Attached files

file filename
EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32 - Tropicana Entertainment Inc.a2017-03x3110qex32.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Tropicana Entertainment Inc.a2017-03x3110qex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Tropicana Entertainment Inc.a2017-03x3110qex311.htm
Use these links to rapidly review the document

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017
or
o
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 000-53831
 
TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
27-0540158
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
8345 W. Sunset Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89113
(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 702-589-3900
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 x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
Emerging Growth Company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes x No o
As of May 2, 2017, there were 24,634,512 shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, $.01 par value per share.
 



TABLE OF CONTENTS




PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
252,755

 
$
239,615

Restricted cash
15,129

 
14,842

Receivables, net
26,000

 
31,997

Inventories
7,769

 
7,485

Prepaid expenses and other assets
16,443

 
12,041

Total current assets
318,096

 
305,980

Property and equipment, net
773,935

 
764,282

Goodwill
15,857

 
15,857

Intangible assets, net
81,840

 
73,891

Investments
18,516

 
17,161

Deferred tax assets
122,956

 
122,956

Long-term prepaid rent and other assets
24,782

 
24,908

Total assets
$
1,355,982

 
$
1,325,035

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$
3,000

 
$
3,000

Accounts payable
38,670

 
38,975

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
91,885

 
86,155

Total current liabilities
133,555

 
128,130

Long-term debt, net
283,320

 
283,825

Other long-term liabilities
6,591

 
6,331

Deferred tax liabilities
3,244

 
3,244

Total liabilities
426,710

 
421,530

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies

 

 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
Tropicana Entertainment Inc. preferred stock at $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued

 

Tropicana Entertainment Inc. common stock at $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 24,634,512 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
246

 
246

Additional paid-in capital
557,545

 
557,545

Retained earnings
371,481

 
345,714

Total shareholders' equity
929,272

 
903,505

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
1,355,982

 
$
1,325,035


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

2



TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 

 
 

Casino
$
177,420

 
$
165,055

Room
29,686

 
28,540

Food and beverage
24,665

 
25,886

Other
6,806

 
7,217

Management fee from related party
1,250

 

Gross revenues
239,827

 
226,698

Less promotional allowances
(22,440
)
 
(21,545
)
Net revenues
217,387

 
205,153

Operating costs and expenses:
 

 
 

Casino
74,692

 
71,290

Room
9,766

 
9,909

Food and beverage
12,021

 
12,857

Other
4,104

 
4,567

Marketing, advertising and promotions
17,709

 
15,888

General and administrative
36,321

 
38,070

Maintenance and utilities
16,812

 
17,020

Depreciation and amortization
17,620

 
16,947

Impairment charges, other write-downs and recoveries
(1,131
)
 
40

Total operating costs and expenses
187,914

 
186,588

Operating income
29,473

 
18,565

 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 

 
 

Interest expense
(2,965
)
 
(3,220
)
Interest income
253

 
128

Termination fee from related party
15,000

 

Total other income (expense)
12,288

 
(3,092
)
Income before income taxes
41,761

 
15,473

Income tax expense
(15,994
)
 
(6,188
)
Net income
$
25,767

 
$
9,285

 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted income per common share:
 

 
 

Net income
$
1.05

 
$
0.35

 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
 

 
 

Basic and diluted
24,635

 
26,242


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3



TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
25,767

 
$
9,285

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Gain on insurance recoveries
(1,278
)
 

Depreciation and amortization
17,620

 
16,947

Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs
245

 
250

Change in investment reserves
(1,074
)
 
392

Restricted cash funded
(72
)
 

Impairment charges

 
12

Loss on disposition of asset
147

 
28

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables, net
7,275

 
2,681

Inventories, prepaids and other assets
(4,686
)
 
(2,900
)
Accrued interest
(3
)
 
(13
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
2,093

 
(3,077
)
Long term prepaid rent and other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net
473

 
(112
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
46,507

 
23,493

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Additions of property and equipment
(24,954
)
 
(15,993
)
Restricted cash funded
(213
)
 
(4,632
)
Approved CRDA Project Funds received

 
1,867

Proceeds from sale of investment

 
798

Intangible assets acquired
(8,050
)
 

Other
602

 
186

Net cash used in investing activities
(32,615
)
 
(17,774
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Payments on debt
(750
)
 
(750
)
Repurchase of TEI common stock

 
(3,545
)
Restricted cash
(2
)
 
7,566

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(752
)
 
3,271

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
13,140

 
8,990

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
239,615

 
216,890

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
252,755

 
$
225,880

 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized
$
2,721

 
$
2,995

Cash paid for income taxes

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash items:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities
9,628

 
3,857


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4



TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION AND BACKGROUND
Organization
Tropicana Entertainment Inc. (the "Company," "TEI," "we," "us," or "our"), a Delaware corporation, is an owner and operator of regional casino and entertainment properties located in the United States and one hotel, timeshare and casino resort located on the island of Aruba.
The Company's United States properties include two casinos in Nevada and one casino in each of Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and New Jersey. In addition, the Company owns a property in Aruba. The Company views each property as an operating segment which it aggregates by region in order to present its reportable segments: (i) East, (ii) Central, (iii) West and (iv) South. The current operations of the Company, by region, include the following:
East—Tropicana Casino and Resort, Atlantic City ("Tropicana AC") located in Atlantic City, New Jersey;
Central—Tropicana Evansville ("Tropicana Evansville") located in Evansville, Indiana; and Lumière Place Casino, HoteLumière, the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis (collectively, "Lumière Place") located in Saint Louis, Missouri;
West—Tropicana Laughlin Hotel and Casino ("Tropicana Laughlin") located in Laughlin, Nevada; and MontBleu Casino Resort & Spa ("MontBleu") located in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada; and
South—Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel ("Belle of Baton Rouge") located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Trop Casino Greenville ("Tropicana Greenville") located in Greenville, Mississippi; and Tropicana Aruba Resort & Casino ("Tropicana Aruba") located in Palm Beach, Aruba.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TEI Management Services LLC, also provided management services to the Taj Mahal Casino Hotel property ("Taj Mahal") in Atlantic City, which is a related party to the Company, that was closed in October 2016 and subsequently sold in March 2017 (see Note 12 - Related Party Transactions). In addition, the Company, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, TropWorld Games LLC, operates an online social gaming site. The operating results of all other subsidiaries of the Company are reported under the heading of "Corporate and other" as they have been determined to not meet the aggregation criteria as separately reportable segments.
Background
The Company was formed on May 11, 2009 to acquire certain assets of Tropicana Entertainment Holdings, LLC ("TEH"), and certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to their plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"). The Company also acquired Columbia Properties Vicksburg ("CP Vicksburg"), JMBS Casino, LLC ("JMBS Casino") and CP Laughlin Realty, LLC ("CP Laughlin Realty"), all of which were part of the same plan of reorganization (the "Plan") as TEH (collectively, the "Predecessors"). In addition, the Company acquired certain assets of Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. ("Adamar"), an unconsolidated subsidiary of TEH, pursuant to an amended and restated asset purchase agreement, including Tropicana AC. The reorganization of the Predecessors and the acquisition of Tropicana AC (together, the "Restructuring Transactions") were consummated and became effective on March 8, 2010 (the "Effective Date"), at which time the Company acquired Adamar and several of the Predecessors' gaming properties and related assets. Adamar was not a party to the Predecessors' bankruptcy. Prior to March 8, 2010, the Company conducted no business, other than in connection with the reorganization of the Predecessors and the acquisition of Tropicana AC, and had no material assets or liabilities.
NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") are omitted or condensed in these condensed consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods have been made. The interim results reflected in these condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the

5


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

year ended December 31, 2016, from which the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet information as of that date was derived.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates incorporated in the Company's financial statements include the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, the estimated valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, certain tax liabilities, estimated cash flows in assessing the impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (the "CRDA") investments, self-insured liability reserves, customer loyalty program reserves, contingencies, litigation, claims, assessments and loss contingencies. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists primarily of cash held in separate bank accounts designated for specific purposes. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, $7.0 million was restricted to collateralize letters of credit. Also at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, $6.1 million and $5.9 million, respectively, was held in a separate bank account to be used for purchases of replacement furniture, fixtures and equipment at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, as required by contract. In addition, at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, a total of $2.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively, was held as restricted cash as required by gaming regulatory agencies in Nevada, New Jersey and Missouri.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
As defined under GAAP, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability between market participants in the principal market or in the most advantageous market when no principal market exists. Adjustments to transaction prices or quoted market prices may be required in illiquid or disorderly markets in order to estimate fair value. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, estimates of fair value presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current or future market exchange. See Note 3 - Fair Value for further detail related to the fair value of financial instruments.
Revenue Recognition and Promotional Allowances
Casino revenue represents the difference between wins and losses from gaming activities, and is reported net of cash and free play incentives redeemed by customers. Room, food and beverage and other operating revenues are recognized at the time the goods or services are provided. The Company collects taxes from customers at the point of sale on transactions subject to sales and other taxes. Revenues are recorded net of any taxes collected. The majority of the Company's casino revenue is counted in the form of cash and chips and, therefore, is not subject to any significant or complex estimation. The retail value of rooms, food and beverage and other services provided to customers on a complimentary basis is included in gross revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances. Promotional allowances also include accruals for incentives earned in our customer loyalty program for points that may be redeemed for free play or cash. We reward customers, through the use of bonus programs, with points based on amounts wagered that can be redeemed for a specified period of time, principally for complimentary play, and also for goods or services such as rooms, food and beverages, depending upon the property.
The amounts included in promotional allowances consist of the following (in thousands):
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Room
$
9,500

 
$
8,621

Food and beverage
11,101

 
11,032

Other
1,839

 
1,892

Total
$
22,440

 
$
21,545


6


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

The estimated departmental costs and expenses of providing these promotional allowances are included in casino operating costs and expenses and consist of the following (in thousands):
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Room
$
5,600

 
$
5,218

Food and beverage
10,022

 
9,699

Other
856

 
683

Total
$
16,478

 
$
15,600

Timeshare Sales
The Company accounts for sales of timeshare intervals at the Tropicana Aruba in accordance with ASC 978, Real Estate - Time Sharing Activity. Sales of timeshare intervals, the majority of which are sold under a credit arrangement, are recorded net of an estimated allowance for bad debt. Costs associated with the timeshare units, including building and renovation costs, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and other costs directly attributable to the timeshare units are recorded as timeshare inventory. In addition, incremental revenue over related costs generated from the daily rental of the designated timeshare units is recorded as a reduction of the timeshare inventory, as opposed to hotel revenue. A cost of sales is calculated, using the total timeshare inventory as a percentage of the potential timeshare interval sales, and a portion of the inventory is recorded as cost of sales expense as each timeshare interval is sold.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of those benefits is considered more likely than not, and a valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets which do not meet this threshold.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which amends FASB ASU Topic 330, Inventory. This ASU requires entities to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value and eliminates the option that currently exists for measuring inventory at market value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonable predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This ASU is effective beginning with our interim period beginning January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance was applied prospectively, and did not have any impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which amends FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. This ASU provides guidance on what constitutes a business for purposes of applying FASB Topic 805, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We have elected to early adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2017. We did not have any transactions affected by this guidance and therefore, the adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which amends FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. This ASU simplifies the annual goodwill impairment testing by eliminating “Step 2” from the test, which, prior to the adoption of this ASU, requires comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying value. By eliminating “Step 2” from the goodwill impairment test, the quantitative analysis of goodwill will result in an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the tested reporting unit. While this ASU reduces the complexity of goodwill impairment tests, it may result in significant differences in the recognition of goodwill impairment. For example, should the reporting unit fail “Step 1” of the impairment test but pass the current “Step 2” impairment test, the Company may have more impairments of goodwill under the new guidance. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019

7


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates on or after January 1, 2017. The Company has elected to early adopt this ASU for our annual goodwill tests to be performed on testing dates beginning in 2017. We did not perform any interim goodwill impairment analysis in 2017 and therefore, the adoption of this guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. This ASU was amended by ASU No. 2015-14, issued in August 2015, which deferred the original effective date by one year; the effective date is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, using one of two retrospective application methods. In addition, the FASB issued several other amendments during 2016 to FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers that include implementation guidance to principal versus agent considerations, guidance to identifying performance obligations, licensing guidance, technical guidance and other narrow scope improvements.
The Company continues to assess the impact the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 will have on the Company's financial statements and related disclosures. However, we do believe it will result in a change in the reporting of rewards earned and redeemed by our customers under our loyalty programs. Under the new guidance, points earned by our customers as a result of their gaming activity will create a separate performance obligation, which will require the allocation of a portion of the gaming revenue to that obligation, at the expected retail value of the benefits owed to the customer, adjusted for expected redemptions by customers. When the customer redeems the points and the performance obligation is fulfilled by the Company, revenue will be recognized in the venue that provides the goods or services (for example, hotel, food, beverage, or other). The Company will no longer record loyalty program redemptions as complimentary revenues, with a corresponding deduction for promotional allowances.
Early adoption is permitted only as of the annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company anticipates it will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective method.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes FASB ASC Topic 840, Leases. This ASU requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. In addition, among other changes to the accounting for leases, this ASU retains the distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous guidance. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this ASU should be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which amends FASB ASC Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows. This ASU seeks to reduce the diversity currently in practice by providing guidance on the presentation of eight specific cash flow issues in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated statement of cash flows.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which amends FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. This ASU requires the recognition of income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Current U.S. GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures.

8


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Restricted Cash, which amends FASB ASC Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows. This ASU requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period of total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated statement of cash flows.
A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under consideration by standard-setting organizations and certain regulatory agencies. Because of the tentative and preliminary nature of such proposed standards, we have not yet determined the effect, if any, that the implementation of such proposed standards would have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect certain reclassifications to prior year amounts in order to conform with current year presentation. The reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income.
NOTE 3—FAIR VALUE
The carrying values of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short term maturities of these instruments. A financial asset or liability classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are as follows:
Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs reflect the Company's judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists. The Company develops these inputs based on the best information available, including its own data.
The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):
 
Input Levels for Fair Value Measurements
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRDA deposits, net
$

 
$

 
$
1,134

 
$
1,134

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRDA deposits, net
$

 
$

 
$
1,202

 
$
1,202

Funds on deposit with the CRDA are held in an interest bearing account by the CRDA. Interest is earned at the stated rate that approximates two-thirds of the current market rate for similar assets. The Company records charges to expense to reflect the lower return on investment and records the deposits at fair value. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the remainder of funds on deposit with the CRDA which are not attributable to the amended CRDA grant agreement, as discussed further in Note 7 - Investments, are classified in the fair value hierarchy as Level 3, and estimated using valuation allowances calculated based on market rates for similar assets and other information received from the CRDA.

9


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 CRDA deposits (in thousands):
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Beginning Balance
$
1,202

 
$
16,405

Realized or unrealized gains/(losses)
(7
)
 
(190
)
Additional CRDA deposits
326

 
1,048

CRDA Project Funds received

 
(1,867
)
Purchases of CRDA investments
(387
)
 
(565
)
Ending Balance
$
1,134

 
$
14,831

Realized or unrealized gains/(losses) related to the Level 3 investments held at the end of the reporting period are included in general and administrative expense during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. There were no transfers between fair value levels during the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.
Long-term Debt
The Company's long-term debt is carried at amortized cost in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt is a Level 2 fair value measurement and has been estimated based upon quoted market prices for similar issues. The estimated fair value of long-term debt as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is approximately $290.2 million and $292.1 million, respectively.
CRDA Bonds
The Company's CRDA bonds are classified as held-to-maturity since the Company has the ability and intent to hold these bonds to maturity and under the CRDA, the Company is not permitted to do otherwise. The CRDA bonds are initially recorded at a discount to approximate fair value. After the initial determination of fair value, the Company will analyze the CRDA bonds quarterly for recoverability based on management's historical collection experience and other information received from the CRDA. If indications exist that the CRDA bond is impaired, additional allowances will be recorded. The fair value of the Company's CRDA bonds are considered a Level 3 fair value measurement. The CRDA bonds carrying value as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 net of the unamortized discount and allowances was $10.2 million and $10.1 million, respectively, which approximates fair value. See Note 7 - Investments for more detail related to the CRDA bonds.
NOTE 4—RECEIVABLES
Receivables consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Casino
$
11,846

 
$
10,630

Hotel
4,838

 
6,918

Income tax receivable

 
7,133

Other
17,556

 
14,894

Receivables, gross
34,240

 
39,575

Allowance for doubtful accounts
(8,240
)
 
(7,578
)
Receivables, net
$
26,000

 
$
31,997


10


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

NOTE 5—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
 
Estimated
life
(years)
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Land
 
$
116,597

 
$
116,597

Buildings and improvements
10 - 40
 
640,509

 
631,741

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
3 - 7
 
270,881

 
260,430

Riverboats and barges
5 - 15
 
18,192

 
18,145

Construction in progress
 
40,838

 
34,398

Property and equipment, gross
 
 
1,087,017

 
1,061,311

Accumulated depreciation
 
 
(313,082
)
 
(297,029
)
Property and equipment, net
 
 
$
773,935

 
$
764,282

NOTE 6—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations or under fresh-start reporting. Goodwill and other indefinite-life intangible assets are subject to an annual assessment for impairment during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if there are indications of possible impairment, by applying a fair-value-based test. In accordance with accounting guidance related to goodwill and other intangible assets, the Company tests for impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually in the fourth quarter of each year and in certain situations between those annual dates. See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for more detail related to the goodwill impairment analysis.
The carrying amounts of Goodwill by segment are as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Impairment
 
Net
Carrying
Value
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Impairment
 
Net
Carrying
Value
Central
$
14,224

 
$

 
$
14,224

 
$
14,224

 
$

 
$
14,224

South
1,731

 
(1,731
)
 

 
1,731

 
(1,731
)
 

Corporate and other
10,704

 
(9,071
)
 
1,633

 
10,704

 
(9,071
)
 
1,633

Total
$
26,659

 
$
(10,802
)
 
$
15,857

 
$
26,659

 
$
(10,802
)
 
$
15,857

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
 
 
Estimated
life
(years)
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Trade name
 
Indefinite
 
$
25,500

 
$
25,500

Gaming licenses
 
Indefinite
 
37,387

 
37,387

Customer lists
 
3
 
7,660

 
160

Favorable lease
 
5 - 42
 
13,260

 
13,260

Intellectual property, other
 
1
 
550

 

Total intangible assets
 
 
 
84,357

 
76,307

Less accumulated amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer lists
 
 
 
(160
)
 
(146
)
Favorable lease
 
 
 
(2,357
)
 
(2,270
)
Total accumulated amortization
 
 
 
(2,517
)
 
(2,416
)
Intangible assets, net
 
 
 
$
81,840

 
$
73,891

Upon the adoption of fresh-start reporting, the Company recognized an indefinite life trade name related to the "Tropicana" trade name and indefinite life gaming licenses related to entities that are located in gaming jurisdictions where competition is limited to a specified number of licensed gaming operators. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the

11


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

indefinite life gaming licenses consists of $28.7 million and $8.7 million related to Tropicana Evansville and Lumière Place, respectively.
Customer lists represent the value associated with customers enrolled in our customer loyalty programs and are amortized on a straight-line basis over three years. Amortization expense related to customer lists, which was amortized to depreciation and amortization expense, for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was less than $0.1 million.
On March 31, 2017, concurrently with the sale of the Taj Mahal (see Note 12 - Related Party Transactions), the Company purchased the Taj Mahal customer database and certain other intellectual property for an aggregate purchase price of $8.05 million. The Company has estimated the value of the customer database to be $7.5 million, and will amortize it on a straight-line basis over three years, commencing April 1, 2017. The remainder of the purchase price, estimated to represent the fair value of the intellectual property, will be amortized on a straight-line basis over one year, commencing April 1, 2017.
Favorable lease arrangements were valued upon adoption of fresh-start reporting and are being amortized to rental expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining useful life of the respective leased facility. In connection with the Tropicana AC acquisition, the Company also recognized intangible assets relating to favorable lease arrangements which are being amortized to tenant income on a straight-line basis over the terms of the various leases. Additionally, in connection with the acquisition of Tropicana Aruba, the Company recognized intangible assets relating to a favorable land lease arrangement which is amortized to rental expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the land lease. Amortization expense related to favorable lease arrangements, which is amortized to rental expense or tenant income, as applicable, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
NOTE 7—INVESTMENTS
CRDA
The New Jersey Casino Control Act provides, among other things, for an assessment of licensees equal to 1.25% of gross gaming revenues and 2.5% of Internet gaming gross revenues in lieu of an investment alternative tax equal to 2.5% of gross gaming revenues and 5% on Internet gaming gross revenues. The Company may satisfy this investment obligation by investing in qualified eligible direct investments, by making qualified contributions or by depositing funds with the CRDA. Funds deposited with the CRDA may be used to purchase bonds designated by the CRDA or, under certain circumstances, may be donated to the CRDA in exchange for credits against future CRDA investment obligations. The carrying value of the total investments at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 approximates their fair value.
CRDA investments consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Investment in bonds—CRDA
$
18,641

 
$
18,592

Less unamortized discount
(4,351
)
 
(4,348
)
Less valuation allowance
(4,115
)
 
(4,115
)
Deposits—CRDA
17,246

 
17,351

Less valuation allowance
(8,905
)
 
(10,319
)
Direct investment—CRDA
2,494

 
2,158

Less valuation allowance
(2,494
)
 
(2,158
)
Total CRDA investments
$
18,516

 
$
17,161

The CRDA bonds have various contractual maturities that range from 2 to 40 years. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because of prepayment rights. The Company treats CRDA bonds as held-to-maturity since the Company has the ability and the intent to hold these bonds to maturity and under the CRDA, the Company is not permitted to do otherwise. As such, the CRDA bonds are initially recorded at a discount to approximate fair value.
After the initial determination of fair value, the Company analyzes the CRDA bonds for recoverability on a quarterly basis based on management's historical collection experience and other information received from the CRDA. If indications exist that the CRDA bond is impaired, additional valuation allowances are recorded.
Funds on deposit with the CRDA are held in an interest bearing account by the CRDA. Interest is earned at the stated rate that approximates two-thirds of the current market rate for similar assets. The Company records charges to expense to reflect the lower return on investment and records the deposit at fair value on the date the deposit obligation arises. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 the Company recorded a reduction of $1.1 million and a charge of $0.4 million,

12


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

respectively, to general and administrative expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income, representing the changes in these investment reserves.
As a result of the NJ PILOT Law, which was enacted in May 2016 (see further discussion in Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, NJ PILOT Law), the portion of investment alternative tax payments made by casino operators which are deposited with the CRDA and which have not been pledged for the payment of bonds issued by the CRDA will be allocated to the State of New Jersey for purposes of paying debt service on bonds previously issued by Atlantic City. That portion of the deposits which will be allocated to the State of New Jersey are no longer recorded as an investment with a corresponding valuation allowance, but are charged directly to general and administrative expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a charge of $1.0 million to general and administrative expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income, representing that portion of investment alternative tax payments that will be allocated to the State of New Jersey under the NJ PILOT Law and have no future value to the Company.
In 2014, the Company was approved to use up to $18.8 million of CRDA deposits ("Approved CRDA Project Funds") for certain capital expenditures relating to Tropicana AC. In April 2016, the CRDA approved an application by the Company to increase the scope of the approved Tropicana AC project to include additional project elements and amend the CRDA grant agreement related to the Tropicana AC project to permit (i) an $8 million increase in the CRDA fund reservation and corresponding increase in the Approved CRDA Project Funds from $18.8 million to $26.8 million, and (ii) a rescheduled substantial completion date for the Tropicana AC project to not later than June 30, 2017. In exchange for the approval, the Company agreed to donate the balance of its CRDA deposits in the amount of approximately $7.1 million to the CRDA pursuant to NJSA 5:12-177. Tropicana AC expects that the project will be substantially complete by June 30, 2017.
Through December 31, 2016, Tropicana AC had received a total of $18.2 million of reimbursements of Approved CRDA Project Funds under the program described above. Tropicana AC did not receive any CRDA Project Fund reimbursements during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Ruby Seven Studios, Inc.
In March 2015, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TropWorld Games LLC ("TWG") entered into an agreement with Ruby Seven Studios, Inc. ("Ruby Seven") to develop an online social gaming site. In accordance with that agreement, in July 2015, TEI R7, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, exercised an option to acquire 1,827,932 shares of Ruby Seven's Series A-1 Preferred Stock for $1.5 million, representing approximately 13.7% of the equity ownership of Ruby Seven. The investment in Ruby Seven was recorded at cost.
Ruby Seven entered into a merger agreement with a third party pursuant to which Ruby Seven merged into the third party in a transaction that closed in February 2016. TEI R7 approved the agreement.   As a result of the merger transaction, all of Ruby Seven’s outstanding shares (including the shares held by TEI R7) were canceled and the Ruby Seven shareholders received merger consideration in exchange for their shares.  At closing, TEI R7 received cash in the approximate amount of $0.8 million, plus an earn-out consideration over three years following the closing, with a minimum earn-out of approximately $0.7 million, which is included in long-term assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
NOTE 8—LONG-TERM PREPAID RENT AND OTHER ASSETS
Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Tropicana Evansville prepaid rent
$
12,055

 
$
13,326

Deposits
3,753

 
3,312

Timeshare inventory
4,120

 
3,684

Other
4,854

 
4,586

Other assets
$
24,782

 
$
24,908

NOTE 9—ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

13


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Accrued payroll and benefits
$
34,601

 
$
39,908

Accrued gaming and related
15,528

 
15,724

Accrued taxes
22,137

 
13,495

Other accrued expenses and current liabilities
19,619

 
17,028

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities
$
91,885

 
$
86,155

NOTE 10—DEBT
Debt consists of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Term Loan Facility, due 2020, interest at 4.0% at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, net of unamortized discount of $0.8 million at both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and debt issuance costs of $2.4 million and $2.6 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
$
286,320

 
$
286,825

Less current portion of debt
(3,000
)
 
(3,000
)
Total long-term debt, net
$
283,320

 
$
283,825

Credit Facilities
On November 27, 2013, the Company entered into (i) a senior secured first lien term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million, issued at a discount of 0.5% (the “Term Loan Facility”) and (ii) a senior secured first lien revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $15 million (the “Revolving Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). Commencing on December 31, 2013, the Term Loan Facility is amortized in equal quarterly installments of $750,000, with any remaining balance payable on the final maturity date of the Term Loan Facility, which is November 27, 2020.

The Revolving Facility was terminated by the Company effective March 31, 2017, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. There were no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Facility at the time of the termination.

Approximately $172.4 million of the net proceeds from the Term Loan Facility were used to repay in full the principal amounts outstanding under the Company's then existing credit facilities, which were terminated effective as of November 27, 2013. A portion of the proceeds from the Term Loan Facility was used to finance the Company's acquisition of Lumière Place in April 2014.

The Term Loan Facility accrues interest, at the Company's option, at a per annum rate equal to either (i) the LIBO Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (subject to a 1.00% floor) plus an applicable margin equal to 3.00%, or (ii) the alternate base rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (subject to a 2.00% floor) plus an applicable margin equal to 2.00%; such that in either case, the applicable interest rate shall not be less than 4.0%. The interest rate increases by 2.00% following certain defaults. As of March 31, 2017, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 4.0%.

The Term Loan Facility is guaranteed by all of the Company's domestic subsidiaries, subject to limited exceptions, and additional subsidiaries may be required to provide guarantees, subject to limited exceptions. The Term Loan Facility is secured by a first lien on substantially all assets of the Company and the domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors, with certain limited exceptions. Subsidiaries that become guarantors will be required, with certain limited exceptions, to provide first liens and security interests in substantially all their assets to secure the Term Loan Facility.

At the election of the Company and subject to certain conditions, including a maximum senior secured net leverage ratio of 3.25:1.00, the amount available under the Term Loan Facility may be increased, which increased amount may be comprised of additional term loans and revolving loans.

The Term Loan Facility may be prepaid at the option of the Company at any time without penalty (other than customary LIBO Rate breakage fees). The Company is required to make mandatory payments of the Term Loan Facility with (i) net cash proceeds of certain asset sales (subject to reinvestment rights), (ii) net cash proceeds from certain issuances of debt and equity

14


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

(with certain exceptions), (iii) up to 50% of annual excess cash flow (as low as 0% if the Company's total leverage ratio is below 2.75:1.00), and (iv) certain casualty proceeds and condemnation awards (subject to reinvestment rights).

Key covenants binding the Company and its subsidiaries include limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, asset sales, dividends and other restricted payments, and affiliate and extraordinary transactions. Key default provisions include (i) failure to repay principal, interest, fees and other amounts owing under the facility, (ii) cross default to certain other indebtedness, (iii) the rendering of certain judgments against the Company or its subsidiaries, (iv) failure of security documents to create valid liens on property securing the Term Loan Facility and to perfect such liens, (v) revocation of casino, gambling, or gaming licenses, (vi) the Company's or its material subsidiaries' bankruptcy or insolvency; and (vii) the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Many defaults are also subject to cure periods prior to such default giving rise to the right of the lenders to accelerate the loans and to exercise remedies. The Company was in compliance with the covenants of the Term Loan Facility at March 31, 2017.

NOTE 11—IMPAIRMENT CHARGES, OTHER WRITE DOWNS AND RECOVERIES
Impairment charges, other write-downs and recoveries consist of the following (in thousands):
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Gain on insurance recovery
$
(1,278
)
 
$

Loss on disposal of assets
147

 
40

Total impairment charges, other write-downs and recoveries
$
(1,131
)
 
$
40

Hotel Lumière Insurance Recovery
In 2016, we filed a property damage and business interruption claim with our insurance carrier related to our HoteLumière room renovation project which commenced in July 2016. In December 2016 we received insurance proceeds of $1.0 million as a partial payment towards this claim, which was recorded as a gain in 2016. In March 2017, we received notice that the balance of the claim of $1.3 million was approved and was subsequently paid in early April 2017. We recorded the balance of the claim as a gain during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
NOTE 12—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Insight Portfolio Group LLC
Effective January 1, 2013, the Company acquired a minority equity interest in Insight Portfolio Group LLC (“Insight Portfolio Group”) and agreed to pay a portion of Insight Portfolio Group's operating expenses. In addition to the minority equity interest held by the Company, a number of other entities with which Mr. Icahn has a relationship also acquired equity interests in Insight Portfolio Group and also agreed to pay certain of Insight Portfolio Group's operating expenses. The Company may purchase a variety of goods and services as a member of the buying group at prices and on terms that the Company believes are more favorable than those which would be achieved on a stand-alone basis. Commencing in the second quarter of 2016, an officer of the Company also serves on the Board of Directors of Insight Portfolio Group. During each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid $0.1 million to Insight Portfolio Group.
WestPoint International, LLC
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries purchase sheets, towels and other products from WestPoint International, LLC (formerly WestPoint International, Inc., or "WPI"). WPI is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises, which is indirectly controlled by Mr. Icahn. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid $0.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, to WPI for purchases of these products.
Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. Agreements
The Company and its subsidiaries have been a party to several agreements with Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. ("TER") and its subsidiaries.

15


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

Management Agreement
On March 1, 2016, TEI Management Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a management agreement with Trump Taj Mahal Associates, LLC (“TTMA”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of TER and IEH Investments LLC (“IEH Investments”) (the "Management Agreement") pursuant to which TEI Management Services LLC managed the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey, owned by TTMA, and provided consulting services relating to the former Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, owned by Trump Plaza Associates LLC (“Plaza Associates”). The Management Agreement, which commenced upon receipt of required New Jersey regulatory approvals on April 13, 2016, was effective for an initial five year term. TTMA, IEH Investments and Plaza Associates are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Icahn Enterprises, which is indirectly controlled by Mr. Icahn. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded $1.3 million of management fee income as a result of the Management Agreement, which is included in Management fee from related party in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.
In October 2016, the Taj Mahal discontinued its operation as a casino hotel. TTMA exercised its right to terminate the Management Agreement without Cause (as defined in the Management Agreement), effective March 31, 2017, concurrently with the sale of the Taj Mahal to a third party and the surrender of TTMA's New Jersey casino license, at which time TEI Management Services LLC was paid a termination fee of $15 million pursuant to the provisions of the Management Agreement. The termination fee is reflected as "Termination fee from related party" in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income for the Three months ended March 31, 2017.
Services Agreement
Effective April 1, 2017, Tropicana Atlantic City entered into a services agreement with TER (the "Services Agreement"), pursuant to which Tropicana Atlantic City will perform certain administrative services for TER related to TTMA and Plaza Associates on a month to month basis in exchange for a service fee in the amount of $600,000, paid on March 31, 2017. The Services Agreement has a one year term. At any time on or after September 30, 2017, TER may terminate the Services Agreement for any reason. If the Services Agreement is terminated before the end of the term, Tropicana Atlantic City will return a pro-rated portion of the fees paid by TER for the unexpired portion of the term.
Slot Lease and Purchase Agreements
Under a lease agreement dated September 12, 2016, with TTMA, Tropicana AC leased 250 slot machines commencing after the closing of the Taj Mahal. On January 18, 2017, TTMA agreed to terminate the slot lease agreement and Tropicana Atlantic City purchased the slot machines from TTMA for a purchase price of $2.5 million, less the amount of the monthly lease payments in the aggregate amount of $192,000 made by Tropicana Atlantic City to TTMA under the lease agreement.
Database License and IP Sales Agreements
Effective October 1, 2016, the Company and TER entered into a Database License Agreement pursuant to which the Company licensed the Taj Mahal customer database from TER. On March 31, 2017 the Company and TER agreed to terminate the Database License Agreement and enter into a Customer Database and IP Sales Agreement, pursuant to which the Company purchased the Taj Mahal customer database and certain other intellectual property owned by TER, including the Taj Mahal trademark, for an aggregate purchase price of $8.05 million.
NOTE 13—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
MontBleu Lease
The Company has a lease agreement with respect to the land and building which MontBleu operates, through December 31, 2028. Under the terms of the lease, rent is $333,333 per month, plus 10% of annual gross revenues in excess of $50 million through December 31, 2011. After December 31, 2011, rent is equal to the greater of (i) $333,333 per month as increased by the same percentage that the consumer price index has increased from 2009 thereafter, plus 10% of annual gross revenues in excess of a Breakpoint as defined in the terms of the lease agreement, or (ii) 10% of annual gross revenues. In connection with fresh-start reporting, the Company recognized an unfavorable lease liability of $9.6 million related to this lease

16


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

that is amortized on a straight-line basis to rental expense over the remaining term of the lease. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the unfavorable lease liability balance was $6.0 million and $6.1 million, respectively, of which $5.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively, is included in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Tropicana Evansville Land Lease
The Company leases from the City of Evansville, Indiana approximately ten acres of the approximately 20 acres on which Tropicana Evansville is situated. On January 6, 2016 the Company and the City of Evansville entered into a sixth amendment to the Lease Agreement (the "Sixth Amendment"), which was approved by the Indiana Gaming Commission in February 2016, along with the Company's application to move its casino operations from its current dockside gaming vessel to a future developed landside gaming facility. Under the Sixth Amendment, in exchange for the Company's commitment to expend at least $50 million to develop a landside gaming facility (the "Tropicana Development Project") along with a pre-payment of lease rent in the amount of $25 million (the "Rental Pre-Payments"), the City of Evansville granted the Company a $20 million redevelopment credit (the "Redevelopment Credit"). In December 2015, the Company paid the first $12.5 million Rental Pre-Payment, and the second $12.5 million Rental Pre-Payment is due upon the opening of the Tropicana Development Project. Both the Rental Pre-Payments and the Redevelopment Credits will be applied against future rent in equal monthly amounts over a period of one hundred and twenty (120) months commencing upon the opening of the Tropicana Development Project. Under the terms of the lease, as amended by the Sixth Amendment, the Company may extend the lease term through November 30, 2055 by exercising renewal options. The current term commenced December 1, 2015 and expires November 30, 2027 under the terms of the Sixth Amendment. Thereafter, the Company may extend the lease for a three (3) year term through November 30, 2030, followed by five (5) five-year renewal options through November 30, 2055. Under the terms of the Sixth Amendment, in the event the Company decides not to exercise its renewal option(s) and continues to conduct gaming operations in the City of Evansville, the lease may not be terminated and will continue through November 30, 2055, unless the Company and the City of Evansville enter into a replacement agreement that includes payments to the City of Evansville in the amount equal to rent payments under the lease. Under the terms of the lease, as amended by the Sixth Amendment, the Company is required to pay a percentage of the adjusted gross receipts ("AGR") for the year in rent with a minimum annual rent of no less than $2.0 million. The percentage rent shall be equal to 2% of the AGR up to $25 million, plus 4% of the AGR in excess of $25 million up to $50 million, plus 6% of the AGR in excess of $50 million up to $75 million, plus 8% of the AGR in excess of $75 million up to $100 million and plus 10% of the AGR in excess of $100 million.
Pursuant to the terms of the Sixth Amendment, the Company has commenced construction of the new landside gaming facility, which will encompass 75,000 square feet of enclosed space (including approximately 45,000 square feet of casino floor, additional food and beverage outlets and back of house space). In addition, pursuant to the Sixth Amendment, the Company intends to remove its riverboat casino from its current location, so that the Evansville LST 325 Maritime vessel, a historic warship, can be docked in its place. In addition, the Company anticipates making available to the City of Evansville and other parties, space within the existing pavilion building for a ticket counter, museum and/or gift shop to support the Evansville LST 325 Maritime vessel.
Belle of Baton Rouge Lease
Belle of Baton Rouge leases certain land and buildings under separate leases, with annual payments of $0.2 million. In addition, Belle of Baton Rouge leases a parking lot with annual base rent of approximately $0.4 million, plus 0.94% of annual adjusted gross revenue in excess of $45 million but not to exceed $80 million through August 2017.
Tropicana Greenville Lease
Tropicana Greenville leases approximately four acres of land on which the casino and parking facilities of the casino are situated. Tropicana Greenville is required to pay an amount equal to 2% of its monthly gross gaming revenues in rent, with a minimum monthly payment of $75,000. In addition, in any given year in which annual gross gaming revenues exceed $36.6 million, Tropicana Greenville is required to pay 8% of the excess amount as rent pursuant to the terms of the lease. The current lease expires in 2019 with options to extend its term through 2044.
Tropicana Greenville also leases, from the Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners, and operates the Greenville Inn and Suites, a 40-room all-suite hotel, located less than a mile from the casino. The current lease term for the property, which is through February 2021, is for monthly lease payments of $7,300.
In October 2013, Tropicana Greenville entered into an additional lease agreement with the City of Greenville, Mississippi, for a parcel of land adjacent to Tropicana Greenville upon which the Company constructed a parking lot in

17


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

conjunction with its expansion of the Tropicana Greenville casino. The initial term of the lease expires in August 2020, and the Company has several options to extend the lease for a total term of up to twenty-five years. Initial annual rent is $0.4 million with rent adjustments in option periods based upon the Consumer Price Index.
Tropicana Aruba Land Lease
The Company assumed a land lease in August 2010 for approximately 14 acres of land on which Tropicana Aruba is situated through July 30, 2051. Under the terms of the land lease, the current annual rent is $110,000.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
2011 New Jersey Legislation
In February 2011, New Jersey enacted legislation (the "Tourism District Law") that delegated redevelopment authority and creation of a master plan to the CRDA and allowed the CRDA the ability to enter into a five year public private partnership with the casinos in Atlantic City that have formed the Atlantic City Alliance ("ACA") to jointly market the city. The law obligated the Atlantic City casinos either through the ACA or, if not a member of the ACA, through individual assessments, to provide funding for marketing under the Tourism District Law in the aggregate amount of $30.0 million annually through 2016. Each Atlantic City casino's proportionate share of the assessment was based on the gross revenue generated in the preceding fiscal year. In 2016 the Company paid approximately $3.7 million to the ACA for its proportionate share of the assessment (see NJ Pilot Law for further discussion of the ACA, below).
New Jersey Gross Casino Revenue Tax and Casino Investment Alternative Tax
Under current New Jersey law, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission imposes an annual tax of 8% on gross casino revenue and, commencing with the operation of Internet gaming, an annual tax of 15% on Internet gaming gross revenue. In addition, under New Jersey law, casino license holders or Internet gaming permit holders (as applicable) are currently required to invest an additional 1.25% of gross casino revenue and 2.5% of Internet gaming gross revenue ("Casino Investment Alternative Tax", or "IAT") for the purchase of bonds to be issued by the CRDA or to make other approved investments equal to those amounts; and, in the event the investment requirement is not met, the casino license holder or Internet gaming permit holder (as applicable) is subject to a tax of 2.5% on gross casino revenue and 5.0% on Internet gaming gross revenue. As mandated by New Jersey law, the interest rate of the CRDA bonds purchased by the licensee will be two-thirds of the average market rate for bonds available for purchase and published by a national bond index at the time of the CRDA bond issuance. As more fully described below, commencing on May 27, 2016, the effective date of the NJ PILOT Law, future IAT that have not been pledged for the payment of bonds issued by the CRDA, or any bonds issued to refund such bonds, will be allocated to the City of Atlantic City for the purposes of paying debt service on bonds issued by the City of Atlantic City.
NJ PILOT LAW
On May 27, 2016, New Jersey enacted the Casino Property Tax Stabilization Act (the "NJ PILOT Law") which will exempt Atlantic City casino gaming properties from ad valorem property taxation in exchange for an agreement to make annual payment in lieu of tax payments ("PILOT Payments") to the City of Atlantic City, make certain changes to the NJ Tourism District Law and redirect certain IAT payments to assist in the stabilization of Atlantic City finances. Under the PILOT Law, commencing in 2017 and for a period of ten (10) years, Atlantic City casino gaming properties will be required to pay a prorated share of PILOT Payments totaling $120 million based on a formula that accounts for gaming revenues, the number of hotel rooms and the square footage of each casino gaming property. Commencing in 2018 and each year thereafter, the $120 million base year aggregate payment may either increase to as high as $165 million (based upon industry gross gaming revenue ("GGR") of between $3.0 billion and $3.4 billion) or decrease to a low of $90 million (based upon industry GGR less than $1.8 billion) and further taking into account certain non-GGR revenue streams, with the base year $120 million industry GGR set at between $2.2 billion and $2.6 billion. In years in which the industry PILOT Payments do not increase based upon an increase in GGR above the base year or other bracketed amounts, PILOT Payments will increase 2%. In February 2017, the Company signed an interim PILOT agreement with the State and the City related to payment of the 2017 PILOT payments.
The NJ PILOT Law also provides for the abolishment of the ACA effective as of January 1, 2015 and redirection of the $30 million in ACA funds paid by the casinos for each of the years 2015 and 2016 under the Tourism District Law to the State of New Jersey for Atlantic City fiscal relief and further payments of $15 million in 2017, $10 million in 2018 and $5 million for each year between 2019 and 2023 to Atlantic City. Pursuant to the NJ PILOT Law, the 2015 and 2016 ACA payments were remitted to the State.

18


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

In addition, the NJ PILOT Law also provides for IAT payments made by the casino operators since the effective date of the NJ PILOT Law, which were previously deposited with the CRDA and which have not been pledged for the payment of bonds issued by the CRDA , or any bonds issued to refund such bonds, to be allocated to the State of New Jersey for purposes of paying debt service on bonds previously issued by Atlantic City.
Wimar and CSC Administrative Expense Claims
On March 31, 2009, Wimar Tahoe Corporation ("Wimar") and Columbia Sussex Corporation ("CSC") filed separate proceedings with the Bankruptcy Court related to administrative expense and priority claims against the Predecessors. On August 4, 2010, Wimar and CSC separately filed motions for summary judgment seeking payment on account of these claims from the Company totaling approximately $5.4 million, which was recorded as a liability upon emergence from bankruptcy and is included in accounts payable in our accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. In its objection to Wimar and CSC's motions for summary judgment, the Company disputed the administrative expense and/or priority status of certain amounts claimed and also contended that any payment to CSC or Wimar should await the resolution of the adversary proceeding instituted by Lightsway Litigation Services, LLC, as Trustee of the Tropicana Litigation Trust established by the bankruptcy reorganization plan, against CSC and Wimar (the "Litigation Trust Proceeding"), and be set off against any judgment against Wimar and CSC in the Litigation Trust Proceeding against them.
In October 2015, the Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion order and entered an order (1) denying Wimar's and CSC's Motions for Summary Judgment seeking allowance and payment of administrative expense claims, and (2) granting, in part, CSC's Motion for Summary Judgment to allow priority status under Bankruptcy Code Section 507(a)(5) for certain contributions made to employee benefit plans and (3) denying, in part, CSC's request for prepayment of the priority claims. The Company has motion pending with the Bankruptcy Court seeking clarification of certain aspects of the Bankruptcy Court's opinion and order. Any further litigation on the Wimar and CSC administrative expense claim has been consensually continued until after the Litigation Trust Proceeding is resolved. The Company continues to dispute any payment obligation to Wimar or CSC.
UNITE HERE
On June 30, 2016, a tentative agreement was reached between UNITE HERE Local 54 and Tropicana AC on a new collective bargaining agreement to extend through February 29, 2020. The terms of the new collective bargaining agreement were ratified by UNITE HERE Local 54 membership on July 14, 2016, and incorporated into a Memorandum of Understanding dated as of July 15, 2016 modifying the collective bargaining agreement.
Litigation in General
The Company is a party to various litigation that arises in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, all pending legal matters are either adequately covered by insurance or, if not insured, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or the results of operations of the Company.
NOTE 14—STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock
The Company is authorized to issue up to 100 million shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per share ("Common Stock"), of which 24,634,512 shares were issued and outstanding as of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. The holders of Common Stock have no cumulative voting rights, preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. Subject to any preferences that may be granted to the holders of the Company's preferred stock, each holder of Common Stock is entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefore, as well as any distributions to the stockholders and, in the event of the Company's liquidation, dissolution or winding up is entitled to share ratably in all the Company's assets remaining after payment of liabilities.
Stock Repurchase Program
On July 31, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of our outstanding stock with no set expiration date. On February 22, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $50 million of our outstanding common stock, for the repurchase of an aggregate amount of up to $100 million of our outstanding common stock. The Stock Repurchase Program will end upon the earlier of the date on which the plan is terminated by the Board of Directors

19


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

or when all authorized repurchases are completed. The timing and amount of stock repurchases will be determined based upon our evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The Stock Repurchase Program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time and we have no obligation to repurchase any amount of our common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program.
As of March 31, 2017, the Company has repurchased 1,677,988 shares of our stock at a total cost of $42.8 million under the Stock Repurchase Program. In all instances, the repurchased shares were subsequently retired. There were no repurchases of stock under the Stock Repurchase Program during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue up to 10 million shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which none were issued as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The Board of Directors, without further action by the holders of Common Stock, may issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and may fix or alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including the voting rights, redemption provisions (including sinking fund provisions), dividend rights, dividend rates, liquidation rates, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and the description and number of shares constituting any wholly unissued series of preferred stock. Except as described above, the Board of Directors, without further stockholder approval, may issue shares of preferred stock with rights that could adversely affect the rights of the holders of Common Stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock under certain circumstances could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of TEI or other corporate action.
Significant Ownership
At March 31, 2017, Mr. Icahn indirectly controlled approximately 72.51% of the voting power of the Company's Common Stock and, by virtue of such stock ownership, is able to control or exert substantial influence over the Company, including the election of directors. The existence of a significant stockholder may have the effect of making it difficult for, or may discourage or delay, a third party from seeking to acquire a majority of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. Mr. Icahn's interests may not always be consistent with the Company's interests or with the interests of the Company's other stockholders. Mr. Icahn and entities controlled by him may also pursue acquisitions or business opportunities that may or may not be complementary to the Company's business. To the extent that conflicts of interest may arise between the Company and Mr. Icahn and his affiliates, those conflicts may be resolved in a manner adverse to the Company or its other shareholders.
NOTE 15—BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE
The Company computes net income per share in accordance with accounting guidance that requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, increased by potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares include warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all potential dilutive shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.
NOTE 16—INCOME TAXES
Effective Tax Rate
The Company's effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were 38.3% and 40.0%, respectively. The difference between the federal statutory rate of 35% and the Company's effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was primarily due to disallowed foreign losses, state income taxes (net of federal benefit), and other permanent differences. Looking forward, our effective income tax rate may fluctuate due to changes in tax legislation, changes in our estimates of federal tax credits, changes in our assessment of uncertainties as valued under accounting guidance for uncertainty in income taxes, as well as accumulated interest and penalties.

20


TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (Continued)

NOTE 17—SEGMENT INFORMATION
The following table highlights by segment our net revenues and operating income, and reconciles operating income to income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands, unaudited):
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net revenues:
 
 
 
East
$
88,259

 
$
74,915

Central
73,531

 
75,365

West
27,447

 
28,208

South
26,900

 
26,665

Corporate and other (1)
1,250

 

Total net revenues
$
217,387

 
$
205,153

Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
East
$
9,879

 
$
1,491

Central
15,601

 
13,912

West
3,085

 
4,137

South
4,687

 
3,931

Corporate and other
(3,779
)
 
(4,906
)
Total operating income
$
29,473

 
$
18,565

Reconciliation of operating income to income before income taxes:
 
 
 
Operating income
$
29,473

 
$
18,565

Interest expense
(2,965
)
 
(3,220
)
Interest income
253

 
128

Termination fee from related party
15,000

 

Income before income taxes
$
41,761

 
$
15,473

(1) represents management fee from related party.
Assets by segment:
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
East
$
517,815

 
$
497,847

Central
417,505

 
402,651

West
127,123

 
132,238

South
129,446

 
127,146

Corporate and other
164,093

 
165,153

Total assets
$
1,355,982

 
$
1,325,035


ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains 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 (Exchange Act). These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our or our industry's actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some situations, you may be able to identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "might," "expect," "plan," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "could," "would," "estimate," "project," "continue," "pursue," or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and may include (without limitation) information regarding our expectations, hopes or intentions regarding the future, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our operating or other strategic plans, our competition (including online gaming), financing, revenues, or tax benefits; our beliefs regarding the sufficiency of our existing cash and credit sources, including our Credit Facilities (as defined herein) and cash flows from operating activities to meet our projected expenditures (including operating and maintenance capital expenditures)

21



and costs associated with certain of our projects, our required capital expenditures pursuant to agreements we are party to such as the landside construction project at Tropicana Evansville, and our anticipated capital expenditures, including our use of our CRDA project funds, estimated asset and liability values, risk of counterparty nonperformance and our legal strategies and the potential effect of pending legal claims on our business and financial condition, and any financial or other information included herein based upon or otherwise incorporating judgments or estimates based upon future performance or events. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in each such statement. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different manner or extent or at a different time than we have described. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the areas of risk and uncertainty described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as those discussed under "Item 1A—Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. We operate in a continually changing business environment and new risks emerge from time to time. Except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
We are an owner and operator of regional casino and entertainment properties located in the United States and one hotel, timeshare and casino resort located on the island of Aruba. Our United States properties include two casinos in Nevada and one casino in each of Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and New Jersey. We primarily cater to local and regional guests to provide a fun and exciting gaming environment with high quality and high value lodging, dining, retail and entertainment amenities. Our properties offer a broad array of gaming options specifically tailored for our patrons in each market. As of March 31, 2017, our properties collectively included approximately 392,000 square feet of gaming space with approximately 7,900 slot machines, approximately 300 table games and approximately 5,500 hotel rooms.
We view each property as an operating segment which we aggregate by region in order to present our reportable segments: (i) East, (ii) Central, (iii) West and (iv) South. As of March 31, 2017, our operations by region include the following:
East—Tropicana Casino and Resort, Atlantic City ("Tropicana AC") located in Atlantic City, New Jersey;
Central— Tropicana Evansville ("Tropicana Evansville") located in Evansville, Indiana; and Lumière Place Casino, HoteLumière, the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis (collectively, "Lumière Place") located in Saint Louis, Missouri;
West—Tropicana Laughlin Hotel and Casino ("Tropicana Laughlin") located in Laughlin, Nevada; and MontBleu Casino Resort & Spa ("MontBleu") located in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada; and
South —Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel ("Belle of Baton Rouge") located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Trop Casino Greenville ("Tropicana Greenville") located in Greenville, Mississippi; and Tropicana Aruba Resort and Casino ("Tropicana Aruba") located in Palm Beach, Aruba.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, TEI Management Services LLC, also provided management services to the Taj Mahal Casino Hotel property ("Taj Mahal") in Atlantic City, which is a related party to the Company, that was closed in October 2016 and subsequently sold in March 2017. In addition, the Company, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, TropWorld Games LLC, operates an online social gaming site. The operating results of all other subsidiaries of the Company are reported under the heading of "Corporate and other" as they have been determined to not meet the aggregation criteria as separately reportable segments.
We are a Delaware corporation formed on May 11, 2009 to acquire certain assets of Tropicana Entertainment Holdings, LLC ("TEH"), and certain of its subsidiaries, pursuant to their plan of reorganization (the "Plan") under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"). The Company also acquired Columbia Properties Vicksburg ("CP Vicksburg"), JMBS Casino, LLC ("JMBS Casino") and CP Laughlin Realty, LLC ("CP Laughlin Realty"), all of which were part of the same plan of reorganization (the "Plan") as TEH (collectively, the "Predecessors"). In addition, we acquired certain assets of Adamar of New Jersey, Inc. ("Adamar"), an unconsolidated subsidiary of TEH, pursuant to an amended and restated asset purchase agreement, including Tropicana AC. The reorganization of the Predecessors and the acquisition of Tropicana AC (together, the "Restructuring Transactions") were consummated and became effective on March 8, 2010 (the "Effective Date"), at which time we acquired Adamar and several of the Predecessors' gaming properties and related assets. Adamar was not a party to the Predecessors' bankruptcy. Prior to the Effective Date, we conducted no business, other than in connection with the reorganization of the Predecessors and the acquisition of Tropicana AC, and had no material assets or liabilities.
Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms "we," "us," "our," and "the Company" refer to Tropicana Entertainment Inc. and its subsidiaries.

22



Results of Operations
Our financial results are highly dependent upon the number of customers that we attract to our facilities and the amounts those customers spend per visit. Additionally, our operating results may be affected by, among other things, overall economic conditions affecting the discretionary spending of our customers, competitive factors, gaming tax increases and other regulatory changes, the opening or acquisition of new gaming operations, our ability to reinvest in our properties, potential future exposure for liabilities of the Predecessors that we assumed, and general public sentiment regarding travel. We may experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to seasonality and other factors. Historically, our operating results are the strongest in the third quarter and the weakest in the fourth quarter. In addition, weather and long-weekend holidays affect our operating results.
Casino revenues are one of our main performance indicators and account for a significant portion of our net revenues. Casino revenues represent the difference between wins and losses from gaming activities such as slot machines and table games. Key volume indicators include table games volumes and slot volumes, which refer to amounts wagered by our customers. Win or hold percentage represents the percentage of the amounts wagered by the customer that is won by the casino, which is not fully controllable by us, and recorded as casino revenue. Most of our revenues are cash-based, through customers wagering with cash or chips or paying for non-gaming services with cash or credit cards, and therefore are not subject to any significant or complex estimation. As a result, fluctuations in net revenues have a direct impact on cash flows from operating activities. Other performance indicators include hotel occupancy, which is a volume indicator for hotels, and the average daily rate, which is a price indicator for the amount customers paid for hotel rooms.
The following significant factors and trends should be considered in analyzing our operating performance:
Atlantic City Market. Between January 2014 and October 2016, five Atlantic City casino hotels closed as a result of regional competitive market pressures and other factors. The Atlantic City gaming market experienced significant revenue declines in 2014 and 2015 due, in part, to these closures and market competition. In 2016, the Atlantic City gaming market experienced a slight 1.5% increase in casino revenue over 2015, including revenue from internet gaming which commenced in 2013. In addition, in November 2016 the State of New Jersey commenced a takeover of certain Atlantic City local government operations under a law enacted in May 2016, which gives the State the ability to direct certain financial and operational matters on behalf of the city in an effort to stabilize and strengthen its financial situation. The State's ability to stabilize Atlantic City's finances and restructure its debt is an important step toward improving the Atlantic City market.
Table games hold percentages. Casino revenues can vary because of table games hold percentages and differences in the odds for different table games. A variety of factors may impact table games hold, including variances in the amount of high end play. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company's total table games hold was 18.2% and 19.1%, respectively. This hold percentage is not necessarily indicative of results that can be expected for future periods.
Debt and Interest Expense.  In November 2013, we entered into the credit facilities (the "Credit Facilities"), which consist of (i) a senior secured first lien term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million issued at a discount of 0.5% (the "Term Loan Facility") and (ii) a senior secured first lien revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $15 million (the "Revolving Facility"). Commencing on December 31, 2013, the Term Loan Facility requires quarterly principal payments of $750,000 through September 2020 with the remaining outstanding amounts due on November 27, 2020, the maturity date. The obligations under the Term Loan Facility accrue interest at a floating rate which was 4.00% as of March 31, 2017. A portion of the net proceeds from the Term Loan Facility was used to repay in full the amounts outstanding under the then-existing term loan facility which totaled approximately $172.4 million in repaid principal, accrued and unpaid interest. The Revolving Facility was terminated by the Company effective March 31, 2017, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. There were no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Facility at the time of the termination.
Our interest expense was $3.0 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which includes amortization of the related debt discounts and debt issuance costs of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, offset by approximately $0.2 million of capitalized interest in the three months ended March 31, 2017; no interest was capitalized in the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Insurance and other recoveries. In 2016, we filed a property damage and business interruption claim with our insurance carrier related to our HoteLumière room renovation projected that commenced in July 2016. In December 2016 we received insurance proceeds of $1.0 million toward the claim, which was recorded as a gain in 2016. In April 2017 we received additional insurance proceeds of $1.3 million, representing the balance of the property damage claim; this amount was recorded as a gain in the three months ended March 31, 2017.

23



Cost Efficiencies.  We continue to focus on areas where we may institute efficiency initiatives which may result in cost savings. In the past, these cost saving initiatives have included centralizing purchasing functions to reduce costs and maximize our potential buying power, consolidating and streamlining certain back office operations and decreasing benefits expense related to our company-sponsored plans.
Three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to three months ended March 31, 2016
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our results of operations (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Net revenues:
 
 
 
 
East
 
$
88,259

 
$
74,915

Central
 
73,531

 
75,365

West
 
27,447

 
28,208

South
 
26,900

 
26,665

Corporate and other
 
1,250

 

Total net revenues
 
$
217,387

 
$
205,153

Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
 
East
 
$
9,879

 
$
1,491

Central
 
15,601

 
13,912

West
 
3,085

 
4,137

South
 
4,687

 
3,931

Corporate and other
 
(3,779
)
 
(4,906
)
Total operating income
 
$
29,473

 
$
18,565

Operating income margin(a):
 
 
 
 
East
 
11.2
%
 
2.0
%
Central
 
21.2
%
 
18.5
%
West
 
11.2
%
 
14.7
%
South
 
17.4
%
 
14.7
%
Total operating income margin
 
13.6
%
 
9.0
%
(a)Operating income margin is operating income as a percentage of net revenues.
The following table presents detail of our net revenues (in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Casino
 
$
177,420

 
$
165,055

Room
 
29,686

 
28,540

Food and beverage
 
24,665

 
25,886

Other
 
6,806

 
7,217

Management fee from related party
 
1,250

 

Gross revenues
 
239,827

 
226,698

Less promotional allowances
 
(22,440
)
 
(21,545
)
Net revenues
 
$
217,387

 
$
205,153

Net Revenues
In the East region, net revenues were $88.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $13.3 million, or 17.8%, when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. Tropicana AC's net revenues comprise approximately 41% and 37% of the Company's total net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Tropicana AC's gross casino win (including internet gaming revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased 25.9% over the three months ended March 31, 2016, outpacing the 5.7% increase in gaming revenues (including internet gaming revenue) in the total Atlantic City market, as reported, for the first quarter of 2017 in comparison to the same period of 2016. Gaming volumes at Tropicana AC reflected increases during the first quarter of 2017 compared to the comparable prior year period, including a 23.0% increase in table drop and a 27.1% increase in slot handle. The improvement in

24



Tropicana AC's gaming volume was due, in part, to marketing efforts directed towards customers who formerly visited the Taj Mahal casino; when the Taj Mahal closed in October 2016, Tropicana AC entered into an agreement to license (and subsequently purchased) the Taj Mahal customer database. Volume improvements at the Tropicana AC are also attributable to renovation projects completed at the property in 2016 and 2015, including hotel room renovations, a new high-end slot area on the casino floor, a new TropAdvantage club promotional area, new and renovated restaurants and other improvements. The table hold for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was 17.0%, compared to 16.5% in the same period of 2016. The hotel occupancy and average daily room rate was 77% and $81, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to 74% and $80, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
In the Central region, net revenues were $73.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, a decrease of $1.8 million from the three months ended March 31, 2016. Slot volumes in the Central region increased 2.4% in the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the same period of 2016, while slot revenues increased 3.4%, or $1.9 million, in the region during the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the first quarter of 2016. However, table games revenue in the Central region declined 9.4%, or $1.2 million, in the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to a lower table hold at Tropicana Evansville, which was 20.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to 24.5% for the same period of 2016. Table games volumes in the Central region increased 1.3% in the first quarter of 2017. The occupancy rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 in the Central Region was 78%, compared to 75% in the first quarter of 2016, while the average daily room rate was $127 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $126 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The room renovation project at Lumière Place was completed during the first quarter of 2017.
In the West region, net revenues were $27.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 2.7%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. Gaming volumes at MontBleu, which declined 9.6% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, were impacted by severe winter weather throughout the first quarter of 2017, as well as increased marketing efforts by competitors. The decreased volumes, combined with a lower table games hold in the region, which was 19.2% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to 22.5% in the first quarter of 2016, resulted in a 2.4% decline in total casino revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The average daily room rate for the West region was $49 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $51 for the comparable prior year period. The occupancy rate in the West region was 58% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to 56% occupancy for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
In the South region, net revenues were $26.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $0.2 million, or 0.9%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. Casino revenues for the South region increased 2.7% in the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the prior year period, driven primarily by higher slot volumes and gross slot revenue at Belle of Baton Rouge; however, higher promotional slot free play redemptions offset the increase in gross slot revenue. Timeshare sales at the Tropicana Aruba were $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2016. The occupancy rate at our properties in the South region was 73% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 72% for the same period of 2016. The average daily room rate for the South region was $98 and $92 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Net revenues for Tropicana Entertainment Corporate and other division represent the management fee earned as a result of our management of the Taj Mahal.
Operating Income
In the East region, Tropicana AC reported an operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 of $9.9 million, a $8.4 million increase compared to $1.5 million of operating income in the three months ended March 31, 2016. The improvement in operating results in the East region was primarily driven by the increased operating revenues, as discussed previously. Although operating expenses, such as gaming taxes, payroll costs, and promotional costs, also increased as a result of the higher business volumes, the operating income margin for the three months ended March 31, 2017 improved to 11.2%, as compared to 2.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
In the Central region, the operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $15.6 million, a $1.7 million increase over the three months ended March 31, 2016. Although revenues in the Central region reflected a decline for the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the first quarter of 2016, a decrease in depreciation expense of $1.2 million at Lumière Place, combined with a $1.3 million gain on insurance proceeds at the property, more than offset the decline in revenue for the period.
In the West region, the operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $3.1 million, a $1.1 million decrease compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease is mainly attributable to the decrease in revenues as previously discussed, combined with increased depreciation expense in the region; decreases in operating expenses as a result of the lower business volumes partially offset the decline in revenue.

25



In the South region, operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $4.7 million, an increase of $0.8 million over the operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2016. In addition to the increase in net revenues in the region, as previously discussed, reductions in certain operating costs, such as costs associated with timeshare sales, payroll costs and repairs and maintenance costs, contributed to the improvement in operating income.
The Corporate and other operating loss, which includes the results of all other subsidiaries of the Company, was $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, reflecting improvement over the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily due to the recognition of $1.3 million of revenue during the first quarter of 2017 related to the TEI Management Services LLC agreement to manage the Taj Mahal Casino Hotel.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $3.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively. The interest expense on our Term Loan Facility accrues at a floating rate, which was 4.0% per annum as of March 31, 2017. Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized, was $2.7 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest expense also includes $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $16.0 million and $6.2 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and our effective income tax rate was 38.3% and 40.0% for the same periods, respectively. The difference between the federal statutory rate of 35% and the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was primarily due to disallowed foreign losses, state income taxes (net of federal benefit), and other permanent differences.
Termination Fee from Related Party
Concurrently with the sale of the Taj Mahal to a third party and the surrender of TTMA's New Jersey casino license on March 31, 2017, TTMA exercised its right to terminate the Management Agreement without Cause (as defined in the Management Agreement), at which time TEI Management Services LLC was paid a termination fee of $15 million pursuant to the provisions of the Management Agreement.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our cash flows are and will continue to be affected by a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control, including regulatory restrictions, competition, financial markets and other general business conditions. We believe that we will have sufficient liquidity through available cash, credit facilities and cash flow from our properties to fund our cash requirements and capital expenditures for our normal operating activities for at least twelve months. However, we cannot provide assurance that we will generate sufficient income and liquidity to meet all of our liquidity requirements and other obligations as our results for future periods are subject to numerous uncertainties that may result in liquidity problems that could affect our ability to meet our obligations while attempting to meet competitive pressures or adverse economic conditions. In addition, we continually evaluate our financing needs and we may refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. Liquidity may be impacted if additional stock repurchases are made under the stock repurchase program noted below (the "Stock Repurchase Program").
Part of our overall strategy includes consideration of expansion opportunities in new gaming jurisdictions, underserved markets and acquisition and other strategic opportunities that may arise periodically. We may require additional funds in order to execute on such strategic growth, and we may incur additional debt or issue additional equity to finance any such transactions. We cannot assure that we will be able to incur such debt or issue any such additional equity on acceptable terms or at all.
Our material cash requirements for our existing properties for 2017 are expected to include (i) principal and interest payments related to our Term Loan Facility of $3.0 million and $11.8 million, respectively, (ii) maintenance capital expenditures expected to be approximately $31 million, (iii) growth capital expenditures expected to be approximately $22 million, (iv) expenditures related to the Company's $50 million commitment to develop a landside gaming facility at Tropicana Evansville, estimated to be approximately $45 million in 2017, and (iv) minimum lease payments under our operating leases of approximately $8.7 million. Except for the commitment to spend $50 million of capital renovation at Tropicana Evansville required by the Sixth Amendment, the majority of our planned capital expenditures are discretionary and we may decide to spend more or less than the amounts described above.

26



The following table summarizes our cash flows (in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
  
 
2017
 
2016
Cash Flow Information:
 
 

 
 

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
46,507

 
$
23,493

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(32,615
)
 
(17,774
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(752
)
 
3,271

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
13,140

 
$
8,990

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, our operating activities provided $46.5 million in cash. Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized, was $2.7 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This variance primarily relates to the capitalization of interest in 2017. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 improved over the prior year period primarily due to the improvement in operating income during the period, combined with the receipt of the $15 million termination fee as a result of the sale of the Taj Mahal to a third party and concurrent termination of the Management Agreement.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, our investing activities used $32.6 million in cash. Net cash used in investing activities primarily consisted of $25.0 million for capital expenditures and $8.1 million for the acquisition of the Taj Mahal's customer database and other intellectual property. Net cash used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2016 consisted primarily of $16.0 million for capital expenditures, partially offset by $1.9 million of Approved CRDA Project Fund reimbursements received and proceeds from the cancellation of the Ruby Seven preferred stock. Capital expenditures relate to expenditures necessary to keep our existing properties at their current levels and are typically replacement items due to the normal wear and tear of our properties and equipment as a result of use and age.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, our financing activities used $0.8 million in cash, consisting primarily of principal payments on the Term Loan Facility. Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily consisted of the proceeds of $7.6 million previously classified as restricted cash for certain bankruptcy-related professional fee liabilities, offset by principal payments on the Term Loan Facility of $0.8 million, combined with the buy back of the Company's common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program of $3.5 million, as further described below
Credit Facilities
On November 27, 2013, we entered into (i) a senior secured first lien term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million, issued at a discount of 0.5% (the “Term Loan Facility”) and (ii) a senior secured first lien revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $15 million (the “Revolving Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facilities”). Commencing on December 31, 2013, the Term Loan Facility is amortized in equal quarterly installments of $750,000, with any remaining balance payable on the final maturity date of the Term Loan Facility, which is November 27, 2020.

The Revolving Facility was terminated by the Company effective March 31, 2017, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. There were no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Facility at the time of the termination.

Approximately $172.4 million of the net proceeds from the Credit Facilities were used to repay in full the principal amounts outstanding under our then-existing credit facilities, which were terminated effective as of November 27, 2013. A portion of the proceeds from the Credit Facilities was also used to finance our acquisition of Lumière Place in April 2014.

The Term Loan Facility accrues interest, at our option, at a per annum rate equal to either (i) the LIBO Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (subject to a 1.00% floor) plus an applicable margin equal to 3.00%, or (ii) the alternate base rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (subject to a 2.00% floor) plus an applicable margin equal to 2.00%; such that in either case, the applicable interest rate shall not be less than 4.0%. The interest rate increases by 2.00% following certain defaults. As of March 31, 2017, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 4.0%.

At our election and subject to certain conditions, including a maximum senior secured net leverage ratio of 3.25:1.00, the amount available under the Credit Facilities may be increased, which increased amount may be comprised of additional term loans and revolving loans.

The Term Loan Facility may be prepaid at our option at any time without penalty (other than customary LIBO Rate breakage fees). We are required to make mandatory payments of the Credit Facilities with (i) net cash proceeds of certain asset sales (subject to reinvestment rights), (ii) net cash proceeds from certain issuances of debt and equity (with certain exceptions),

27



(iii) up to 50% of annual excess cash flow (as low as 0% if our total leverage ratio is below 2.75:1.00), and (iv) certain casualty proceeds and condemnation awards (subject to reinvestment rights).

Our interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $3.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively, which includes $0.2 million and $0.3 million of amortization of the related debt discounts and debt issuance costs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Stock Repurchase Program

On July 31, 2015 our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of our outstanding common stock with no set expiration date. On February 22, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $50 million of our outstanding stock, for the repurchase of an aggregate amount of up to $100 million of our outstanding common stock. The Stock Repurchase Program will end upon the earlier of the date on which the plan is terminated by the Board of Directors or when all authorized repurchases are completed. The timing and amount of stock repurchases, if any, will be determined based upon our evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The Stock Repurchase Program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time and we have no obligation to repurchase any amount of our common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program.

There were no repurchases of our stock under the Stock Repurchase Program during the three months ended March 31, 2017. During the first quarter of 2016, we repurchased 221,578 shares of our stock under the Stock Repurchase Program. The repurchased shares were subsequently retired.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.
Critical Accounting Policies
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Our primary exposure to market risk is interest rate risk associated with our Term Loan Facility that bears interest based on floating rates. Based on our borrowings as of March 31, 2017, assuming a 1% increase over the 4.0% minimum interest rate specified in our Term Loan Facility, our annual interest cost would increase by approximately $2.9 million.
ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) have concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) are effective as of March 31, 2017. This conclusion is based on an evaluation conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures which ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to management and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

28



PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
For a description of our previously reported legal proceedings, refer to "Item 3-Legal Proceedings" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. There have been no material developments with respect to the legal proceedings described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, except as discussed in Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS.
"Item 1A.—Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes a discussion of our risk factors. There have been no material changes to our risk factors during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to those risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.
ITEM 2. PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
This table provides information with respect to purchases by the Company of shares of its Common Stock on the open market as part of the Stock Repurchase Program during the quarter ended March 31, 2017:
Period
Number of Shares Repurchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan (in thousands)
January 1, 2017 through January 31, 2017
 
 
 
$
7,169

February 1, 2017 through February 28, 2017
 
 
 
$
57,169

March 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017
 
 
 
$
57,169


(1) On July 31, 2015 our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of our outstanding common stock with no set expiration date. On February 22, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $50 million of our outstanding common stock, for the repurchase of an aggregate amount of up to $100 million of our outstanding common stock. The Stock Repurchase Program will end upon the earlier of the date on which the plan is terminated by the Board of Directors or when all authorized repurchases are completed.

29



ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS.
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
2.1

 
 
First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Tropicana Entertainment, LLC and Certain of its Debtor Affiliates Under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 dated December 21, 2009)
 
 
 
 
2.2

 
 
Amended and Restated Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2009, among Adamar of New Jersey, Inc., Manchester Mall, Inc., the Honorable Gary S. Stein, Tropicana Entertainment, LLC, Ramada New Jersey Holdings Corporation, Atlantic-Deauville, Inc., Adamar Garage Corporation, Ramada New Jersey, Inc., Credit Suisse, Tropicana Entertainment Inc., Tropicana Atlantic City Corp., and Tropicana AC Sub Corp. (Schedules omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K; the Registrant will furnish supplementally a copy of the omitted schedules to the Commission upon request.) (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 dated December 21, 2009)
 
 
 
 
3.1

 
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Tropicana Entertainment Inc. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 2010)
 
 
 
 
3.2

 
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Tropicana Entertainment Inc. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 7, 2011)
 
 
 
 
4.1

 
 
Specimen Certificate for shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 dated January 25, 2010)
 
 
 
 
4.2

 
 
Form of Stock Purchase Warrant issued to general unsecured creditors of the Predecessors. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 dated December 21, 2009)
 
 
 
 
4.3

 
 
Form of Stock Purchase Warrant issued to lenders under the Exit Facility. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 2010)
 
 
 
 
31.1*

 
 
Certification by Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
31.2*

 
 
Certification by Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
32**

 
 
Certification by Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
101.IN*

 
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*

 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*

 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB*

 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*

 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*

 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
 
 
 
 
*

Filed herewith
 
 
**

This exhibit is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
 
 
 
 

30



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
TROPICANA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 3, 2017
 
By:
 
/s/ THERESA GLEBOCKI
 
 
 
Name:
 
Theresa Glebocki
 
 
 
Title:
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)


31