chdn-202012310000020212--12-312020FYfalse38,476,0024,543,867,580502636-4400us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Memberus-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Memberus-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613MemberP3YP1YP3YP3YP3YP3YP3YP3YP3YP3YP3YP7YP3YP3YP1YP1Y11us-gaap:AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaap:AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentus-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrentus-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrentus-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesus-gaap:OtherLiabilities00000202122020-01-012020-12-31xbrli:shares00000202122021-02-10iso4217:USD00000202122020-06-300000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:OnlineWageringMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:OnlineWageringMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:OnlineWageringMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMember2018-01-012018-12-3100000202122019-01-012019-12-3100000202122018-01-012018-12-31iso4217:USDxbrli:shares00000202122020-12-3100000202122019-12-310000020212us-gaap:CommonStockMember2017-12-310000020212us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2017-12-310000020212us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2017-12-310000020212us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember2017-12-3100000202122017-12-310000020212us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:CommonStockMember2018-01-012018-12-3100000202122017-01-012017-12-310000020212srt:CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMemberus-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2018-12-310000020212srt:CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:CommonStockMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember2018-12-3100000202122018-12-310000020212us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:CommonStockMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212srt:CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMemberus-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2019-12-310000020212srt:CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:CommonStockMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:CommonStockMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2020-12-310000020212srt:CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMemberus-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember2020-12-310000020212srt:CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:CommonStockMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember2020-12-31chdn:venuechdn:segmentchdn:sportsbookchdn:property00000202122020-07-012020-07-3100000202122020-12-012020-12-310000020212srt:MinimumMemberus-gaap:BuildingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:BuildingMembersrt:MaximumMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212srt:MinimumMemberus-gaap:EquipmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:EquipmentMembersrt:MaximumMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FurnitureAndFixturesMembersrt:MinimumMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FurnitureAndFixturesMembersrt:MaximumMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212srt:MinimumMemberchdn:TracksAndOtherImprovementsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212srt:MaximumMemberchdn:TracksAndOtherImprovementsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMembersrt:MaximumMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMember2019-01-112019-01-110000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMember2019-01-110000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberchdn:GameRightsMember2019-01-110000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberus-gaap:TradeNamesMember2019-01-110000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:LadyLuckNemacolinTransactionMember2019-03-082019-03-080000020212chdn:TurfwayParkMember2019-10-092019-10-090000020212chdn:TurfwayParkMember2019-10-090000020212chdn:TurfwayParkMemberchdn:GameRightsMember2019-10-090000020212chdn:TurfwayParkMemberus-gaap:TrademarksMember2019-10-09xbrli:pure0000020212chdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember2018-07-160000020212chdn:SaratogaCasinoHoldingsLLCMember2018-07-160000020212chdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember2018-08-3100000202122018-07-162018-07-160000020212chdn:OceanDownsLLCMember2018-08-310000020212chdn:SaratogaNewYorkAndSaratogaColoradoMember2018-08-3100000202122018-08-312018-08-3100000202122018-08-310000020212chdn:SaratogaNewYorkAndSaratogaColoradoMemberchdn:GameRightsMember2018-08-310000020212us-gaap:TradeNamesMemberchdn:SaratogaNewYorkAndSaratogaColoradoMember2018-08-310000020212us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMemberchdn:SaratogaNewYorkAndSaratogaColoradoMember2018-08-310000020212us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMemberchdn:SaratogaNewYorkAndSaratogaColoradoMember2018-08-312018-08-3100000202122018-09-012018-12-310000020212chdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember2017-01-010000020212chdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMember2018-01-090000020212us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMember2018-01-092018-01-090000020212chdn:CherylKaterVChurchillDownsIncorporatedMembersrt:ProFormaMemberus-gaap:PendingLitigationMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMember2020-05-222020-05-220000020212chdn:CherylKaterVChurchillDownsIncorporatedMemberus-gaap:PendingLitigationMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsIncorporatedMember2020-05-222020-05-220000020212chdn:CherylKaterVChurchillDownsIncorporatedMemberus-gaap:PendingLitigationMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMemberchdn:AristocratMember2020-05-222020-05-220000020212chdn:CherylKaterVChurchillDownsIncorporatedMemberus-gaap:PendingLitigationMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsIncorporatedMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMember2017-11-290000020212chdn:EarnoutLiabilityMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMember2017-12-310000020212chdn:DeferredPaymentsMemberchdn:BigFishGamesMember2017-12-310000020212chdn:GrandstandandBuildingsMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:GrandstandandBuildingsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:EquipmentMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:EquipmentMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:TracksAndOtherImprovementsMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:TracksAndOtherImprovementsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:LandMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LandMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FurnitureAndFixturesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FurnitureAndFixturesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:ConstructionInProgressMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:ConstructionInProgressMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsSegmentMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringSegmentMember2018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsSegmentMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringSegmentMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsSegmentMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringSegmentMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberchdn:CasinoSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:CasinoSegmentMemberchdn:TurfwayParkMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:FavorableContractsMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:FavorableContractsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:LicenseMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LicenseMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:TrademarksMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:TrademarksMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:ContractualRightsMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:ContractualRightsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberus-gaap:ContractualRightsMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberus-gaap:TrademarksMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:ContractualRightsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberus-gaap:ContractualRightsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:ContractualRightsMemberchdn:GamingMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:TurfwayParkMemberus-gaap:TrademarksMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:TurfwayParkMemberus-gaap:ContractualRightsMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMemberus-gaap:ContractualRightsMember2018-12-310000020212chdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMemberus-gaap:TrademarksMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMemberchdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMemberchdn:DerbyCityGamingMember2018-12-310000020212chdn:TurfwayParkMember2019-10-012019-12-310000020212chdn:CalderMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:CalderMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberus-gaap:ContractualRightsMember2020-03-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMember2020-03-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberus-gaap:ContractualRightsMember2020-01-012020-03-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberchdn:GamingSegmentMember2020-01-012020-03-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberus-gaap:ContractualRightsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMember2020-01-012020-03-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberus-gaap:TrademarksMember2020-01-012020-03-310000020212us-gaap:DomesticCountryMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:TenderOfferMember2017-11-290000020212chdn:TenderOfferMember2017-11-292018-02-120000020212chdn:October2018StockRepurchaseProgramMember2018-10-300000020212chdn:October2018StockRepurchaseProgramMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:October2018StockRepurchaseProgramMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:October2018StockRepurchaseProgramMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:October2018StockRepurchaseProgramMember2018-01-012018-12-3100000202122018-10-2900000202122018-10-300000020212us-gaap:SegmentContinuingOperationsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:SegmentContinuingOperationsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:SegmentContinuingOperationsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsIncorporated2016OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMember2016-02-242016-02-240000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsIncorporated2007OmnibusStockIncentivePlanMemberus-gaap:RestrictedStockMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ExecutiveLongTermIncentiveCompensationPlantheELTIPlanMemberchdn:PerformanceShareUnitsMemberchdn:February232016Member2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ExecutiveLongTermIncentiveCompensationPlantheELTIPlanMemberchdn:PerformanceShareUnitsMemberchdn:February232016Member2017-01-012017-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ExecutiveLongTermIncentiveCompensationPlantheELTIPlanMemberchdn:PerformanceShareUnitsMemberchdn:February232016Member2018-01-012018-12-31chdn:service_period0000020212chdn:ExecutiveLongTermIncentiveCompensationPlantheELTIPlanMemberchdn:PerformanceShareUnitsMemberchdn:February232016Member2020-12-31chdn:executiveOfficer0000020212chdn:A7YearGrantMember2018-10-310000020212chdn:A7YearGrantMember2018-10-312018-10-310000020212chdn:A7YearGrantMemberchdn:PerformanceShareUnitsMember2018-10-310000020212chdn:A7YearGrantMember2018-10-012018-10-310000020212chdn:A7YearGrantMemberchdn:PerformanceShareUnitsMember2018-10-012018-10-310000020212us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberchdn:A7YearGrantMember2018-10-012018-10-31chdn:performanceCondition0000020212us-gaap:RestrictedStockMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMemberus-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberus-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:PerformanceSharesMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMemberus-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2017-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMemberchdn:ServicePeriodAwardsMember2017-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2017-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMemberchdn:ServicePeriodAwardsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2018-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMemberchdn:ServicePeriodAwardsMember2018-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2018-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMemberchdn:ServicePeriodAwardsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMemberchdn:ServicePeriodAwardsMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMemberchdn:ServicePeriodAwardsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:PerformanceBasedAwardsMemberchdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMemberchdn:ServicePeriodAwardsMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:ELTIPlanthe2013NewCompanyLTIPthe2007IncentivePlanandawardsmadeoutsideofstockbasedcompensationplansMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:RestrictedStockMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:PerformanceSharesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMemberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMemberchdn:A2017CreditAgreementMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMemberchdn:A2017CreditAgreementMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMemberchdn:RevolverMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:RevolverMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMemberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMemberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMemberchdn:A2017CreditAgreementMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:LetterOfCreditMember2017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:BridgeLoanMember2017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2017-12-272017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMemberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2017-12-272017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2017-12-272017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMembersrt:MinimumMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMembersrt:MaximumMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember2017-12-272017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMembersrt:MinimumMember2017-12-272017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMembersrt:MinimumMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2020-03-162020-03-160000020212us-gaap:LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMembersrt:MaximumMember2020-03-162020-03-160000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMembersrt:MinimumMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2020-03-162020-03-160000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMembersrt:MaximumMember2020-03-162020-03-160000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2020-03-160000020212us-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2017-12-270000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2020-03-162020-03-160000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2020-04-282020-04-280000020212us-gaap:SubsequentEventMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2021-02-012021-02-010000020212us-gaap:LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:RevolvingCreditFacilityMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-03-250000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-03-252019-03-250000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMemberus-gaap:DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember2019-03-252019-03-250000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2017-12-270000020212chdn:A5.375SeniorUnsecuredNotesdue2021Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2017-12-270000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2017-12-272017-12-270000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMemberus-gaap:DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember2017-12-272017-12-2700000202122021-01-012020-12-3100000202122022-01-012020-12-3100000202122023-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:TradeAccountReceivableMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:TradeAccountReceivableMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:SimulcastAndAdwReceivablesMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:OtherReceivablesMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:OtherReceivablesMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2020-12-31chdn:joint_venture0000020212chdn:DelawareNorthCompaniesGamingEntertainmentInc.Memberchdn:MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:MiamiValleyGamingLLCMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-03-050000020212chdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-03-052019-03-050000020212chdn:ClairvestGroupInc.Member2019-03-052019-03-050000020212chdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-03-052019-03-050000020212chdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-03-060000020212chdn:HighPlainesMemberchdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-03-060000020212chdn:CasinoInvestorsMemberchdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-03-060000020212us-gaap:EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMemberchdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-03-050000020212us-gaap:LandMemberchdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-03-050000020212us-gaap:BuildingMemberchdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-03-050000020212us-gaap:BuildingMemberchdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMemberchdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMemberchdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:MidwestGamingHoldingsLLCMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember2018-08-300000020212chdn:SaratogaCasinoHoldingsLLCMember2018-08-310000020212us-gaap:EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212srt:MinimumMember2020-12-310000020212srt:MaximumMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Memberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Memberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:RevolverMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Memberchdn:RevolverMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Memberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:RevolverMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:RevolverMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMemberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMemberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMemberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberus-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Memberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Memberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberus-gaap:LineOfCreditMemberchdn:TermLoanBdue2024Memberus-gaap:SecuredDebtMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMemberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMemberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2027Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMemberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMemberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Memberchdn:SeniorNotesDue2028Memberus-gaap:SeniorNotesMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:OnlineWageringMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberstpr:MS2020-12-31chdn:slot_machinechdn:numberOfTableGameschdn:state0000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ChurchillDownsRacetrackMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberchdn:DerbyCityGamingMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberchdn:DerbyCityGamingMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberchdn:DerbyCityGamingMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:TwinSpiresMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:TwinSpiresMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:TwinSpiresMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:OnlineSportsBettingAndIGamingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:OnlineSportsBettingAndIGamingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:OnlineSportsBettingAndIGamingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:FairGroundsSlotsMemberchdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:FairGroundsSlotsMemberchdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:FairGroundsSlotsMemberchdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberchdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberchdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:PresqueIsleDownsCasinoMemberchdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OceanDownsLLCandRacingServicesLLCMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:CalderCasinosMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:CalderCasinosMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:CalderCasinosMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OxfordAcquisitionMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OxfordAcquisitionMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OxfordAcquisitionMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:RiverwalkCasinoMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:RiverwalkCasinoMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:RiverwalkCasinoMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:HarlowsCasinoMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:HarlowsCasinoMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:HarlowsCasinoMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:LadyLuckNemacolinMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:LadyLuckNemacolinMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:LadyLuckNemacolinMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:SaratogaCasinoHoldingsLLCMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:SaratogaCasinoHoldingsLLCMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:SaratogaCasinoHoldingsLLCMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelLiveAndSimulcastRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:PariMutuelHistoricalRacingMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberchdn:RacingEventRelatedServicesMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:ProductAndServiceOtherMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMemberus-gaap:CorporateNonSegmentMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ExternalCustomerMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:OnlineWageringMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:OnlineWageringMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:OnlineWageringMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:ChurchillDownsMemberus-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMemberchdn:OnlineWageringMember2019-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMember2020-12-310000020212chdn:GamingSegmentMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:SubsequentEventMemberus-gaap:PrivatePlacementMember2021-02-012021-02-010000020212us-gaap:SubsequentEventMemberus-gaap:PrivatePlacementMember2021-02-010000020212us-gaap:SubsequentEventMemberus-gaap:PrivatePlacementMemberchdn:AffiliateOfDuchossoisGroupIncMember2021-02-012021-02-01utr:acre0000020212us-gaap:SubsequentEventMemberchdn:ArlingtonParkMemberus-gaap:DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember2021-02-2300000202122020-01-012020-03-3100000202122020-04-012020-06-3000000202122020-07-012020-09-3000000202122020-10-012020-12-3100000202122019-01-012019-03-3100000202122019-04-012019-06-3000000202122019-07-012019-09-3000000202122019-10-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2019-12-310000020212srt:CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMemberus-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2018-12-310000020212srt:CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMemberus-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2017-12-310000020212srt:CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMemberus-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2017-12-310000020212us-gaap:AllowanceForCreditLossMember2018-01-012018-12-310000020212us-gaap:ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember2019-12-310000020212us-gaap:ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember2020-01-012020-12-310000020212us-gaap:ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember2020-12-310000020212us-gaap:ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember2018-12-310000020212us-gaap:ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember2019-01-012019-12-310000020212us-gaap:ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember2017-12-310000020212us-gaap:ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember2018-01-012018-12-31
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| | | | | |
☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
OR
| | | | | |
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-33998
Churchill Downs Incorporated
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kentucky | | 61-0156015 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| | | | |
600 North Hurstbourne Parkway, Suite 400 | | |
Louisville, | | Kentucky | | 40222 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
| | | | |
(502) 636-4400 |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | |
Common Stock, No Par Value | Trading Symbol(s) | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
(Title of each class registered) | CHDN | (Name of each exchange on which registered) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
| | | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of February 10, 2021, 38,476,002 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding. As of June 30, 2020 (based upon the closing sale price for such date on the Nasdaq Global Select Market), the aggregate market value of the shares held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $4,543,867,580.
Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 20, 2021 are incorporated by reference herein in response to Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of Form 10-K.
CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Principal Accountant Fees and Services | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Report") including the information incorporated by reference herein, contains various "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act") provides certain "safe harbor" provisions for forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made in this Report are made pursuant to the Act. The reader is cautioned that such forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time and/or management’s good faith belief with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "might", "plan", "predict", "project", "seek", "should", "will", and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include the factors described in Item 1A. Risk Factors, of this Report.
PART I
ITEM 1.BUSINESS
Overview
Churchill Downs Incorporated (the "Company", "we", "us", "our") is an industry-leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event, the Kentucky Derby. We own and operate three pari-mutuel gaming entertainment venues with approximately 3,050 historical racing machines ("HRMs") in Kentucky. We also own and operate TwinSpires, one of the largest and most profitable online wagering platforms for horse racing, sports and iGaming in the U.S and we have seven retail sportsbooks. We are also a leader in brick-and-mortar casino gaming in eight states with approximately 11,000 slot machines and video lottery terminals ("VLTs") and 200 table games. We were organized as a Kentucky corporation in 1928, and our principal executive offices are located in Louisville, Kentucky.
Impact of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Considerable uncertainty still surrounds the potential effects of the COVID-19 virus, and the extent of and effectiveness of responses taken on international, national and local levels. Measures taken to limit the impact of COVID-19, including shelter-in-place orders, social distancing measures, travel bans and restrictions, and business and government shutdowns, have resulted and continue to result in significant negative economic impacts in the U.S. and in relation to our business. Although vaccines are now available, their distribution is currently limited and there can be no assurance that these vaccines will be successful in ending the COVID-19 global pandemic. The long-term impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. and world economies and continuing impact on our business remains uncertain, the duration and scope of which cannot currently be predicted.
In response to the measures taken to limit the impact of COVID-19 described above, and for the protection of our employees, customers, and communities, we temporarily suspended operations at our properties in March 2020. In May 2020, we began to reopen our properties with patron restrictions and gaming limitations. One property temporarily suspended operations again in July 2020 and reopened in August 2020, and three properties temporarily suspended operations again in December 2020 and reopened in January 2021.
We implemented a number of initiatives to facilitate social distancing and enhanced cleaning, such as increased frequency of cleaning and sanitizing of all high-touch surfaces, mandatory temperature checks of all guests and team members upon entry and required training for all team members on safety protocols. Certain amenities at our properties have continued to be suspended, including food buffets and valet services, and certain restaurants and food outlets. A summary of the temporary closures and the current status of each property is provided in Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained within this Report.
Business Segments
For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into three reportable segments as follows: Churchill Downs, Online Wagering and Gaming. Our operating segments reflect the internal management reporting used by our chief operating decision maker to evaluate results of operations and to assess performance and allocate resources. Financial information about these segments is set forth in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 21 of notes to consolidated financial statements contained within this Report. Further discussion of financial results by segment is provided in Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained within this Report.
We conduct our business through these reportable segments and report net revenue and operating expense associated with these reportable segments in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, contained within this Report.
Churchill Downs
The Churchill Downs segment includes live and historical pari-mutuel racing related revenue and expenses at Churchill Downs Racetrack and Derby City Gaming.
Churchill Downs Racetrack is the home of the Kentucky Derby and conducts live racing during the year. Derby City Gaming is an HRM facility that operates under the Churchill Downs pari-mutuel racing license at the auxiliary training facility for Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
Churchill Downs Racetrack and Derby City Gaming earn commissions primarily from pari-mutuel wagering on live races at Churchill Downs and on historical races at Derby City Gaming; simulcast fees earned from other wagering sites; admissions, personal seat licenses, sponsorships, television rights, and other miscellaneous services (collectively "racing event-related services"), as well as food and beverage services.
Churchill Downs Racetrack
Churchill Downs Racetrack is located in Louisville, Kentucky and is an internationally known thoroughbred racing operation best known as the home of our iconic flagship event, the Kentucky Derby. We have conducted thoroughbred racing continuously at Churchill Downs Racetrack since 1875. The Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously held annual sporting event in the U.S. and is the first race of the annual series of races for 3-year-old thoroughbreds known as the Triple Crown.
The demographic profile of our guests, global television viewership and long-running nature of this iconic event are attractive to sponsors and corporate partners, especially those with similar luxury and/or marquee brands. The Kentucky Derby Week generated the tenth consecutive year of earnings growth in 2019. The 2020 Kentucky Derby Week results were severely impacted by the rescheduling of the 146th Kentucky Derby from the first weekend in May to the first weekend in September and without spectators due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
We conducted 70 live race days in 2018, 74 live racing days in 2019 and 65 live race days, including 41 spectator-free live race days, in 2020. In 2021, we anticipate conducting up to 71 live race days with spectators.
Churchill Downs Racetrack is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and a variety of areas, structures, and buildings that provide seating for our patrons. We also own 83 acres of land at our auxiliary training facility, which is five miles from Churchill Downs Racetrack. The facilities at Churchill Downs Racetrack accommodate seating for approximately 59,000 guests. Churchill Downs Racetrack has one of the largest 4K video boards in the world sitting 80 feet above the ground and measuring 171 feet wide by 90 feet tall. This video board provides views of the finish line and the entire race for on-track guests, including those in the infield and guests along the entire front side of the racetrack. The facility also has permanent lighting in order to accommodate night races. We have a saddling paddock, and the stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. The Churchill Downs Racetrack facility also includes a simulcast wagering facility.
In April 2020, we completed a state-of-the-art equine medical center and quarantine barns on the backside area of Churchill Downs Racetrack which reinforces our ongoing commitment to equine and jockey safety and supports our long-term international growth strategy.
In 2002, we transferred title of the Churchill Downs Racetrack facility to the City of Louisville, Kentucky and entered into a 30-year lease for the facility as part of the financing of improvements to the Churchill Downs Racetrack facility. We can re-acquire the facility at any time for $1.00 subject to the terms of the lease.
Derby City Gaming
In September 2018, we opened Derby City Gaming, an 85,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art HRM facility at the Churchill Downs Racetrack auxiliary training facility in Louisville, Kentucky. On September 3, 2020, Derby City Gaming opened a new 8,000 square-foot outdoor gaming patio on the south side of the property. Derby City Gaming operates under the Churchill Downs Racetrack pari-mutuel racing license, and has approximately 1,225 HRMs, a simulcast center, and a dining facility.
Online Wagering
The Online Wagering segment includes the revenue and expenses for the TwinSpires Horse Racing and the TwinSpires Sports and Casino businesses. Both businesses are headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.
TwinSpires Horse Racing
TwinSpires Horse Racing operates the online horse racing wagering business for TwinSpires.com, BetAmerica.com, and other white-label platforms; facilitates high dollar wagering by international customers (through Velocity); and provides the Bloodstock Research Information Services platform for horse race statistical data.
TwinSpires is one of the largest and most profitable legal online horse racing wagering platforms in the U.S. TwinSpires accepts pari-mutuel wagers through advance deposit wagering ("ADW") from customers residing in certain states who establish and fund an account from which these customers may place wagers via telephone, mobile applications or through the Internet. This business is licensed as a multi-jurisdictional simulcasting and interactive wagering hub in the state of Oregon. This business also offers customers streaming video of live horse races, as well as replays, and an assortment of racing and handicapping information.
BetAmerica.com is an online wagering business licensed under TwinSpires and also offers wagering on horse racing throughout the U.S. We also provide technology services to third parties, and we earn commissions from white label ADW products and services. Under these arrangements, we typically provide an ADW platform and related operational services while the third-party typically provides a brand name, marketing and limited customer functions.
TwinSpires Sports and Casino
Our TwinSpires Sports and Casino business operates our sports betting and casino iGaming platform in multiple states, including Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The TwinSpires Sports and Casino business includes the mobile and online sports betting and casino iGaming results and the results of our three retail sportsbooks in Colorado, Indiana and Michigan which utilize a third party's casino license. The results of the two retail sportsbooks at our Mississippi properties, our retail sportsbook at Presque Isle in Pennsylvania and the retail and online BetRivers sportsbook at Rivers Des Plaines, are included in the Gaming segment.
In August 2020, the Company announced the entry into multi-year agreements with GAN Limited ("GAN") and Kambi Group PLC ("Kambi") to provide player account management, casino platform, sports trading and risk management services (collectively, the "GAN / Kambi Platforms"). The Company has transitioned the Mississippi properties to the new Kambi platform and has launched in Michigan with the new GAN / Kambi Platforms. We plan to transition the remaining properties to the new GAN / Kambi Platforms in the first half of 2021.
On September 24, 2020, the Company opened a retail sportsbook at Bronco Billy's Casino in Cripple Creek, Colorado, and on September 25, 2020, the Company opened a retail sportsbook at Island Resort & Casino in Harris, Michigan. The Company launched its mobile and online sportsbook and casino app in Michigan on January 22, 2021 and plans to launch its mobile sportsbook and casino app in Pennsylvania and its mobile sportsbook app in Indiana, subject to regulatory approvals, in the first half of 2021.
On January 5, 2021, the Company announced the transition from the BetAmerica brand to the TwinSpires brand for the Company's sports betting and casino platforms. The Company launched the TwinSpires sportsbook and casino app in Michigan under the TwinSpires brand in January 2021 and the existing Company's sportsbook and casino apps will transition to the TwinSpires brand in the first half of 2021.
Gaming
The Gaming segment includes revenue and expenses for the casino properties and associated racetrack or jai alai facilities which support the casino license. The Gaming segment has approximately 11,000 slot machines and VLTs and 200 table games located in eight states.
The Gaming segment revenue and Adjusted EBITDA includes the following properties:
◦Calder Casino and Racing ("Calder")
◦Fair Grounds Slots, Fair Grounds Race Course, and Video Services, LLC ("VSI") (collectively, "Fair Grounds and VSI")
◦Harlow’s Casino Resort and Spa ("Harlow's")
◦Ocean Downs Casino and Racetrack ("Ocean Downs")
◦Oxford Casino and Hotel ("Oxford")
◦Presque Isle Downs and Casino ("Presque Isle")
◦Riverwalk Casino Hotel ("Riverwalk")
◦Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin ("Lady Luck Nemacolin") management agreement
The Gaming segment Adjusted EBITDA also includes the Adjusted EBITDA related to the Company’s equity investments in the following:
◦61.3% equity investment in Rivers Casino Des Plaines ("Rivers Des Plaines")
◦50% equity investment in Miami Valley Gaming and Racing ("MVG")
The Gaming segment generates revenue and expenses from slot machines, table games, VLTs, video poker, retail sports betting, ancillary food and beverage services, hotel services, commission on pari-mutuel wagering, racing event-related services, and other miscellaneous operations.
Calder
Calder is located on 170 acres of land in Miami Gardens, Florida near Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. Calder owns and operates a 106,000 square-foot casino with approximately 1,100 slot machines and two dining facilities. Calder also has a fronton for jai alai performances, and a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, barns and stabling facilities for thoroughbred horse racing.
In February 2018, Calder was issued a jai alai permit by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation ("DBPR") Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering ("DPW") in Florida. Calder received a jai alai license in May 2018 and conducted live summer jai alai performances in May and June 2019 for the State of Florida's 2018-2019 fiscal year and in August and September 2019 for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. In 2021, in order to attract better jai alai players and operate efficiently, Calder
is planning to conduct jai alai performances in the summer 2021 for the 2020-2021 fiscal year and for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
In October 2018, the State of Florida DPW issued two separate Final Orders Granting Declaratory Statement in response to two separate Petitions for Declaratory Statements submitted by Calder regarding jai alai. One of the Declaratory Statements was appealed but affirmed by the First District Court of Appeals in September 2019.
There are pending administrative challenges filed by various organizations, including Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association, Ocala Breeders’ Sales, and SCF, Inc., related to jai alai and the location of the casino with respect to the racing facility.
We have an agreement with the Stronach Group ("TSG") that expires on April 15, 2021 under which we permit TSG to operate and manage Calder's racetrack and certain other racing and training facilities and to provide live horse racing under Calder's racing permits. During the term of the agreement, TSG pays Calder a racing services fee and is responsible for the direct and indirect costs of maintaining the racing premises, including the training facilities and applicable barns, and TSG receives the associated revenue from the operation.
Fair Grounds and VSI
Fair Grounds Slots and Fair Grounds Race Course are located on 145 acres in New Orleans, Louisiana. Fair Grounds Slots owns and operates a 33,000 square-foot slot facility with approximately 600 slot machines, two concession areas, a bar, a simulcast facility, and other amenities. The Fair Grounds Race Course consists of a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a grandstand, and a stabling area. The facility includes clubhouse and grandstand seating for approximately 5,000 guests, a general admissions area, and dining facilities. The stable area consists of barns that can accommodate approximately 1,900 horses and living quarters for approximately 130 people. Fair Grounds Race Course also operates pari-mutuel wagering in thirteen off-track betting facilities ("OTBs") and VSI is the owner and operator of approximately 1,000 video poker machines in twelve OTBs in Louisiana.
Harlow’s
Harlow’s is located on 85 acres of leased land in Greenville, Mississippi. Harlow’s owns and operates a 33,000 square-foot casino with approximately 700 slot machines, 15 table games, a retail sportsbook, a 105-room hotel, a 5,600 square-foot multi-functional event center, and four dining facilities.
Ocean Downs
Ocean Downs is located on 167 acres near Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean Downs owns and operates a 70,000 square-foot casino with approximately 900 VLTs, 18 table games, and three dining facilities. Ocean Downs also conducts approximately 40 live harness racing days each year.
Oxford
Oxford is located on 97 acres in Oxford, Maine. Oxford owns and operates a 27,000 square-foot casino with approximately 950 slot machines, 30 table games, a 100-room hotel, and three dining facilities.
Presque Isle
Presque Isle is located on 270 acres in Erie, Pennsylvania. Presque Isle owns and operates a 153,000 square-foot casino with approximately 1,550 slot machines, 34 table games, a retail sportsbook, a poker room, and four dining facilities. Presque Isle also conducts 100 live thoroughbred racing days each year.
Riverwalk
Riverwalk is located on 22 acres in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Riverwalk owns and operates a 25,000 square-foot casino with approximately 650 slot machines, 15 table games, a retail sportsbook, a five-story 80-room hotel, and two dining facilities.
Lady Luck Nemacolin
On March 8, 2019, the Company assumed the management of Lady Luck Nemacolin, which is located in Farmington, Pennsylvania, approximately one mile from the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Lady Luck Nemacolin operates the casino with approximately 600 slot machines, 27 table games, and a dining facility.
Rivers Des Plaines
Rivers Des Plaines is located on 21 acres in Des Plaines, Illinois. Rivers Des Plaines owns and operates a 140,000 square-foot casino with approximately 1,000 slot machines and 69 table games, seven dining and entertainment facilities, and an approximate 5,000 square-foot state-of-the-art BetRivers Sports Bar. In December 2019, Rivers Des Plaines became the first land-based casino in Illinois and, in the third quarter of 2020, completed the expansion of the parking garage. We acquired
61.3% equity ownership in Midwest Gaming Holdings, LLC ("Midwest Gaming"), the parent company of Rivers Des Plaines, in March 2019.
Miami Valley Gaming
MVG is located on 120 acres in Lebanon, Ohio. MVG owns and operates a 186,000 square-foot casino with approximately 1,950 VLTs, four dining facilities, a racing simulcast center, and a 5/8-mile harness racetrack. We have a 50% equity investment in MVG.
All Other
We have aggregated the following businesses as well as certain corporate operations, and other immaterial joint ventures in "All Other" to reconcile to consolidated results:
•Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel ("Oak Grove")
•Newport Racing & Gaming ("Newport")
•Turfway Park
•Arlington International Racecourse ("Arlington")
•United Tote
•Corporate
Oak Grove
Oak Grove is located on 240 acres in Oak Grove, Kentucky, which is approximately one-hour north of Nashville, Tennessee. Oak Grove owns and operates a 5/8-mile harness racing track and completed the first racing meet in October 2019. On September 18, 2020, the Company opened the simulcast and HRM facility with approximately 1,325 HRMs, event center and food and beverage venues. The 128-room hotel opened on October 15, 2020. The 1,200-person grandstand, 3,000-person capacity outdoor amphitheater and stage, a state-of-the-art equestrian center, and a recreational vehicle park at Oak Grove will open in early 2021. Effective as of September 11, 2020, the Company purchased the remaining noncontrolling interest in WKY Development, LLC, a joint venture that owns Oak Grove, from Keeneland Association, Inc. for $3.0 million. The Company no longer reports a noncontrolling interest associated with Oak Grove in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Newport
On October 2, 2020, the Company opened Newport, located in Newport, Kentucky, after investing approximately $32.0 million to create a premier entertainment experience as an extension of Turfway Park. Newport has a pari-mutuel simulcast area, a 17,000 square-foot gaming floor with approximately 500 HRMs, and a feature bar.
Turfway Park
Turfway Park is located on 197 acres in Florence, Kentucky. In 2020, the Company approved the final design plans for the HRM and grandstand facility at Turfway Park. The final plans reflect $200 million of project capital, which includes the Turfway Park Acquisition costs and other previously approved capital. The final plans provide for a 155,000 square foot facility including a grandstand, sports bar, food offerings, and up to 1,200 historical racing machines. The Company has spent approximately $58.5 million of the planned project capital as of December 31, 2020 to acquire the business and associated land and to demolish the existing grandstand, prepare the site for the next phase of the development, and install a new Tapeta synthetic racetrack.
Arlington
Arlington is located on 326 acres in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Arlington owns and operates a thoroughbred racing operation with nine OTBs. Arlington has a 1 1/8-mile synthetic track, a one-mile turf track and a 5/8-mile training track. The facility includes a grandstand, clubhouse, and suite seating for 7,500 guests, and dining facilities. The stable area consists of barns that can accommodate 2,200 horses and living quarters for 550 people. On February 23, 2021, we launched a process to sell the 326 acres at Arlington Park. The Company is committed to running Arlington Park's 2021 race dates from April 30, 2021 to September 25, 2021.
United Tote
United Tote manufactures and operates pari-mutuel wagering systems for racetracks, OTBs and other pari-mutuel wagering businesses. United Tote provides totalisator services which accumulate wagers, record sales, calculate payoffs and display wagering data to patrons who wager on horse races. United Tote has contracts to provide totalisator services to a number of third-party racetracks, OTBs and other pari-mutuel wagering businesses and also provides these services at our facilities.
Corporate
Corporate includes miscellaneous and other revenue, compensation expense, professional fees and other general and administrative expense not allocated to our segments.
Competition
Overview
We operate in a highly competitive industry with a large number of participants, some of which have financial and other resources that are greater than ours. The industry faces competition from a variety of sources for discretionary consumer spending, including spectator sports, fantasy sports and other entertainment and gaming options. Our brick-and-mortar casinos compete with traditional and Native American casinos, video lottery terminals, state-sponsored lotteries and other forms of legalized gaming in the U.S. and other jurisdictions.
Legalized gambling is currently permitted in various forms in many states and Canada. Other jurisdictions could legalize gambling in the future, and established gaming jurisdictions could award additional gaming licenses or permit the expansion of existing gaming operations. If additional gaming opportunities become available near our racing or gaming operations, such gaming operations could have a material adverse impact on our business.
In May 2018, the United States Supreme Court struck down the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which had effectively banned sports wagering in most states. Removal of the ban gives states the authority to authorize sports wagering.
Churchill Downs
In 2020, approximately 28,000 thoroughbred horse races were conducted in the U.S., which was down 24% compared to 2019 due to the impact of almost all of the racetracks across the U.S. being closed for a portion of the year as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Of these races, Churchill Downs Racetrack hosted approximately 650 races, or 2.4% of the total thoroughbred horse races in the U.S. As a content provider, we compete for wagering dollars in the simulcast market with other racetracks conducting races at or near the same times as our races. As a racetrack operator, we also compete for horses with other racetracks running live racing meets at or near the same time as our races. Our ability to compete is substantially dependent on the racing calendar, number of horses racing and purse sizes. In recent years, competition has increased as more states legalize gaming and allow slot machines at racetracks with mandatory purse contributions. Derby City Gaming competes with regional casinos in the area and other forms of legal and illegal gaming.
Online Wagering
TwinSpires Horse Racing
Our TwinSpires Horse Racing business competes with other ADW businesses for both customers and racing content, as well as brick-and-mortar racetracks, casinos, OTBs, and other forms of legal and illegal sports betting.
TwinSpires Sports and Casino
Our TwinSpires Sports and Casino business competes for customers with retail, mobile and online offerings from commercial brick-and-mortar casinos and racetracks. We also compete with daily fantasy sports gaming companies that are expanding into mobile and online sports betting and iGaming, international sports betting businesses looking to expand into the U.S. market, and other forms of legal and illegal sports betting and iGaming operations.
Gaming
Our Gaming properties operate in highly competitive environments and primarily compete for customers with other casinos in the surrounding regional gaming markets. Our Gaming properties compete to a lesser extent with state-sponsored lotteries, off-track wagering, card parlors, online gambling, and other forms of legalized gaming in the U.S.
Human Capital
We believe our human capital is material to our operations and core to the long-term success of the Company as an industry-leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event - The Kentucky Derby. Our focus is on attracting innovative and collaborative team members who want to build their skills in a successful and growing set of businesses focused on creating unique experiences for our guests.
Our People
As of December 31, 2020, we had a total of approximately 7,000 team members, of which 4,000 are full-time employees. As of December 31, 2020, the Churchill Downs segment had 1,900 team members, the Online Wagering segment had 240 team members; and the Gaming segment had 2,200 team members. Nearly one-quarter of the Churchill Downs segment team members are full-time employees and nearly all of the Online Wagering and Gaming segment team members are full-time employees. The Company’s corporate staff consists of approximately 180 full-time employees. The number of seasonal employees fluctuates significantly through the course of the year primarily due to the seasonal nature of our businesses. We have the highest level of seasonal team members during the second quarter when we run the Kentucky Derby.
As a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the closing of our gaming properties, a significant number of our team members were furloughed beginning in March 2020. The Company provided health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits to furloughed full-time employees through July 31, 2020 and for an additional three months if a full-time employee was re-furloughed as a result of a subsequent property closure period or business capacity limitations. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 500 full-time employees were covered by 16 collective bargaining agreements. We have experienced no material interruptions of operations due to disputes with our team members.
Diversity and Inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce fosters innovation and cultivates a high performance culture that leverages the unique perspectives of every team member to profitably grow our businesses. The Company’s Board of Directors’ and executive management team is diverse based on gender and race and also have diverse experiences that individually and collectively create a high-performance culture focused on executing our strategic priorities to effectively and efficiently protect and grow our businesses.
We believe diversity and inclusion helps the Company attract the best talent to grow our businesses and enables our businesses to attract and delight customers and consumers. The Kentucky Derby is a pillar of our community that provides the opportunity for our team members and the community to raise significant funding for charities that support important aspects of our broader communities including fostering diversity and inclusion, food, shelter, education, and health related non-profits. The Company also provides donations to non-profit organizations that support these initiatives within our communities.
Talent Acquisition, Development and Retention
We invest in attracting, developing and retaining our team members. Our philosophy is to communicate a clear purpose and strategy, set challenging goals, drive accountability, continuously assess, develop, and advance talent, and to embrace a leadership-driven talent strategy. Our Company enables team members to grow in their current roles as well as to have opportunities to build new skills in other parts of the Company. We review talent and succession plans with our Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors periodically throughout the year. The process focuses on accelerating talent development, strengthening succession pipelines, and advancing diversity in gender, race and experience for our most critical roles.
Compensation, Benefits, Safety and Wellness
We strive to offer market competitive salaries and wages for our team members and we offer comprehensive health and retirement benefits to eligible employees. Our core health and welfare benefits are supplemented with specific programs to manage or improve common health conditions and to provide a variety of voluntary benefits and paid time away from work programs. We also provide a number of innovative programs designed to promote physical, emotional and financial well-being. Our commitment to the safety of our employees, customers, and community remains a top priority and we have safety programs at all of our properties to facilitate identification and implementation of safety practices. Refer to our discussion above under "Overview", for additional information on actions we have taken to facilitate social distancing and enhanced cleaning in order to protect our employees, customers, and communities as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Governmental Regulations and Potential Legislative Changes
We are subject to various federal, state, local, and international laws and regulations that affect our businesses. The ownership, operation and management of our Churchill Downs, Online Wagering, and Gaming segments, as well as our other operations, are subject to regulation under the laws and regulations of each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The ownership, operation and management of our businesses and properties are also subject to legislative actions at both the federal and state level.
Churchill Downs Regulations
Horse racing is a highly regulated industry. In the U.S., individual states control the operations of racetracks located within their respective jurisdictions with the intent of, among other things, protecting the public from unfair and illegal gambling practices, generating tax revenue, licensing racetracks and operators and preventing organized crime from being involved in the industry. Although the specific form may vary, states that regulate horse racing generally do so through a horse racing commission or other gambling regulatory authority. In general, regulatory authorities perform background checks on all racetrack owners prior to granting the necessary operating licenses. Horse owners, trainers, jockeys, drivers, stewards, judges, and backstretch personnel are also subject to licensing by governmental authorities. State regulation of horse races extends to virtually every aspect of racing and usually extends to details such as the presence and placement of specific race officials, including timers, placing judges, starters, and patrol judges.
The total number of days on which each racetrack conducts live racing fluctuates annually according to each calendar year and the determination of applicable regulatory authorities.
In the U.S., interstate pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is subject to the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, as amended in 2000 ("IHA"). Through the IHA, racetracks can commingle wagers from different racetracks and wagering facilities and broadcast horse racing events to other licensed establishments.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, horse racing tracks and HRM facilities are subject to the licensing and regulation of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ("KHRC"), which is responsible for overseeing horse racing and regulating the state equine industry and overseeing the annual licensing and operations of HRMs in Kentucky. Licenses to conduct live thoroughbred and standardbred racing meets, to participate in simulcasting, and to accept advance deposit wagers from Kentucky residents are approved annually by the KHRC based upon applications submitted by the racetracks in Kentucky.
Derby City Gaming is subject to extensive state and local laws and is subject to licensing and regulatory control by the KHRC. Changes in Kentucky laws or regulations may limit or otherwise materially affect the types of HRMs that may be conducted and such changes, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on our Kentucky HRM operations. The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the KHRC could have a material adverse impact on our business.
TwinSpires Regulations and Potential Legislative Changes
TwinSpires is licensed in Oregon under a multi-jurisdictional simulcasting and interactive wagering totalisator hub license issued by the Oregon Racing Commission and in accordance with Oregon law and the IHA. We also hold advance deposit wagering licenses in certain other states where required. Changes in the form of new legislation or regulatory activity at the state or federal level could adversely impact our mobile and online ADW business.
Sports Betting and iGaming Regulations and Potential Legislative Changes
Federal
In May 2018, the United States Supreme Court struck down the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which had effectively banned sports wagering in most states. Removal of the ban gives states the authority to authorize sports wagering. States have begun authorizing sports betting, which we believe will have a positive impact on our business.
In January 2019, the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel ("DJOLC") issued a revised legal opinion regarding the scope of the Interstate Wire Act of 1961 (the "Wire Act"). Under the 2019 revised opinion, the DJOLC stated that the Wire Act applied to all forms of gaming that crosses state lines, including online gambling and online lottery. The new opinion overturned a DJOLC opinion from 2011 which stated the Wire Act applied only to sports betting. In June 2019, a federal district court judge in New Hampshire ruled that the Wire Act applies only to gambling activities on sporting events and does not prohibit other forms of gambling conducted over the internet, including online casino gaming and in January 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed this decision.
Gaming Regulations and Potential Legislative Changes
Casino laws are generally designed to protect casino consumers and the viability and integrity of the casino industry. Casino laws may also be designed to protect and maximize state and local revenue derived through taxes and licensing fees imposed on casino industry participants as well as to enhance economic development and tourism. To accomplish these public policy goals, casino laws establish procedures to ensure that participants in the casino industry meet certain standards of character and fitness. Casino laws also require casino industry participants to:
•Ensure that unsuitable individuals and organizations have no role in casino operations,
•Establish procedures designed to prevent cheating and fraudulent practices,
•Establish and maintain responsible accounting practices and procedures,
•Maintain effective controls over financial practices, including establishment of minimum procedures for internal fiscal affairs and the safeguarding of assets and revenue,
•Maintain systems for reliable record keeping,
•File periodic reports with casino regulators,
•Ensure that contracts and financial transactions are commercially reasonable, reflect fair market value and are arms-length transactions,
•Establish programs to promote responsible gambling and inform patrons of the availability of help for problem gambling, and
•Enforce minimum age requirements.
Typically, a state regulatory environment is established by statute and administered by a regulatory agency with broad discretion to regulate the affairs of owners, managers and persons with financial interests in casino operations. Among other things, casino authorities in the various jurisdictions in which we operate:
•Adopt rules and regulations under the implementing statutes,
•Interpret and enforce casino laws,
•Impose disciplinary sanctions for violations, including fines and penalties,
•Review the character and fitness of participants in casino operations and make determinations regarding suitability or qualification for licensure,
•Grant licenses for participation in casino operations,
•Collect and review reports and information submitted by participants in casino operations,
•Review and approve transactions, such as acquisitions or change-of-control transactions of casino industry participants, securities offerings and debt transactions engaged in by such participants, and
•Establish and collect fees and taxes.
Any change in the laws or regulations of a casino jurisdiction could have a material adverse impact on our casino operations.
Licensing and Suitability Determinations
Gaming laws require us, each of our subsidiaries engaged in casino operations, certain of our directors, officers and employees, and in some cases, certain of our shareholders, to obtain licenses from casino authorities. Licenses typically require a determination that the applicant qualifies or is suitable to hold the license. Gaming authorities have very broad discretion in determining whether an applicant qualifies for licensing or should be deemed suitable. Criteria used in determining whether to grant a license to conduct casino operations, while varying between jurisdictions, generally include consideration of factors such as the good character, honesty and integrity of the applicant; the financial stability, integrity and responsibility of the applicant, including whether the operation is adequately capitalized in the state and exhibits the ability to maintain adequate insurance levels; the quality of the applicant’s casino facilities; the amount of revenue to be derived by the applicable state from the operation of the applicant’s casino; the applicant’s practices with respect to minority hiring and training; and the effect on competition and general impact on the community.
In evaluating individual applicants, casino authorities consider the individual’s business experience and reputation for good character, the individual’s criminal history and the character of those with whom the individual associates.
Many casino jurisdictions limit the number of licenses granted to operate casinos within the state and some states limit the number of licenses granted to any one casino operator. Licenses under casino laws are generally not transferable without approval. Licenses in most of the jurisdictions in which we conduct casino operations are granted for limited durations and require renewal from time to time. There can be no assurance that any of our licenses will be renewed. The failure to renew any of our licenses could have a material adverse impact on our casino operations.
Casino authorities may investigate any subsidiary engaged in casino operations and may investigate any individual who has a material relationship to or material involvement with any of these entities to determine whether such individual is suitable or should be licensed as a business associate of a casino licensee. Our officers, directors and certain key employees must file applications with the casino authorities and may be required to be licensed, qualify or be found suitable in many jurisdictions. Gaming authorities may deny an application for licensing for any cause that they deem reasonable. Qualification and suitability determinations require submission of detailed personal and financial information followed by a thorough investigation. The
applicant must pay all the costs of the investigation. Changes in licensed positions must be reported to casino authorities. Casino authorities have the ability to deny a license, qualification or finding of suitability and have jurisdiction to disapprove a change in a corporate position.
If one or more casino authorities were to find that an officer, director or key employee fails to qualify or is unsuitable for licensing or unsuitable to continue having a relationship with us, we would be required to sever all relationships with such person. Casino authorities may also require us to terminate the employment of any person who refuses to file appropriate applications.
In many jurisdictions, certain of our shareholders may be required to undergo a suitability investigation similar to that described above. Many jurisdictions require any person who acquires beneficial ownership of more than a certain percentage of our voting securities, typically 5%, to report the acquisition to casino authorities, and casino authorities may require such holders to apply for qualification or a finding of suitability. Most casino authorities, however, allow an "institutional investor" to apply for a waiver. An "institutional investor" is generally defined as an investor acquiring and holding voting securities in the ordinary course of business as an institutional investor, and not for the purpose of causing, directly or indirectly, the election of a member of our board of directors, any change in our corporate charter, bylaws, management, policies or operations, or those of any of our casino affiliates, or the taking of any other action which casino authorities find to be inconsistent with holding our voting securities for investment purposes only. Even if a waiver is granted, an institutional investor generally may not take any action inconsistent with their status when the waiver was granted without once again becoming subject to the foregoing reporting and application obligations.
Any person who fails or refuses to apply for a finding of suitability or a license within the prescribed period after being advised it is required by casino authorities may be denied a license or found unsuitable, as applicable. Any shareholder found unsuitable or denied a license and who holds, directly or indirectly, any beneficial ownership of our voting securities beyond such period of time as may be prescribed by the applicable casino authorities may be guilty of a criminal offense. We may be subject to disciplinary action if, after we receive notice that a person is unsuitable to be a shareholder or to have any other relationship with us or any of our subsidiaries, we:
(i) pay that person any dividend or interest upon our voting securities,
(ii) allow that person to exercise, directly or indirectly, any voting right conferred through securities held by that person,
(iii) pay remuneration in any form to that person for services rendered or otherwise, or
(iv) fail to pursue all lawful efforts to require such unsuitable person to relinquish voting securities including, if necessary, the immediate purchase of said voting securities for cash at fair market value.
Violations of Gaming Laws
If we violate applicable casino laws, our casino licenses could be limited, conditioned, suspended or revoked by casino authorities, and we and any other persons involved could be subject to substantial fines. A supervisor or conservator can be appointed by casino authorities to operate our casino properties, or in some jurisdictions, take title to our casino assets in the jurisdiction, and under certain circumstances, income generated during such appointment could be forfeited to the applicable state or states. Violations of laws in one jurisdiction could result in disciplinary action in other jurisdictions. As a result, violations by us of applicable casino laws could have a material adverse impact on our casino operations.
Some casino jurisdictions prohibit certain types of political activity by a casino licensee, officers, directors and key employees. A violation of such a prohibition may subject the offender to criminal and/or disciplinary action.
Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements
We are required periodically to submit detailed financial and operating reports and furnish any other information that casino authorities may require. Under federal law, we are required to record and submit detailed reports of currency transactions involving greater than $10,000 at our casinos and racetracks as well as any suspicious activity that may occur at such facilities. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in fines or cessation of operations. We are required to maintain a current stock ledger that may be examined by casino authorities at any time. If any securities are held in trust by an agent or by a nominee, the record holder may be required to disclose the identity of the beneficial owner to casino authorities. A failure to make such disclosure may be grounds for finding the record holder unsuitable. Gaming authorities may require certificates for our securities to bear a legend indicating that the securities are subject to specified casino laws.
Review and Approval of Transactions
Substantially all material loans, leases, sales of securities and similar financing transactions must be reported to and in some cases approved by casino authorities. We may not make a public offering of securities without the prior approval of certain
casino authorities. Changes in control through merger, consolidation, stock or asset acquisitions, management or consulting agreements, or otherwise are subject to receipt of prior approval of casino authorities. Entities seeking to acquire control of us or one of our subsidiaries must satisfy casino authorities with respect to a variety of stringent standards prior to assuming control. Gaming authorities may also require controlling shareholders, officers, directors and other persons having a material relationship or involvement with the entity proposing to acquire control, to be investigated and licensed as part of the approval process relating to the transaction.
License Fees and Gaming Taxes
We pay substantial license fees and taxes in many jurisdictions in connection with our casino operations which are computed in various ways depending on the type of gambling or activity involved. Depending upon the particular fee or tax involved, these fees and taxes are payable with varying frequency. License fees and taxes are based upon such factors as a percentage of the casino revenue received; the number of gambling devices and table games operated; or a one-time fee payable upon the initial receipt of license and fees in connection with the renewal of license. In some jurisdictions, casino tax rates are graduated such that the tax rates increase as casino revenue increases. Tax rates are subject to change, sometimes with little notice, and such changes could have a material adverse impact on our casino operations.
Operational Requirements
In most jurisdictions, we are subject to certain requirements and restrictions on how we must conduct our casino operations. In certain states, we are required to give preference to local suppliers and include minority and women-owned businesses and organized labor in construction projects to the maximum extent practicable. We may be required to give employment preference to minorities, women and in-state residents in certain jurisdictions. Our ability to conduct certain types of games, introduce new games or move existing games within our facilities may be restricted or subject to regulatory review and approval. Some of our operations are subject to restrictions on the number of gaming positions we may have, and the maximum wagers allowed to be placed by our customers.
Specific State Gaming Regulations and Potential Legislative Changes
Florida
The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in the State of Florida is subject to extensive state and local regulation, primarily by the DBPR, within the executive branch of Florida’s state government. The DBPR is charged with the regulation of Florida’s pari-mutuel, card room and slot gaming industries, as well as collecting and safeguarding associated revenue due to the state. The DBPR has been designated by the Florida legislature as the state compliance agency with the authority to carry out the state’s oversight responsibilities in accordance with the provisions outlined in the compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida. Changes in Florida laws or regulations may limit or otherwise materially affect the types of gaming that may be conducted and such changes, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on our Florida gaming operation. The laws and regulations of Florida are based on policies of maintaining the health, welfare and safety of the general public and protecting the gaming industry from elements of organized crime, illegal gambling activities and other harmful elements, as well as protecting the public from illegal and unscrupulous gaming to ensure the fair play of devices. The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the DBPR could have a material adverse impact on our business.
In Florida, licenses to conduct live thoroughbred racing and jai alai, and to participate in simulcast wagering are approved by the DPW, which is responsible for overseeing the network of state offices located at every pari-mutuel wagering facility, as well as issuing the permits necessary to operate a pari-mutuel wagering facility. The DPW also issues annual licenses for thoroughbred, standardbred, and quarter horse races, as well as jai alai, but does not approve the specific live race days.
Illinois
The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in the State of Illinois is subject to extensive state and local regulation and is subject to licensing and regulatory control by the Illinois Gaming Board (the "IGB"). The IGB assures the integrity of gambling and gaming in Illinois through regulatory oversight of riverboat and casino gaming, video gaming and sports wagering in Illinois. Changes in Illinois laws or regulations may limit or otherwise materially affect the types of gaming that may be conducted and such changes, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on our Illinois gaming operations. The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the IGB could have a material adverse impact on our business.
On June 30, 2020, legislation was signed into law by the Governor of Illinois that provides financial relief to the gaming industry. The legislation amends the existing law to allow the lower privilege tax on table games for existing casinos effective as of July 1, 2020 instead of when a newly authorized casino begins operations. The legislation also provides cash flow relief for existing casinos by extending the payment deadline for new gaming positions from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 and extends the payment period and waives interest for reconciliation payments related to the new gaming positions. The legislation delays the payment deadline for the initial sports wagering license from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 and also establishes a lower
privilege tax schedule for a new casino in the Chicago area, which has been authorized but not yet opened. We believe the legislation will have a positive impact on our business operations.
Louisiana
The manufacturing, distribution, servicing and operation of video draw poker devices in Louisiana are subject to the Louisiana Video Draw Poker Devices Control Law and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The manufacturing, distribution, servicing and operation of video poker devices and slot machines are governed by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (the "Louisiana Board") which oversees all licensing for all forms of legalized gaming in Louisiana. The Video Gaming Division and the Slots Gaming Division of the Gaming Enforcement Section of the Office of the State Police within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections performs the video poker and slots gaming investigative functions for the Louisiana Board. The laws and regulations of Louisiana are based on policies of maintaining the health, welfare and safety of the general public and protecting the gaming industry from elements of organized crime, illegal gambling activities and other harmful elements, as well as protecting the public from illegal and unscrupulous gaming to ensure the fair play of devices. The Louisiana Board also regulates slot machine gaming at racetrack facilities pursuant to the Louisiana Pari-Mutuel Live Racing Facility Economic Redevelopment and Gaming Control Act. Changes in Louisiana laws or regulations may limit or otherwise materially affect the types of gaming that may be conducted and such changes, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on our Louisiana gaming operations. LSRC also issues licenses required for Fair Grounds to operate slot machines at the racetrack and video poker devices at their OTBs. The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the Louisiana Board or the LSRC could have a material adverse impact on our business.
In Louisiana, licenses to conduct live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing and to participate in simulcast wagering are approved by the Louisiana State Racing Commission ("LSRC"). The LSRC is responsible for overseeing the awarding of licenses for the conduct of live racing meets, the conduct of thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, the types of wagering that may be offered by pari-mutuel facilities and the disposition of revenue generated from wagering. Off-track wagering is also regulated by the LSRC. Louisiana law requires live thoroughbred racing at a licensed racetrack for at least 80 days over a 20-week period each year to maintain the license and to conduct slot operations.
Louisiana law requires live quarter horse racing to be conducted at the racetrack with the addition of the slot machines at Fair Grounds. We conducted quarter horse racing at Fair Grounds for 10 days in each of 2018 and 2019. In 2020, we obtained approval from the LSRC to move the 10 days of quarter horse racing to Evangeline Downs. We expect to conduct quarter horse racing for 10 days in 2021.
Effective July 15, 2020, legislation was signed into law by the Governor of Louisiana that exempts the tax on promotional play up to $5.0 million for casinos. We believe the legislation will have a positive impact on our business operations.
Maine
The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in the State of Maine is subject to extensive state and local regulation and is subject to licensing and regulatory control by the Maine Gambling Control Board (the "MGCB"). The laws, regulations and supervisory procedures of the MGCB are based upon declarations of public policy that are concerned with, among other things: (1) the regulation, supervision and general control over casinos and the ownership and operation of slot machines and table games; (2) the investigation of complaints made regarding casinos; (3) the establishment and maintenance of responsible accounting practices and procedures; (4) the maintenance of effective controls over the financial practices of licensees, including the establishment of minimum procedures for internal fiscal affairs and the safeguarding of assets and revenue and providing for reliable record keeping; and (5) the prevention of cheating and fraudulent practices. The regulations are subject to amendment and interpretation by the MGCB. Changes in Maine laws or regulations may limit or otherwise materially affect the types of gaming that may be conducted and such changes, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on our Maine gaming operations. The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the MGCB could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Maryland
The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in the State of Maryland is subject to extensive state and local regulation and is subject to licensing and regulatory control by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (“MLGCC”), with staff assistance from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (“MLGCA”). The MLGCA oversees all internal controls, auditing, security, surveillance, background investigations, licensing and accounting procedures for each casino in the State of Maryland, including Ocean Downs. Changes in Maryland laws or regulations may limit or otherwise materially affect the types of gaming that may be conducted and such changes, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on our Maryland gaming operations. The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the MLGCC could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Mississippi
The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in the State of Mississippi is subject to extensive state and local regulation, including the Mississippi Gaming Commission (the "Mississippi Commission"). The laws, regulations and supervisory procedures of the Mississippi Commission are based upon declarations of public policy that are concerned with, among other things: (1) the prevention of unsavory or unsuitable persons from having direct or indirect involvement with gaming at any time or in any capacity; (2) the establishment and maintenance of responsible accounting practices and procedures; (3) the maintenance of effective controls over the financial practices of licensees, including the establishment of minimum procedures for internal fiscal affairs and the safeguarding of assets and revenue, providing for reliable record keeping and requiring the filing of periodic reports with the Mississippi Commission; (4) the prevention of cheating and fraudulent practices; (5) providing a source of state and local revenue through taxation and licensing fees; and (6) ensuring that gaming licensees, to the extent practicable, employ Mississippi residents. The regulations are subject to amendment and interpretation by the Mississippi Commission. Changes in Mississippi laws or regulations may limit or otherwise materially affect the types of gaming that may be conducted and such changes, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on our Mississippi gaming operations. The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the Mississippi Commission could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Ohio
In 2012, the Governor of Ohio signed an Executive Order which authorized the Ohio Lottery Commission (the "OLC") to amend and adopt rules necessary to implement a video lottery program at Ohio’s seven horse racing facilities. The ownership and operation of VLT facilities in the State of Ohio is subject to extensive state and local regulation. The laws, regulations and supervisory procedures of the OLC include: (1) regulating the licensing of video lottery sales agents, key gaming employees and VLT manufacturers; (2) collecting and disbursing VLT revenue; and (3) maintaining compliance in regulatory matters. Changes in Ohio laws or regulations may limit or otherwise materially affect the types of gaming that may be conducted and such changes, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on our Ohio gaming operations. The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the OLC could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Pennsylvania
The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are subject to extensive state and local regulation and are subject to licensing and regulatory control by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board ("PGCB") as well as other agencies. The PGCB regulates, oversees and enforces all matters related to gaming activity in Pennsylvania, including, without limitation, operations, internal controls, accounting procedures, auditing, security, surveillance, licensing, background investigations and compliance of each casino in the state. Changes in Pennsylvania laws or regulations may limit or otherwise materially affect the types of gaming that may be conducted and such changes, if enacted, could have an adverse impact on our Pennsylvania gaming operations. The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the PGCB could have a material adverse impact on our business.
In Pennsylvania, licenses to conduct live thoroughbred racing, to participate in simulcast wagering and to accept advance deposit wagers from Pennsylvania residents are approved by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission (“PSHRC”). The PSHRC regulates the operations of horse racing, the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering and the promotion and marketing of horse racing in Pennsylvania. As a Category 1 slot machine licensee, Presque Isle is required to conduct live racing on at least 100 days each calendar year. The PSHRC approved Presque Isle for 100 live race days in 2021.
Other Specific State Regulations and Potential Legislative Changes
Kentucky
On February 22, 2021, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky signed into law Senate Bill 120 which creates a statutory definition of pari-mutuel wagering that includes historical horse racing approved by the KHRC and addresses the Supreme Court of Kentucky's opinion in The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, et al v. The Family Trust Foundation of Kentucky, Inc. regarding the KHRC's historical racing regulations and the validity of operating HRMs pursuant to a license issued by KHRC. For more information, please refer to Item 3, Legal Proceedings. Following this action, we do not believe that any further rulings in this litigation will impact our ability to operate HRM facilities in Kentucky.
Illinois
In Illinois, licenses to conduct live thoroughbred racing and to participate in simulcast wagering are approved by the Illinois Racing Board ("IRB"). The IRB appointed Arlington the dark host track for 60 simulcast host days in 2019 and 2020. Arlington was also awarded 155 live host days in 2019 and 2020.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that govern activities that may have adverse environmental effects, such as discharges to air and water, as well as the management and disposal of solid, animal and hazardous wastes and exposure to hazardous materials. These laws and regulations, which are complex and subject to change, include the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and state laws and regulations that address the impacts of manure and wastewater generated by Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations ("CAFO") on water quality, including, but not limited to, storm and sanitary water discharges. CAFO and other water discharge regulations include permit requirements and water quality discharge standards. Enforcement of these regulations has been receiving increased governmental attention. Compliance with these and other environmental laws can, in some circumstances, require significant capital expenditures. We may incur future costs under existing and new laws and regulations pertaining to storm water and wastewater management at our racetracks. Violations can result in significant penalties and, in some instances, interruption or cessation of operations.
In the ordinary course of our business, we may receive notices from regulatory agencies regarding our compliance with CAFO regulations that may require remediation at our facilities. On December 6, 2013, we received a notice from the EPA regarding alleged CAFO non-compliance at Fair Grounds Race Course. On October 21, 2019, we reached an agreement in principle, subject to final agreement and regulatory and court approval. If approved, the agreement will include a $2.8 million penalty, which is included in accrued expense and other current liabilities in our accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
We also are subject to laws and regulations that create liability and cleanup responsibility for releases of hazardous substances into the environment. Under certain of these laws and regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of property may be liable for the costs of remediating hazardous substances or petroleum products on its property, without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or caused, the presence of the contaminants, and regardless of whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were legal at the time the contamination occurred. The presence of, or failure to remediate properly, such substances may materially adversely affect the ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow funds using such property as collateral. The owner of a property may be subject to claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property.
Marks and Internet Properties
We hold numerous state and federal service mark registrations on specific names and designs in various categories including the entertainment business, apparel, paper goods, printed matter, housewares and glass. We license the use of these service marks and derive revenue from such license agreements.
Available Information
Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings, and any amendments to those reports and any other filings that we file with or furnish to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are made available free of charge on our website (www.churchilldownsincorporated.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the materials with the SEC and are also available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described below, that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and the trading price of our common stock.
Economic and External Risks
The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic has adversely affected, and could continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition and financial results. Other major public health issues could adversely affect our business, financial condition and financial results in the future
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Considerable uncertainty still surrounds the potential effects of the COVID-19 virus, and the extent of and effectiveness of responses taken on international, national and local levels. Measures taken to limit the impact of COVID-19, including shelter-in-place orders, social distancing measures, travel bans and restrictions, and business and government shutdowns, have resulted and some continue to result in significant negative economic impacts in the U.S. and in relation to our business. The long-term impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. and world economies and continued impact on our business remains uncertain, the duration and scope of which cannot currently be predicted.
Our operating results depend, in large part, on revenues derived from customers visiting our casinos and racetracks. In March 2020, we announced the temporary suspension of operations of all of our wholly-owned gaming properties, certain wholly-owned racing operations, and the two casino properties related to our equity investments. Starting in mid-February, U.S. and international sporting events were cancelled, which reduced our sports betting options for our customers. Horse racing content for wagering on TwinSpires also decreased, although handle increased as our customers wagered more on the content that was available. Although vaccines are now available, distribution is currently limited and there can be no assurance that these vaccines will be successful in ending the COVID-19 global pandemic.
In May 2020, we began to reopen our properties with patron restrictions and gaming limitations. One property temporarily suspended operations again in July 2020 after reopening and reopened in August 2020, and three properties suspended operations in December 2020 and reopened in January 2021. We implemented a number of initiatives to facilitate social distancing and enhanced cleaning, such as increased frequency of cleaning and sanitizing of all high-touch surfaces, mandatory temperature checks of all guests and team members upon entry and required training for all team members on safety protocols. Certain amenities at our properties continue to be suspended, including food buffets and valet services, and certain restaurants and food outlets. We cannot predict how soon our casino and racetrack properties will be able to return to customary operations. Our ability to return to our customary operations will depend, in part, on the actions of a number of governmental bodies over which we have no control. Once all restrictions are lifted, it is unclear how quickly customers will return to our casinos and racetracks, which may be a function of continued concerns over safety and decreased consumer spending due to economic conditions, including job losses.
Certain non-furloughed employees continue to work remotely. An extended period of remote work arrangements could strain business continuity plans, introduce operational risk (including but not limited to cybersecurity risks) and may impair our ability to manage our business. We also outsource certain business activities to third parties. As a result, we rely upon the successful implementation and execution of the business continuity planning of such entities in the current environment. While we seek to monitor the business continuity activities of these third parties, successful implementation and execution of their business continuity strategies are largely outside our control. If one or more of the third parties to whom we outsource certain business activities experience operational failures or business disruption as a result of the impacts from the spread of COVID-19, or claim that they cannot perform, it may have negative effects on our business and financial condition.
The Company reduced planned maintenance and project capital expenditures for 2020 as a result of the temporary property and operations closures and prioritized capital investments based on the highest near-term return opportunities in order to maintain financial flexibility.
We are currently following the recommendations of local and federal health authorities to minimize exposure risk for our various stakeholders, including employees. The full extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our business and operating results will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning COVID-19 and the actions required to contain COVID-19, the duration and spread of COVID-19 within the markets in which we operate, the availability of, use of and effectiveness of vaccines, mandates and directives from federal, state and local authorities, the effect of COVID-19 on consumer confidence and spending and our ability to maintain a sufficient workforce. If we do not respond appropriately to the pandemic, or if state and local authorities or customers do not perceive our response to be adequate, we could suffer damage to our reputation and our brand, which could adversely affect our business in the future.
Our business could be adversely affected by the occurrence of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks, public health threats, civil unrest, and inclement weather
Our operating results depend, in large part, on revenues derived from customers visiting our casinos and racetracks, which is subject to the occurrence and threat of extraordinary events that may discourage attendance or expose us to substantial liability. Terrorist activity, including acts of domestic terrorism, or other actions that discourage attendance at other locations, or even the threat of such activity, including public concerns regarding air travel, military actions, safety and additional national or local catastrophic incidents, could result in reduced attendance at Churchill Downs Racetrack and at our other locations. A major epidemic or pandemic, outbreak of a contagious equine disease, or the threat of such an event, could also adversely affect attendance and could impact the supply chain for our major construction projects resulting in higher costs and delays of the projects. The COVID-19 global pandemic resulted in the temporary suspension of operations of all of our wholly-owned gaming properties, certain wholly-owned racing operations, and the two casino properties related to our equity investments. Even though our properties have reopened, such properties continue to be subject to operational restrictions that may impact attendance. Riots, civil insurrection or social unrest could adversely affect attendance. For example, during the second and third quarters of 2020, certain areas of Louisville, Kentucky, experienced sustained protests and civil unrest. Similar events in the future could adversely affect attendance at Churchill Downs Racetrack. While we are constantly evaluating our security precautions in an effort to ensure the safety of the public, no security measures can guarantee safety and there can be no assurances of avoiding potential liabilities.
Since horse racing is conducted outdoors, unfavorable weather conditions, including extremely high and low temperatures, heavy rains, high winds, storms, tornadoes and hurricanes, could cause events to be canceled and/or attendance to be lower, resulting in reduced wagering. Climate change could have an impact on longer-term natural weather trends. Extreme weather events that are linked to rising temperatures, changing global weather patterns, sea, land and air temperatures, as well as sea levels, rain and snow could result in increased occurrence and severity of adverse weather events. Our operations are subject to reduced patronage, disruptions or complete cessation of operations due to weather conditions, natural disasters and other casualties. The occurrence or threat of any such extraordinary event at our locations, particularly at Churchill Downs Racetrack and Kentucky Derby and Oaks week, could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our business is sensitive to economic conditions which may affect consumer confidence, consumers’ discretionary spending, or our access to credit in a manner that adversely impacts our operations
Economic trends can impact consumer confidence and consumers’ discretionary spending, including:
•Negative economic conditions and the persistence of elevated levels of unemployment can impact consumers’ disposable incomes and, therefore, impact the demand for entertainment and leisure activities.
•Declines in the residential real estate market, increases in individual tax rates and other factors that we cannot accurately predict may reduce the disposable income of our customers.
•Decreases in consumer discretionary spending could affect us even if such decreases occur in other markets. For example, reduced wagering levels and profitability at racetracks from which we carry racing content could cause certain racetracks to cancel races or cease operations and therefore reduce the content we could provide to our customers.
Lower consumer confidence or reductions in consumers’ discretionary spending could result in fewer patrons spending money at our racetracks, our online wagering sites and gaming and wagering facilities, and reduced consumer spending overall.
Our access to and the cost of credit may be impacted to the extent global and U.S. credit markets are affected by downward economic trends. Economic trends can also impact the financial viability of other industry constituents, making collection of amounts owed to us uncertain. Our ability to respond to periods of economic contraction may be limited, as certain of our costs remain fixed or even increase when revenue declines.
We are vulnerable to additional or increased taxes and fees
We believe that the prospect of raising significant additional revenue through taxes and fees is one of the primary reasons that certain jurisdictions permit legalized gaming. As a result, gaming companies are typically subject to significant taxes and fees in addition to the normal federal, state, provincial and local income taxes and such taxes and fees may be increased at any time. From time to time, legislators and officials have proposed changes in tax laws or in the administration of laws affecting the horse racing, online wagering and casino industries. Many states and municipalities, including ones in which we operate, are currently experiencing budgetary pressures that may make it more likely they would seek to impose additional taxes and fees on our operations. We are subject to tax in multiple U.S. tax jurisdictions and judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets or liabilities and in evaluating our tax positions. It is not possible to determine the likelihood, extent or impact of any future changes in tax laws or fees, or changes in the administration of such laws; however, if enacted, such changes could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Strategic Risks
Our Company faces significant competition, and we expect competition levels to increase
We face an increasingly high degree of competition among a large number of participants operating from physical locations and/or through online or mobile platforms, including destination casinos, riverboat casinos; dockside casinos; land-based casinos; video lottery; iGaming; sports betting; gaming at taverns in certain states, such as Illinois; gaming at truck stop establishments in certain states, such as Louisiana and Pennsylvania; historical horse racing in Kentucky; sweepstakes and poker machines not located in casinos; fantasy sports; Native American gaming; and other forms of gaming in the U.S. Furthermore, competition from internet lotteries, sweepstakes, illegal slot machines and skill games, fantasy sports and internet or mobile-based gaming platforms, which allow their customers to wager on a wide variety of sporting events and/or play Las Vegas-style casino games from home or in non-casino settings could divert customers from our properties and thus adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Currently, there are proposals that would legalize internet poker, sports betting and other varieties of iGaming in a number of states. Expansion of land-based and iGaming in other jurisdictions (both regulated and unregulated) could further compete with our traditional and iGaming operations, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our operations also face competition from other leisure and entertainment activities, including shopping, athletic events, television and movies, concerts and travel. Legalized gaming is currently permitted in various forms throughout the U.S. and on various lands taken into trust for the benefit of certain Native Americans in the U.S. and Canada. Other jurisdictions, including states adjacent to states in which we currently have properties, have recently legalized, implemented and expanded gaming. Established gaming jurisdictions could award additional gaming licenses or permit the expansion or relocation of existing gaming operations. Voters and state legislatures may seek to supplement traditional tax revenue sources of state governments by authorizing or expanding gaming in the states that we operate in or the states that are adjacent to or near our existing properties. New, relocated or expanded operations by other persons could increase competition for our operations and could have a material adverse impact on us.
Our Churchill Downs Racetrack and the Kentucky Derby may be adversely affected by changes in consumer preferences, attendance, wagering, and sponsorships
Our Churchill Downs Racetrack is dependent upon the number of people attending and wagering on live horse races. According to industry sources, pari-mutuel handle declined on average 4.6% per year from 2008 to 2014 due to a number of factors, including increased competition from other wagering and entertainment alternatives. From 2015 to 2018, pari-mutuel handle on horse racing has been relatively stable with average annual growth of 1.7%. In 2019 and 2020, pari-mutuel handle decreased on average 1.5% per year due to horse race cancellations from safety concerns in California in 2019 and due to the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020. If interest in horse racing is lower in the future, it may have a negative impact on revenue and profitability in our Churchill Downs segment. If attendance at and wagering on live horse racing declines, it could have a material adverse impact on our business.
The number and level of sponsorships are important to the success of the Kentucky Derby. Our ability to retain sponsors, acquire new sponsors, and compete for sponsorships and advertising dollars could have a material adverse impact on our business.
An inability to attract and retain key and highly-qualified and skilled personnel could impact our ability to successfully develop, operate, and grow our business
We believe that our success depends in part on our ability to hire, develop, motivate and retain highly-qualified and skilled employees throughout our organization. If we do not successfully hire, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees, it is likely that we could experience significant disruptions in our operations and our ability to successfully develop, operate, and grow our business could be impacted.
Competition for the type of talent we seek to hire is increasingly intense in the geographic areas in which we operate. As a result, we may incur significant costs to attract and retain highly skilled employees. We may be unable to attract and retain the personnel necessary to sustain our business or support future growth.
Certain of our key employees are required to file applications with the gaming authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate and are required to be licensed or found suitable by these gaming authorities. If the gaming authorities were to find a key employee unsuitable for licensing, we may be required to sever the employee relationship, or the gaming authorities may require us to terminate the employment of any person who refuses to file appropriate applications. Either result could significantly impact our operations.
A lack of confidence in the integrity of our core businesses or any deterioration in our reputation could affect our ability to retain our customers and engage with new customers
Horse racing, pari-mutuel wagering and casino gaming businesses depend on the public perception of integrity and fairness in their operations. To prevent cheating or erroneous payouts, necessary oversight processes must be in place to ensure that such activities cannot be manipulated. A lack or loss of confidence in the fairness of our industries could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Acts of fraud or cheating in our gaming businesses through the use of counterfeit chips, covert schemes and other tactics, possibly in collusion with our employees, may be attempted or committed by our gaming customers with the aim of increasing their winnings. Our gaming customers, visitors and employees may also commit crimes such as theft in order to obtain chips not belonging to them. We have taken measures to safeguard our interests including the implementation of systems, processes and technologies to mitigate against these risks, extensive employee training, surveillance, security and investigation operations and adoption of appropriate security features on our chips such as embedded radio frequency identification tags. Despite our efforts, we may not be successful in preventing or detecting such culpable behavior and schemes in a timely manner and the relevant insurance we have obtained may not be sufficient to cover our losses depending on the incident, which could result in losses to our gaming operations and generate negative publicity, both of which could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations and cash flows.
Other factors that could influence our reputation include the quality of the services we offer and our actions with regard to social issues such as diversity, human rights and support for local communities. Broad access to social media makes it easy for anyone to provide public feedback that can influence perceptions of us or our properties. It may be difficult to control or effectively manage negative publicity, regardless of whether it is accurate. Negative events and publicity could quickly and materially damage perceptions of us, our properties, or our industries, which, in turn, could adversely impact our business, financial condition or results of operations through loss of customers, loss of business opportunities, lack of acceptance of our company to operate in host communities, employee retention or recruiting difficulties or other difficulties.
We are subject to significant risks associated with our equity investments, strategic alliances and other third-party agreements
We pursue certain license opportunities, development projects and other strategic business opportunities through equity investments, joint ventures, license arrangements and other alliances with third-parties.
Our equity investments are governed by mutually established agreements that we entered into with our co-investors and therefore, we do not unilaterally control the applicable entity or other initiatives. The terms of the equity investments and the rights of our co-investors may preclude us from taking actions that we believe to be in the best interests of the Company. Disagreements with our co-investors could result in delays in project development, including construction delays, and ultimate failure of the project. Our co-investors also may not be able to provide capital to the applicable entity on the terms agreed to or at all, and the applicable entity may be unable to obtain external financing to finance their operations. Also, our ability to exit the equity investments may be subject to contractual and other limitations.
With any third-party arrangement, there is a risk that our partners’ economic, business or legal interests or objectives may not be aligned with ours, leading to potential disagreements and/or failure of the applicable project or initiative. We are also subject to risks relating to our co-investors’ failure to satisfy contractual obligations, conflicts arising between us and any of our partners and changes in the ownership of any of our co-investors.
Any of these risks could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We may not be able to respond to rapid technological changes in a timely manner, which may cause customer dissatisfaction
Our Online Wagering and Gaming segments are characterized by the rapid development of new technologies and the continuous introduction of new products. Our main technological advantage versus potential competitors is our software lead-time in the market and our experience in operating an Internet-based wagering network. It may be difficult to maintain our competitive technological position against current and potential competitors, especially those with greater financial resources. Our success depends upon new product development and technological advancements, including the development of new wagering platforms and features. While we expend resources on research and development and product enhancement, we may not be able to continue to improve and market our existing products or technologies or develop and market new products in a timely manner. Further technological developments may cause our products or technologies to become obsolete or noncompetitive.
The concentration and evolution of the slot machine manufacturing industry or other technological conditions could impose additional costs on us
The majority of our gaming revenue is attributable to slot, VLTs, and video poker machines operated by us at our casinos and wagering facilities, and there are a limited number of slot machine manufacturers servicing the gaming industry. It is important for competitive reasons that we offer the most popular and up-to-date machine games with the latest technology to our guests. A substantial majority of the slot machines sold in the U.S. in recent years were manufactured by a few select companies, and there has been extensive consolidation activity within the gaming equipment sector. Recently, the prices of new machines have escalated faster than the rate of inflation and slot machine manufacturers have occasionally refused to sell slot machines featuring the most popular games, instead requiring participating lease arrangements in order to acquire the machines. Participation slot machine leasing arrangements typically require the payment of a fixed daily rental. Such agreements may also include a percentage payment of coin-in or net win. Generally, a participating lease is substantially more expensive over the long term than the cost to purchase a new machine. For competitive reasons, we may be forced to purchase new slot machines or enter into participating lease arrangements that are more expensive than the costs associated with the continued operation of our existing slot machines. If the newer slot machines do not result in sufficient incremental revenue to offset the increased investment, it could adversely affect our operations and profitability.
We rely on a variety of hardware and software products to maximize revenue and efficiency in our operations. Technology in the gaming industry is developing rapidly, and we may need to invest substantial amounts to acquire the most current gaming and hotel technology and equipment in order to remain competitive in the markets in which we operate. We rely on a limited number of vendors to provide video poker and slot machines and any loss of our equipment suppliers could impact our operations. Ensuring the successful implementation and maintenance of any new technology acquired is an additional risk.
Our operations in certain jurisdictions depend on agreements with industry constituents including horsemen and other racetracks, and the failure to enter into or maintain these agreements on terms acceptable to us could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition
Our operations in certain jurisdictions depend on agreements with third parties. If we are unable to renew these agreements on satisfactory terms as they expire, our business may be disrupted. For example, the Interstate Horseracing Act, as well as various state racing laws, require that we have written agreements with the horsemen at our racetracks in order to simulcast races, and, in some cases, conduct live racing. Certain industry groups negotiate these agreements on behalf of the horsemen (the "Horsemen’s Groups"). These agreements provide that we must receive the consent of the Horsemen’s Groups at the racetrack conducting live races before we may allow third parties to accept wagers on those races. We currently negotiate formal agreements with the applicable Horsemen’s Groups at our racetracks on an annual basis. The failure to maintain agreements with, or obtain consents from, the Horsemen's Groups on satisfactory terms or the refusal by a Horsemen’s Group to consent to third parties accepting wagers on our races or our accepting wagers on third-parties’ races could have a material adverse impact on our business, as such failure will result in our inability to conduct live racing and export and import simulcasting.
From time to time, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the Horsemen’s Group representing horsemen in California, the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., which represents horsemen in Florida, and the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association have withheld their consent to send or receive racing signals among racetracks. Failure to receive the consent of these Horsemen’s Groups for new and renewing simulcast agreements could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We also have written agreements with certain Horsemen’s Groups with regards to the proceeds of gaming machines in certain states that may be required to operate such gaming.
We have agreements with other racetracks for the distribution of racing content through both the import of other racetracks’ signals for wagering at our properties and the export of our racing signal for wagering at other racetracks’ facilities, OTBs, and ADWs. From time to time, we may be unable to reach agreements on terms acceptable to us. As a result, we may be unable to distribute our racing content to other locations or to receive other racetracks’ racing content for wagering at our racetracks. The inability to distribute our racing content could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We intend to expand our TwinSpires Sports and Casino business and there can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively, that our expansion initiatives will be successful, or that we will generate sufficient returns on our investment
During the second quarter of 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting. As a result, several jurisdictions in which we operate legalized sports betting and / or iGaming and additional jurisdictions may do so in the future. The success of our TwinSpires Sports and Casino business is dependent on potential legislation in various jurisdictions that affect the sports betting and iGaming industries in the U.S. We continue to engage with state lawmakers in our other jurisdictions to advocate for the passage of sports betting and iGaming laws with reasonable tax rates and license fees. There can be no assurances when, or if, regulations enabling sports betting and online casino gaming and poker will be adopted, or the terms of such regulations, in certain of the jurisdictions in which we operate.
States or the federal government may legalize online sports betting and iGaming in a manner that is unfavorable to us. If, like Nevada and New Jersey, state jurisdictions enact legislation legalizing online sports betting and iGaming subject to a brick-and-mortar requirement, we may be unable to offer online sports betting and iGaming in such jurisdictions if we are unable to establish an affiliation with a brick-and-mortar casino in such jurisdiction on acceptable terms. In order to compete successfully, we may need to enter into agreements with strategic partners and other third-party vendors and we may not be able to do so on terms that are favorable to us.
If we are unable to obtain, or are otherwise delayed in obtaining, the necessary licenses to operate our TwinSpires Sports and Casino business in U.S. jurisdictions where online sports betting and iGaming are legalized, our ability to grow our business could be materially impacted. Our ability to compete may also be impacted by our failure to obtain approval in the applicable jurisdiction of our technology and service providers in a timely manner and by our failure to efficiently implement and market our TwinSpires Sports and iGaming platform in a state that legalizes online sports betting and / or iGaming. Such failures could impair our business growth in these jurisdictions, which could have a material impact on our business.
Our TwinSpires Sports and Casino business competes in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market against an increasing number of competitors. The success of our proposed sports betting operations is dependent on a number of factors including the potential that the market does not develop as we anticipate, our ability to gain market share in a newly developing market, the competitive landscape and our ability to compete with new entrants in the market, our ability to implement effective, efficient, and compliant procedures and processes in each jurisdiction, changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences, the performance of and licensing of third- party vendors, and the availability and popularity of other forms of entertainment.
Operational Risks
We may not be able to identify and complete expansion, acquisition or divestiture projects on time, on budget or as planned
We expect to pursue expansion, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, and we regularly evaluate opportunities for development, including acquisitions or other strategic corporate transactions which may expand our business operations.
We could face challenges in identifying development projects that fit our strategic objectives, identifying potential acquisition or divestiture candidates and/or development partners, finding buyers, negotiating projects on acceptable terms, and managing and integrating such acquisition or development projects. As described in further detail below, new developments or acquisitions may not be completed or integrated successfully. The divestiture of existing businesses may be affected by our ability to identify potential buyers. Current or future regulation may postpone a divestiture pending certain resolutions to federal, state or local legislative issues. New properties or developments may not be completed or integrated successfully.
We may experience difficulty in integrating recent or future acquisitions into our operations
We have completed acquisition transactions in the past, and we may pursue acquisitions from time to time in the future. The successful integration of newly acquired businesses into our operations has required and will continue to require the expenditure of substantial managerial, operating, financial and other resources and may also lead to a diversion of our attention from our ongoing business concerns. We may not be able to successfully integrate new businesses, manage the combined operations or realize projected revenue gains, cost savings and synergies in connection with those acquisitions on the timetable contemplated, if at all. Management of the new business operations, especially those in new lines of business or different geographic areas, may require that we increase our managerial resources. The process of integrating new operations may also interrupt the activities of those businesses, which could have a material adverse impact on our business. The costs of integrating businesses we acquire could significantly impact our short-term operating results. These costs could include the following:
•restructuring charges associated with the acquisitions,
•non-recurring transaction costs, including accounting and legal fees, investment banking fees and recognition of transaction-related costs or liabilities, and
•costs of imposing financial and management controls and operating, administrative and information systems.
We perform financial, operational and legal diligence on the businesses we purchase; however, an unavoidable level of risk remains regarding the actual condition of these businesses and our ability to continue to operate them successfully and integrate them into our existing operations. In any acquisition we make, we face risks that include the following:
•the risk that the acquired business may not further our business strategy or that we paid more than the business was worth,
•the risk that the financial performance of the acquired business declines or fails to meet our expectations from and after the date of acquisition,
•the potential adverse impact on our relationships with partner companies or third-party providers of technology or products,
•the possibility that we have acquired substantial undisclosed liabilities for which we may have no recourse against the sellers or third-party insurers,
•costs and complications in maintaining required regulatory approvals or obtaining further regulatory approvals necessary to implement the acquisition in accordance with our strategy,
•the risks of acquiring businesses and/or entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience,
•the potential loss of key employees or customers,
•the possibility that we may be unable to retain or recruit managers with the necessary skills to manage the acquired businesses, and
•changes to legal and regulatory guidelines which may negatively affect acquisitions.
If we are unsuccessful in overcoming these risks, it could have a material adverse impact on our business.
The development of new venues and the expansion of existing facilities is costly and susceptible to delays, cost overruns and other uncertainties
We may decide to develop, construct and open hotels, casinos, other gaming venues, or racetracks in response to opportunities that may arise. Future development projects may require significant capital commitments and the incurrence of additional debt, which could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Ownership and development of our real estate requires significant expenditures and ownership of such properties is subject to risk, including risks related to environmental liabilities
We own extensive real estate holdings and make significant capital investments to grow our operations. All real estate investments are subject to risks including the following: general economic conditions, such as the availability and cost of financing; local and national real estate conditions, such as an oversupply of residential, office, retail or warehousing space, or a reduction in demand for real estate in the area; governmental regulation, including taxation of property and environmental legislation; and the attractiveness of properties to potential purchasers or tenants. Significant expenditures, including property taxes, debt repayments, maintenance costs, insurance costs and related charges, must be made throughout the period of ownership of real property. Such expenditures may negatively impact our operating results.
We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge, emission and disposal of hazardous materials. Environmental laws and regulations could hold us responsible for the cost of cleaning up hazardous materials contaminating real property that we own or operate (or previously owned or operated) or properties at which we have disposed of hazardous materials, even if we did not cause the contamination. Some of our facilities are subject to CAFO regulations. If we fail to comply with environmental laws or if contamination is discovered, a court or government agency could impose severe penalties or restrictions on our operations or assess us with the costs of taking remedial actions. We recently incurred such a penalty in connection with alleged CAFO non-compliance at Fair Grounds Race Course, as further discussed in Item 3, Legal Proceedings. Enforcement of such regulations have been receiving increased governmental attention and compliance with these and other environmental laws can, in some circumstances, require significant capital expenditures (including with respect to fines).
Our operations rely heavily on technology services, and catastrophic events and system failures with respect to these technology services could cause a significant and continued disruption to our operations
We rely on information technology and other systems to manage our business. A disruption or failure in our technology systems or operations in the event of a cyber-attack, major earthquake, weather event, terrorist attack or other catastrophic event could interrupt our operations, damage our properties and reduce the number of customers who visit our facilities in the affected areas. Security breaches could expose the Company to a risk of loss or misuse of our or our customers’ information, litigation and potential liability. In addition, cyber incidents that impact the availability, reliability, speed, accuracy or other proper functioning of our technology systems could impact our operations. A significant cyber incident, including system failure,
security breach, disruption by malware or other damage could interrupt or delay our operations, result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, damage our reputation, subject us to litigation, cause a loss of customers or give rise to remediation costs, monetary fines and other penalties, which could be significant.
Our online wagering, HRM and brick-and-mortar casino businesses depend upon our communications hardware and our computer hardware. We have built certain redundancies into our systems to attempt to avoid downtime in the event of outages, system failures or damage. Our systems also remain vulnerable to damage or interruption from floods, fires, power loss, telecommunication failures, terrorist cyber-attacks, hardware or software error, computer viruses, computer denial-of-service attacks and similar events. Despite any precautions we may take, the occurrence of a natural disaster or other unanticipated problems could result in lengthy interruptions in our services. Any unscheduled interruption in the availability of our websites and our services could result in an immediate, and possibly substantial, loss of revenue.
Our business is subject to online security risk, including cyber-security breaches. Loss or misuse of our stored information as a result of such a breach, including customers’ personal information, could lead to government enforcement actions or other litigation, potential liability, or otherwise harm our business
We receive, process, store and use personal information and other customer and employee data by maintaining and transmitting customers’ personal and financial information, credit card settlements, credit card funds transmissions, mailing lists and reservations information. Our collection of such data is subject to extensive regulation by private groups, such as the payment card industry, as well as governmental authorities, including gaming authorities.
There are numerous federal, state and local laws regarding privacy and the storing, sharing, use, processing, disclosure and protection of personal information and other data, and such privacy laws and regulations continue to evolve. Many states have passed laws requiring notification to customers when there is a security breach for personal data, such as the 2002 amendment to California’s Information Practices Act or requiring the adoption of minimum information security standards that are often vaguely defined and difficult to implement. California has adopted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the "CCPA"), which went into effect on January 1, 2020, providing California consumers greater control of the information collected, stored, and sold, and other states are considering similar legislation. The CCPA provides a private right of action (in addition to statutory damages) for California residents whose sensitive personal information was breached as a result of a business’s violation of its duty to reasonably secure such information. The costs of compliance with these laws may increase as a result of changes in interpretation or changes in law. Any failure on our part to comply with these laws or our privacy policies may subject us to significant liabilities, including governmental enforcement actions or litigation.
Our systems and processes that are designed to protect customer information and prevent data loss and other security breaches, including systems and processes designed to reduce the impact of a security breach at a third-party vendor, may not be successful. Interruptions in our services or a breach of a customer’s secure data could cause current or potential users to believe that our systems are unreliable, which could permanently harm our reputation and brand. These interruptions could also increase the burden on our engineering staff, which, in turn, could delay our introduction of new features and services on our websites and in our casinos. Such incidents could give rise to remediation costs, monetary fines and other penalties, which could be significant. We attempt to protect against this risk with our property and business interruption insurance, which covers damage or interruption of our systems, although there is no assurance that such insurance will be adequate to cover all potential losses.
Third-parties we work with, such as vendors, may violate applicable laws or our privacy policies, and such violations may also put our customers’ information at risk and could in turn have an adverse impact on our business. We are also subject to payment card association rules and obligations under each association’s contracts with payment card processors. Under these rules and obligations, if information is compromised, we could be liable to payment card issuers for the associated expense and penalties. If we fail to follow payment card industry security standards, even if no customer information is compromised, we could incur significant fines or experience a significant increase in payment card transaction costs.
Security breaches, computer malware and computer hacking attacks have become more prevalent in our industry, and hackers and data thieves are increasingly sophisticated and operate large-scale and complex automated attacks. Many companies, including ours, have been the targets of such attacks. Any security breach caused by hacking which involves efforts to gain unauthorized access to information or systems, or to cause intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware or other computer equipment, and the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could harm our business. Though it is difficult to determine what harm may directly result from any specific interruption or breach, any failure to maintain performance, reliability, security and availability of our network infrastructure to the satisfaction of our players may harm our reputation and our ability to retain existing players and attract new players.
The costs to eliminate or address the foregoing security threats and vulnerabilities before or after a cyber-incident could be significant. Our remediation efforts may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays or cessation of service, and loss of existing or potential suppliers or customers. As threats related to cyber-attacks develop and grow, we may also find it
necessary to make further investments to protect our data and infrastructure, which may impact our results of operations. We have insurance coverage for protection against cyber-attacks, which is designed to cover expenses around notification, credit monitoring, investigation, crisis management, public relations, and legal advice. This insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover all possible claims, and we could suffer losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems, change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures.
Horse racing is an inherently dangerous sport and our racetracks are subject to personal injury litigation
Personal injuries and injuries to horses have occurred during races or workouts, and may continue to occur, which could subject us to negative publicity and / or litigation. Negative publicity may lead some customers to avoid the Company’s properties or could cause horse owners to avoid racing their horses at our racetracks. Any litigation resulting from injuries at our properties could be costly and time consuming and could divert our management and key personnel from our business operations. We buy insurance for all of our racetracks; however, our coverage may not be sufficient for all losses. Due to the potential impact of negative publicity and inherent uncertainty related to the outcome of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
Any violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, other similar laws and regulations, or applicable anti-money laundering regulations could have a negative impact on us
We are subject to risks associated with doing business outside of the U.S., including exposure to complex foreign and U.S. regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA") and other anti-corruption laws which generally prohibit U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Violations of the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws may result in severe criminal and civil sanctions and other penalties. It may be difficult to oversee the conduct of any contractors, third-party partners, representatives or agents who are not our employees, potentially exposing us to greater risk from their actions. If our employees or agents fail to comply with applicable laws or company policies governing our international operations, we may face legal proceedings and actions which could result in civil penalties, administration actions and criminal sanctions.
Any determination that we have violated any anti-corruption laws could have a material adverse impact on our business. We also deal with significant amounts of cash in our operations and are subject to various reporting and anti-money laundering regulations. Any violation of anti-money laundering laws or regulations by any of our properties could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We are subject to payment-related risks, such as risk associated with the fraudulent use of credit or debit cards which could have adverse effects on our business due to chargebacks from customers
We allow funding and payments to accounts using a variety of methods, including electronic funds transfer ("EFT") and credit and debit cards. As we continue to introduce new funding or payment options to our players, we may be subject to additional regulatory and compliance requirements. We also may be subject to the risk of fraudulent use of credit or debit cards, or other funding and/or payment options. For certain funding or payment options, including credit and debit cards, we may pay interchange and other fees which may increase over time and, therefore, raise operating costs and reduce profitability. We rely on third parties to provide payment-processing services and it could disrupt our business if these companies become unwilling or unable to provide these services to us. We are also subject to rules and requirements governing EFT which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we fail to comply with these rules or requirements, we may be subject to fines and higher transaction fees or possibly lose our ability to accept credit or debit cards, or other forms of payment from customers which could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Chargebacks occur when customers seek to void credit card or other payment transactions. Cardholders are intended to be able to reverse card transactions only if there has been unauthorized use of the card or the services contracted for have not been provided. In our business, customers occasionally seek to reverse online gaming losses through chargebacks. Our control procedures to protect from chargebacks may not be sufficient to protect us from adverse effects on our business or results of operations.
Work stoppages and other labor problems could negatively impact our future plans and limit our operational flexibility
Some of our employees are represented by labor unions. A strike or other work stoppage at one of our properties could have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations. From time to time, we have also experienced attempts to unionize certain of our non-union employees. We may experience additional union activity in the future. Any such union organization efforts could cause disruptions in our business and result in significant costs.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We face risks related to pending or future legal proceedings and other actions
From time to time, we are a party in various lawsuits and judicial and governmental actions. No assurance can be provided as to the outcome of these lawsuits and actions which can be expensive and time consuming. We may not be successful in the defense or prosecution of these lawsuits or actions, which could result in settlements, costs or damages that could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and reputation. Such matters may include investigations or litigation from various parties, including vendors, customers, state and federal agencies, stockholders and employees relating to intellectual property, employment, consumer, personal injury, corporate governance, commercial or other matters arising in the ordinary course of business.
Judicial actions involving third parties may also indirectly impact our business. For example, as described further in Item 3. Legal Proceedings, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, on September 24, 2020, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued an opinion reversing a prior ruling of the Franklin Circuit Court with respect to the legality of certain Encore/Exacta historical racing machines in operation in Kentucky as of the January 2018 trial date, and holding that wagers placed through such machines are not pari-mutuel and are therefore prohibited under Kentucky law. Although we do not use the Encore/Exacta system in any of our historical racing machine facilities, this opinion, depending on how it is interpreted and enforced or addressed by the legislature may impact our historical racing machine facilities in Kentucky.
We have also been subject to claims in cases concerning or similar to class action allegations. Plaintiffs in such lawsuits often seek recovery of very large or indeterminate amounts, and the magnitude of the potential loss and defense costs relating to such lawsuits may not be accurately estimated. We evaluate all of the claims and proceedings involving us to assess the expected outcome, and where possible, we estimate the potential losses we may incur. In many cases, including class action matters, we may not be able to estimate the potential losses we will incur and/or our estimates may prove to be insufficient. These assessments are made by management based on the information available at the time made and require the use of a significant amount of judgment, and actual outcomes or losses may materially differ. Regardless of whether any claims against us are valid, or whether we are ultimately held liable, such litigation may be expensive to defend and may divert resources away from our operations and negatively impact earnings. We may not be able to obtain adequate insurance to protect us from these types of litigation matters or extraordinary business losses.
Our operations are highly regulated and changes in the regulatory environment could adversely affect our business
We conduct live and historical pari-mutuel wagering, online pari-mutuel wagering through ADWs, casino gaming, online gaming, and sports betting operations, which are subject to extensive state and for some local regulation. These regulatory authorities have broad discretion, and may, for any reason set forth in the applicable legislation, rules and regulations, limit, condition, suspend, fail to renew or revoke a license or registration to conduct our operations or prevent another person from owning an equity interest in the Company. Regulatory authorities have input into our operations, such as hours of operation, location or relocation of a facility, and numbers and types of machines. Regulators may also levy substantial fines against or seize our assets, the assets of our subsidiaries or the people involved in violating gaming laws or regulations. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We have demonstrated suitability to obtain and have obtained all governmental licenses, registrations, permits and approvals necessary for us to operate our existing businesses. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain those existing licenses or demonstrate suitability to obtain any new licenses, registrations, permits or approvals. In addition, the loss of a license in one jurisdiction could trigger the loss of a license or affect our eligibility for a license in another jurisdiction. As we expand our operations in our existing jurisdictions or to new areas, we may have to meet additional suitability requirements and obtain additional licenses, registrations, permits and approvals from authorities in these jurisdictions. The approval process can be time-consuming and costly, and we cannot be sure that we will be successful.
Our Churchill Downs segment is subject to extensive state and local regulation, and we depend on continued state approval of legalized pari-mutuel wagering in states where we operate. Our wagering and racing (including HRM) facilities must meet the licensing requirements of various regulatory authorities. To date, we have obtained all governmental licenses, registrations, permits and approvals necessary for operation. However, we may be unable to maintain our existing licenses. The failure to obtain such licenses in the future or the loss of or material change in our business licenses, registrations, permits or approvals may materially limit the number of races we conduct or our racing (including HRM) operations, and could have a material adverse impact on our business. In addition, the loss of a license in one jurisdiction could trigger the loss of a license or affect our eligibility for a license in another jurisdiction.
Regulatory authorities also have input into important aspects of our operations, including hours of operation, location or relocation of a facility, and numbers and types of HRMs. Regulators may also levy substantial fines against or seize our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries or the people involved in violating pari-mutuel laws or regulations. Any of these events could have an adverse impact on our business.
TwinSpires accepts ADWs from customers of certain states who set up and fund accounts from which they may place wagers via telephone, mobile device or through the Internet pursuant to the Interstate Horseracing Act and relevant licenses and consents. The online horse racing wagering business is heavily regulated, and laws governing ADW pari-mutuel wagering vary from state to state. State attorney generals, regulators, and other law enforcement officials may interpret state laws, federal laws, constitutional principles, and the related regulations in a different manner than we do which could have an adverse impact on our business.
Our expansion opportunities with respect to ADW may be limited unless more states amend their laws or regulations to permit ADW. Conversely, if states take affirmative action to make ADW expressly unlawful, this could have a material adverse impact on our business. For example, we ceased accepting wagers from Texas residents in September 2013 due to the enforcement of a Texas law prohibiting ADW. Legal challenges and regulatory and legislative processes can be lengthy, costly and uncertain. We may not be successful in lobbying state legislatures or regulatory bodies to obtain or renew required legislation, licenses, registrations, permits and approvals necessary to facilitate the operation or expansion of our online horse racing wagering business or in any legal challenge to the validity of any restrictions on ADW.
Many states have considered and are considering interactive and Internet gaming legislation and regulations which may inhibit our ability to do business in such states or increase competition for online wagering. Anti-gaming conclusions and recommendations of other governmental or quasi-governmental bodies could form the basis for new laws, regulations, and enforcement policies that could have a material adverse impact on our business. The extensive regulation by both state and federal authorities of gaming activities also can be significantly affected by changes in the political climate and changes in economic and regulatory policies. Such effects could have a material adverse impact to the success of our ADW operations.
Financial Risks
Our debt facilities contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business
Our debt facilities contain a number of covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on our business, including restrictions on our ability to, among other things, take the following actions:
•incur additional debt or issue certain preferred shares,
•pay dividends on or make distributions in respect of our capital stock, repurchase common shares or make other restricted payments,
•make certain investments,
•sell certain assets or consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets,
•create liens on certain assets,
•enter into certain transactions with our affiliates, and
•designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.
As a result of these covenants, we are limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs.
Any failure to comply with the financial ratios and other covenants in our debt facilities and other indebtedness could have a material adverse impact on our business
Under our debt facilities, we are required to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios. Our ability to meet those financial ratios can be affected by events beyond our control, and as a result, we may be unable to meet those ratios. A failure to comply with the financial ratios and other covenants contained in our debt facilities or our other indebtedness could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial condition. In the event of any default under our debt facilities or our other indebtedness, the lenders thereunder:
•will not be required to lend any additional amounts to us,
•could elect to declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees, to be due and payable and could terminate all commitments to extend further credit, or
•could require us to apply all of our available cash to repay these borrowings.
We have pledged a significant portion of our assets as collateral under our debt facilities. If any of these lenders accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we may not have sufficient assets to repay our indebtedness and our lenders could exercise their rights against the collateral we have granted them.
Our insurance costs may increase, we may not be able to obtain similar insurance coverage in the future, and the extent to which we can recover under our insurance policies for damages sustained at our operating properties in the event of inclement weather and casualty events, all could adversely affect our business
We renew our insurance policies on an annual basis. The cost of coverage may become so high that we may need to further reduce our policy limits or agree to certain additional exclusions from our coverage. If we are unable to obtain sufficient insurance coverage, we could be at risk for increased potential losses, which could be substantial. In addition, our debt instruments and other material agreements require us to meet certain standards related to insurance coverage. If we are unable to obtain sufficient insurance coverage to satisfy these requirements, an event of default could result under these debt instruments or material agreements.
Furthermore, portions of our business are difficult or impracticable to insure. Therefore, after carefully weighing the costs, risks, and benefits of retaining versus insuring various risks, as well as the availability of certain types of insurance coverage, we may opt to retain certain risks not covered by our insurance policies. Retained risks are associated with deductible limits or self-insured retentions, partial self-insurance programs and insurance policy coverage ceilings.
Flooding, blizzards, windstorms, earthquakes, hurricanes or other weather conditions could adversely affect our casino and horse racing locations. We maintain insurance coverage that may cover certain costs that we incur as a result of some natural disasters, which coverage is subject to deductibles, exclusions and limits on maximum benefits. We may not be able to fully collect, if at all, on any claims resulting from extreme weather conditions or other disasters. If any of our properties are damaged or if our operations are disrupted or face prolonged closure as a result of weather conditions in the future, or if weather conditions adversely impact general economic or other conditions in the areas in which our properties are located or from which we draw our patrons, the disruption could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We have "all risk" property insurance coverage for our operating properties which covers damage caused by a casualty loss (such as fire, natural disasters, acts of war, or terrorism). Our level of property insurance coverage, which is subject to policy maximum limits and certain exclusions, may not be adequate to cover all losses in the event of a major casualty. In addition, certain casualty events may not be covered at all under our policies. Therefore, certain acts could expose us to substantial uninsured losses. Any losses we incur that are not adequately covered by insurance may decrease our future operating income, require us to fund replacements or repairs for destroyed property and reduce the funds available for payment of our obligations.
ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.PROPERTIES
We own the following real property:
•100 acres at Churchill Downs and our auxiliary training facility at Derby City Gaming in Louisville, Kentucky
•Arlington International Race Course in Arlington Heights, Illinois
•Oxford in Oxford, Maine
•Riverwalk in Vicksburg, Mississippi
•Calder in Miami Gardens, Florida
•Fair Grounds and certain VSI properties in New Orleans, Louisiana
•Ocean Downs in Ocean City, Maryland
•Derby City Gaming in Louisville, Kentucky
•Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania
•Oak Grove Racing and Gaming in Oak Grove, Kentucky
•Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky
We lease the following real property:
•Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky - we lease 158 acres under a 30-year lease entered into in 2020 where we transferred title of the facility to the City of Louisville, Kentucky, and retained the right to re-acquire the facility at any time or $1.00, subject to the terms of the lease as part of the financing of the improvements to the facility.
•Harlow's in Greenville, Mississippi - we lease the land on which the casino and hotel are located
•Certain VSI properties in New Orleans, Louisiana
•Lady Luck Nemacolin in Farmington, Pennsylvania - we lease the building as part of the management agreement
•TwinSpires.com and Brisnet in Lexington, Kentucky
•United Tote in Louisville, Kentucky; San Diego, California; and Portland, Oregon
•Corporate and Online Wagering headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky
•Online Wagering office in Vancouver, Canada
•Newport Racing and Gaming in Newport, Kentucky
ITEM 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In addition to the matters described below, we are also involved in ordinary routine litigation matters which are incidental to our business.
Kater Class Action Suit
On April 17, 2015, the Cheryl Kater v. Churchill Downs Incorporated class action lawsuit (the "Kater Litigation") was filed in the United District Court for the Western District of Washington (the "Washington District Court") alleging, among other claims, that the Company’s "Big Fish Casino" operated by the Company’s then-wholly owned mobile gaming subsidiary Big Fish Games, Inc. ("Big Fish Games") violated Washington law, including the Washington Consumer Protection Act, by facilitating unlawful gambling through virtual casino games (namely the slots, blackjack, poker, and roulette games offered through Big Fish Casino), and seeking, among other things, return of monies lost, reasonable attorney’s fees, treble damages, and injunctive relief. On January 9, 2018, the Company sold Big Fish Games to Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. ("Aristocrat"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Limited, an Australian corporation, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2017, by and among the Company, Big Fish Games and Aristocrat (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to indemnify Aristocrat for the losses and expenses associated with the Kater Litigation for Big Fish Games, which is referred to in the Stock Purchase Agreement as the "Primary Specified Litigation."
After the Washington District Court dismissed the case with prejudice on November 19, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed and remanded the Washington District Court’s dismissal of the complaint on March 28, 2018. The complaint was amended on March 20, 2019, to add Big Fish Games as a party and to assert claims on behalf of an additional plaintiff, Suzie Kelly.
On May 22, 2020, the parties entered into an agreement in principle to settle the Kater litigation and the Thimmegowda litigation (as defined below). The agreement in principle remains contingent on final court approval by the Washington District Court. Under the terms of the settlement, which will take effect only after final court approval of the proposed class settlement: (i) a total of $155.0 million will be paid into a settlement fund. The Company will pay $124.0 million of the settlement; Aristocrat will pay $31.0 million of the settlement; (ii) all members of the nationwide settlement class who do not exclude themselves will release all claims relating to the subject matter of the lawsuits; and (iii) Aristocrat has agreed to specifically release the Company of any and all indemnification obligations under the Stock Purchase Agreement arising from or related to the Kater Litigation and Thimmegowda Litigation, including any claims of diminution of value of Big Fish Games and any claims by any person who opts out of the proposed class settlement.
On August 31, 2020, the Washington District Court granted the parties' motion for preliminary approval. On December 14, 2020, plaintiffs filed a motion for final approval of class action settlement agreement. The Washington District Court entered an order granting final approval of class action settlement on February 11, 2021. The Company’s settlement contribution will be made by March 26, 2021.
Thimmegowda Class Action Suit
On February 11, 2019, the Manasa Thimmegowda v. Big Fish Games, Inc. class action lawsuit (the "Thimmegowda Litigation") was filed in the Washington District Court alleging, among other claims, that “Big Fish Casino,” which is operated by Big Fish Games, violated Washington law, including the Washington Consumer Protection Act, and seeking, among other things, return of monies lost, reasonable attorney’s fees, injunctive relief, and treble and punitive damages.
On May 22, 2020, the parties entered into an agreement in principle to settle the Kater and Thimmegowda Litigations. The agreement in principle with respect to the Thimmegowda Litigation is described above, under the "Kater Class Action Suit." On August 31, 2020, the Washington District Court granted the parties' motion for preliminary approval. On December 14, 2020, plaintiffs filed a motion for final approval of class action settlement agreement. The Washington District Court entered an order granting final approval of class action settlement on February 11, 2021. The Company’s settlement contribution will be made by March 26, 2021.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, et al. v. The Family Trust Foundation of Kentucky, Inc.
In 2010, all Kentucky racetracks and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (the "KHRC" and together with the Kentucky racetracks, the "Joint Petitioners") sought a declaration from the Franklin Circuit Court (the "Court") that: (i) the KHRC’s historical racing regulations are valid under Kentucky law, and (ii) operating historical racing machines ("HRMs") pursuant to a license issued by KHRC would not run afoul of any criminal gaming statutes. The Family Trust Foundation of Kentucky, Inc. (the "Family Foundation") intervened, and the Court subsequently granted summary judgment to the Joint Petitioners holding that the KHRC's historical racing regulations are valid under Kentucky law. Following an appeal to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, in February 2014 the Supreme Court of Kentucky affirmed the Court’s decision that the regulations are valid under Kentucky law, but remanded the case to the Court to determine whether operation of HRMs that were licensed during the
pendency of the litigation constitute pari-mutuel wagering. The Court held a trial during the week of January 8, 2018 to determine whether the games from one of the HRM manufacturers (Encore/Exacta) are pari-mutuel, and the Court set a post-trial briefing schedule for the parties. The Court ordered, on August 24, 2017, that this pending litigation directly involves only the HRMs presently in use and any future HRMs proposed by the Company would not be included in the pending case. On October 24, 2018, the Court ruled that the HRMs in question (Encore/Exacta) are a pari-mutuel system of wagering legally permitted under Kentucky law. In November 2018, the Family Foundation filed a notice of appeal and subsequently filed a motion to transfer the appeal directly to the Kentucky Supreme Court, which was granted in June 2019. On September 24, 2020, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued an opinion reversing the Court’s opinion. On November 9, 2020, the KHRC and certain other defendants filed petitions for rehearing which was rejected by the Court. On February 3, 2021, the Court set a schedule whereby the parties shall submit proposed judgments for the Court’s consideration on or before February 24, 2021, and the parties may then submit responses to the opposing proposed judgments on or before March 5, 2021 before the Court takes the matter under submission and enters a judgment. The Company does not use the Exacta system in any of its historical racing machine facilities in Kentucky. On February 22, 2021, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky signed into law Senate Bill 120 which creates a statutory definition of pari-mutuel wagering that includes historical horse racing approved by the KHRC and addresses the Supreme Court of Kentucky's opinion. We do not believe that any further rulings in this case will impact our ability to operate HRM facilities in Kentucky.
Lassiter v. Kentucky Downs, LLC, et al.
On December 18, 2020, Robert and Patricia Lassiter filed a complaint against Kentucky Downs, LLC, Keeneland Association, Inc., Turfway Park, LLC, Players Bluegrass Downs, LLC, Appalachian Racing, LLC, Ellis Park Race Course, Inc., The Lexington Trots Breeders Association, Inc., and Churchill Downs Incorporated (“Defendants”). Plaintiffs allege that Defendants’ HRMs constitute illegal gambling and assert that they can recover for their losses and the losses of all patrons at those facilities with HRMs over a five-year period under Kentucky Revised Statutes 372.010. After an initial extension of the deadline to respond agreed to by the parties, the Jefferson County Circuit Court granted a further extension through March 31, 2021. The Company intends to defend this matter vigorously and believes that there are meritorious legal and factual defenses against the plaintiffs' allegations and requests for relief.
Louisiana Environmental Protection Agency Non-Compliance Issue
On December 6, 2013, we received a notice from the EPA regarding alleged CAFO non-compliance at Fair Grounds Race Course. On October 21, 2019, we reached an agreement in principle, subject to final agreement and regulatory and court approval. On September 29, 2020, the EPA filed a complaint and proposed consent decree, which was agreed to by both parties. Comments were due by January 11, 2021. If approved, the agreement will include a $2.8 million penalty, which has been accrued and is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss) income for the year ended December 31, 2019, and accrued expense and other current liabilities in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2020 and 2019. The consent decree would also require corrective measures to ensure compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations.
Louisiana Horsemen's Purses Class Action Suit
On April 21, 2014, John L. Soileau and other individuals filed a Petition for Declaratory Judgment, Permanent Injunction, and Damages-Class Action styled John L. Soileau, et. al. versus Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing, LLC, Churchill Downs Louisiana Video Poker Company, LLC (Suit No. 14-3873) in the Parish of Orleans Civil District Court, State of Louisiana (the "District Court"). The petition defined the "alleged plaintiff class" as quarter horse owners, trainers and jockeys that have won purses at the "Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots" facility in New Orleans, Louisiana since the first effective date of La. R.S. 27:438 and specifically since 2008. The petition alleged that Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing, LLC and Churchill Downs Louisiana Video Poker Company, LLC ("Fair Grounds Defendants") have collected certain monies through video draw poker devices that constitute monies earned for purse supplements and all of those supplemental purse monies have been paid to thoroughbred horsemen during Fair Grounds’ live thoroughbred horse meets. La. R.S. 27:438 requires a portion of those supplemental purse monies to be paid to quarter-horse horsemen during Fair Grounds’ live quarter-horse meets. The petition requested that the District Court declare that Fair Grounds Defendants violated La. R.S. 27:438, issue a permanent and mandatory injunction ordering Fair Grounds Defendants to pay all future supplements due to the plaintiff class pursuant to La. R.S. 27:438, and to pay the plaintiff class such sums as it finds to reasonably represent the value of the sums due to the plaintiff class. On August 14, 2014, the plaintiffs filed an amendment to their petition naming the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association 1993, Inc. ("HBPA") as an additional defendant and alleging that HBPA is also liable to plaintiffs for the disputed purse funds. On October 9, 2014, HBPA and Fair Grounds Defendants filed exceptions to the suit, including an exception of primary jurisdiction seeking referral to the Louisiana Racing Commission. By Judgment dated November 21, 2014, the District Court granted the exception of primary jurisdiction and referred the matter to the Louisiana Racing Commission. On January 26, 2015, the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the plaintiffs’ request for supervisory review of the Judgment. On August 24, 2015, the Louisiana Racing Commission ruled that the plaintiffs did not have standing
or a right of action to pursue the case. The plaintiffs appealed this decision to the District Court, which affirmed the Louisiana Racing Commission’s ruling. The plaintiffs filed an appeal of the District Court’s decision with the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed the Louisiana Racing Commission’s ruling and remanded the matter to the Louisiana Racing Commission for further proceedings on June 13, 2018. The Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Fair Grounds Defendants’ Motion for Rehearing on July 12, 2018 and the Louisiana Supreme Court denied the Fair Grounds Defendants’ Writ of Certiorari seeking review of that decision on November 14, 2018.
The parties had previously attempted to mediate the matter in October 2018 but were unsuccessful. Thereafter, the parties resumed informal settlement discussions, and, as a result, the Company established an accrual for an immaterial amount in the third quarter of 2019. The parties submitted a settlement agreement to the District Court on February 14, 2020, following the Louisiana Racing Commission’s approval to transfer the matter to the District Court for approval and administration of the settlement agreement on February 12, 2020. At a hearing on February 18, 2020, the District Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement agreement and set certain deadlines relating to actions to be taken by class members. The settlement agreement requires, among other items, the Fair Grounds Defendants to (i) pay a certain out-of-pocket amount that is within the amount for which we established an accrual in the third quarter of 2019, and (ii) support legislation that allocates a specified amount of video poker purse funds to quarter horse purses for races at Fair Grounds with maximum annual payout caps that are not deemed material. On June 13, 2020, the legislation addressed in the settlement agreement was passed by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor of Louisiana. The settlement includes a release of claims against the Fair Grounds Defendants in connection with the proceeding, although individual plaintiffs may opt-out. If there are opt-out claims in excess of $50,000, the settlement will be voided, unless the parties agree to stipulate otherwise. The settlement agreement is subject to certain conditions, including court approval. After the parties entered into the settlement, legal counsel for six objecting plaintiffs filed an amended petition with the District Court. After a hearing on July 20, 2020, the District Court dismissed the amended petition. The objecting plaintiffs filed a notice of their intention to seek a writ with the Louisiana Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit related to the dismissal of the amended petition, which was denied. The fairness hearing with the District Court relating to the terms of the settlement agreement occurred on October 7, 2020, and November 17, 2020, and the parties have submitted post-trial briefing and proposed final judgments. Objecting plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal of the February 2020 Order appointing class counsel certifying a class for settlement purposes. On January 28, 2021, the District Court issued a Final Order and Judgement approving the settlement. The objector’s appellant brief in support of their appeal of the February 2020 preliminary approval was filed on February 9, 2021, and the Fair Grounds Defendants’ brief is due on March 1, 2021. The objectors have until April 9, 2021, to file a notice of appeal of the January 28, 2021 Final Order and Judgment.
ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market for Common Stock
The Company's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CHDN. As of February 10, 2021, there were approximately 2,420 shareholders of record.
Dividends
Since joining The Nasdaq Global Select Market in 1993, we have declared and paid cash dividends on an annual basis at the discretion of our Board of Directors. The payment and amount of future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our operating results, financial condition, cash requirements and general business conditions at the time such payment is considered. We declared a dividend of $0.622 in December 2020, which was paid in January 2021, and we declared a dividend of $0.581 in December 2019, which was paid in January 2020.
Issuer Purchases of Common Stock
The following table provides information with respect to shares of common stock that we repurchased during the quarter ended December 31, 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased | | Average Price Paid Per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs (in millions) (1) | |
10/1/2020-10/31/2020 | | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | 147.1 | | |
11/1/2020-11/30/2020 | | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | 147.1 | | |
12/1/2020-12/31/2020 | | 17,852 | | | $ | 194.79 | | | — | | | 147.1 | | |
Total | | 17,852 | | | $ | 194.79 | | | — | | | | |
(1)On October 30, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a new common stock repurchase program of up to $300.0 million inclusive of any remaining authorization under the prior program. The repurchase program has $147.1 million of repurchase authorization remaining that can be used to repurchase shares under plans or programs. The repurchase program has no time limit and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
Shareholder Return Performance Graph
The following performance graph and related information shall not be deemed "soliciting material" nor to be "filed" with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing.
The following graph depicts the cumulative total shareholder return, assuming reinvestment of dividends, for the periods indicated for our Common Stock compared to the Russell 2000 Index, S&P Midcap 400 Index, and the S&P 500 Index. We consider the Russell 2000 Index to be our most comparable peer group index. We added the S&P Midcap 400 Index as a comparison beginning in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. The S&P Midcap 400 Index
includes the Company's results and also reflects companies which have a more comparable market capitalization than the S&P 500 Index.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 12/31/2015 | | 12/31/2016 | | 12/31/2017 | | 12/31/2018 | | 12/31/2019 | | 12/31/2020 |
Churchill Downs Incorporated | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 107.25 | | | $ | 166.96 | | | $ | 176.08 | | | $ | 298.43 | | | $ | 425.14 | |
Russell 2000 Index | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 121.31 | | | $ | 139.08 | | | $ | 123.76 | | | $ | 155.35 | | | $ | 186.36 | |
S&P Midcap 400 Index | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 120.74 | | | $ | 140.35 | | | $ | 124.80 | | | $ | 157.49 | | | $ | 179.00 | |
S&P 500 Index | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 111.96 | | | $ | 136.40 | | | $ | 130.42 | | | $ | 171.49 | | | $ | 203.04 | |
ITEM 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
(In millions, except per common share data) | 2020(a)(f) | | 2019(b)(f)(g) | | 2018(c)(f)(g) | | 2017(d)(f)(g) | | 2016(e)(f)(g) |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Net revenue | $ | 1,054.0 | | | $ | 1,329.7 | | | $ | 1,009.0 | | | $ | 882.6 | | | $ | 822.4 | |
Operating income | 60.2 | | | 215.7 | | | 188.8 | | | 145.7 | | | 172.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations, net of tax | 13.3 | | | 139.6 | | | 182.6 | | | 122.4 | | | 96.7 | |
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax | (95.4) | | | (2.4) | | | 170.2 | | | 18.1 | | | 11.4 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income attributable to Churchill Downs Incorporated | (81.9) | | | 137.5 | | | 352.8 | | | 140.5 | | | 108.1 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income from continuing operations per common share: | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 0.34 | | | $ | 3.49 | | | $ | 4.42 | | | $ | 2.59 | | | $ | 1.94 | |
Diluted | $ | 0.33 | | | $ | 3.44 | | | $ | 4.39 | | | $ | 2.55 | | | $ | 1.92 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Balance sheet data at period end: | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | $ | 2,686.4 | | | $ | 2,551.0 | | | $ | 1,725.2 | | | $ | 2,359.4 | | | $ | 2,254.4 | |
Total debt, net | 1,622.3 | | | 1,473.9 | | | 884.3 | | | 1,129.2 | | | 921.7 | |
Total liabilities | 2,319.3 | | | 2,040.0 | | | 1,251.9 | | | 1,719.1 | | | 1,569.4 | |
Shareholders’ equity | 367.1 | | | 511.0 | | 473.3 | | | 640.3 | | | 685.0 | |
Shareholders’ equity per common share | $ | 9.27 | | | $ | 12.80 | | | $ | 11.72 | | | $ | 13.85 | | | $ | 13.85 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Other data: | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from operating activities | $ | 141.9 | | | $ | 289.6 | | | $ | 197.8 | | | $ | 215.1 | | | $ | 231.4 | |
Capital maintenance expenditures | 23.0 | | | 48.3 | | | 29.6 | | | 33.3 | | | 30.9 | |
Capital project expenditures | 211.2 | | | 82.9 | | | 119.8 | | | 83.6 | | | 23.8 | |
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.622 | | | $ | 0.581 | | | $ | 0.543 | | | $ | 0.507 | | | $ | 0.440 | |
Cash dividends paid | $ | 23.4 | | | $ | 22.2 | | | $ | 23.7 | | | $ | 21.5 | | | $ | 19.1 | |
Common stock repurchases | $ | 27.9 | | | $ | 93.0 | | | $ | 532.0 | | | $ | 179.5 | | | $ | 27.6 | |
The selected financial data presented above is subject to the following information:
(a)2020 reflects the impact of the closure of certain properties for different portions of the year as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic had on the Company's operations. 2020 also includes a $17.5 million impairment of intangible assets.
(b)2019 includes:
–the results from the dates of acquisition through December 31, 2019 for Presque Isle, Lady Luck Nemacolin, Turfway Park, and the equity investment in Rivers Des Plaines, and
–$10.0 million accelerated amortization of the purchase and sale rights related to the Turfway Park Acquisition.
(c)2018 includes the $54.9 million pre-tax gain on the Ocean Downs/Saratoga Transaction and the consolidated results of Ocean Downs after August 31, 2018.
(d)2017 includes a $21.7 million impairment of tangible and intangible assets and a $20.7 million loss on extinguishment of debt. 2017 also includes a $57.7 million income tax benefit resulting primarily from the re-measurement of our net deferred tax liabilities as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts ("Tax Act").
(e)2016 includes a $23.7 million gain on Calder land sale.
(f)Big Fish Games is accounted for as discontinued operations from the date of acquisition on December 16, 2014 through December 31, 2020 as a result of the Big Fish Transaction.
(g)All per share amounts presented were retroactively adjusted to reflect the Stock Split for shareholders of record on January 11, 2019 and with an effective date of January 25, 2019. CHDN stock began trading at the split adjusted price on January 28, 2019.
ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The following discussion provides an analysis of our results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for 2020 as compared to 2019. Discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for 2019 as compared to 2018 is included in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2020.
Our Business
The Company is an industry-leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event, the Kentucky Derby. We own and operate three pari-mutuel gaming entertainment venues with approximately 3,050 historical racing machines ("HRMs") in Kentucky. We also own and operate TwinSpires, one of the largest and most profitable online wagering platforms for horse racing, sports and iGaming in the U.S. and we have seven retail sportsbooks. We are also a leader in brick-and-mortar casino gaming in eight states with approximately 11,000 slot machines and video lottery terminals ("VLTs") and 200 table games. We were organized as a Kentucky corporation in 1928, and our principal executive offices are located in Louisville, Kentucky.
For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into three reportable segments as follows: Churchill Downs, Online Wagering and Gaming. Our operating segments reflect the internal management reporting used by our chief operating decision maker to evaluate results of operations and to assess performance and allocate resources. For additional information, refer to Note 21 to the notes to consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Impact of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic
For a discussion of the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on our Company, refer to "Impact of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic", in Part I. Item 1. Business section. Below is a summary of the temporary closures and the current status and restrictions of each property:
Churchill Downs
•Churchill Downs Racetrack conducted 65 live racing days during 2020, including 41 spectator-free days in the second and third quarters of 2020, including the 146th Kentucky Oaks and Derby on September 4-5, 2020. Churchill Downs Racetrack suspended simulcast operations on March 15, 2020 and reopened on October 1, 2020.
•Derby City Gaming temporarily suspended operations on March 15, 2020 and reopened on June 8, 2020. Derby City Gaming is currently restricted to 33% of patron capacity.
Gaming
Wholly-Owned Properties
•Calder Casino and Racing ("Calder") temporarily suspended operations on March 16, 2020 and reopened on June 12, 2020. Operations were temporarily suspended again on July 2, 2020 and reopened on August 31, 2020. Calder currently has a temporary ban on food and beverage on the gaming floor and has certain operating hour restrictions.
•Fair Grounds Slots, Fair Grounds Race Course and Video Services, LLC ("VSI") (collectively, "Fair Grounds and VSI"):
◦Fair Grounds Slots temporarily suspended operations on March 16, 2020 and reopened on June 13, 2020, and is currently restricted to 50% of patron capacity;
◦Fair Grounds Race Course conducted 73 live racing days during 2020, including 28 spectator-free days from March 13, 2020 through December 31, 2020; and
◦VSI temporarily suspended operations on March 16, 2020 and reopened on May 18, 2020, and is currently restricted to 50% of patron capacity.
•Harlow's Casino Resort and Spa ("Harlow's") temporarily suspended operations on March 16, 2020 and reopened on May 21, 2020. Harlow’s is currently restricted to 50% of patron capacity.
•Ocean Downs Casino and Racetrack ("Ocean Downs") temporarily suspended operations on March 15, 2020 and reopened on June 19, 2020. Ocean Downs is currently restricted to 50% of patron capacity.
•Oxford Casino and Hotel ("Oxford") temporarily suspended operations on March 16, 2020 and reopened on July 9, 2020. Oxford has certain operating hour restrictions and is currently restricted to 200 persons on the gaming floor.
•Presque Isle Downs and Casino ("Presque Isle") temporarily suspended operations on March 16, 2020 and reopened on June 26, 2020. Operations were temporarily suspended again on December 12, 2020 and reopened on January 4, 2021. Presque Isle currently has a temporary ban on alcohol and smoking on the gaming floor and is currently restricted to 50% of patron capacity.
•Riverwalk Casino Hotel ("Riverwalk") temporarily suspended operations on March 16, 2020 and reopened on May 21, 2020. Riverwalk is currently restricted to 50% of patron capacity.
Managed Properties
•Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin ("Lady Luck Nemacolin") temporarily suspended operations on March 16, 2020 and reopened on June 12, 2020. Operations were temporarily suspended again on December 12, 2020 and reopened on January 4, 2021. Lady Luck Nemacolin currently has a temporary ban on alcohol and smoking on the gaming floor and is currently restricted to 50% of patron capacity.
Equity Investments
•Rivers Casino Des Plaines ("Rivers Des Plaines") temporarily suspended operations on March 15, 2020 and reopened on July 1, 2020. Operations were temporarily suspended on November 20, 2020 and remained suspended as of December 31, 2020. Rivers Des Plaines reopened on January 19, 2021. Rivers Des Plaines currently has certain operating hour restrictions and temporary bans on food and beverage within the facility and is restricted to 50% of patron capacity.
•Miami Valley Gaming and Racing ("MVG") temporarily suspended operations on March 14, 2020 and reopened on June 19, 2020. MVG is currently restricted to 63% of patron capacity.
All Other
•Arlington International Racecourse ("Arlington") temporarily suspended operations of the Company's off-track betting facilities ("OTBs") and simulcast operations on March 16, 2020. Four OTBs reopened on June 5, 2020 and the remaining OTBs reopened on various dates in July 2020. Arlington conducted 18 spectator-free live racing days and 12 live racing days with patron restrictions of 300 persons during 2020.
•Turfway Park conducted nine live racing days in March 2020 and five of these live racing days were run spectator-free. Live racing was canceled for the remaining three scheduled racing days in March 2020. Turfway Park also ran 13 live racing dates in December 2020.
On March 25, 2020, as a result of the temporary closures and suspended operations described above, the Company announced the temporary furlough of employees at the Company's wholly-owned and managed gaming properties and certain racing operations. As the Company has reopened these properties, certain employees have returned to work while others remain on temporary furlough due to the capacity restrictions at these properties. The Company provided health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits to furloughed employees through July 31, 2020 and during the subsequent property closure periods.
The Company also implemented a temporary salary reduction for all remaining non-furloughed salaried employees based on a percentage that varies dependent upon the amount of each employee’s salary. The most senior level of executive management received the largest salary decrease, based on both percentage and dollar amount. Salaries for non-furloughed employees resumed at the annual base salary beginning with the start of the employee's first full pay period after July 31, 2020.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") provides an employee retention credit (“CARES Employee Retention Credit”), which is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes of up to $5,000 per employee for eligible employers. The tax credit is equal to 50% of qualified wages paid to employees during a quarter, capped at $10,000 of qualified wages per employee. The Company qualified for the tax credit and received additional tax credits for qualified wages, and the Company recorded a $2.7 million benefit related to the CARES Employee Retention Credit in operating expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss) income for the year ended December 31, 2020. The CARES Act also provides for deferred payment of the employer portion of social security taxes through December 31, 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% due December 31, 2022. Approximately $5.3 million of deferred payments are recorded as liabilities within accrued expense and other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
Financial Status and Outlook
The Company reduced planned maintenance and project capital expenditures for 2020 as a result of the temporary property and operations closures and prioritized capital investments based on the highest near-term return opportunities in order to maintain financial flexibility.
Refer to "Credit Facilities and Indebtedness" section within this section for additional detail of the Company's borrowings and repayments under our Credit Facility during 2020.
On April 28, 2020, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement, which (i) provides for a financial covenant relief period through the date on which the Company delivers the Company's quarterly financial statements and compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2021, subject to certain exceptions (the “Financial Covenant Relief Period”), (ii) amends the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” in the Credit Agreement with respect to the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for the first two fiscal quarters after the termination of the Financial Covenant Relief Period, (iii) extends certain deadlines and makes certain other amendments to the Company’s financial reporting obligations, (iv) places certain restrictions on restricted payments during the Financial Covenant Relief Period, and (v) amends the definitions of “Material Adverse Effect” and “License Revocation” in the Credit Agreement to take into consideration COVID-19.
During the Financial Covenant Relief Period, the Company will not be required to comply with the consolidated total secured net leverage ratio financial covenant and the interest coverage ratio financial covenant. The Company has agreed to a minimum liquidity financial covenant that requires the Company and restricted subsidiaries to maintain liquidity of at least $150.0 million during the Financial Covenant Relief Period. While the Second Amendment is in effect, the Company agreed to limit Restricted Payments to $26.0 million.
On February 1, 2021, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement to increase the restricted payments capacity during the Financial Covenant Relief Period, as defined in the Second Amendment, from $26.0 million to $226.0 million to accommodate a share repurchase from an affiliate of The Duchossois Group, Inc. The Company repurchased the shares using available cash and borrowings under the Company's Revolver.
We continue to assess the situation at our properties and operations on a daily basis; however, we are unable to determine when the current restrictions in place for our properties will be removed.
Based on our current projected operating cash flow needs, interest and debt repayments, and revised maintenance and project capital expenditures, we believe we have adequate cash to fund our business operations, meet all of our financial commitments, and invest in our prioritized key growth capital projects for well beyond the next twelve months.
Kater and Thimmegowda Settlement
Refer to Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings, of this Report for discussion of the settlement agreement with respect to the Kater Litigation and Thimmegowda Litigation the Company entered into during 2020.
Key Indicators to Evaluate Business Results and Financial Condition
Our management monitors a variety of key indicators to evaluate our business results and financial condition. These indicators include changes in net revenue, operating expense, operating income, earnings per share, outstanding debt balance, operating cash flow and capital spend.
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We also use non-GAAP measures, including EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and Adjusted EBITDA. We believe that the use of Adjusted EBITDA as a key performance measure of results of operations enables management and investors to evaluate and compare from period to period our operating performance in a meaningful and consistent manner. Our chief operating decision maker utilizes Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate segment performance, develop strategy and allocate resources. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of our operating results.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for the following:
Adjusted EBITDA includes our portion of EBITDA from our equity investments.
Adjusted EBITDA excludes:
•Transaction expense, net which includes:
–Acquisition and disposition related charges, including fair value adjustments related to earnouts and deferred payments,
–Calder racing exit costs, and
–Other transaction expense, including legal, accounting and other deal-related expense.
•Stock-based compensation expense,
•Midwest Gaming's impact on our investments in unconsolidated affiliates from:
–The impact of changes in fair value of interest rate swaps, and
–Recapitalization and transaction costs.
•Asset impairments,
•Gain on Ocean Downs/Saratoga Transaction,
•Loss on extinguishment of debt,
•Legal reserves,
•Pre-opening expense, and
•Other charges, recoveries and expenses
For segment reporting, Adjusted EBITDA includes intercompany revenue and expense totals that are eliminated in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. See the Reconciliation of Comprehensive (Loss) Income to Adjusted EBITDA included in this section for additional information.
Business Highlights
In 2020, our executive management, leaders, and team members of our Company faced leadership challenges that were unprecedented as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The Company reacted quickly to significant threats to the Company's long-term financial health by taking the following actions:
•Property closures and re-openings:
–Implemented immediate employee, customer, and regulatory communications, safety and health protocols, return to work protocols, work-from-home practices and other facility actions to protect our team members, our customers, our communities, and our Company’s assets when governmental authorities ordered the closure and subsequent reopening of nearly all of our properties.
–Furloughed nearly all of our employees at the closed properties during the closure periods and implemented graduated salary reductions based on the level of pay for executive management and all salaried professionals who were not furloughed.
–Executed immediate operational cost reduction actions to offset the loss of revenue.
–Immediately prioritized maintenance and project capital and stopped all non-priority capital projects.
•Negotiated a waiver of our financial covenants for our Credit Agreement while retaining the ability to grow organically, make acquisitions, and pay dividends.
•Made the difficult decision – but one that our investors have applauded as the right decision - to run the Kentucky Oaks and Derby without spectators to protect the long-term value of this iconic asset.
•Consistently communicated with equity and debt investors and rating agencies on an ongoing basis regarding the status of the Company’s operations, financial health, and long-term strategy to provide reassurance on the long-term financial health and strategic direction of the Company.
Churchill Downs Segment:
•Churchill Downs Racetrack:
–The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky had banned horse racing and other activities for the first Saturday in May. We negotiated a new date and time frame with NBC on the first weekend in September 2020 and modified our safety protocols to conduct the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby.
–The Kentucky Oaks and Derby were held on September 4th and 5th without spectators in a challenging environment and delivered positive Adjusted EBITDA despite the loss of ticket revenue, fewer sponsorships, and lower wagering during Derby Week.
–Our team members implemented extensive COVID-19 testing and processes and procedures to hold a shortened Spring Meet with no spectators and the September Meet and Fall Meet with restrictions on patron capacity.
–The state-of-the-art equine medical center and quarantine barns on the backside area of our track were completed in April 2020 which reinforces our ongoing commitment to equine and jockey safety and supports our long-term international growth strategy. We also implemented other equine safety initiatives led by our on-staff veterinarian including entry restrictions, medication restrictions, and other actions to improve the safety of the equine athletes and jockeys and supported federal legislation that was resulted in the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act being signed into law on December 28, 2020.
•Derby City Gaming:
–Derby City Gaming delivered record Adjusted EBITDA in 2020 despite a temporary closure from March 15, 2020 to June 8, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
–We added a second patio to the facility that allows for smoking and provided an additional 8,000 square-feet of gaming space and 225 HRMs.
–Our team members developed partnerships with Scientific Games, IGT, and Konami to add their leading game titles on the HRMs at our Derby City Gaming, Oak Grove, Newport, and future HRM facilities.
Online Wagering Segment:
•TwinSpires Horse Racing:
–Handle grew from $1.46 billion to $1.98 billion, up $521.0 million, or 35.8%, over 2019. Industry handle decreased 1.0%.
–Net revenue grew from $291.0 million to $405.0 million, up $114.0 million, or 39.2%, over 2019.
–The business delivered record Adjusted EBITDA of $126.8 million, up $48.4 million, or 61.7%, over 2019.
•TwinSpires Sports and Casino:
–We signed multi-year agreements with GAN Limited and Kambi Group PLC to provide player account management, casino platform, sports trading, and risk management services. We also announced the transition from the BetAmerica brand to the TwinSpires brand.
–We opened a retail sportsbook at Bronco Billy's Casino in Cripple Creek, Colorado and at Island Resort & Casino in Harris, Michigan. We have also launched our sportsbook and casino app in Michigan.
Gaming
•The Gaming Segment delivered $176.7 million of Adjusted EBITDA, a decrease of $104.2 million, 37.1% from 2019 despite multiple property closures and ongoing patron capacity restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
•The team delivered wholly-owned casino margins of 36.6% in the second half of 2020, up 690 basis points from 2019 excluding properties that were closed during part of the second half of 2020.
•Our leaders and team members developed and implemented changes to our amenities, modified our gaming floors, enhanced our cleaning and safety protocols, provided safety equipment and protective gear to our team members, and conducted extensive training to enable our properties to safely reopen with patron capacity restrictions.
All Other
•Oak Grove - We opened a simulcast and HRM facility in Oak Grove, Kentucky with approximately 1,325 HRMs, a 128-room hotel, an event center, and food and beverage venues. The 1,200-person grandstand, 3,000-person capacity outdoor amphitheater and stage, a state-of-the-art equestrian center, and a recreational vehicle park will open in early 2021.
•Newport Racing and Gaming - We opened a pari-mutuel simulcast area, a 17,000 square foot gaming floor with approximately 500 HRMs, and a feature bar in Newport, Kentucky, as an extension of Turfway Park.
•We entered into an agreement in principle to settle the Kater Litigation and Thimmegowda Litigation where the Company will pay $124.0 million pre-tax of the settlement and Aristocrat will pay $31.0 million pre-tax. Aristocrat released the Company of any and all indemnification obligations related to Big Fish Games.
•On March 16, 2020, we entered into the First Amendment to our Credit Agreement which extended the maturity of the Company’s Revolver, lowers the pricing schedule for all levels of the pricing grid, and reduces the commitment fee.
•We entered into a Second Amendment to our Credit Agreement to provide financial covenant relief through the financial reporting date for second quarter 2021 and limited restricted payments to $26.0 million for this period.
•We formed a Diversity Council and conducted Diversity and Inclusion training for leaders and full-time team members in our Company.
•The Company’s total shareholder return was 43% for 2020 compared to 20% for the Russell 2000 and 18% for the S&P 500. The Company’s five-year total shareholder return for 2020 was 325% compared to 86% for the Russell 2000 and 103% for the S&P 500. The preceding shareholder return calculations assume dividends are reinvested.
We are committed to delivering strong financial results and long-term sustainable growth. We have strong cash flow and a solid balance sheet that supports organic growth as well as potential strategic acquisitions that we believe will create long-term value for our shareholders.
Our Operations
We manage our operations through three reportable segments: Churchill Downs, Online Wagering, and Gaming.
Refer to Part I, Item 1. Business, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on our segments and a description of our competition and government regulations and potential legislative changes that affect our business.
Consolidated Financial Results
The following table reflects our net revenue, operating income, net (loss) income, Adjusted EBITDA, and certain other financial information:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, | | Change |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | |
Net revenue | $ | 1,054.0 | | | $ | 1,329.7 | | | $ | (275.7) | |
Operating income | 60.2 | | | 215.7 | | | (155.5) | |
Operating income margin | 5.7 | % | | 16.2 | % | | |
Net income from continuing operations | 13.3 | | | 139.6 | | | (126.3) | |
Net (loss) income attributable to Churchill Downs Incorporated | (81.9) | | | 137.5 | | | (219.4) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | 286.5 | | | 451.4 | | | (164.9) | |
Year Ended December 31, 2020, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2019
•Net revenue decreased $275.7 million driven by a $251.0 million decrease from Gaming due to the temporary suspension of operations of all of our Gaming properties; a $131.4 million decrease from Churchill Downs primarily due to running the 146th Kentucky Oaks and Derby without spectators; and a $11.1 million decrease from All Other primarily due to the temporary suspension of operations at Arlington partially offset by the opening of Oak Grove in September 2020. Partially offsetting these decreases was a $117.8 million increase from Online Wagering due to an increase in handle from higher net revenue per active player and an increase in active players for our TwinSpires Horse Racing business.
•Operating income decreased $155.5 million due to a $109.5 million decrease from Churchill Downs primarily due to running the 146th Kentucky Oaks and Derby without spectators; a $83.3 million decrease from Gaming due to the temporary suspension of operations of all of our Gaming properties; a $17.5 million non-cash impairment of the Presque Isle gaming rights and trademark intangible assets; and a $7.0 million decrease from All Other primarily due to the temporary suspension of operations at Arlington partially offset by the opening of Oak Grove in September 2020. Partially offsetting these decreases were a $50.3 million increase from Online Wagering due to an increase in handle and net revenue per active player at TwinSpires; a $7.2 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expense primarily from a reduction in salaries and associated benefits; and a $4.3 million decrease in transaction expense, net.
•Net income from continuing operations decreased $126.3 million. The following items impacted comparability of the Company's net income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year: $14.4 million of after-tax expenses incurred in 2019 that did not recur in 2020, including the impact of the accelerated amortization of the purchase and sale agreement rights related to the Turfway Park Acquisition, Midwest Gaming's recapitalization and transaction costs, and legal reserves; a $13.3 million tax benefit related to our net operating loss in the current year that the Company intends to offset prior year taxes as a result of the CARES Act; and a $6.4 million non-cash tax decrease related to the re-measurement of our net deferred tax liabilities based on impact of revenue related to states with higher tax rates. Partially offsetting these decreases was a $12.0 million non-cash after-tax impact related to our impairment of the Presque Isle intangible assets; a $1.7 million after-tax increase in expenses related to higher transaction, pre-opening and other expenses; and a $0.2 million increase from other sources. Excluding these items, net income from continuing operations decreased $146.5 million primarily due to a $141.0 million after-tax decrease driven by the results of our operations and equity income from our unconsolidated affiliates and a $5.5 million after-tax increase in interest expense associated with higher outstanding debt balances.
•Our net income attributable to Churchill Downs Incorporated decreased $219.4 million due to a $126.3 million decrease in net income from continuing operations discussed above, a $93.0 million decrease in net loss from discontinued operations, and a $0.1 million decrease in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest. During the
second quarter of 2020, we settled the Kater and Thimmegowda litigations for $124.0 million pre-tax ($95.0 million after-tax) which increased our net loss from discontinued operations compared to the prior year period.
•Our Adjusted EBITDA decreased $164.9 million driven by a $104.2 million decrease from Gaming due to the temporary suspension of all Gaming property operations; a $99.4 million decrease from Churchill Downs primarily due to running the 146th Kentucky Oaks and Derby without spectators; and a $4.3 million decrease from All Other primarily due to the temporary suspension of operations at Arlington. Partially offsetting these decreases was a $43.0 million increase from Online Wagering due to an increase in handle from higher net revenue per active player and an increase in active players for our TwinSpires Horse Racing business.
Financial Results by Segment
Net Revenue by Segment
The following table presents net revenue for our segments, including intercompany revenue:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, | | Change |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | |
Churchill Downs: | | | | | |
Churchill Downs Racetrack | $ | 81.0 | | | $ | 202.8 | | | $ | (121.8) | |
Derby City Gaming | 79.5 | | | 86.6 | | | (7.1) | |
Total Churchill Downs | 160.5 | | | 289.4 | | | (128.9) | |
Online Wagering: | | | | | |
TwinSpires Horse Racing | 405.0 | | | 291.0 | | | 114.0 | |
TwinSpires Sports and Casino | 4.9 | | | 0.6 | | | 4.3 | |
Total Online Wagering | 409.9 | | | 291.6 | | | 118.3 | |
Gaming: | | | | | |
Presque Isle | 75.4 | | | 139.0 | | | (63.6) | |
Fair Grounds Slots and VSI | 99.8 | | | 124.8 | | | (25.0) | |
Oxford | 44.9 | | | 101.7 | | | (56.8) | |
Calder | 51.9 | | | 99.9 | | | (48.0) | |
Ocean Downs | 60.3 | | | 85.9 | | | (25.6) | |
Riverwalk | 49.1 | | | 58.9 | | | (9.8) | |
Harlow's | 41.8 | | | 55.3 | | | (13.5) | |
Lady Luck Nemacolin | 20.7 | | | 29.3 | | | (8.6) | |
Total Gaming | 443.9 | | | 694.8 | | | (250.9) | |
All Other | 74.7 | | | 84.2 | | | (9.5) | |
Eliminations | (35.0) | | | (30.3) | | | (4.7) | |
Net Revenue | $ | 1,054.0 | | | $ | 1,329.7 | | | $ | (275.7) | |
Year Ended December 31, 2020, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2019
•Churchill Downs revenue decreased $128.9 million primarily due to a $121.8 million decrease from Churchill Downs Racetrack from the loss of ticket revenue, fewer sponsorships, and lower wagering during Derby Week as a result of running of 146th Kentucky Oaks and Derby without spectators in a challenging environment, and a $7.1 million decrease at Derby City Gaming due to the temporary suspension of operations.
•Online Wagering revenue increased $118.3 million from the prior year primarily due to a $114.0 million increase at TwinSpires Horse Racing. Although horse racing content for wagering decreased, TwinSpires Horse Racing handle grew $521.0 million, or 35.8%, compared to prior year, as our customers wagered more on the content that was available. Our TwinSpires Sports and Casino net revenues increased $4.3 million compared to prior year primarily due to the launch of the casino platform in Pennsylvania and Indiana in late December 2019.
•Gaming revenue decreased $250.9 million primarily due to the temporary suspension of operations at all of our Gaming properties that reduced the net revenue generated at these properties.
•All Other revenue decreased $9.5 million primarily due to a $30.8 million decrease as a result of the temporary suspension of operations and loss of racing days at Arlington and a $4.2 million decrease as a result of the temporary
suspension of operations at the majority of United Tote customer locations. Partially offsetting these decreases were a $16.6 million increase at Oak Grove due to the opening of the HRM facility in September 2020 and the hotel in October 2020, a $5.8 million increase primarily from the increase in Turfway Park handle, and a $3.1 million increase at Newport due to the opening in October 2020.
Consolidated Operating Expense
The following table is a summary of our consolidated operating expense:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, | | Change | | |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Taxes and purses | $ | 268.3 | | $ | 369.7 | | $ | (101.4) | | | |
Content expense | 180.7 | | 139.6 | | 41.1 | | | |
Salaries and benefits | 140.5 | | 171.2 | | (30.7) | | | |
Selling, general and administrative expense | 114.8 | | 122.0 | | (7.2) | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 92.9 | | 96.4 | | (3.5) | | | |
Marketing and advertising expense | 31.4 | | 41.8 | | (10.4) | | | |
Impairment expense | 17.5 | | — | | 17.5 | | | |
Transaction expense, net | 1.0 | | 5.3 | | (4.3) | | | |
Other operating expense | 146.7 | | 168.0 | | (21.3) | | | |
Total expense | $ | 993.8 | | $ | 1,114.0 | | $ | (120.2) | | | |
Percent of revenue | 94 | % | | 84 | % | | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2020, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Significant items affecting comparability of consolidated operating expense include:
•Taxes and purses decreased $101.4 million driven by the temporary suspension of all operations at our Gaming properties and the related decrease in net revenue and a decrease in purses related to the reduction of horse races from the temporary closures of our facilities, partially offset by an increase in taxes and purses driven by the opening of Oak Grove in September 2020 and Newport in October 2020.
•Content expense increased $41.1 million primarily due to an increase in certain host fees and source market fees for TwinSpires as a result of the increase in handle.
•Salaries and benefits expense decreased $30.7 million driven primarily by temporary furloughing certain employees and temporarily reducing salaries for all remaining non-furloughed salaried employees through the end of July 2020, partially offset by increased expenses due to the opening of Oak Grove in September 2020 and Newport in October 2020.
•Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $7.2 million primarily from a temporary reduction in salaries and associated benefits and a decrease in accrued bonuses compared to prior year.
•Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $3.5 million primarily driven by the amortization of the assignment of the purchase and sale agreement rights associated with the Turfway Park Acquisition that occurred in 2019 and did not recur in 2020, partially offset by capital projects placed into service for Churchill Downs Racetrack and Derby City Gaming, and Turfway Park.
•Marketing and advertising expense decreased $10.4 million primarily due to the temporary suspension of operations at our brick-and-mortar properties, partially offset by an increase in marketing and advertising spend for TwinSpires Horse Racing and our TwinSpires Sports and Casino business in the Online Wagering segment.
•Impairment of intangible assets increased $17.5 million driven by a $15.0 million non-cash impairment charge related to Presque Isle's gaming rights and a $2.5 million non-cash impairment charge related to Presque Isle's trademark.
•Transaction expense, net was nominal for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2019, transaction expense, net was related to the acquisitions of Presque Isle and Lady Luck Nemacolin.
•Other operating expense includes maintenance, utilities, food and beverage costs, property taxes and insurance and other operating expenses. Other operating expense decreased $21.3 million primarily driven by the temporary suspension of operations at our brick-and-mortar properties, partially offset by the operating expenses related to
Turfway Park and from the opening of Oak Grove in September 2020 and Newport Racing and Gaming in October 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA
We believe that the use of Adjusted EBITDA as a key performance measure of the results of operations enables management and investors to evaluate and compare from period to period our operating performance in a meaningful and consistent manner. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by or presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of our operating results.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | Change |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | |
Churchill Downs | $ | 38.3 | | | $ | 137.7 | | | $ | (99.4) | |
Online Wagering | 109.3 | | | 66.3 | | | 43.0 | |
Gaming | 176.7 | | | 280.9 | | | (104.2) | |
Total segment Adjusted EBITDA | 324.3 | | | 484.9 | | | (160.6) | |
All Other | (37.8) | | | (33.5) | | | (4.3) | |
Total Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 286.5 | | | $ | 451.4 | | | $ | (164.9) | |
Year Ended December 31, 2020, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2019
•Churchill Downs Adjusted EBITDA decreased $99.4 million due to a $101.0 million decrease at Churchill Downs Racetrack primarily due to the decrease in net revenue as a result of running the 146th Kentucky Oaks and Derby without spectators, partially offset by a $1.6 million increase from Derby City Gaming due to increased operating efficiencies which more than offset the impact of the temporary closure of the property and ongoing capacity restrictions.
•Online Wagering Adjusted EBITDA increased $43.0 million primarily due to a $48.4 million increase driven by an increase in TwinSpires Horse Racing handle, partially offset by a $5.4 million decrease from a higher level of marketing spend and increased costs associated with the continued build-out of the TwinSpires Sports and Casino business.
•Gaming Adjusted EBITDA decreased $104.2 million driven by an $82.9 million decrease at our wholly-owned Gaming properties and a $21.3 million decrease from our equity investments, both of which were due to decreases in net revenue as a result of the temporary suspension of operations during 2020.
•All Other Adjusted EBITDA decreased $4.3 million primarily due to a $7.3 million decrease from lower revenue from Arlington and United Tote, a $1.6 million decrease from higher expenses at Turfway Park as a result of a full year of operations in 2020, and a $0.5 million decrease from other sources. Partially offsetting these decreases was a $5.1 million increase from the opening of Oak Grove in September 2020.
Reconciliation of Comprehensive (Loss) Income to Adjusted EBITDA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, | | Change |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | |
Net (loss) income attributable to Churchill Downs Incorporated | $ | (81.9) | | | $ | 137.5 | | | $ | (219.4) | |
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | 0.2 | | | 0.3 | | | (0.1) | |
Net (loss) income before noncontrolling interest | (82.1) | | | 137.2 | | | (219.3) | |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | 95.4 | | | 2.4 | | | 93.0 | |
Income from continuing operations, net of tax | 13.3 | | | 139.6 | | | (126.3) | |
Additions: | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 92.9 | | | 96.4 | | | (3.5) | |
Interest expense | 80.0 | | | 70.9 | | | 9.1 | |
| | | | | |
Income tax (benefit) provision | (5.3) | | | 56.8 | | | (62.1) | |
EBITDA | $ | 180.9 | | | $ | 363.7 | | | $ | (182.8) | |
| | | | | |
Adjustments to EBITDA: | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative: | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | $ | 23.7 | | | $ | 23.8 | | | $ | (0.1) | |
Legal reserves | — | | | 3.6 | | | (3.6) | |
Other, net | 0.8 | | | 0.4 | | | 0.4 | |
Pre-opening expense | 11.2 | | | 5.1 | | | 6.1 | |
Other income, expense: | | | | | |
Interest, depreciation and amortization expense related to equity investments | 38.5 | | | 32.6 | | | 5.9 | |
Changes in fair value of Midwest Gaming's interest rate swaps | 12.9 | | | 12.4 | | | 0.5 | |
Midwest Gaming's recapitalization and transactions costs | — | | | 4.7 | | | (4.7) | |
Other charges and recoveries, net | — | | | (0.2) | | | 0.2 | |
| | | | | |
Transaction expense, net | 1.0 | | | 5.3 | | | (4.3) | |
Impairment of tangible and other intangible assets | 17.5 | | | — | | | 17.5 | |
Total adjustments to EBITDA | 105.6 | | | 87.7 | | | 17.9 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 286.5 | | | $ | 451.4 | | | $ | (164.9) | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet
The following table is a summary of our overall financial position:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, | | Change |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | |
Total assets | $ | 2,686.4 | | | $ | 2,551.0 | | | $ | 135.4 | |
Total liabilities | 2,319.3 | | | 2,040.0 | | | 279.3 | |
Total shareholders’ equity | 367.1 | | | 511.0 | | (143.9) | |
•Total assets increased $135.4 million driven by a $144.8 million increase in property and equipment, net, due to the construction of Oak Grove and Newport; a $34.9 million increase in income taxes receivable as a result of our current year income tax benefit; and a $3.7 million increase in all other assets. Partially offsetting these increases was a $28.8 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents primarily driven by our project capital expenditures related to Oak Grove and Newport; and a $19.2 million decrease in other intangibles primarily due the impairment of Presque Isle gaming rights and trademark.
•Total liabilities increased $279.3 million driven by a $146.5 million increase in long-term debt, non-current, primarily driven by borrowings from our senior secured revolving credit facility; a $124.0 million increase in current liabilities of discontinued operations due to the settlement of Kater and Thimmegowda litigations; and a $12.9 million increase
in accounts payable primarily driven by timing. Partially offsetting these increases was a $4.1 million decrease in all other liabilities.
•Total shareholders’ equity decreased $143.9 million driven by a $81.9 million current year net loss attributable to Churchill Downs Incorporated, $27.9 million in repurchases of common stock, $31.4 million in settlement of stock awards, $25.1 million from our annual dividend declared in December 2020, and a $1.3 million decrease in other equity components. Partially offsetting these decreases was a $23.7 million increase resulting from stock-based compensation.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table is a summary of our liquidity and cash flows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | Change |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | |
Cash Flows from: | | | | | |
Operating activities | $ | 141.9 | | | $ | 289.6 | | | $ | (147.7) | |
Investing activities | (239.4) | | | (781.2) | | | 541.8 | |
Financing activities | 76.0 | | | 460.8 | | | (384.8) | |
Included in cash flows from investing activities are capital maintenance expenditures and capital project expenditures. Capital maintenance expenditures relate to the replacement of existing fixed assets with a useful life greater than one year that are obsolete, exhausted, or no longer cost effective to repair. Capital project expenditures represent fixed asset additions related to land or building improvements to new or existing assets or purchases of new (non-replacement) equipment or software related to specific projects deemed necessary expenditures.
Year Ended December 31, 2020, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2019
•Cash provided by operating activities decreased $147.7 million driven by a $138.0 million decrease in operating income related to continuing operations, net of the $17.5 million non-cash impairment of Presque Isle's intangible assets; a $17.9 million increase in cash interest paid; and a $13.7 million decrease from all other operating activities. Partially offsetting these decreases was a $21.9 million decrease in cash taxes paid. We anticipate that cash flows from operations over the next twelve months will be adequate to fund our business operations and capital expenditures.
•Cash used in investing activities decreased $541.8 million driven by a $648.8 million decrease in cash used for our investment and acquisitions in 2019 related to the equity investment in Midwest Gaming, the Presque Isle Transaction, the Turfway Park Acquisition, and other investments in intangible assets, and a $25.3 million decrease in capital maintenance expenditures. Partially offsetting these decreases were a $128.3 million increase for capital project expenditures and a $4.0 million increase in funds used in other investing activities.
•Cash provided by financing activities decreased $384.8 million driven by a $450.3 million decrease in net borrowings under our long-term debt obligations primarily related to the issuance of our 2027 Senior Notes in 2019, partially offset by borrowings from our senior secured revolving credit facility during 2020, and a $19.8 million increase in cash paid to settle stock awards and pay taxes related to the settlement of stock awards. Partially offsetting these decreases was a $66.6 million decrease in share repurchases in 2020 and an $18.7 million decrease from other financing activities.
Credit Facilities and Indebtedness
The following table presents our debt outstanding, bond premium and debt issuance costs:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, | | Change |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | |
Term Loan B due 2024 | $ | 388.0 | | | $ | 392.0 | | | $ | (4.0) | |
Revolver | 149.7 | | | — | | | 149.7 | |
2027 Senior Notes | 600.0 | | | 600.0 | | | — | |
2028 Senior Notes | 500.0 | | | 500.0 | | | — | |
Total Debt | 1,637.7 | | | 1,492.0 | | | 145.7 | |
Current maturities of long-term debt | 4.0 | | | 4.0 | | | — | |
Total debt, net of current maturities | 1,633.7 | | | 1,488.0 | | | 145.7 | |
Issuance cost and fees | (15.4) | | | (18.1) | | | 2.7 | |
Net debt | $ | 1,618.3 | | | $ | 1,469.9 | | | $ | 148.4 | |
Credit Agreement
On December 27, 2017, we entered into a senior secured credit agreement (as amended, the "Credit Agreement") among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the lenders and other financial institutions party thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for a $700.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility due 2022 (the "Revolver") and a $400.0 million senior secured term loan B due 2024 (the "Term Loan B"). Included in the maximum borrowing of $700.0 million under the Revolver is a letter of credit sub facility not to exceed $50.0 million and a swing line commitment up to a maximum principal amount of $50.0 million. The Credit Amendment is secured by substantially all wholly-owned assets of the Company. The Company capitalized $1.6 million of debt issuance costs associated with the Revolver which is being amortized as interest expense over 5 years. The Company also capitalized $5.1 million of deferred financing costs associated with the Term Loan B portion of the Credit Agreement which is being amortized as interest expense over 7 years.
The interest rates applicable to the Company’s borrowings under the Credit Agreement are LIBOR-based plus a spread, as determined by the Company’s consolidated total net leverage ratio. The Term Loan B requires quarterly payments of 0.25% of the original $400.0 million balance, or $1.0 million per quarter. The Term Loan B may be subject to additional mandatory prepayment from excess cash flow on an annual basis per the provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolver determined by a pricing grid based on the consolidated total net leverage ratio of the Company. For the period ended December 31, 2020, the Company's commitment fee rate was 0.30%.
The Company had an outstanding balance of $149.7 million and had $545.8 million available on the Revolver on December 31, 2020. The Company had $67.4 million of cash and cash equivalents on December 31, 2020. On March 16, 2020, we borrowed $675.4 million on the Revolver to provide the Company with additional financial flexibility. On December 31, 2020, we repaid $545.0 million of the borrowings on the Revolver.
On March 16, 2020, the Company entered into the First Amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement. The First Amendment extended the maturity of the Company’s Revolver from December 27, 2022 to at least September 27, 2024, which is 91 days prior to the latest maturity date of the term loan facility on December 27, 2024. The First Amendment also lowered the upper limit of the applied spreads with respect to revolving loans from 2.25% to 1.75% and for commitment fees with respect thereto from 0.35% to 0.30% and provides a reduced pricing schedule for outstanding borrowings and commitment fees with respect to the Revolver across all other leverage pricing levels. The First Amendment did not alter the Company’s borrowing capacity. The Company capitalized $2.0 million of debt issuance costs associated with the First Amendment which are being amortized as interest expense over the remaining duration of the Revolver.
On April 28, 2020, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement, which (i) provides for a financial covenant relief period through the date on which the Company delivers the Company's quarterly financial statements and compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2021, subject to certain exceptions (the “Financial Covenant Relief Period”), (ii) amends the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” in the Credit Agreement with respect to the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for the first two fiscal quarters after the termination of the Financial Covenant Relief Period, (iii) extends certain deadlines and makes certain other amendments to the Company’s financial reporting obligations, (iv) places certain restrictions on restricted payments during the Financial Covenant Relief Period, and (v) amends the definitions of “Material Adverse Effect” and “License Revocation” in the Credit Agreement to take into consideration COVID-19.
During the Financial Covenant Relief Period, the Company will not be required to comply with the consolidated total secured net leverage ratio financial covenant and the interest coverage ratio financial covenant. The Company has agreed to a minimum liquidity financial covenant that requires the Company and restricted subsidiaries to maintain liquidity of at least $150.0 million during the Financial Covenant Relief Period. While the Second Amendment is in effect, the Company agreed to limit restricted payments to $26.0 million.
On February 1, 2021, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement to increase the restricted payments capacity during the Financial Covenant Relief Period, as defined in the Second Amendment, from $26.0 million to $226.0 million to accommodate a share repurchase from an affiliate of The Duchossois Group, Inc. The Company repurchased the shares using available cash and borrowings under the Company's Revolver.
Although the Company was not required to meet the Company's financial covenants under the Credit Agreement on December 31, 2020 (as a result of the Second Amendment), the Company was compliant with all applicable covenants on December 31, 2020.
2027 Senior Notes
On March 25, 2019, we completed an offering of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Unsecured Notes that mature on April 1, 2027 (the "2027 Senior Notes") in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and to certain non-U.S. persons in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The 2027 Senior Notes were issued at par, with interest payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year, commencing on October 1, 2019. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering to repay our outstanding balance on the Revolver portion of our Credit Agreement. In connection with the offering, we capitalized $8.9 million of debt issuance costs which are being amortized as interest expense over the term of the 2027 Senior Notes.
The 2027 Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated March 25, 2019 (the "2027 Indenture"), among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors (the "2027 Guarantors"), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2027 Senior Notes at any time prior to April 1, 2022, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes redeemed plus an applicable make-whole premium. On or after such date, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2027 Senior Notes at redemption prices set forth in the 2027 Indenture. In addition, at any time prior to April 1, 2022, the Company may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 105.50% of the principal amount thereof with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings provided that certain conditions are met. The terms of the 2027 Indenture, among other things, limit the ability of the Company to: (i) incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends or make other restricted payments; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) create liens; (v) allow restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments; (vi) sell assets; (vii) merge or consolidate with other entities; and (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates.
In connection with the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes, the Company and the 2027 Guarantors entered into a Registration Rights Agreement to register any 2027 Senior Notes under the Securities Act for resale that are not freely tradable 366 days from March 25, 2019.
2028 Senior Notes
On December 27, 2017, we completed an offering of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.75% Senior Unsecured Notes that mature on January 15, 2028 (the "2028 Senior Notes") in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act, and to certain non-U.S. persons in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The 2028 Senior Notes were issued at par, with interest payable on January 15th and July 15th of each year, commencing on July 15, 2018. The Company used the net proceeds from the 2028 Senior Notes and the Credit Agreement to repay the remaining outstanding amount of our $600.0 million 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes that were scheduled to mature on December 15, 2021. In connection with the offering, we capitalized $7.7 million of debt issuance costs which are being amortized as interest expense over the term of the 2028 Senior Notes.
The 2028 Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated December 27, 2017 (the "2028 Indenture"), among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors (the "2028 Guarantors"), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Senior Notes at any time prior to January 15, 2023, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2028 Senior Notes redeemed plus an applicable make-whole premium. On or after such date the Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Senior Notes at redemption prices set forth in the 2028 Indenture. In addition, at any time prior to January 15, 2021, the Company may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 104.75% of the principal amount thereof with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings provided that certain conditions are met. The terms of the 2028 Indenture, among other things, limit the ability of the Company to: (i) incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends or make other restricted
payments; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) create liens; (v) allow restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments; (vi) sell assets; (vii) merge or consolidate with other entities; and (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates.
In connection with the issuance of the 2028 Senior Notes, the Company and the 2028 Guarantors entered into a Registration Rights Agreement to register any 2028 Senior Notes under the Securities Act for resale that are not freely tradable 366 days from December 27, 2017.
Contractual Obligations
Our commitments to make future payments as of December 31, 2020, are estimated as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2022-2023 | | 2024-2025 | | Thereafter | | Total |
Dividends | $ | 24.9 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — |