale of PENN’s outstanding equity interest in Tropicana Las Vegas (“Tropicana”) on September 26, 2022, the Company leased the real estate assets used in the operations of Tropicana for nominal cash rent (the “Tropicana Lease”). The term of the Tropicana Lease was for two years (subject to three one-year extensions at GLPI’s option) or until the real estate assets and the operations of the Tropicana were sold. Upon execution of the Tropicana Lease, we recorded an operating lease ROU asset of $61.6 million, which was included in “Lease right-of-use assets” within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The land and building components contained within the Tropicana Lease were classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease were recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Non-REIT Operating Leases
In addition to any operating lease components contained within the Master Leases, Meadows Lease, Margaritaville Lease, Greektown Lease and Tropicana Lease (referred to as “triple net operating leases”), the Company’s operating leases consists of (i) ground and levee leases to landlords which were not assumed by our REIT Landlords and remain an obligation of the Company, and (ii) buildings and equipment not associated with our REIT Landlords. Certain of our lease agreements include rental payments based on a percentage of sales over specified contractual amounts, rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation, and rental payments based on usage. The Company’s leases include options to extend the lease terms. The Company’s operating lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The following is a maturity analysis of our operating leases, finance leases and financing obligations as of September 30, 2023:
(in millions)Operating LeasesFinance LeasesFinancing Obligations
Year ended December 31,
2023 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2023)$148.4 $39.7 $41.6 
2024585.2 149.3 166.5 
2025578.4 144.7 166.6 
2026579.1 144.7 166.6 
2027581.9 144.6 166.6 
Thereafter3,889.1 3,366.9 3,996.0 
Total lease payments6,362.1 3,989.9 4,703.9 
Less: Imputed interest(2,187.3)(1,875.1)(2,266.6)
Present value of future lease payments4,174.8 2,114.8 2,437.3 
Less: Current portion of lease obligations(277.8)(43.2)(40.8)
Long-term portion of lease obligations$3,897.0 $2,071.6 $2,396.5 
Total payments made under the Triple Net Leases were as follows:
 For the three months ended September 30,For the nine months ended September 30,
(in millions)2023202220232022
AR PENN Master Lease$71.1 $— $213.1 $— 
2023 Master Lease58.0 — 174.1 — 
PENN Master Lease— 120.2 — 360.0 
Pinnacle Master Lease85.3 84.2 254.2 250.1 
Perryville Lease— 1.9 — 5.8 
Meadows Lease— 6.2 — 18.6 
Margaritaville Lease6.6 5.9 19.6 17.8 
Greektown Lease13.2 12.8 39.0 38.5 
Morgantown Lease 0.8 0.8 2.4 2.3 
Total (1)
$235.0 $232.0 $702.4 $693.1 
(1)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, rent payable under the Tropicana Lease was nominal. Therefore, it has been excluded from the table above. The Tropicana Lease was terminated on September 26, 2022.
Information related to lease term and discount rate was as follows:
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases11.4 years19.1 years
Finance leases27.6 years26.7 years
Financing obligations27.8 years27.5 years
Weighted-Average Discount Rate
Operating leases7.7 %5.8 %
Finance leases5.2 %5.2 %
Financing obligations5.2 %7.7 %
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Location on unaudited
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months ended September 30,For the nine months ended September 30,
(in millions)2023202220232022
Operating Lease Costs
Rent expense associated with triple net operating leases (1)
General and administrative$146.6 $31.5 $439.0 $119.6 
Operating lease cost (2)
Primarily General and administrative5.6 4.9 16.9 14.8 
Short-term lease costPrimarily Gaming expenses21.3 19.7 60.2 56.3 
Variable lease cost (2)
Primarily Gaming expenses0.8 1.0 2.7 3.3 
Total$174.3 $57.1 $518.8 $194.0 
Finance Lease Costs
Interest on lease liabilities (3)
Interest expense, net$27.7 $72.0 $83.0 $187.2 
Amortization of ROU assets (3)
Depreciation and amortization22.0 50.1 65.6 131.0 
Total$49.7 $122.1 $148.6 $318.2 
Financing Obligation Costs
Interest on financing obligations (4)
Interest expense, net$36.8 $86.2 $110.0 $261.0 
(1)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, pertains to the following operating leases: (i) AR PENN Master Lease; (ii) 2023 Master Lease; (iii) Margaritaville Lease; and (iv) Greektown Lease.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, pertains to the operating lease components contained within the (i) PENN Master Lease (specific to the land and building components associated with the operations of Dayton and Mahoning Valley); (ii) Meadows Lease; (iii) Margaritaville Lease; (iv) Greektown Lease; and (v) Tropicana Lease (which terminated on September 26, 2022).
(2)Excludes the operating lease costs and variable lease costs pertaining to our triple net leases with our REIT landlords classified as operating leases, discussed in footnote (1) above.
(3)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, pertains to the finance lease components associated with the Pinnacle Master Lease.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, pertains to the finance lease components associated with the (i) PENN Master Lease; (ii) Pinnacle Master Lease; and (iii) Perryville Lease. The finance lease components contained within the PENN Master Lease and the Pinnacle Master Lease consist of the land, inclusive of the variable expense associated with Columbus and Toledo.
(4)     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, pertains to the components contained within the Pinnacle Master Lease (primarily buildings) and the Morgantown Lease.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, pertains to the components contained within the PENN Master Lease (primarily buildings) inclusive of the variable expense associated with Columbus and Toledo for the financing obligation components, Pinnacle Master Lease (primarily buildings), and the Morgantown Lease.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
For the nine months ended September 30,
(in millions)20232022
Non-cash lease activities:
Commencement of operating leases$3,674.4 $39.4 
Derecognition of operating lease liabilities$307.7 $— 
Commencement of finance leases$33.3 $1,417.3 
Derecognition of finance lease liabilities$2,933.6 $— 
Derecognition of finance obligations$1,567.8 $— 
Leases Leases
Master Leases
The components contained within the Master Leases are accounted for as either (i) operating leases, (ii) finance leases, or (iii) financing obligations. Changes to future lease payments that are not fixed within the Master Leases (i.e., when future escalators become known or future variable rent resets occur), which are discussed below, require the Company to either (i) increase both the Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities with respect to operating and finance leases or (ii) record the incremental variable payment associated with the financing obligation to interest expense. In addition, prior to the effective date of the AR PENN Master Lease (as defined and as discussed below), monthly rent associated with Hollywood Casino Columbus (“Columbus”) and monthly rent in excess of the Hollywood Casino Toledo (“Toledo”) rent floor as contained within the PENN Master Lease (as defined and discussed below), were considered contingent rent.
AR PENN Master Lease
Prior to the effective date of the AR PENN Master Lease (as defined and discussed below) the Company leased real estate assets associated with 19 of the gaming facilities used in its operations via a triple net master lease with GLPI (the “PENN Master Lease”), which became effective November 1, 2013. The PENN Master Lease had an initial term of 15 years with four subsequent, five-year renewal periods on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option.
On February 21, 2023, the Company and GLPI entered into an agreement to amend and restate the PENN Master Lease (the “AR PENN Master Lease”), effective January 1, 2023, to (i) remove the land and buildings for Hollywood Casino Aurora (“Aurora”), Hollywood Casino Joliet (“Joliet”), Columbus, Toledo and the M Resort Spa Casino (“M Resort”), and (ii) make associated adjustments to the rent after which the initial rent in the AR PENN Master Lease will be $284.1 million, consisting of $208.2 million of building base rent, $43.0 million of land base rent and $32.9 million of percentage rent (as such terms are defined in the AR PENN Master Lease). Subsequent to the execution of the AR PENN Master Lease, the Company leases real estate assets associated with 14 of the gaming facilities used in its operations via a triple net master lease. The current term of the AR PENN Master Lease expires on October 31, 2033 and thereafter contains three renewal terms of five years each on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The AR PENN Master Lease along with the 2023 Master Lease (as defined and discussed below) are cross-defaulted, cross-collateralized, and coterminous, and subject to a parent guarantee.
The payment structure under the AR PENN Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2%, depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the AR PENN Master Lease) of 1.8:1, and a component that is based on performance, which is prospectively adjusted every five years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues of all properties associated with the AR PENN Master Lease compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding five years (“PENN Percentage Rent”).
As a result of the annual escalator, effective November 1, 2023, for the lease year ending October 31, 2023, the fixed component of rent increased by $4.2 million. The PENN Percentage Rent test date occurred on November 1, 2023 of which we are currently determining the impact to the performance component of rent which will be in effect until October 31, 2028.

We concluded the execution of the AR PENN Master Lease constituted a modification event under ASC Topic 842, “Leases” (“ASC 842”), which required us to reassess the classifications of the lease components and remeasure the associated lease liabilities. We concluded the lease term should end at the current lease expiration date of October 31, 2033 and the optional three renewal terms of five years each were not included in the lease term. The Company continues to evolve from a leading retail gaming operator to a leading provider of integrated entertainment, sports content, and casino gaming experiences. The execution of our omni-channel strategy continues to diversify our earning streams and precluded us from concluding all renewal periods were reasonably assured to be exercised.
As a result of the January 1, 2023 lease modification event, we concluded (i) the land components contained within the AR PENN Master Lease, which were previously primarily classified as finance leases under the PENN Master Lease, to be classified as operating leases, and (ii) control of the building assets have transferred from the Company to the lessor allowing for sale recognition in accordance with ASC 842 which results in the building components to be classified as operating leases. Prior to the January 1, 2023 lease modification event, control of substantially all of the building components were concluded not to have passed from the Company to the lessor in accordance with ASC 842 which required recognition of a financing obligation in accordance with ASC Topic 470, “Debt” (“ASC 470”) and continued recognition of the underlying asset in Property and Equipment, net within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. In conjunction with the sale recognition on the building components, we (i) derecognized $1.6 billion of financing obligations within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, offset to “Gain on REIT transaction, net” within our unaudited Statements of Operations; and (ii) derecognized $1.1 billion of Property and Equipment, net associated with the building assets within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, offset to “Gain on REIT transaction, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of our measurement of the associated operating lease liabilities, we recognized a reduction of the ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $1.2 billion within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On January 14, 2022, the ninth amendment to the PENN Master Lease between the Company and GLPI became effective. The ninth amendment restated the definition of “Net Revenue” to clarify the inclusion of online-based revenues derived when a patron is physically present at a leased property, established a “floor” with respect to the Hollywood Casino at PENN National Race Course Net Revenue amount used in the calculation of the annual rent escalator and PENN Percentage Rent, and modified the rent calculations upon a lease termination event as defined in the amendment.
We concluded the ninth amendment constituted a modification event under ASC 842, which required us to reassess the classifications of the lease components and remeasure the associated lease liabilities. As a result of our reassessment of the lease classifications, (i) the land components of substantially all of the PENN Master Lease properties, which were previously classified as operating leases, were then primarily classified as finance leases, and (ii) the land and building components associated with the operations of Dayton and Mahoning Valley, which were previously classified as finance leases, were then classified as operating leases. As a result of our measurement of the associated lease liabilities, we recognized additional ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $455.4 million. The building components of substantially all of the PENN Master Lease properties continued to be classified as financing obligations.
2023 Master Lease
Concurrent with the execution of the AR PENN Master Lease, the Company and GLPI entered into a new triple net master lease (the “2023 Master Lease”), effective January 1, 2023, specific to the property associated with Aurora, Joliet, Columbus, Toledo, M Resort, Hollywood Casino at The Meadows (“Meadows”), and Hollywood Casino Perryville (“Perryville”) and a master development agreement (the “Master Development Agreement”). The 2023 Master Lease has an initial term through October 31, 2033 with three subsequent five-year renewal periods on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The 2023 Master Lease terminated the individual triple net leases associated with Meadows and Perryville. The 2023 Master Lease and AR PENN Master Lease are cross-defaulted, cross-collateralized, and coterminous, and subject to a parent guarantee.
The AR PENN Master Lease and the 2023 Master Lease are coterminous, as such consistent with the AR PENN Master Lease, we concluded the 2023 Master Lease term ends at the current lease expiration date of October 31, 2033 and does not include any of the remaining three renewal terms of five years each. (See above lease term discussion for AR PENN Master Lease.)
As a result of our lease classification assessment, we concluded all land and building components contained within the 2023 Master Lease to be operating leases. As a result of our measurement of the operating lease liabilities, we recognized ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $1.8 billion. Additionally, in connection with the termination of the prior Meadows Lease and Perryville Lease (both defined and discussed below), we (i) derecognized $171.9 million in ROU assets within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) derecognized $165.5 million in lease liabilities within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets; and (iii) recognized a $6.5 million loss on the termination which is recorded in “Gain on REIT transaction, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The 2023 Master Lease includes a base rent (the “2023 Master Lease Base Rent”) equal to $232.2 million and the Master Development Agreement contains additional rent (together with the 2023 Master Lease Base Rent, the “2023 Master Lease Rent”) equal to (i) 7.75% of any project funding received by PENN from GLPI for an anticipated relocation of PENN’s riverboat casino and related developments with respect to Aurora (the “Aurora Project”) and (ii) a percentage, based on the
then-current GLPI stock price, of any project funding received by PENN from GLPI for certain anticipated development projects with respect to Joliet, Columbus and M Resort (the “Other Development Projects”). The Master Development Agreement provides that GLPI will fund up to $225.0 million for the Aurora Project and, upon PENN’s request, up to $350.0 million in the aggregate for the Other Development Projects, in accordance with certain terms and conditions set forth in the Master Development Agreement. These funding obligations of GLPI expire on January 1, 2026. The 2023 Master Lease Rent will be subject to a one-time increase of $1.4 million, effective November 1, 2027. The 2023 Master Lease Rent was subject to a fixed escalator of 1.5% on November 1, 2023 and will be annually thereafter. The Master Development Agreement provides that PENN may elect not to proceed with a development project prior to GLPI’s commencement of any equity or debt offering or credit facility draw intended to fund such a project or after such time in certain instances, provided that GLPI will be reimbursed for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such discontinued project. The Aurora Project and the Other Development Projects are all subject to necessary regulatory and other government approvals.
Pinnacle Master Lease
In connection with the acquisition of Pinnacle, on October 15, 2018, the Company assumed a triple net master lease with GLPI (the “Pinnacle Master Lease”), originally effective April 28, 2016, pursuant to which the Company leases real estate assets associated with 12 of the gaming facilities used in its operations. Upon assumption of the Pinnacle Master Lease, as amended, there were 7.5 years remaining of the initial ten-year term, with five subsequent, five-year renewal periods, on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The Company has determined that the lease term is 32.5 years.
The payment structure under the Pinnacle Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2%, depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Pinnacle Master Lease) of 1.8:1, and a component that is based on performance of the properties, which is prospectively adjusted every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding two years (“Pinnacle Percentage Rent”).
As a result of the annual escalator, effective May 1, 2023 for the lease year ended April 30, 2023, the fixed component of rent increased by $4.7 million and an additional ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $33.3 million were recognized associated with the finance lease components of the Pinnacle Master Lease. Both the next annual escalator and the next Pinnacle Percentage Rent reset are scheduled to occur on May 1, 2024.
On January 14, 2022, the fifth amendment to the Pinnacle Master Lease between the Company and GLPI became effective. The fifth amendment restates the definition of “Net Revenue” to clarify the inclusion of online-based revenues derived when a patron is physically present at a leased property and modifies the rent calculations upon a lease termination event as defined in the amendment.
We concluded the fifth amendment to the Pinnacle Master Lease constituted a modification event under ASC 842 (collectively with the ninth amendment to the PENN Master Lease, the “2022 Lease Modification”). As a result of the modification, the land components of substantially all of the Pinnacle Master Lease properties, which were previously classified as operating leases, are now primarily classified as finance leases. As a result of our measurement of the associated lease liabilities, we recognized additional ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $937.6 million. The building components of substantially all of the Pinnacle Master Lease properties continue to be classified as financing obligations. Lease components classified as a finance lease are recorded to “Depreciation and amortization” and “Interest expense, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognizes interest expense on the lease payments related to the financing obligation under the effective yield method.
Other Triple Net Leases with REIT Landlords
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company entered into a triple net lease with a subsidiary of GLPI for the land underlying our development project in Morgantown, Pennsylvania (“Morgantown Lease”) in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits which were utilized to pay rent under the Master Leases, Meadows Lease (as defined and discussed below), and the Morgantown Lease during the year ended December 31, 2020.
All improvements made on the land, including the constructed building, will be owned by the Company while the lease is in effect, however, on the expiration or termination of the Morgantown Lease, ownership of all tenant improvements on the land will transfer to GLPI.
We concluded control of the land underlying the Morgantown facility was not passed from the Company to the lessor in accordance with ASC 842. As such we recognized a financing obligation in accordance with ASC 470 and continue to recognize the underlying asset in Property and Equipment, net within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognizes interest expense on the lease payments related to the financing obligation under the effective yield method.
Perryville Lease
In conjunction with the acquisition of the operations of Perryville on July 1, 2021, the Company entered into a triple net lease with GLPI for the real estate assets associated with the property (“Perryville Lease”) for initial annual rent of $7.8 million per year subject to escalation.
As discussed above, as a result of entering into the 2023 Master Lease, the Perryville Lease was terminated effective January 1, 2023.
Prior to the lease termination, the land and building components were classified as finance leases. Lease components classified as a finance lease were recorded to “Depreciation and amortization” and “Interest expense, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Meadows Lease
In connection with the acquisition of Pinnacle, we assumed a triple net operating lease associated with the real estate assets at Meadows (“Meadows Lease”), originally effective September 9, 2016. Upon assumption of the Meadows Lease, there were eight years remaining of the initial ten-year term, with three subsequent, five-year renewal options followed by one four-year renewal option on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option.
As discussed above, as a result of entering into the 2023 Master Lease, the Meadows Lease was terminated effective January 1, 2023.
Prior to the termination of the Meadows Lease, the land and building components were classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease were recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Margaritaville Lease
On January 1, 2019, the Company entered into an individual triple net lease with VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE: VICI) (“VICI”) for the real estate assets used in the operations of Margaritaville Resort Casino (the “Margaritaville Lease”). The Margaritaville Lease has an initial term of 15 years, with four subsequent five-year renewal options on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The payment structure under the Margaritaville Lease includes a fixed component, a portion that is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% depending on a minimum coverage floor ratio of Net Revenue to Rent of 6.1:1, and a component that is based on performance, which is prospectively adjusted every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues of the property compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding two years (“Margaritaville Percentage Rent”).
On February 1, 2023, the Margaritaville Lease annual escalator test resulted in an annual rent increase of $0.4 million and the recognition of an additional operating lease ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $2.8 million. The next annual escalator test date is scheduled to occur on February 1, 2024. Additionally, on February 1, 2023, the Margaritaville Percentage Rent reset resulted in an annual rent increase of $2.3 million which will be in effect until the next Margaritaville Percentage Rent reset, scheduled to occur on February 1, 2025. Upon reset of the Margaritaville Percentage Rent, effective February 1, 2023, we recognized an additional operating lease ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $9.8 million.
The land and building components contained within the Margaritaville Lease are classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Greektown Lease
On May 23, 2019, the Company entered into an individual triple net lease with VICI for the real estate assets used in the operations of Hollywood Casino at Greektown (the “Greektown Lease”). The Greektown Lease has an initial term of 15 years, with four subsequent five-year renewal options on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The payment structure under the Greektown Lease includes a fixed component, a portion subject to an annual escalator of up to 2%
depending on an Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Greektown Lease) of 1.85:1, and a component that is based on performance, which is prospectively adjusted every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues of the property compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding two years (Greektown Percentage Rent”).
On June 1, 2023, the Greektown Percentage Rent reset resulted in an annual rent increase of $1.5 million, which will be in effect until the next Greektown Percentage Rent reset, scheduled to occur on June 1, 2025. Upon reset of the Greektown Percentage Rent, effective June 1, 2023, we recognized an additional operating lease ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $7.0 million. We did not incur an annual escalator for the lease year ended May 31, 2023. On April 1, 2023, the lease was amended to provide for a Net Revenue to Rent coverage floor to be mutually agreed upon prior to the commencement of the sixth lease year (June 1, 2024).
The land and building components contained within the Greektown Lease are classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Tropicana Lease
Prior to the closing of the sale of PENN’s outstanding equity interest in Tropicana Las Vegas (“Tropicana”) on September 26, 2022, the Company leased the real estate assets used in the operations of Tropicana for nominal cash rent (the “Tropicana Lease”). The term of the Tropicana Lease was for two years (subject to three one-year extensions at GLPI’s option) or until the real estate assets and the operations of the Tropicana were sold. Upon execution of the Tropicana Lease, we recorded an operating lease ROU asset of $61.6 million, which was included in “Lease right-of-use assets” within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The land and building components contained within the Tropicana Lease were classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease were recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Non-REIT Operating Leases
In addition to any operating lease components contained within the Master Leases, Meadows Lease, Margaritaville Lease, Greektown Lease and Tropicana Lease (referred to as “triple net operating leases”), the Company’s operating leases consists of (i) ground and levee leases to landlords which were not assumed by our REIT Landlords and remain an obligation of the Company, and (ii) buildings and equipment not associated with our REIT Landlords. Certain of our lease agreements include rental payments based on a percentage of sales over specified contractual amounts, rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation, and rental payments based on usage. The Company’s leases include options to extend the lease terms. The Company’s operating lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The following is a maturity analysis of our operating leases, finance leases and financing obligations as of September 30, 2023:
(in millions)Operating LeasesFinance LeasesFinancing Obligations
Year ended December 31,
2023 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2023)$148.4 $39.7 $41.6 
2024585.2 149.3 166.5 
2025578.4 144.7 166.6 
2026579.1 144.7 166.6 
2027581.9 144.6 166.6 
Thereafter3,889.1 3,366.9 3,996.0 
Total lease payments6,362.1 3,989.9 4,703.9 
Less: Imputed interest(2,187.3)(1,875.1)(2,266.6)
Present value of future lease payments4,174.8 2,114.8 2,437.3 
Less: Current portion of lease obligations(277.8)(43.2)(40.8)
Long-term portion of lease obligations$3,897.0 $2,071.6 $2,396.5 
Total payments made under the Triple Net Leases were as follows:
 For the three months ended September 30,For the nine months ended September 30,
(in millions)2023202220232022
AR PENN Master Lease$71.1 $— $213.1 $— 
2023 Master Lease58.0 — 174.1 — 
PENN Master Lease— 120.2 — 360.0 
Pinnacle Master Lease85.3 84.2 254.2 250.1 
Perryville Lease— 1.9 — 5.8 
Meadows Lease— 6.2 — 18.6 
Margaritaville Lease6.6 5.9 19.6 17.8 
Greektown Lease13.2 12.8 39.0 38.5 
Morgantown Lease 0.8 0.8 2.4 2.3 
Total (1)
$235.0 $232.0 $702.4 $693.1 
(1)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, rent payable under the Tropicana Lease was nominal. Therefore, it has been excluded from the table above. The Tropicana Lease was terminated on September 26, 2022.
Information related to lease term and discount rate was as follows:
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases11.4 years19.1 years
Finance leases27.6 years26.7 years
Financing obligations27.8 years27.5 years
Weighted-Average Discount Rate
Operating leases7.7 %5.8 %
Finance leases5.2 %5.2 %
Financing obligations5.2 %7.7 %
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Location on unaudited
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months ended September 30,For the nine months ended September 30,
(in millions)2023202220232022
Operating Lease Costs
Rent expense associated with triple net operating leases (1)
General and administrative$146.6 $31.5 $439.0 $119.6 
Operating lease cost (2)
Primarily General and administrative5.6 4.9 16.9 14.8 
Short-term lease costPrimarily Gaming expenses21.3 19.7 60.2 56.3 
Variable lease cost (2)
Primarily Gaming expenses0.8 1.0 2.7 3.3 
Total$174.3 $57.1 $518.8 $194.0 
Finance Lease Costs
Interest on lease liabilities (3)
Interest expense, net$27.7 $72.0 $83.0 $187.2 
Amortization of ROU assets (3)
Depreciation and amortization22.0 50.1 65.6 131.0 
Total$49.7 $122.1 $148.6 $318.2 
Financing Obligation Costs
Interest on financing obligations (4)
Interest expense, net$36.8 $86.2 $110.0 $261.0 
(1)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, pertains to the following operating leases: (i) AR PENN Master Lease; (ii) 2023 Master Lease; (iii) Margaritaville Lease; and (iv) Greektown Lease.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, pertains to the operating lease components contained within the (i) PENN Master Lease (specific to the land and building components associated with the operations of Dayton and Mahoning Valley); (ii) Meadows Lease; (iii) Margaritaville Lease; (iv) Greektown Lease; and (v) Tropicana Lease (which terminated on September 26, 2022).
(2)Excludes the operating lease costs and variable lease costs pertaining to our triple net leases with our REIT landlords classified as operating leases, discussed in footnote (1) above.
(3)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, pertains to the finance lease components associated with the Pinnacle Master Lease.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, pertains to the finance lease components associated with the (i) PENN Master Lease; (ii) Pinnacle Master Lease; and (iii) Perryville Lease. The finance lease components contained within the PENN Master Lease and the Pinnacle Master Lease consist of the land, inclusive of the variable expense associated with Columbus and Toledo.
(4)     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, pertains to the components contained within the Pinnacle Master Lease (primarily buildings) and the Morgantown Lease.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, pertains to the components contained within the PENN Master Lease (primarily buildings) inclusive of the variable expense associated with Columbus and Toledo for the financing obligation components, Pinnacle Master Lease (primarily buildings), and the Morgantown Lease.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
For the nine months ended September 30,
(in millions)20232022
Non-cash lease activities:
Commencement of operating leases$3,674.4 $39.4 
Derecognition of operating lease liabilities$307.7 $— 
Commencement of finance leases$33.3 $1,417.3 
Derecognition of finance lease liabilities$2,933.6 $— 
Derecognition of finance obligations$1,567.8 $— 
Leases Leases
Master Leases
The components contained within the Master Leases are accounted for as either (i) operating leases, (ii) finance leases, or (iii) financing obligations. Changes to future lease payments that are not fixed within the Master Leases (i.e., when future escalators become known or future variable rent resets occur), which are discussed below, require the Company to either (i) increase both the Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities with respect to operating and finance leases or (ii) record the incremental variable payment associated with the financing obligation to interest expense. In addition, prior to the effective date of the AR PENN Master Lease (as defined and as discussed below), monthly rent associated with Hollywood Casino Columbus (“Columbus”) and monthly rent in excess of the Hollywood Casino Toledo (“Toledo”) rent floor as contained within the PENN Master Lease (as defined and discussed below), were considered contingent rent.
AR PENN Master Lease
Prior to the effective date of the AR PENN Master Lease (as defined and discussed below) the Company leased real estate assets associated with 19 of the gaming facilities used in its operations via a triple net master lease with GLPI (the “PENN Master Lease”), which became effective November 1, 2013. The PENN Master Lease had an initial term of 15 years with four subsequent, five-year renewal periods on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option.
On February 21, 2023, the Company and GLPI entered into an agreement to amend and restate the PENN Master Lease (the “AR PENN Master Lease”), effective January 1, 2023, to (i) remove the land and buildings for Hollywood Casino Aurora (“Aurora”), Hollywood Casino Joliet (“Joliet”), Columbus, Toledo and the M Resort Spa Casino (“M Resort”), and (ii) make associated adjustments to the rent after which the initial rent in the AR PENN Master Lease will be $284.1 million, consisting of $208.2 million of building base rent, $43.0 million of land base rent and $32.9 million of percentage rent (as such terms are defined in the AR PENN Master Lease). Subsequent to the execution of the AR PENN Master Lease, the Company leases real estate assets associated with 14 of the gaming facilities used in its operations via a triple net master lease. The current term of the AR PENN Master Lease expires on October 31, 2033 and thereafter contains three renewal terms of five years each on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The AR PENN Master Lease along with the 2023 Master Lease (as defined and discussed below) are cross-defaulted, cross-collateralized, and coterminous, and subject to a parent guarantee.
The payment structure under the AR PENN Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2%, depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the AR PENN Master Lease) of 1.8:1, and a component that is based on performance, which is prospectively adjusted every five years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues of all properties associated with the AR PENN Master Lease compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding five years (“PENN Percentage Rent”).
As a result of the annual escalator, effective November 1, 2023, for the lease year ending October 31, 2023, the fixed component of rent increased by $4.2 million. The PENN Percentage Rent test date occurred on November 1, 2023 of which we are currently determining the impact to the performance component of rent which will be in effect until October 31, 2028.

We concluded the execution of the AR PENN Master Lease constituted a modification event under ASC Topic 842, “Leases” (“ASC 842”), which required us to reassess the classifications of the lease components and remeasure the associated lease liabilities. We concluded the lease term should end at the current lease expiration date of October 31, 2033 and the optional three renewal terms of five years each were not included in the lease term. The Company continues to evolve from a leading retail gaming operator to a leading provider of integrated entertainment, sports content, and casino gaming experiences. The execution of our omni-channel strategy continues to diversify our earning streams and precluded us from concluding all renewal periods were reasonably assured to be exercised.
As a result of the January 1, 2023 lease modification event, we concluded (i) the land components contained within the AR PENN Master Lease, which were previously primarily classified as finance leases under the PENN Master Lease, to be classified as operating leases, and (ii) control of the building assets have transferred from the Company to the lessor allowing for sale recognition in accordance with ASC 842 which results in the building components to be classified as operating leases. Prior to the January 1, 2023 lease modification event, control of substantially all of the building components were concluded not to have passed from the Company to the lessor in accordance with ASC 842 which required recognition of a financing obligation in accordance with ASC Topic 470, “Debt” (“ASC 470”) and continued recognition of the underlying asset in Property and Equipment, net within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. In conjunction with the sale recognition on the building components, we (i) derecognized $1.6 billion of financing obligations within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, offset to “Gain on REIT transaction, net” within our unaudited Statements of Operations; and (ii) derecognized $1.1 billion of Property and Equipment, net associated with the building assets within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, offset to “Gain on REIT transaction, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of our measurement of the associated operating lease liabilities, we recognized a reduction of the ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $1.2 billion within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On January 14, 2022, the ninth amendment to the PENN Master Lease between the Company and GLPI became effective. The ninth amendment restated the definition of “Net Revenue” to clarify the inclusion of online-based revenues derived when a patron is physically present at a leased property, established a “floor” with respect to the Hollywood Casino at PENN National Race Course Net Revenue amount used in the calculation of the annual rent escalator and PENN Percentage Rent, and modified the rent calculations upon a lease termination event as defined in the amendment.
We concluded the ninth amendment constituted a modification event under ASC 842, which required us to reassess the classifications of the lease components and remeasure the associated lease liabilities. As a result of our reassessment of the lease classifications, (i) the land components of substantially all of the PENN Master Lease properties, which were previously classified as operating leases, were then primarily classified as finance leases, and (ii) the land and building components associated with the operations of Dayton and Mahoning Valley, which were previously classified as finance leases, were then classified as operating leases. As a result of our measurement of the associated lease liabilities, we recognized additional ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $455.4 million. The building components of substantially all of the PENN Master Lease properties continued to be classified as financing obligations.
2023 Master Lease
Concurrent with the execution of the AR PENN Master Lease, the Company and GLPI entered into a new triple net master lease (the “2023 Master Lease”), effective January 1, 2023, specific to the property associated with Aurora, Joliet, Columbus, Toledo, M Resort, Hollywood Casino at The Meadows (“Meadows”), and Hollywood Casino Perryville (“Perryville”) and a master development agreement (the “Master Development Agreement”). The 2023 Master Lease has an initial term through October 31, 2033 with three subsequent five-year renewal periods on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The 2023 Master Lease terminated the individual triple net leases associated with Meadows and Perryville. The 2023 Master Lease and AR PENN Master Lease are cross-defaulted, cross-collateralized, and coterminous, and subject to a parent guarantee.
The AR PENN Master Lease and the 2023 Master Lease are coterminous, as such consistent with the AR PENN Master Lease, we concluded the 2023 Master Lease term ends at the current lease expiration date of October 31, 2033 and does not include any of the remaining three renewal terms of five years each. (See above lease term discussion for AR PENN Master Lease.)
As a result of our lease classification assessment, we concluded all land and building components contained within the 2023 Master Lease to be operating leases. As a result of our measurement of the operating lease liabilities, we recognized ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $1.8 billion. Additionally, in connection with the termination of the prior Meadows Lease and Perryville Lease (both defined and discussed below), we (i) derecognized $171.9 million in ROU assets within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) derecognized $165.5 million in lease liabilities within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets; and (iii) recognized a $6.5 million loss on the termination which is recorded in “Gain on REIT transaction, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The 2023 Master Lease includes a base rent (the “2023 Master Lease Base Rent”) equal to $232.2 million and the Master Development Agreement contains additional rent (together with the 2023 Master Lease Base Rent, the “2023 Master Lease Rent”) equal to (i) 7.75% of any project funding received by PENN from GLPI for an anticipated relocation of PENN’s riverboat casino and related developments with respect to Aurora (the “Aurora Project”) and (ii) a percentage, based on the
then-current GLPI stock price, of any project funding received by PENN from GLPI for certain anticipated development projects with respect to Joliet, Columbus and M Resort (the “Other Development Projects”). The Master Development Agreement provides that GLPI will fund up to $225.0 million for the Aurora Project and, upon PENN’s request, up to $350.0 million in the aggregate for the Other Development Projects, in accordance with certain terms and conditions set forth in the Master Development Agreement. These funding obligations of GLPI expire on January 1, 2026. The 2023 Master Lease Rent will be subject to a one-time increase of $1.4 million, effective November 1, 2027. The 2023 Master Lease Rent was subject to a fixed escalator of 1.5% on November 1, 2023 and will be annually thereafter. The Master Development Agreement provides that PENN may elect not to proceed with a development project prior to GLPI’s commencement of any equity or debt offering or credit facility draw intended to fund such a project or after such time in certain instances, provided that GLPI will be reimbursed for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such discontinued project. The Aurora Project and the Other Development Projects are all subject to necessary regulatory and other government approvals.
Pinnacle Master Lease
In connection with the acquisition of Pinnacle, on October 15, 2018, the Company assumed a triple net master lease with GLPI (the “Pinnacle Master Lease”), originally effective April 28, 2016, pursuant to which the Company leases real estate assets associated with 12 of the gaming facilities used in its operations. Upon assumption of the Pinnacle Master Lease, as amended, there were 7.5 years remaining of the initial ten-year term, with five subsequent, five-year renewal periods, on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The Company has determined that the lease term is 32.5 years.
The payment structure under the Pinnacle Master Lease includes a fixed component, a portion of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2%, depending on the Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Pinnacle Master Lease) of 1.8:1, and a component that is based on performance of the properties, which is prospectively adjusted every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding two years (“Pinnacle Percentage Rent”).
As a result of the annual escalator, effective May 1, 2023 for the lease year ended April 30, 2023, the fixed component of rent increased by $4.7 million and an additional ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $33.3 million were recognized associated with the finance lease components of the Pinnacle Master Lease. Both the next annual escalator and the next Pinnacle Percentage Rent reset are scheduled to occur on May 1, 2024.
On January 14, 2022, the fifth amendment to the Pinnacle Master Lease between the Company and GLPI became effective. The fifth amendment restates the definition of “Net Revenue” to clarify the inclusion of online-based revenues derived when a patron is physically present at a leased property and modifies the rent calculations upon a lease termination event as defined in the amendment.
We concluded the fifth amendment to the Pinnacle Master Lease constituted a modification event under ASC 842 (collectively with the ninth amendment to the PENN Master Lease, the “2022 Lease Modification”). As a result of the modification, the land components of substantially all of the Pinnacle Master Lease properties, which were previously classified as operating leases, are now primarily classified as finance leases. As a result of our measurement of the associated lease liabilities, we recognized additional ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $937.6 million. The building components of substantially all of the Pinnacle Master Lease properties continue to be classified as financing obligations. Lease components classified as a finance lease are recorded to “Depreciation and amortization” and “Interest expense, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognizes interest expense on the lease payments related to the financing obligation under the effective yield method.
Other Triple Net Leases with REIT Landlords
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company entered into a triple net lease with a subsidiary of GLPI for the land underlying our development project in Morgantown, Pennsylvania (“Morgantown Lease”) in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits which were utilized to pay rent under the Master Leases, Meadows Lease (as defined and discussed below), and the Morgantown Lease during the year ended December 31, 2020.
All improvements made on the land, including the constructed building, will be owned by the Company while the lease is in effect, however, on the expiration or termination of the Morgantown Lease, ownership of all tenant improvements on the land will transfer to GLPI.
We concluded control of the land underlying the Morgantown facility was not passed from the Company to the lessor in accordance with ASC 842. As such we recognized a financing obligation in accordance with ASC 470 and continue to recognize the underlying asset in Property and Equipment, net within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognizes interest expense on the lease payments related to the financing obligation under the effective yield method.
Perryville Lease
In conjunction with the acquisition of the operations of Perryville on July 1, 2021, the Company entered into a triple net lease with GLPI for the real estate assets associated with the property (“Perryville Lease”) for initial annual rent of $7.8 million per year subject to escalation.
As discussed above, as a result of entering into the 2023 Master Lease, the Perryville Lease was terminated effective January 1, 2023.
Prior to the lease termination, the land and building components were classified as finance leases. Lease components classified as a finance lease were recorded to “Depreciation and amortization” and “Interest expense, net” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Meadows Lease
In connection with the acquisition of Pinnacle, we assumed a triple net operating lease associated with the real estate assets at Meadows (“Meadows Lease”), originally effective September 9, 2016. Upon assumption of the Meadows Lease, there were eight years remaining of the initial ten-year term, with three subsequent, five-year renewal options followed by one four-year renewal option on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option.
As discussed above, as a result of entering into the 2023 Master Lease, the Meadows Lease was terminated effective January 1, 2023.
Prior to the termination of the Meadows Lease, the land and building components were classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease were recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Margaritaville Lease
On January 1, 2019, the Company entered into an individual triple net lease with VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE: VICI) (“VICI”) for the real estate assets used in the operations of Margaritaville Resort Casino (the “Margaritaville Lease”). The Margaritaville Lease has an initial term of 15 years, with four subsequent five-year renewal options on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The payment structure under the Margaritaville Lease includes a fixed component, a portion that is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% depending on a minimum coverage floor ratio of Net Revenue to Rent of 6.1:1, and a component that is based on performance, which is prospectively adjusted every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues of the property compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding two years (“Margaritaville Percentage Rent”).
On February 1, 2023, the Margaritaville Lease annual escalator test resulted in an annual rent increase of $0.4 million and the recognition of an additional operating lease ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $2.8 million. The next annual escalator test date is scheduled to occur on February 1, 2024. Additionally, on February 1, 2023, the Margaritaville Percentage Rent reset resulted in an annual rent increase of $2.3 million which will be in effect until the next Margaritaville Percentage Rent reset, scheduled to occur on February 1, 2025. Upon reset of the Margaritaville Percentage Rent, effective February 1, 2023, we recognized an additional operating lease ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $9.8 million.
The land and building components contained within the Margaritaville Lease are classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Greektown Lease
On May 23, 2019, the Company entered into an individual triple net lease with VICI for the real estate assets used in the operations of Hollywood Casino at Greektown (the “Greektown Lease”). The Greektown Lease has an initial term of 15 years, with four subsequent five-year renewal options on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at the Company’s option. The payment structure under the Greektown Lease includes a fixed component, a portion subject to an annual escalator of up to 2%
depending on an Adjusted Revenue to Rent Ratio (as defined in the Greektown Lease) of 1.85:1, and a component that is based on performance, which is prospectively adjusted every two years by an amount equal to 4% of the average change in net revenues of the property compared to a contractual baseline during the preceding two years (Greektown Percentage Rent”).
On June 1, 2023, the Greektown Percentage Rent reset resulted in an annual rent increase of $1.5 million, which will be in effect until the next Greektown Percentage Rent reset, scheduled to occur on June 1, 2025. Upon reset of the Greektown Percentage Rent, effective June 1, 2023, we recognized an additional operating lease ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $7.0 million. We did not incur an annual escalator for the lease year ended May 31, 2023. On April 1, 2023, the lease was amended to provide for a Net Revenue to Rent coverage floor to be mutually agreed upon prior to the commencement of the sixth lease year (June 1, 2024).
The land and building components contained within the Greektown Lease are classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease are recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Tropicana Lease
Prior to the closing of the sale of PENN’s outstanding equity interest in Tropicana Las Vegas (“Tropicana”) on September 26, 2022, the Company leased the real estate assets used in the operations of Tropicana for nominal cash rent (the “Tropicana Lease”). The term of the Tropicana Lease was for two years (subject to three one-year extensions at GLPI’s option) or until the real estate assets and the operations of the Tropicana were sold. Upon execution of the Tropicana Lease, we recorded an operating lease ROU asset of $61.6 million, which was included in “Lease right-of-use assets” within our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The land and building components contained within the Tropicana Lease were classified as operating leases. Lease components classified as an operating lease were recorded to “General and Administrative” within our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Non-REIT Operating Leases
In addition to any operating lease components contained within the Master Leases, Meadows Lease, Margaritaville Lease, Greektown Lease and Tropicana Lease (referred to as “triple net operating leases”), the Company’s operating leases consists of (i) ground and levee leases to landlords which were not assumed by our REIT Landlords and remain an obligation of the Company, and (ii) buildings and equipment not associated with our REIT Landlords. Certain of our lease agreements include rental payments based on a percentage of sales over specified contractual amounts, rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation, and rental payments based on usage. The Company’s leases include options to extend the lease terms. The Company’s operating lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The following is a maturity analysis of our operating leases, finance leases and financing obligations as of September 30, 2023:
(in millions)Operating LeasesFinance LeasesFinancing Obligations
Year ended December 31,
2023 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2023)$148.4 $39.7 $41.6 
2024585.2 149.3 166.5 
2025578.4 144.7 166.6 
2026579.1 144.7 166.6 
2027581.9 144.6 166.6 
Thereafter3,889.1 3,366.9 3,996.0 
Total lease payments6,362.1 3,989.9 4,703.9 
Less: Imputed interest(2,187.3)(1,875.1)(2,266.6)
Present value of future lease payments4,174.8 2,114.8 2,437.3 
Less: Current portion of lease obligations(277.8)(43.2)(40.8)
Long-term portion of lease obligations$3,897.0 $2,071.6 $2,396.5 
Total payments made under the Triple Net Leases were as follows:
 For the three months ended September 30,For the nine months ended September 30,
(in millions)2023202220232022
AR PENN Master Lease$71.1 $— $213.1 $— 
2023 Master Lease58.0 — 174.1 — 
PENN Master Lease— 120.2 — 360.0 
Pinnacle Master Lease85.3 84.2 254.2 250.1 
Perryville Lease— 1.9 — 5.8 
Meadows Lease— 6.2 — 18.6 
Margaritaville Lease6.6 5.9 19.6 17.8 
Greektown Lease13.2 12.8 39.0 38.5 
Morgantown Lease 0.8 0.8 2.4 2.3 
Total (1)
$235.0 $232.0 $702.4 $693.1 
(1)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, rent payable under the Tropicana Lease was nominal. Therefore, it has been excluded from the table above. The Tropicana Lease was terminated on September 26, 2022.
Information related to lease term and discount rate was as follows:
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases11.4 years19.1 years
Finance leases27.6 years26.7 years
Financing obligations27.8 years27.5 years
Weighted-Average Discount Rate
Operating leases7.7 %5.8 %
Finance leases5.2 %5.2 %
Financing obligations5.2 %7.7 %
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Location on unaudited
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months ended September 30,For the nine months ended September 30,
(in millions)2023202220232022
Operating Lease Costs
Rent expense associated with triple net operating leases (1)
General and administrative$146.6 $31.5 $439.0 $119.6 
Operating lease cost (2)
Primarily General and administrative5.6 4.9 16.9 14.8 
Short-term lease costPrimarily Gaming expenses21.3 19.7 60.2 56.3 
Variable lease cost (2)
Primarily Gaming expenses0.8 1.0 2.7 3.3 
Total$174.3 $57.1 $518.8 $194.0 
Finance Lease Costs
Interest on lease liabilities (3)
Interest expense, net$27.7 $72.0 $83.0 $187.2 
Amortization of ROU assets (3)
Depreciation and amortization22.0 50.1 65.6 131.0 
Total$49.7 $122.1 $148.6 $318.2 
Financing Obligation Costs
Interest on financing obligations (4)
Interest expense, net$36.8 $86.2 $110.0 $261.0 
(1)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, pertains to the following operating leases: (i) AR PENN Master Lease; (ii) 2023 Master Lease; (iii) Margaritaville Lease; and (iv) Greektown Lease.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, pertains to the operating lease components contained within the (i) PENN Master Lease (specific to the land and building components associated with the operations of Dayton and Mahoning Valley); (ii) Meadows Lease; (iii) Margaritaville Lease; (iv) Greektown Lease; and (v) Tropicana Lease (which terminated on September 26, 2022).
(2)Excludes the operating lease costs and variable lease costs pertaining to our triple net leases with our REIT landlords classified as operating leases, discussed in footnote (1) above.
(3)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, pertains to the finance lease components associated with the Pinnacle Master Lease.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, pertains to the finance lease components associated with the (i) PENN Master Lease; (ii) Pinnacle Master Lease; and (iii) Perryville Lease. The finance lease components contained within the PENN Master Lease and the Pinnacle Master Lease consist of the land, inclusive of the variable expense associated with Columbus and Toledo.
(4)     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, pertains to the components contained within the Pinnacle Master Lease (primarily buildings) and the Morgantown Lease.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, pertains to the components contained within the PENN Master Lease (primarily buildings) inclusive of the variable expense associated with Columbus and Toledo for the financing obligation components, Pinnacle Master Lease (primarily buildings), and the Morgantown Lease.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
For the nine months ended September 30,
(in millions)20232022
Non-cash lease activities:
Commencement of operating leases$3,674.4 $39.4 
Derecognition of operating lease liabilities$307.7 $— 
Commencement of finance leases$33.3 $1,417.3 
Derecognition of finance lease liabilities$2,933.6 $— 
Derecognition of finance obligations$1,567.8 $—