Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Holding And Other Investment Offices > SIC 6798 Real Estate Investment Trusts
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1575965. Latest filing source: 0001575965-26-000032.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read GLPI's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read GLPI's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,594,752,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-19 |
| Net income | 825,111,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-19 |
| Assets | 12,909,609,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-19 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-19. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001575965.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 828,255,000 | 971,307,000 | 1,055,727,000 | 1,153,473,000 | 1,153,165,000 | 1,216,351,000 | 1,311,685,000 | 1,440,392,000 | 1,531,546,000 | 1,594,752,000 |
| Net income | 289,305,000 | 380,598,000 | 339,516,000 | 390,881,000 | 505,711,000 | 534,047,000 | 684,653,000 | 734,283,000 | 784,620,000 | 825,111,000 |
| Operating income | 480,623,000 | 605,518,000 | 593,810,000 | 717,423,000 | 809,274,000 | 841,768,000 | 1,029,915,000 | 1,068,704,000 | 1,130,685,000 | 1,201,453,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 1.60 | 1.79 | 1.58 | 1.81 | 2.30 | 2.26 | 2.70 | 2.77 | 2.87 | 2.95 |
| Operating cash flow | 514,370,000 | 598,711,000 | 654,433,000 | 750,302,000 | 428,077,000 | 803,778,000 | 920,126,000 | 1,009,372,000 | 1,072,770,000 | 1,129,417,000 |
| Dividends paid | 428,352,000 | 529,370,000 | 550,435,000 | 589,128,000 | 230,522,000 | 633,901,000 | 770,858,000 | 833,980,000 | 830,716,000 | 871,872,000 |
| Assets | 7,369,330,000 | 7,246,882,000 | 8,577,293,000 | 8,434,298,000 | 9,034,368,000 | 10,690,449,000 | 10,930,386,000 | 11,806,658,000 | 13,075,949,000 | 12,909,609,000 |
| Liabilities | 4,935,461,000 | 4,788,635,000 | 6,311,686,000 | 6,360,053,000 | 6,359,350,000 | 7,300,309,000 | 6,812,290,000 | 7,297,704,000 | 8,430,425,000 | 7,901,349,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 2,433,869,000 | 2,458,247,000 | 2,265,607,000 | 2,074,245,000 | 2,675,018,000 | 3,390,140,000 | 4,118,096,000 | 4,156,905,000 | 4,268,562,000 | 4,626,452,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 34.93% | 39.18% | 32.16% | 33.89% | 43.85% | 43.91% | 52.20% | 50.98% | 51.23% | 51.74% |
| Operating margin | 58.03% | 62.34% | 56.25% | 62.20% | 70.18% | 69.20% | 78.52% | 74.20% | 73.83% | 75.34% |
| Return on equity | 11.89% | 15.48% | 14.99% | 18.84% | 18.90% | 15.75% | 16.63% | 17.66% | 18.38% | 17.83% |
| Return on assets | 3.93% | 5.25% | 3.96% | 4.63% | 5.60% | 5.00% | 6.26% | 6.22% | 6.00% | 6.39% |
| Liabilities / equity | 2.03 | 1.95 | 2.79 | 3.07 | 2.38 | 2.15 | 1.65 | 1.76 | 1.98 | 1.71 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001575965-26-000032; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001575965-26-000032; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001575965-26-000032; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001575965-26-000032; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001575965-26-000032; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001575965-26-000032; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001575965-26-000032; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001575965-26-000032; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001575965-26-000032; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-04-23. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001575965.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.61 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.85 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.70 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 356,589,000 | 155,630,000 | 0.59 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 359,560,000 | 184,010,000 | 0.70 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 369,029,000 | 211,292,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 375,964,000 | 174,464,000 | 0.64 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 380,626,000 | 208,250,000 | 0.77 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 385,341,000 | 184,694,000 | 0.67 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 389,615,000 | 217,212,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 395,235,000 | 165,184,000 | 0.60 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 394,876,000 | 151,439,000 | 0.54 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 397,610,000 | 241,191,000 | 0.85 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 407,031,000 | 267,297,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 419,985,000 | 231,829,000 | 0.82 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001575965-26-000048; filed 2026-04-23. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001575965-26-000048; filed 2026-04-23. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001575965-26-000048; filed 2026-04-23. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001575965-26-000048.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of the financial position and operating results of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2026 should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and related notes thereto and other financial information contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2025. All defined terms included herein have the same meaning as those set forth in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this document are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. ("GLPI") and its subsidiaries (collectively with GLPI, the "Company") to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the Company’s business strategy, plans, goals and objectives.
Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our ability to grow our portfolio of gaming facilities. In addition, statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," "estimates," "plans," "may increase," "may fluctuate," and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may" and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. You should understand that the following important factors could affect future results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements:
•our or our partner’s ability to successfully complete construction of various casino projects currently under development for which we have agreed to provide construction development funding, including Bally’s Chicago (as defined below), and the ability and willingness of our partners to meet and/or perform their respective obligations under the applicable construction financing and/or development documents;
•the impact that higher inflation rates and interest rates and uncertainty with respect to the future state of the economy could have on discretionary consumer spending, including the casino operations of our tenants;
•unforeseen consequences related to United States ("U.S.") government, economic, monetary or trade policies and stimulus packages on inflation rates, interest rates and economic growth;
•geopolitical events, including recent conflicts in the Middle East, and their potential impact on U.S. Treasury yields and inflation rates;
•the ability of our tenants to maintain the financial strength and liquidity necessary to satisfy their respective obligations and liabilities to third parties, including, without limitation, to satisfy obligations under their existing credit facilities and other indebtedness;
•the availability of and the ability to identify suitable and attractive acquisition and development opportunities and the ability to acquire and lease the respective properties on favorable terms;
•the degree and nature of our competition;
•the ability to receive, or delays in obtaining, the regulatory approvals required to own and/or operate our properties, or other delays or impediments to completing our planned acquisitions or projects;
•the potential of a new pandemic or similar national health crisis, including its effect on the ability or desire of people to gather in large groups (including in casinos), which could impact our financial results, operations, outlooks, plans, goals, growth, cash flows, liquidity, and stock price;
•our ability to maintain our status as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), given the highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") provisions for which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist,
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where even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize REIT qualification and where requirements may depend in part on the actions of third parties over which the Company has no control or only limited influence;
•the satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, shareholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis in order for the Company to maintain its REIT status;
•the ability and willingness of our tenants and other third parties to meet and/or perform their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with us, including lease and note requirements and in some cases, their obligations to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities;
•the ability of our tenants to comply with laws, rules and regulations in the operation of our properties, to deliver high quality services, to attract and retain qualified personnel and to attract customers;
•the ability to generate sufficient cash flows to service and comply with financial covenants under our outstanding indebtedness;
•our ability to access capital through debt and equity markets in amounts and at rates and costs acceptable to GLPI, including for the satisfaction of our funding commitments to the extent drawn by our partners, acquisitions or refinancings due to maturities;
•the ability of our tenants to decline our funding commitments by seeking alternative financing solutions and/or if our tenants do elect to utilize our funding commitments, the amounts drawn and the timing of these draws may be different than what the Company assumed;
•adverse changes in our credit rating;
•the availability of qualified personnel and our ability to retain our key management personnel;
•changes in the U.S. tax law and other federal, state or local laws, whether or not specific to real estate, REITs or the gaming, lodging or hospitality industries;
•changes in accounting standards;
•the impact of weather or climate events or conditions, natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other international hostilities, war (including the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East) or political instability;
•the risk that the historical financial statements included herein do not reflect what the business, financial position or results of operations of GLPI may be in the future;
•other risks inherent in the real estate business, including potential liability relating to environmental matters and illiquidity of real estate investments; and
•additional factors as discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (the "Annual Report"), in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
You should consider the areas of risk described above, as well as those set forth in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company’s Annual Report and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in connection with considering any forward-looking statements that may be made by the Company generally. Other unknown or unpredictable factors may also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are difficult to anticipate and are generally beyond the control of the Company. Except for the ongoing obligations of the Company to disclose material information under the federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events unless required to do so by law.
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Company Overview
GLPI is a self-administered and self-managed REIT headquartered in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. GLPI was incorporated on February 13, 2013, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PENN. On November 1, 2013, PENN contributed to GLPI, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with PENN’s real property interests and real estate development business, as well as the assets and liabilities of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and Hollywood Casino Perryville and then spun-off GLPI to holders of PENN's common and preferred stock in a tax-free distribution (the "Spin-Off").
Since 2021, the Company has been structured as an umbrella partnership REIT under which substantially all of our business is conducted through GLP Capital, the day-to-day management of which is exclusively controlled by GLPI. GLPI has no material assets other than its investment in GLP Capital. GLPI issues equity from time to time and is obligated to contribute the net proceeds from those offerings to GLP Capital. As of March 31, 2026, GLPI holds a 96.8% controlling financial interest in the operating partnership.
Business Strategy
We seek to provide an opportunity to invest in the growth opportunities afforded by the gaming industry, with the stability and cash flow opportunities of a REIT. Our primary business consists of acquiring, financing, and owning real estate property to be leased to gaming operators in triple-net lease arrangements. Under these arrangements, in addition to rent, the tenants are required to pay the following executory costs: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor) and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties. The Company also extends loans that produce fixed or variable returns which may convert into leased rent upon project completion or stabilization.
Property and lease information
The Company has disclosed the following key terms of its Master Leases and Single Property Leases in the tables below, along with the properties within each lease at March 31, 2026. We believe the following key terms are important for users of our financial statements to understand.
•The Coverage ratio is a defined term in each respective lease agreement with our tenants and represents the ratio of Adjusted EBITDAR to rent expense for the properties contained within each lease. Adjusted EBITDAR is defined in each respective lease but is generally consistent with the Company's definition of Adjusted EBITDA as described in the Results of Operations section of this Management Discussion and Analysis, plus rent expense paid to GLPI.
•Certain leases have a minimum escalator coverage ratio governor as disclosed below. Before a rent escalation of up to 2% on the building base rent component of each lease can occur, the minimum coverage ratio for these leases needs to be 1.8 to 1 for the applicable lease year.
•The reported coverage ratios below with respect to our tenants' rent coverage over the trailing twelve months were provided by our tenants for the most recently available time period. GLPI has not independently verified the accuracy of the tenants' information and therefore makes no representation as to its accuracy. Rent coverage ratios are not reported for ground leases, leases with development projects, or on leases that have been in effect for less than twelve months.
•The Amended PENN Master Lease, the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease, and the Belterra Park Lease each include (i) a fixed rent component, a portion of which escalates annually by up to 2% if specified rent coverage thresholds are m
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2025 should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto and other financial information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including information with respect to our business and growth strategies, statements regarding the industry outlook and our expectations regarding the future performance of our business contained herein are forward looking statements. See "Important Factors Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" You should also review the "Risk Factors" section in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by such forward-looking statements.
All defined terms included herein have the same meaning as those set forth in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We generate our revenues from long-term, triple-net leases and real estate backed financing arrangements with leading regional gaming operators. As a result, our operating profile is characterized by stable and predictable cash flows, limited operating expenses and high margins because tenants are responsible for property level costs, maintenance capital, taxes, insurance and all utilities and other costs necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the properties. Our results therefore depend primarily on the contractual rent terms in our leases, the timing and level of funded capital commitments, and our ability to refinance our debt obligations and/or issue new borrowings on attractive terms, rather than the daily volatility of gaming operations.
Our operations also include interest income from loans that produce fixed or variable returns which may convert into leased rent upon project completion or stabilization.
Key Trends That May Affect Our Business
Tenant and Industry Performance
The majority of our tenants (and respective guarantors, as applicable) under our lease agreements are leading gaming operators across the United States. Rental payments under our lease agreements comprise, and are expected to continue to comprise, a substantial majority of our revenues. Accordingly, we are dependent on, among other things, our tenants' (and
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Table of Contents
respective guarantors', as applicable) financial performance, the performance of the gaming properties and health of the economies where our leased properties are located.
Property-level performance affects whether annual rent escalations are triggered for leases that require a minimum 1.8x rent coverage ratio, as well as for certain leases that include percentage rent provisions. However, percentage rent accounted for only 4.8% of our 2025 cash income.
Key 2025 Highlights
Operating Results
•Collected 100% of contractual rent in cash.
•Total revenues increased 4.1% year-over-year to $1.59 billion.
•Net income attributable to common shareholders increased 5.2% year-over-year to $825.1 million and net income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share increased 2.8% to $2.95.
Significant Achievements
•Extended development funding commitments for the following projects:
◦Completed funding for PENN’s M Resort hotel tower, which opened in December 2025, providing $150 million of financing at a 7.79% capitalization rate.
◦Completed funding for PENN’s Hollywood Casino Joliet relocation, which opened in August 2025, providing $130 million of financing at a 7.75% capitalization rate.
◦Completed funding for Casino Queen’s landside casino and hotel development at the former Belle of Baton Rouge site, which opened in December 2025, providing $111 million of financing at a 9.00% capitalization rate.
◦Funded $201.6 million for Bally's Chicago at a 8.5% capitalization rate.
◦Funded $9.6 million for the Casino Queen Marquette landside development project at a 8.25% capitalization rate.
◦As of December 31, 2025, the Company has funded $56.6 million of the $110 million Ione Loan at an 11% interest rate for the tribe's Acorn Ridge casino development that is scheduled to open in February 2026.
•Completed and/or announced the following acquisitions or development projects:
◦On October 15, 2025, closed on the acquisition of Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino for $183.75 million with Strategic at an 8.16% capitalization rate.
◦Agreed to a $225.3 million commitment, consisting of a $180 million delayed draw term loan at a fixed rate of 12.50% and a $45.3 million term loan B issued at an original issue discount of 3%, bearing interest at SOFR plus 900 basis points, with a SOFR floor of 1% to serve as the lead real estate financing partner for a new, integrated resort, Caesars Republic Sonoma County for Dry Creek, that will be developed on the site of the current River Rock Casino. The term loan B commitment was funded in December 2025. Upon or prior to the maturity of the six-year term loans, Dry Creek will lease the property back to an affiliate of GLPI and GLPI will sublease the property back to an affiliate of Dry Creek for no less than $112.5 million for 45 years at a 9.75% capitalization rate.
◦In October 2025, the Company announced that it intends to acquire the real estate for the future site for Live! Virginia Casino & Hotel, a Cordish Company/Bruce Smith Enterprise casino and hotel development in Petersburg, Virginia. The capitalization rate on both the land acquisition of $27 million (which was acquired by GLPI on January 15, 2026) and the hard cost development funding of $440 million will be at 8.0%.
◦In February 2025, agreed to fund, if requested by PENN, on or before March 31, 2029, construction improvements for the benefit of Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs in an amount not to exceed the greater of the hard costs associated with the project or $150 million at a 7.10% capitalization rate.
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•Financing and other
◦Announced an increase to our quarterly cash dividend to $0.78 per share (or $3.12 per share on an annualized basis) in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 2.6% increase compared to the previous quarterly dividend.
◦In June 2025, settled a forward sale agreement of 8,170,387 shares of our common stock for proceeds of $404.0 million. In the third quarter of 2025, the Company sold 7.59 million shares under forward sale agreements to raise gross proceeds of $363.3 million, subject to certain contractual adjustments. No amounts have been or will be recorded on the Company's balance sheet with respect to these forward sale agreements until settlement (which contractually mature in the third quarter of 2026 but may be settled prior to this time period at the Company's election).
◦In August 2025, the Company issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2033, at a price of 99.642% of the principal amount (the "February 2033 Notes"), and $700 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior unsecured notes due November 1, 2037, at a price of 99.187% of the principal amount (the "November 2037 Notes"). In connection with the issuances, the Company terminated certain forward starting interest rate swap agreements and will recognize a benefit of approximately $1 million, amortized over ten years as a reduction of interest expense, with respect to the November 2037 Notes. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering to redeem in full its outstanding $975 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due April 2026.
Segment Information
The Company's operations consist solely of investments in real estate for which all such real estate properties are similar to one another in that they consist of destination and leisure properties and related offerings, whose tenants offer casino gaming, hotel, convention, dining, entertainment and retail amenities, have similar economic characteristics and are governed by triple-net operating leases. As such, the Company has one operating segment and one reportable segment. The operating results of the Company's real estate investments are reviewed in the aggregate using the Company's consolidated financial statements by the Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief operating decision maker (as such term is defined in ASC 280 - Segment Reporting).
Executive Summary
Financial Highlights
We reported total revenues and income from operations of $1,594.8 million and $1,201.5 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $1,531.5 million and $1,130.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2024. The major factors affecting our results for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, were as follows:
•Total income from real estate was $1,594.8 million and $1,531.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Total income from real estate increased by $63.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The reason for the increase was primarily due to our recent acquisitions and development activity which in the aggregate increased cash income by $73.6 million. Current year results also benefited by $17.7 million from escalations on our leases and higher percentage rent of $2.3 million. The Company also recognized unfavorable straight-line and deferred rent adjustments of $33.6 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, as well as lower accretion of $0.6 million on its Investment in leases. Finally, the Company had higher ground rent income of $3.9 million.
•Total operating expenses decreased by $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the prior year. The provision for credit losses declined by $28.6 million due to primarily due to changes in estimates to property specific credit and performance metrics as well as changes in economic forecasts. Land rights and ground lease expense increased by $7.7 million due to the acquisition of assets in Bally's Master Lease II. General and administrative expenses increased by $3.9 million due primarily from an executive severance charge of $6.3 million, partially offset by lower stock based compensation expense of $3.1 million due primarily from forfeitures from the executive awards. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a gain of $3.8 million on the reclassification of the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease to a sales type lease from an operating lease due to a lease
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reconsideration event. Finally, the Company incurred higher depreciation expense of $5.7 million due to its recent acquisitions.
•Other expenses, net increased by $28.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the prior year. The increase was due to higher borrowing levels that partially funded our recent acquisitions, a decrease in interest income due to lower average interest earning balances in the current year. Additionally, results for the year ended December 31, 2025 included a debt extinguishment charge of $3.8 million for a call premium payment and accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs due to a senior unsecured note redemption.
•Net income increased by $42.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the variances explained above.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We make certain judgments and use certain estimates and assumptions when applying accounting principles in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The nature of the estimates and assumptions are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain factors or the susceptibility of such factors to change. We have identified the accounting for leases, investment in leases, financing receivables, net, allowance for credit losses, and real estate investments as critical accounting estimates, as they are the most important to our financial statement presentation and require difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
We believe the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and, in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition.
Leases
As a REIT, substantially all of our revenues are derived from rent received from tenants under long-term, triple-net leases. The accounting guidance in ASC 842, Leases, is complex and requires management to apply judgment and make assumptions in order to determine the appropriate accounting treatment for each lease arrangement. We evaluate lease classification upon entering into a new lease and upon any lease modification to determine whether the arrangement should be accounted for as an operating lease, a sales-type lease, or as a financing receivable (including arrangements arising from failed sale-leaseback transactions). The applicable lease classification significantly impacts the timing and presentation of income recognition and, accordingly, the presentation of our consolidated financial statements.
Operating Leases
Under the operating lease model, the real estate assets we own and lease to tenants remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as real estate investments. Rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Straight-line rental revenue includes lease payments, including percentage rent provisions, that are fixed and determinable at lease commencement or upon a lease reassessment. Straight-line recognition may result in the recording of deferred rental revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, which is amortized into rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term. The lease term includes the initial non-cancelable term, together with any renewal periods that are considered reasonably assured of being exercised.
Contingent rental income that is not fixed and determinable at lease commencement is recognized only when the contingency is resolved and the related amounts become probable of being earned (for example, when the tenant achieves the specified performance threshold).
Financing Receivables and Sales-Type Lease Investments
In certain circumstances, we account for a lease arrangement as either (i) a financing receivable or (ii) a sales-type lease investment, rather than as an operating lease. For both financing receivables and sales-type leases, cash payments collected from tenants are not reported as rental revenue. Instead, amounts received are generally allocated between (i) interest income recognized using the effective interest method and (ii) a reduction of the outstanding investment balance (i.e., the financing receivable or sales-type lease investment), as applicable.
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Under ASC 842, lease arrangements that include both land and building components may require separate classification of each component, which can result in a lease being bifurcated between operating lease and sales-type or financing receivable treatment.
Investment in Leases – Financing Receivables
For sale-leaseback transactions, we evaluate whether control of the underlying asset has transferred to the Company. Control of an asset refers to the ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from, the asset, including the ability to prevent other entities from directing the use of, and obtaining the benefits from, the asset.
When control is deemed not to have transferred, we do not recognize the underlying real estate asset as a real estate investment. Instead, we recognize a financial asset presented as Investment in leases – financing receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and account for the arrangement in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables. We have concluded that certain lease arrangements are required to be accounted for as financing receivables under ASC 310 because control of the underlying assets is not considered to have transferred to the Company under GAAP.
The accounting for financing receivables under ASC 310 is materially consistent with the accounting applied to our sales-type lease investments under ASC 842, in that both approaches recognize interest income over time using an effective yield methodology and reduce the recorded investment balance as payments are received.
Investment in Leases – Sales-Type Lease Investments
If a lease arrangement meets one or more of the sales-type classification criteria under ASC 842, the leased assets are recorded as Investment in leases – sales-type on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 842.
To determine whether a lease should be classified as a sales-type lease under ASC 842, we evaluate the following criteria. If any of these criteria are met at lease commencement, the lease is classified as a sales-type lease:
Transfer of ownership — The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term. This criterion is met when the lease agreement provides for the transfer of title at or shortly after the end of the lease term, generally for a nominal amount.
Bargain purchase option — The lease includes an option that allows the lessee to purchase the asset at a price that is sufficiently lower than the expected fair value of the asset at the date the option becomes exercisable, and the exercise of the option is reasonably certain.
Lease term — The lease term represents the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset. This criterion is not applied when the lease commencement date occurs at or near the end of the asset’s economic life.
Present value of lease payments — The present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee (to the extent not already reflected in the lease payments) equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.
Specialized nature — The underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.
The classification evaluation described above, as well as the related calculations, requires significant judgment and the use of estimates. Key judgments and estimates include, among other things: (i) determining the fair value of the underlying leased assets at lease commencement, (ii) estimating the residual value of the assets at the end of the lease term, (iii) assessing the likelihood that tenants will exercise renewal options (which affects the determination of lease term), (iv) estimating the remaining economic life of the leased assets, and (v) allocating consideration and rental income received under master lease arrangements to the underlying leased assets. Changes in these estimates or judgments could result in a different lease classification and materially impact the presentation of our consolidated financial statements and income recognition method.
Allowance for credit losses
The Company follows ASC 326 “Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”), which requires that the Company measure and record current expected credit losses (“CECL”), the scope of which includes our Investments in leases - financing receivables, Investment in leases - sales-type, as well as the Company's real estate loans.
We have elected to use an econometric default and loss rate model to estimate the Allowance for credit losses, or CECL allowance. This model requires us to calculate and input lease and property-specific credit and performance metrics
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which in conjunction with forward-looking economic forecasts, project estimated credit losses over the life of the lease or loan. The Company then records a CECL allowance based on the expected loss rate multiplied by the outstanding investment.
Expected losses within our cash flows are determined by estimating the probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) of our instruments subject to CECL. We have engaged a nationally recognized data analytics firm to assist us with estimating both the PD and LGD. The PD and LGD are estimated during the initial term of the instruments subject to CECL. The PD and LGD estimates were developed using current financial condition forecasts. The PD and LGD predictive model was developed using the average historical default rates and historical loss rates, respectively, of over 100,000 commercial real estate loans dating back to 1998 that have similar credit profiles or characteristics to the real estate underlying the Company's instruments subject to CECL. Management monitors the credit risk related to its instruments subject to CECL by obtaining the applicable rent coverage on a quarterly basis. The Company also monitors legislative changes to assess whether it would have an impact on the underlying performance of its tenant. We are unable to use our historical data to estimate losses as the Company has no loss history to date on its lease and loan portfolios.
We are required to update our CECL allowance on a quarterly basis with the resulting change being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the relevant period. Finally, each time the Company makes a new investment in an asset subject to ASC 326, we will be required to record an initial CECL allowance for such asset, which will result in a non-cash charge to the Consolidated Statement of Income for the relevant period. Changes in economic probability factors, economic conditions and projections and/or the underlying performance of the property impacts the assumptions utilized in the CECL reserve estimates, which at times has historically had a significant impact on our results of operations. Changes in our assumptions could result in non-cash provisions or recoveries in future periods that could materially impact our results of operations.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments primarily represent land and buildings leased to the Company's tenants. Real estate investments that we received in connection with the Spin-Off were contributed to us at PENN's historical carrying amount. We record the acquisition of real estate at fair value, including acquisition and closing costs. The cost of properties developed by GLPI includes costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. The Company capitalizes interest on development projects by applying its weighted-average borrowing rate to qualifying construction expenditures incurred during the development period. We consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. Depreciation is computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the buildings and building improvements. If we use a shorter or longer estimated useful life, it could have a material impact on our results of operations.
We continually monitor events and circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amount of our real estate investments may not be recoverable or realized. The factors considered by the Company in performing these assessments include evaluating whether the tenant is current on their lease payments, the tenant’s rent coverage ratio, the financial stability of the tenant and its parent company, and any other relevant factors. When indicators of potential impairment suggest that the carrying value of a real estate investment may not be recoverable, we determine whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the underlying lease exceeds the real estate investments' carrying value. If we determine the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the asset's carrying value then we would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We group our real estate investments together by lease, the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available, in evaluating impairment. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value, the Company must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, market and other applicable trends and residual values, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss.
Results of Operations
The following are the most important factors and trends that contribute or may contribute to our operating performance:
•We have announced or closed numerous transactions in recent years and expect to continue to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities (either existing facilities or new development facilities) to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
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•Several wholly-owned subsidiaries of PENN lease a substantial number of our properties and account for a significant portion of our revenue.
•The risks related to economic conditions, including stress in the banking sector, high inflation levels and the effect of such conditions on consumer spending for leisure and gaming activities, which may negatively impact our gaming tenants and operators and the variable rent and certain annual rent escalators we receive from our tenants as outlined in the long-term triple-net leases with these tenants.
•The ability to refinance our significant levels of debt at attractive terms and obtain favorable funding in connection with future business opportunities.
•The fact that the rules and regulations of U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by legislators, the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect GLPI's investors or GLPI.
•Our leases contain variable rent that resets on varying schedules depending on the lease. The Company's percentage rent which is subject to adjustment was 4.8% of total cash rent in 2025 compared to 5.0% in 2024.
The consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are summarized below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,594,752 | $ | 1,531,546 | ||
| Total operating expenses | 393,299 | 400,861 | ||||
| Income from operations | 1,201,453 | 1,130,685 | ||||
| Total other expenses | (348,868) | (320,908) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 852,585 | 809,777 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 2,229 | 2,129 | ||||
| Net income | 850,356 | 807,648 | ||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in the Operating Partnership | (25,245) | (23,028) | ||||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 825,111 | $ | 784,620 |
The Company has omitted the discussion comparing its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2024 to its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2023 from its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Readers are directed to Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 for these disclosures.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA
Funds From Operations ("FFO"), Adjusted Funds From Operations ("AFFO") and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company as performance measures for benchmarking against the Company’s peers and as internal measures of business operating performance, which is used as a bonus metric. These metrics are presented assuming full conversion of limited partnership units to common shares and therefore before the income statement impact of non-controlling interests. The Company believes FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA provide a meaningful perspective of the underlying operating performance of the Company’s current business. This is especially true since these measures exclude real estate depreciation and we believe that real estate values fluctuate based on market conditions rather than depreciating in value ratably on a straight-line basis over time.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that are considered supplemental measures for the real estate industry and a supplement to GAAP measures. The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts defines FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding (gains) or losses from dispositions of property and real estate depreciation. We define AFFO as FFO excluding, as applicable to the particular period, stock based compensation expense; the amortization of debt issuance costs; bond premiums and original issuance discounts; other depreciation; amortization of land rights; accretion on investment in leases; non-cash adjustments to financing lease liabilities; straight-line
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rent and deferred rent adjustments; losses on debt extinguishment; severance charges, capitalized interest; and provision (benefit) for credit losses, net, reduced by capital maintenance expenditures. Finally, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income excluding, as applicable to the particular period, interest, net; income tax expense; real estate depreciation; other depreciation; (gains) or losses from dispositions of property; stock based compensation expense; straight-line rent and deferred rent adjustments; amortization of land rights; accretion on Investment in leases; non-cash adjustments to financing lease liabilities; losses on debt extinguishment; severance charges and provision (benefit) for credit losses, net.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures: (i) do not represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP; (ii) should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities; and (iii) are not alternatives to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, these measures should not be viewed as an indication of our ability to fund our cash needs, including to make cash distributions to our shareholders, to fund capital improvements, or to make interest payments on our indebtedness. Investors are also cautioned that FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other real estate companies, including REITs, due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definitions. Our presentation of these measures does not replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP.
The reconciliation of the Company’s net income per GAAP to FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Net income | $ | 850,356 | $ | 807,648 | ||
| (Gains) or losses from dispositions of property | (125) | (3,790) | ||||
| Real estate depreciation | 263,920 | 258,219 | ||||
| Funds from operations | $ | 1,114,151 | $ | 1,062,077 | ||
| Straight-line rent and deferred rent adjustments | (22,468) | (56,102) | ||||
| Other depreciation | 1,944 | 1,933 | ||||
| Amortization of land rights | 17,079 | 13,270 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | 13,267 | 11,229 | ||||
| Accretion on investment in leases | (28,356) | (28,966) | ||||
| Non-cash adjustment to financing lease liabilities | 431 | 473 | ||||
| Stock based compensation | 21,181 | 24,262 | ||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | 3,783 | — | ||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 8,664 | 37,254 | ||||
| Severance charges | 6,320 | — | ||||
| Capitalized interest | (15,788) | (4,395) | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | (157) | (134) | ||||
| Adjusted funds from operations | $ | 1,120,051 | $ | 1,060,901 | ||
| Interest, net (2) | 341,964 | 317,945 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 2,229 | 2,129 | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | 157 | 134 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | (13,267) | (11,229) | ||||
| Capitalized interest | 15,788 | 4,395 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,466,922 | $ | 1,374,275 |
(1) Such amortization is a non-cash component included in interest, net.
(2) Amounts exclude the non-cash interest expense gross up related to certain ground leases.
Net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA were $850.4 million, $1,114.2 million, $1,120.1 million and $1,466.9 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2025. This compared to net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA, of $807.6 million, $1,062.1 million, $1,060.9 million and $1,374.3 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase in net income was primarily driven by a $63.2 million increase in income from real estate, as
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explained below. The Company had lower operating expenses of $7.6 million and higher other expenses of $28.0 million that are also discussed below.
The increases in FFO for the year ended December 31, 2025 were due to the items described above, excluding gains from dispositions of property and real estate depreciation. The increases in AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA were due to the items described above, less the adjustments mentioned in the tables above. Adjusted EBITDA also increased as compared to the prior year driven by the explanations above, as well as the adjustments mentioned in the tables above.
Revenues
Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Rental income | $ | 1,367,943 | $ | 1,330,620 | $ | 37,323 | 2.8 | % | |||||||
| Income from Investment in leases, financing receivables | 195,649 | 185,430 | 10,219 | 5.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Income from Investment in leases, sales type | 15,126 | 5,004 | 10,122 | 202.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest income from real estate loans | 16,034 | 10,492 | 5,542 | 52.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Total income from real estate | $ | 1,594,752 | $ | 1,531,546 | $ | 63,206 | 4.1 | % |
Total income from real estate
Total income from real estate increased $63.2 million, or 4.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The reason for the increase was primarily due to our recent acquisitions which in the aggregate increased cash income by $73.6 million. Current year results also benefited by $17.7 million from escalations on our leases and higher percentage rent of $2.3 million. The Company also recognized unfavorable straight-line and deferred rent adjustments of $33.6 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, as well as lower accretion of $0.6 million on its Investment in leases. Finally, the Company had higher ground rent income of $3.9 million.
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Details of the Company's income from real estate for the year ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, 2025 | Building base rent | Land base rent | Percentage rent and other rental revenue | Interest income on real estate loans | Total cash income | Straight-line rent and deferred rent adjustments (1) | Ground rent in revenue | Accretion on leases | Total income from real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amended PENN Master Lease | $ | 217,329 | $ | 43,035 | $ | 26,029 | $ | — | $ | 286,393 | $ | 19,807 | $ | 2,685 | $ | — | $ | 308,885 | |||||||||||||
| PENN 2023 Master Lease | 245,871 | — | (79) | — | 245,792 | 18,780 | — | — | 264,572 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 245,930 | 71,256 | 32,486 | — | 349,672 | 7,432 | 8,703 | — | 365,807 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Morgantown Lease | — | 3,185 | — | — | 3,185 | — | — | — | 3,185 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Caesars Master Lease | 65,493 | 23,729 | — | — | 89,222 | 7,378 | 1,320 | — | 97,920 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horseshoe St. Louis Lease | 24,071 | — | — | — | 24,071 | 1,194 | — | — | 25,265 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Master Lease | 82,970 | 11,785 | 12,187 | — | 106,942 | (7,442) | 1,792 | — | 101,292 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Belterra Lease | 2,933 | 1,894 | 2,001 | — | 6,828 | (1,155) | — | — | 5,673 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease | 106,863 | — | — | — | 106,863 | — | 10,176 | — | 117,039 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease II | 46,680 | — | — | — | 46,680 | (133) | 3,661 | — | 50,208 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland Live! Lease | 77,648 | — | — | — | 77,648 | — | 8,580 | 13,478 | 99,706 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease | 51,617 | — | — | — | 51,617 | — | 1,236 | 8,790 | 61,643 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Casino Queen Master Lease | 21,371 | — | — | — | 21,371 | (828) | — | 20,543 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tropicana Las Vegas Lease | — | 15,130 | — | — | 15,130 | — | — | (4) | 15,126 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Lease | — | 8,214 | — | — | 8,214 | — | — | 2,053 | 10,267 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Loan | — | — | — | 12,167 | 12,167 | — | — | — | 12,167 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tioga Downs Lease | 14,737 | — | — | — | 14,737 | — | 6 | 2,295 | 17,038 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strategic Gaming Leases | 12,382 | — | — | — | 12,382 | — | 423 | 1,744 | 14,549 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ione Loan | — | — | — | 3,414 | 3,414 | — | — | — | 3,414 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Chicago Lease | 2,565 | 20,000 | — | — | 22,565 | (22,565) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dry Creek | — | — | — | 453 | 453 | — | — | — | 453 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,218,460 | $ | 198,228 | $ | 72,624 | $ | 16,034 | $ | 1,505,346 | $ | 22,468 | $ | 38,582 | $ | 28,356 | $ | 1,594,752 |
(1) Includes $0.3 million of tenant improvement allowance amortization for the year ended December 31, 2025
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| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | Building base rent | Land base rent | Percentage rent and other rental revenue | Interest income on real estate loans | Total cash income | Straight line rent | Ground rent in revenue | Accretion on leases | Total income from real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amended PENN Master Lease | $ | 213,067 | $ | 43,035 | $ | 26,110 | — | $ | 282,212 | $ | 19,807 | $ | 2,281 | $ | — | $ | 304,300 | ||||||||||||||
| PENN 2023 Master Lease | 236,242 | — | (482) | — | 235,760 | 21,897 | — | — | 257,657 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 244,322 | 71,256 | 31,209 | — | 346,787 | 7,432 | 8,281 | — | 362,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Morgantown Lease | — | 3,138 | — | — | 3,138 | — | — | — | 3,138 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Caesars Master Lease | 64,367 | 23,729 | — | — | 88,096 | 8,505 | 1,320 | — | 97,921 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horseshoe St. Louis Lease | 23,744 | — | — | — | 23,744 | 1,520 | — | — | 25,264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Master Lease | 81,343 | 11,785 | 11,546 | — | 104,674 | 2,296 | 1,729 | — | 108,699 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Belterra Lease | 2,875 | 1,894 | 1,963 | — | 6,732 | 606 | — | — | 7,338 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease | 104,768 | — | — | — | 104,768 | — | 10,690 | — | 115,458 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease II | 1,431 | — | — | 1,431 | — | 211 | — | 1,642 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland Live! Lease | 76,313 | — | — | — | 76,313 | — | 8,703 | 14,979 | 99,995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease | 50,729 | — | — | — | 50,729 | — | 1,241 | 8,935 | 60,905 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Casino Queen Master Lease | 31,662 | — | — | — | 31,662 | 150 | — | — | 31,812 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tropicana Las Vegas Lease | — | 12,188 | — | — | 12,188 | — | — | 2 | 12,190 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Lease | — | 8,053 | — | — | 8,053 | — | — | 2,014 | 10,067 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Loan | — | — | — | 10,055 | 10,055 | — | — | — | 10,055 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tioga Downs Lease | 13,106 | — | — | — | 13,106 | — | 5 | 2,346 | 15,457 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strategic Gaming Leases | 5,774 | — | — | — | 5,774 | — | 247 | 690 | 6,711 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ione Loan | — | — | — | 437 | 437 | — | — | — | 437 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Chicago Lease | — | 6,111 | — | — | 6,111 | (6,111) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,149,743 | $ | 181,189 | $ | 70,346 | $ | 10,492 | $ | 1,411,770 | $ | 56,102 | $ | 34,708 | $ | 28,966 | $ | 1,531,546 |
(1) Includes $0.3 million of tenant improvement allowance amortization for the year ended December 31, 2024.
In accordance with ASC 842, the Company records revenue for the ground lease rent paid by its tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the consolidated statement of income as the Company has concluded that as the lessee it is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The Company subleases these ground leases back to its tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
The Company recognizes earnings on its Investment in leases, financing receivables and Investment in leases, sales type based on the effective yield method using the discount rate implicit in the leases. The amounts in the table above labeled accretion on financing leases represent earnings recognized in excess of cash received during the period.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Land rights and ground lease expense | $ | 55,408 | $ | 47,674 | $ | 7,734 | 16.2 | % | |||||||
| General and administrative | 63,488 | 59,571 | 3,917 | 6.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Gains from disposition of properties | (125) | (3,790) | 3,665 | (96.7) | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation | 265,864 | 260,152 | 5,712 | 2.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 8,664 | 37,254 | (28,590) | (76.7) | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 393,299 | $ | 400,861 | $ | (7,562) | (1.9) | % |
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Land rights and ground lease expense
Land rights and ground lease expense includes the amortization of land rights and rent expense related to the Company's long-term ground leases. Land rights and ground lease expense increased by $7.7 million, or 16.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to the acquisition of assets in Bally's Master Lease II.
General and administrative expense
General and administrative expenses include items such as compensation costs (including stock-based compensation awards), professional services and costs associated with development activities. General and administrative expenses increased by $3.9 million, or 6.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024. The reason for the increase was due primarily from an executive severance charge of $6.3 million, partially offset by lower stock based compensation expense of $3.1 million due primarily from forfeitures from the executive awards.
Gains from dispositions of property
Gains from dispositions for the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to the lease reconsideration event for the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease which resulted in the lease being reclassified from an operating lease to a sales type lease. See Note 1 for further discussion.
Depreciation expense
Depreciation expense increased by $5.7 million, or 2.2%, to $265.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to its recent acquisitions.
Provision for credit losses, net
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded a $8.7 million provision for credit losses as compared to a $37.3 million provision in the corresponding period in the prior year. The primary reason for the decrease were changes in estimates to property specific credit and performance metrics as well as changes in economic forecasts.
Other income (expenses)
Other income (expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (373,881) | $ | (366,897) | $ | (6,984) | 1.9 | % | |||||||
| Interest income | 28,796 | 45,989 | (17,193) | (37.4) | % | ||||||||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | (3,783) | — | (3,783) | N/A | |||||||||||
| Total other expenses | $ | (348,868) | $ | (320,908) | $ | (27,960) | 8.7 | % |
Interest expense
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company's interest expense increased by $7.0 million as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was due to higher borrowing levels that partially funded our recent acquisitions. See Note 10 for additional information.
Interest income
Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 decreased by $17.2 million due to lower average interest earning balances in the current year.
Loss on debt extinguishment
Losses on debt extinguishment of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 related to the make-whole premium payment and accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs related to the redemption of the April 2026 Notes.
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Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership
As partial consideration for certain real estate acquisitions, the Company's operating partnership has issued OP Units. OP Units are exchangeable for common shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain terms and conditions. The operating partnership is a variable interest entity ("VIE") in which the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the partnership's economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE and the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company consolidates the accounts of the operating partnership, and reflects the third party ownership in this entity as a noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and allocates the proportion of net income to the noncontrolling interests on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company’s net income or loss is allocated to noncontrolling interests based on the respective ownership or voting percentage in the Operating Partnership associated with such noncontrolling interests and is removed from consolidated income or loss on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in order to derive net income or loss attributable to common stockholders. The noncontrolling ownership percentage is calculated by dividing the aggregate number of LTIP Units and OP Units by the total number of units and shares outstanding.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flow from operations, borrowings from banks, and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,129.4 million and $1,072.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $56.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to an increase in cash receipts from customers of $93.6 million along with an increase in interest income of $4.5 million, an increase in cash received on terminated interest rate swaps of $1.0 million and a decrease in cash paid for taxes of $1.3 million, partially offset by increases in cash paid for interest of $27.0 million, cash paid for operating expenses of $13.1 million, and cash paid to employees of $3.4 million. The increase in cash receipts collected from our customers for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was due to increased rental income from the Company's recent acquisitions and lease escalations and the increase in interest paid was due to increased borrowings that partially funded our recent acquisitions and prefunding the redemption for our $850 million, 5.25% senior unsecured note that occurred in March 2025.
Investing activities used net cash of $308.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 and $1,605.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, respectively. Net cash used by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2025 primarily consisted of the maturity of zero coupon U.S. Treasury Bills totaling $550.0 million, partially offset by Ione Loan and Dry Creek Loan fundings of $85.3 million, $285.0 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets for the new M Resort tower and the Joliet landside project, and capital expenditures of $304.4 million primarily related to the funding of development projects and $184.1 million for the real estate assets contained within Strategic Gaming Lease for Sunland Park which was accounted for as Investment in leases, financing receivables. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted primarily of $844.3 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of Bally's Kansas City and Shreveport properties which were added to the Bally's Master Lease II, the acquisition of real estate for Bally's Chicago, the Belle landside development project and the real estate assets contained within the Tioga Downs Lease and Strategic Gaming Leases which were accounted for as Investment in leases, financing receivables. The Company had real estate loan originations of $125.2 million, $48.6 million for the demolition funding related to the development project at the Tropicana site, the purchase of zero coupon U.S. Treasury Bills totaling $891.0 million, and capital expenditures equal to $39.7 million, partially offset by the maturity of zero coupon U.S. Treasury Bills totaling $341.0 million and the proceeds from a tax refund related to a previous acquisition of $1.8 million.
Financing activities used net cash of $1,059.0 million and provided net cash of $311.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Net cash used by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2025 was driven by repayments of long term debt of $1,826.0 million, dividend payments of $871.9 million, non-controlling interest distributions of $25.8 million, financing costs of $15.4 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $14.8 million. These items were partially offset by $1,292.2 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $402.8 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was driven by $1,521.9 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $148.2 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock. These items were partially offset by the repayment of long term debt of $463.6 million, dividend payments of $830.7 million, non-controlling interest
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distributions of $24.6 million, financing costs of $24.7 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $14.7 million.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures are accounted for as either capital project or capital maintenance (replacement) expenditures. Capital project expenditures are for fixed asset additions that expand an existing facility or create a new facility. The cost of properties developed by the Company include costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. Capital maintenance expenditures are expenditures to replace existing fixed assets with a useful life greater than one year that are obsolete, worn out or no longer cost effective to repair.
During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, we spent approximately $304.4 million and $39.6 million, respectively, on capital project expenditures primarily related to development projects at Bally's Chicago, Casino Queen Marquette and Bally's Baton Rouge.
Funding commitments
As of December 31, 2025, we have entered into various commitments or call rights to finance/acquire future investments in gaming and related facilities for our tenants. These are detailed in the table below. Our tenants retain the option to decline our financing for certain projects and may seek alternative financing solutions. The inclusion of a commitment in this disclosure does not guarantee that the financing will be utilized by the tenant in circumstances where a tenant has the option.
| Description | Estimated Commitment amount | Amount funded at December 31, 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relocation of Hollywood Casino Aurora (1) | $225 million | None | |
| Funding associated with a landside move at Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs (2) | $150 million | None | |
| Potential transaction at the former Tropicana Las Vegas site with Bally's | $175 million | $48.5 million | |
| Real estate construction costs for Bally's Chicago | $940 million | $201.6 million | |
| Construction costs for a landside development project at Casino Queen Marquette | $16.5 million | $9.6 million | |
| Ione Loan to fund a new casino development near Sacramento, California | $110 million | $56.6 million | |
| Call right to acquire Bally's Lincoln | $700 million | None | |
| Funding commitment for the future site and construction for Live! Virginia Casino & Hotel | $467 million | None | |
| Delayed draw term loan for Dry Creek Rancheria Resort development | $180 million | None |
(1) PENN anticipates completing the relocation of its riverboat casino in Aurora to a land based facility in the first half of 2026. The Company anticipates funding $225 million at a 7.75% capitalization rate.
(2) The Company has agreed to fund, if requested by PENN in their sole discretion, on or before March 31, 2029, construction improvements in an amount not to exceed the greater of (i) the hard costs associated with the project and (ii) $150.0 million at a 7.10% capitalization rate.
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Debt
Senior Unsecured Credit Agreement
The Company has a Senior Unsecured Amended Credit Agreement (the "Amended Credit Agreement") providing for a revolving commitment capacity of $2.09 billion with a maturity date of December 2, 2028 (the "Revolver"). GLP Capital is the primary obligor under the Amended Credit Agreement, which is guaranteed by GLPI.
In addition, the Amended Credit Agreement provides GLP Capital with the right to elect to re-allocate up to $1.04 billion in existing revolving commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement to one or more new revolving credit facilities (“Amended Bridge Revolving Facility” and, collectively, the "Amended Bridge Revolving Facilities"). Loans under any Amended Bridge Revolving Facility are subject to 1% amortization per annum. Amounts repaid under any Amended Bridge Revolving Facility cannot be reborrowed and the corresponding commitments are automatically re-allocated to the existing revolving facility.
Amended Bridge Revolving Facilities are intended to be used solely to fund cash distributions to third-party contributors in connection with their contribution of one or more properties to GLP Capital. GLP Capital’s ability to borrow under any Amended Bridge Revolving Facility is subject to certain conditions including pro forma compliance with GLP Capital’s financial covenants, as well as the receipt by the Agent of a satisfactory conditional guarantee of the loans under the applicable Amended Bridge Revolving Facility by the applicable contributor or its affiliate, subject to the prior enforcement of all remedies against GLP Capital, GLPI and other applicable sources other than such guarantor. Loans under the Amended Bridge Revolving Facility will not be treated pro rata with loans under the existing revolving credit facility.
At December 31, 2025, $331.6 million was outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. Additionally, at December 31, 2025, the Company was contingently obligated under letters of credit issued pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement with face amounts aggregating approximately $0.4 million, resulting in $1,758.0 million of available borrowing capacity under the Amended Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2025.
The interest rates payable on the loans borrowed under the Amended Credit Agreement are, at GLP Capital's option, equal to either a SOFR based rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.725% to 1.40% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.0% to 0.4% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Amended Credit Agreement. The current applicable margin is 1.05% for SOFR loans and 0.05% for base rate loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the base rate be less than 1.00%. In addition, GLP Capital will pay a facility fee on the commitments under the revolving facility, regardless of usage, at a rate that ranges from 0.125% to 0.3% per annum, depending on the credit rating assigned to the Amended Credit Agreement from time to time. The current facility fee rate is 0.25%. The Amended Credit Agreement is not subject to amortization. GLP Capital is not required to repay any loans under the Amended Credit Agreement prior to maturity. GLP Capital may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Amended Credit Agreement prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any SOFR breakage costs of the lenders and may reborrow loans that it has repaid. Subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, GLP Capital can obtain additional term loan commitments and incur incremental term loans or revolving commitments, and outstanding bridge revolving loans shall not exceed $3.5 billion outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. There is currently no commitment in respect of such incremental loans and commitments. The weighted average interest rate under the Amended Credit Agreement at December 31, 2025 was 5.02%.
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Certain Covenants and Events of Default
The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations or pay certain dividends and make other restricted payments. The Amended Credit Agreement includes the following financial covenants, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: a maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. GLPI is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status, subject to the absence of payment or bankruptcy defaults. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Amended Credit Agreement also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control and termination of the Amended PENN Master Lease (subject to certain replacement rights). The occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Amended Credit Agreement will enable the lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder. At December 31, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On September 2, 2022, GLP Capital entered into a term loan credit agreement (the "Term Loan Credit Agreement") with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (the "Term Loan Agent"), and the other agents and lenders party thereto from time to time, providing for a $600 million delayed draw credit facility with a maturity date of September 2, 2027 (the "Term Loan Credit Facility"). The Term Loan Credit Facility is guaranteed by GLPI.
The availability of loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, and the receipt by Term Loan Agent of a conditional guarantee of the Term Loan Credit Facility by Bally’s on a secondary basis, subject to enforcement of all remedies against GLP Capital, GLPI and all sources other than Bally’s. The loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility may be used solely to finance a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition of one or more specified properties of Bally’s in one or a series of related transactions and to pay fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith. The Company drew down the entire $600 million Term Loan Credit Facility on January 3, 2023 in connection with the acquisition of the real property assets of Bally's Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton.
Interest Rate and Fees
The interest rates per annum applicable to loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility are, at GLP Capital's option, equal to either a Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") based rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.85% to 1.7% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.0% to 0.7% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Term Loan Credit Facility. The current applicable margin is 1.30% for SOFR loans and 0.30% for base rate loans. In addition, GLP Capital will pay a commitment fee on the unused commitments under the Term Loan Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 0.125% to 0.3% per annum, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Credit Facility from time to time. The current commitment fee rate is 0.25%. The weighted average interest rate under the Term Loan Credit Facility at December 31, 2025 was 5.02%.
Amortization and Prepayments
The Term Loan Credit Facility is not subject to interim amortization. GLP Capital is not required to repay any loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity. GLP Capital may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any SOFR breakage costs of the lenders, and may reborrow loans that it has repaid.
Certain Covenants and Events of Default
The Term Loan Credit Facility contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries, including GLP Capital, to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, or pay certain dividends and make other restricted payments. The financial covenants include the following, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: (i) maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, (ii) maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, (iii) maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value, and (iv) minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. GLPI is required to maintain its status as a REIT and is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status. GLPI is also
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permitted to make other dividends and distributions, subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Term Loan Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default. The occurrence and continuance of an event of default, which includes, among others, nonpayment of principal or interest, material inaccuracy of representations and failure to comply with covenants, will enable the lenders to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder. At December 31, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under the Term Loan Credit Facility.
Senior Unsecured Notes
At December 31, 2025, the Company had $6,350.0 million of outstanding senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Notes"). Each of the Company's Senior Notes contain covenants limiting the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt and use its assets to secure debt; merge or consolidate with another company; and make certain amendments to the Amended PENN Master Lease. The Senior Notes also require the Company to maintain a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes of any series at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus a "make-whole" redemption premium described in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, except that if Senior Notes of a series are redeemed after their respective par call date (90-180 days prior to their maturity), the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. If GLPI experiences a change of control accompanied by a decline in the credit rating of the Senior Notes of a particular series, the Company will be required to give holders of the Senior Notes of such series the opportunity to sell their Senior Notes of such series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes of such series, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. The Senior Notes also are subject to mandatory redemption requirements imposed by gaming laws and regulations.
The Senior Notes were issued by GLP Capital and GLP Financing II, Inc. (the "Issuers"), two consolidated subsidiaries of GLPI, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by GLPI. The guarantees of GLPI are full and unconditional. The Senior Notes are the Issuers' senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Issuers' senior indebtedness, including the Amended Credit Agreement, and senior in right of payment to all of the Issuers' subordinated indebtedness, without giving effect to collateral arrangements.
The Senior Notes contain covenants limiting the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt and use its assets to secure debt; merge or consolidate with another company; and make certain amendments to the Amended PENN Master Lease. The Senior Notes also require the Company to maintain a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.
GLPI owns all of the assets of GLP Capital and conducts all of its operations through the operating partnership. Based on the amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, we note that since GLPI fully and unconditionally guarantees the debt securities of the Issuers and consolidates both Issuers, we are not required to provide separate financial statements for the Issuers and GLPI since they are consolidated into GLPI and the GLPI guarantee is "full and unconditional".
Furthermore, as permitted under Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi), we excluded the summarized financial information for the Issuers because the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Issuers and GLPI are not materially different than the corresponding amounts in GLPI's consolidated financial statements and we believe such summarized financial information would be repetitive and would not provide incremental value to investors.
At December 31, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under its Senior Notes.
Distribution Requirements
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains, in order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT (assuming that certain other requirements are also satisfied) so that U.S. federal corporate income tax does not apply to earnings that we distribute. Such distributions generally can be made with cash and/or a combination of cash and Company common stock if certain requirements are met. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement and qualify for taxation as a REIT but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our shareholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to make distributions to
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our shareholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code. To the extent any of the Company's taxable income was not previously distributed, the Company will make a dividend declaration pursuant to Section 858(a)(1) of the Code, allowing the Company to treat certain dividends that are to be distributed after the close of a taxable year as having been paid during the taxable year.
Outlook
During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company entered into a new continuos equity offering program under which the Company may sell up to an aggregate of $1.25 billion of its common stock from time to time through a sales agent in "at the market" offerings (the "2025 ATM Program") which replaced the Company's previous ATM program. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $886.7 million remaining for issuance under the 2025 ATM Program.
Based on our current level of operations and anticipated earnings, we believe that cash generated from operations and cash on hand, together with amounts available under our Amended Credit Agreement and our ability to raise equity proceeds (including the Company's 2025 ATM Program), will be adequate to meet our anticipated debt service requirements, capital expenditures, working capital needs and dividend requirements.
We expect the majority of our future growth to come from funding commitments to our tenants and acquisitions of gaming and other properties to lease to third parties. If we consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements may increase significantly and we would likely need to raise additional proceeds through a combination of either common equity (including under our 2025 ATM Program), issuance of additional OP Units, and/or debt offerings. Our future operating performance and our ability to service or refinance our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. See "Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Capital Structure" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the risk related to our capital structure.
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001575965-25-000008.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our Operations
GLPI is a self-administered and self-managed Pennsylvania REIT. The Company was formed from the 2013 tax-free spin-off of the real estate assets of PENN and was incorporated in Pennsylvania on February 13, 2013, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PENN. On November 1, 2013, PENN contributed to GLPI, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with PENN's real property interests and real estate development business, as well as the assets and liabilities of the TRS Properties and then spun-off GLPI to holders of PENN's common and preferred stock in the Spin-Off. The assets and liabilities of GLPI were recorded at their respective historical carrying values at the time of the Spin-Off.
The Company elected on its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and the Company, together with its former indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge) and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Perryville) as a TRS effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In connection with the Spin-Off, PENN allocated its accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off between PENN and GLPI. In connection with its election to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, GLPI declared a special dividend to its shareholders to distribute any accumulated earnings and profits relating to the real property assets and attributable to any pre-REIT years, including any earnings and profits allocated to GLPI in connection with the Spin-Off, to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements.
On July 1, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville to PENN and leased the real estate to PENN pursuant to a standalone lease. On December 17, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen and leased the real estate to Casino Queen pursuant to the Casino Queen Master Lease as described below. On December 17, 2021, GLPI declared a special dividend to the Company's shareholders to distribute the accumulated earnings and profits attributable to these sales. In 2021, subsequent to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, GLP Holdings, Inc. was merged into GLP Capital. On February 7, 2025, Bally's completed its merger transactions with Standard General and its affiliates, and pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Casino Queen is now a subsidiary of Bally's.
During 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that at the time held the real estate of the Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a TRS. In September 2022, Bally's acquired both the building assets from GLPI and PENN's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas. GLPI retained ownership
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of the land and entered into a ground lease with Bally's. In connection with this transaction, Tropicana LV, LLC was merged into GLP Capital. GLPI paid a special earnings and profit dividend of $0.25 per share in the first quarter of 2023 related to the sale of the building to Bally's.
In connection with the UPREIT Transaction with Cordish, GLP Capital issued 7,366,683 newly-issued OP Units to affiliates of Cordish. OP Units are exchangeable for common shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain terms and conditions. Such issuance of OP Units to Cordish in exchange for its contribution of certain real property assets resulted in GLP Capital becoming treated as a partnership for income tax purposes, with GLPI being deemed to contribute substantially all of the assets and liabilities of GLP Capital in exchange for the general partnership and a majority of the limited partnership interests, and a minority limited partnership interest being owned by Cordish. In advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company, together with GLP Financing II, Inc. jointly elected for GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. On January 3, 2023, the Company issued 286,643 OP Units to affiliates of Bally's in connection with its acquisition of Bally's Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton. On February 6, 2024, the Company also issued 434,304 OP Units in connection with the acquisition of the real estate assets of Tioga Downs from American Racing. On December 16, 2024, the Company issued 137,309 OP Units in connection with its acquisition of Bally's Kansas City and Bally's Shreveport. There were 8,224,939 OP Units outstanding (other than OP Units held directly or indirectly by the Company) as of December 31, 2024.
GLPI's primary business consists of acquiring, financing, and owning real estate property to be leased to gaming operators in triple-net lease arrangements. As of December 31, 2024, GLPI's portfolio consisted of interests in 68 gaming and related facilities, which was comprised of the real property associated with 34 gaming and related facilities operated by PENN, the real property associated with 6 gaming and related facilities operated by Caesars, the real property associated with 4 gaming and related facilities operated by Boyd, the real property associated with 15 gaming and related facilities operated by Bally's (including Casino Queen) and 1 facility under development with Bally's in Chicago, Illinois, the real property associated with 3 gaming and related facilities operated by Cordish, and 1 gaming facility managed by a subsidiary of Hard Rock, 3 gaming and related facilities operated by Strategic and 1 gaming and related facility operated by American Racing. These facilities, including our corporate headquarters building, are geographically diversified across 20 states. As of December 31, 2024, our properties were 100% occupied. We expect to continue growing our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
PENN 2023 Master Lease and Amended PENN Master Lease
As a result of the Spin-Off, GLPI owns substantially all of PENN’s former real property assets (as of the consummation of the Spin-Off) and leases back most of those assets to PENN for use by its subsidiaries pursuant to the Original PENN Master Lease. The Original PENN Master Lease was a triple-net operating lease, the term of which was scheduled to expire on October 31, 2033, with no purchase option, followed by three remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions extending to October 31, 2048.
On October 10, 2022, the Company announced that it agreed to create the PENN 2023 Master Lease for seven of PENN's properties. The companies also agreed to a funding mechanism to support PENN's pursuit of relocation and development opportunities at several of the properties included in the new master lease. The PENN 2023 Master Lease became effective on January 1, 2023. Pursuant to this agreement, the Amended PENN Master Lease was also created to remove PENN's properties in Aurora and Joliet, Illinois; Columbus and Toledo, Ohio; and Henderson, Nevada. The properties removed from the Original Penn Master Lease were added to the PENN 2023 Master Lease. In addition, the Meadows Lease and the Perryville Lease were terminated and these properties were transferred into the PENN 2023 Master Lease. Both the Amended PENN Master Lease and the PENN 2023 Master Lease are triple-net operating leases, the terms of which expire on October 31, 2033, with no purchase options, followed by three remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions extending to October 31, 2048.
GLPI agreed to fund up to $225 million for the relocation of PENN's riverboat casino in Aurora at a 7.75% cap rate and, if requested by PENN, will fund up to $350 million for the relocation of the Hollywood Casino Joliet, the construction of a hotel at Hollywood Casino Columbus, and the construction of a second hotel tower at the M Resort Spa Casino at then current market rates. PENN has not requested any funding for these projects to date.
Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, Boyd Master Lease and Belterra Park Lease
In April 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the real estate assets of Pinnacle for approximately $4.8 billion. GLPI originally leased these assets back to Pinnacle, under the Pinnacle Master Lease, the term of which expires on April 30, 2031, with no purchase option, followed by four remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. On October 15, 2018, the Company completed the previously announced PENN-Pinnacle Merger to
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accommodate PENN's acquisition of the majority of Pinnacle's operations, pursuant to a definitive agreement and plan of merger between PENN and Pinnacle, dated December 17, 2017. Concurrent with the PENN-Pinnacle Merger, the Company amended the Pinnacle Master Lease to allow for the sale of the operating assets of Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles and Belterra Casino Resort from Pinnacle to Boyd and entered into the Boyd Master Lease for these properties on terms similar to the Company’s Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Boyd Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years (from the original April 2016 commencement date of the Pinnacle Master Lease and expiring April 30, 2026), with no purchase option, followed by five 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Company also purchased the real estate assets of Plainridge Park from PENN for $250.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes and added this property to the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Amended Pinnacle Master Lease was assumed by PENN at the consummation of the PENN-Pinnacle Merger. The Company also entered into the Belterra Park Loan with Boyd in connection with Boyd's acquisition of Belterra Park. In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to the Belterra Park Lease with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The Belterra Park Lease rent terms are consistent with the Boyd Master Lease. The annual rent is comprised of a fixed component, part of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities which is adjusted, subject to certain floors, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of Belterra Park during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
Third Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease
On October 1, 2018, the Company closed its previously announced transaction to acquire certain real property assets from Tropicana and certain of its affiliates pursuant to the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the real estate assets of Tropicana Atlantic City, Bally's Evansville, Tropicana Laughlin, Trop Casino Greenville and The Belle from Tropicana for an aggregate cash purchase price of $964.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes. Concurrent with the Tropicana Acquisition, Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (now doing business as Caesars) acquired the operating assets of these properties from Tropicana pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 15, 2018 by and among Tropicana, GLP Capital, Caesars and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caesars and leased the real property from the Company pursuant to the terms of the Caesars Master Lease.
On June 15, 2020, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease to, (i) extend the initial term of 15 years to 20 years, with renewals of up to an additional 20 years at the option of Caesars, (ii) remove the variable rent component in its entirety commencing with the third lease year, (iii) in the third lease year, increase annual land base rent and annual building base rent, (iv) provide fixed escalation percentages that delay the escalation of building base rent until the commencement of the fifth lease year with building base rent increasing annually by 1.25% in the fifth and sixth lease years, 1.75% in the seventh and eighth lease years and 2% in the ninth lease year and each lease year thereafter, (v) subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, permit Caesars to elect to replace the Bally's Evansville and/or Trop Casino Greenville properties under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease with one or more of Caesars Gaming Scioto Downs, The Row in Reno, Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Isle Casino Hotel – Black Hawk, Lady Luck Casino – Black Hawk, Waterloo, Bettendorf or Isle of Capri Casino Boonville, provided that the aggregate value of such new property, individually or collectively, is at least equal to the value of Bally's Evansville or Trop Casino Greenville, as applicable, (vi) permit Caesars to elect to sell its interest in Belle of Baton Rouge and sever it from the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease (with no change to the rent obligation to the Company), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, and (vii) provide certain relief under the operating, capital expenditure and financial covenants thereunder in the event of facility closures due to pandemics, governmental restrictions and certain other instances of unavoidable delay. The effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease was subject to the review of certain gaming regulatory agencies and the expiration of applicable gaming regulatory advance notice periods which were received on July 23, 2020.
On December 18, 2020, the Company and Caesars entered into the Second Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease in connection with the completion of the Exchange Agreement with subsidiaries of Caesars in which Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of Waterloo and Bettendorf in exchange for the transfer by the Company to Caesars of the real property assets of Bally's Evansville, plus a cash payment of $5.7 million. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, the annual building base rent and the annual land component were increased.
On November 13, 2023, the Company and Caesars entered into the Third Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease in connection with Caesars selling its interest in the Belle of Baton Rouge to Casino Queen with no change in rent obligation to the Company. See Note 12 for further discussion.
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Horseshoe St. Louis Lease
On October 1, 2018 the Company entered into a loan agreement with Caesars in connection with Caesars’s acquisition of Horseshoe St. Louis, whereby the Company extended funds to Caesars under the CZR loan. On the one-year anniversary of the CZR loan, the mortgage evidenced by a deed of trust on the Horseshoe St. Louis property terminated and the loan became unsecured. On June 24, 2020, the Company received approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission to own the real estate assets of Horseshoe St. Louis property in satisfaction of the CZR loan. On September 29, 2020, the transaction closed and we entered into the Horseshoe St. Louis Lease, the initial term of which expires on October 31, 2033 with four separate renewal options of five years each, exercisable at the tenant's option. The Horseshoe St. Louis Lease rent terms was amended on December 1, 2021 to adjust the rent terms to fix the annual escalator at 1.25% for the second through fifth lease years, increasing to 1.75% for the sixth and seventh lease years and thereafter increasing by 2.0% for the remainder of the lease.
Bally's Master Lease, Bally's Chicago Land Lease, Bally's Master Lease II and the Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease
On June 3, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced transaction pursuant to which a subsidiary of Bally's acquired 100% of the equity interests in the Caesars subsidiary that operated Bally's Evansville and the Company reacquired the real property assets of Bally's Evansville from Caesars for a cash purchase price of approximately $340.0 million. In addition, the Company purchased the real estate assets of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino (now Bally's Dover Casino Resort) from Bally's for a cash purchase price of approximately $144.0 million. The real estate assets of these two facilities were added to the Bally's Master Lease which has an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four five-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. Rent under the Bally's Master Lease is subject to contractual escalations based on the CPI, with a 1% floor and a 2% ceiling, subject to the CPI meeting a 0.5% threshold. The Bally's Master Lease has an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
The Company completed the acquisitions of the real estate assets of Bally's Black Hawk and Bally's Quad Cities on April 1, 2022 and Bally's Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton on January 3, 2023. The Bally's Master Lease was amended to add these properties with annual rent increases that are subject to the escalation clauses described above.
In connection with GLPI’s commitment to consummate the Bally’s Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton acquisitions, a deposit of $200.0 million funded by GLPI in September 2022 was returned to the Company along with a $9.0 million transaction fee that was recorded against the purchase price of the assets acquired. Concurrent with the closing, GLPI borrowed $600 million under its previously structured delayed draw term loan. The Company continues to have the option, subject to receipt by Bally's of required consents, to acquire the real property assets of Bally's Lincoln prior to December 31, 2026 for a purchase price of $735.0 million and additional rent of $58.8 million. The Company has also been granted a call right to acquire the property, subject only to regulatory approval, beginning on October 1, 2026 at the same terms.
On July 12, 2024, the Company announced that it entered into a binding term sheet with Bally’s pursuant to which the Company would acquire the real property assets of Bally’s Kansas City and Bally’s Shreveport as well as the land under Bally’s planned permanent Chicago casino site, and fund the construction of certain real property improvements of the Bally’s Chicago Casino Resort (“Bally’s Chicago”) for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.585 billion. The term sheet represents a binding agreement between the Company and Bally's unless or until superseded by long-form definitive documents reflecting mutually agreed transaction terms and conditions in further detail.
The Company intends to fund construction hard costs of up to $940.0 million for Bally's Chicago, with the remainder to be funded by Bally’s with the sale leaseback proceeds related to Bally’s Kansas City and Bally’s Shreveport along with other funding sources such as Bally’s Chicago’s planned initial public offering and cash flows from operations. Funding is expected to occur through December 2026. The Company will own all funded improvements, which will be leased to Bally’s with rent commencing as advances are made. As of December 31, 2024, no construction hard costs have been funded by the Company. The contemplated transactions are subject to several conditions as well as certain third-party consents and regulatory approvals.
On September 11, 2024, the Company acquired the land for $250 million, subject to an existing ground lease with Bally's. The ground lease was amended at closing to provide for initial annual rent of $20 million (the "Bally's Chicago Land Lease"). The Bally's Chicago Land Lease is cross-defaulted with the construction development funding agreement. The parties anticipate entering into a new Bally's Chicago land lease to reflect the lease terms agreed upon between the Company and Bally's in the binding term sheet. Upon completion of the improvements, the Company expects to own substantially all of the real estate land and improvements related to the Chicago casino and hotel for a total investment of $1.19 billion. Rental income
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on the land and development funding is being deferred until the project is substantially completed and ready for its intended use.
On December 16, 2024, the Company completed the purchase of the real property assets of both Bally’s Kansas City and Bally’s Shreveport for total consideration of approximately $395 million, which consisted of 137,309 OP units valued at $6.8 million and $338.6 million of cash, of which $332.5 million was funded on the Company's revolving credit facility with the remainder paid with cash on hand. The two properties are in a new triple net master lease that is cross-defaulted with the existing Bally’s Master Lease with the initial annual cash rent pursuant to the agreement for the two new properties of $32.2 million (the "Bally's Master Lease II"). The annual rent is subject to contractual escalations based on CPI with a 1% floor and a 2% ceiling, subject to CPI meeting a 0.5% threshold. Bally's Master Lease II has an initial term of 15 years with no purchase option, followed by four 5 year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
On February 7, 2025, Bally's completed its merger transactions with Standard General and its affiliates, and pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Casino Queen is now a subsidiary of Bally's.
On November 25, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with respect to the HCBR transaction. The HCBR transaction closed on December 17, 2021. The Company retained ownership of all real estate assets at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and simultaneously entered into the Second Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease. The lease has an initial term of 15 years with four 5 year renewal options exercisable by the tenant on the same terms and conditions. See Note 12 for a discussion regarding such renewal options. Annual rent increases by 0.5% for the first six years. Beginning with the seventh lease year through the remainder of the lease term, if the CPI increases by at least 0.25% for any lease year then annual rent shall be increased by 1.25%, and if the CPI increase is less than 0.25% then rent will remain unchanged for such lease year. Additionally, the Company's landside development project at Casino Queen Baton Rouge was completed in late August 2023 and the rent under the Second Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease was adjusted upon opening to reflect a yield of 8.25% on GLPI's project costs of $77 million. The Company then entered into an amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease in connection with the acquisition of the land and certain improvements at Casino Queen Marquette for $32.72 million on September 6, 2023. The annual rent on the Second Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease was increased by $2.7 million for this acquisition. Additionally, the Company anticipates funding certain construction costs of a landside development project at Casino Queen Marquette for an amount not to exceed $16.5 million. The rent will be adjusted to reflect a yield of 8.25% for the funded project costs. The Company entered into the Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease on November 13, 2023.
On June 3, 2024, the Company announced that it agreed to fund and oversee a landside move and hotel renovation of The Belle for Casino Queen. GLPI committed to provide up to approximately $111 million of funding for the project (of which $35.1 million has been funded as of December 31, 2024, which is expected to be completed by September 2025. The casino will continue to operate during the construction period except while gaming equipment is being moved to the new facility. GLPI will own the new facility and Casino Queen will pay an incremental rental yield of 9% on the development funding beginning a year from the initial disbursement of funds, which occurred on May 30, 2024 and rent will be deferred until the facility is ready for its intended use.
Tropicana Las Vegas
On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries closed on its previously announced transaction to acquire the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from PENN in exchange for rent credits of $307.5 million, which were applied against future rent obligations due under the parties' existing leases during 2020.
On September 26, 2022, Bally’s acquired both GLPI’s building assets and PENN's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas for an aggregate cash acquisition price, net of fees and expenses, of approximately $145 million, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $67.4 million, $52.8 million after-tax. GLPI retained ownership of the land and concurrently entered into a ground lease for an initial term of 50 years (with a maximum term of 99 years inclusive of tenant renewal options) with rent subject to contractual escalations based on the CPI, with a 1% floor and a 2% ceiling, subject to the CPI meeting a 0.5% threshold. The Tropicana Las Vegas Lease is supported by a Bally’s corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease.
On May 13, 2023 the Company, Tropicana Las Vegas, Inc., a Nevada corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Bally’s, and Athletics, which owns the Team, entered into the LOI setting forth the terms for developing the Stadium. The Stadium is expected to complement the potential resort redevelopment envisioned at our 35-acre Tropicana Site, owned indirectly by GLPI through its indirect subsidiary, Tropicana Land LLC, a Nevada limited liability company and leased by GLPI to Bally’s pursuant to the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease. The LOI allows for Athletics to be granted fee ownership by GLPI
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of approximately 9 acres of the Tropicana Site for construction of the Stadium. The LOI provides that following the Stadium site transfer, there will be no reduction in the rent obligations of Bally’s on the remaining portion of the Tropicana Site or other modifications to the ground lease, and that to the extent GLPI has any consent or approval rights under the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease, such rights shall remain enforceable unless expressly modified in writing in the definitive documents. Bally's and GLPI are agreeing to provide the Stadium site transfer in exchange for the benefits that the Stadium is expected to bring to the Tropicana Site. The LOI provides that Athletics shall pay all the costs associated with the design, development, and construction of the Stadium and Bally’s shall pay all costs for the redevelopment of the casino and hotel resort amenities. GLPI is expected to commit to up to $175.0 million of funding for hard construction costs, such as demolition and site preparation and build out of minimum public spaces needed for utilization of the Stadium. The LOI provides that during the development period, rent will be due at 8.5% of what has been funded, provided that the first $15.0 million advanced for the costs of construction of the food, beverage and retail entrance plaza shall not be subject to increased rent. GLPI may have the opportunity to fund additional amounts of the construction under certain circumstances. In addition, the LOI provides that the transaction will be subject to customary approvals and other conditions, including, without limitation, approval of a master plan for the site and certain approvals by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission.
In late August 2024, the Company funded $48.5 million to Bally's to pay for the demolition costs of the Tropicana Las Vegas as part of the development plans for the Stadium and annual rent was increased by $4.1 million as a result. The change in rent terms resulted in a lease reconsideration event. The lease is now classified as a sales type lease which resulted in a $3.8 million gain that was recorded in gains from dispositions of property on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company and PENN closed on their previously announced transaction whereby GLPI acquired the land under PENN's gaming facility under construction in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits that were utilized by PENN in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company is leasing the land back to an affiliate of PENN pursuant to the Morgantown Lease for an initial term of 20 years, followed by six 5-year renewal options exercisable by the tenant. In lease years two and three, rent increased by 1.5% annually (and on a prorated basis for the remainder of the lease year in which the gaming facility opened) for each of the following three lease years and commencing on the fourth anniversary of the opening date and for each anniversary thereafter, (i) if the CPI increase is at least 0.5% for any lease year, the rent for such lease year shall increase by 1.25% of rent as of the immediately preceding lease year, and (ii) if the CPI increase is less than 0.5% for such lease year, then the rent shall not increase for such lease year. Hollywood Casino Morgantown opened on December 22, 2021.
Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease
On December 6, 2021, the Company announced that it had agreed to acquire the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh, including applicable long-term ground leases, from affiliates of Cordish for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.81 billion, excluding transaction costs, at deal announcement. The transaction also includes a binding partnership on future Cordish casino developments, as well as potential financing partnerships between the Company and Cordish in other areas of Cordish's portfolio of real estate and operating businesses. On December 29, 2021, GLPI closed the acquisition of the Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland and GLPI entered into the Maryland Live! Lease. On March 1, 2022, GLPI closed the acquisition of the Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and Live! Casino Pittsburgh and leased back the real estate to Cordish pursuant to the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease. The Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease and the Maryland Live! Lease each have initial lease terms of 39 years, with maximum terms of 60 years inclusive of tenant renewal options. The annual rent for both leases has a 1.75% fixed yearly escalator on the entirety of rent commencing on the leases' second anniversary.
Rockford Lease and Rockford Loan
On August 29, 2023, the Company acquired the land associated with a casino development project in Rockford, Illinois from an affiliate of 815 Entertainment for $100.0 million. The casino opened in August 2024 and is managed by a subsidiary of Hard Rock. Simultaneously with the land acquisition, an affiliate of GLPI entered into the Rockford Lease. The initial annual rent for the ground lease is $8.0 million, subject to fixed 2% annual escalation beginning with the lease's first anniversary and for the entirety of its term.
In addition to the Rockford Lease, the Company also committed to provide up to $150 million of development funding via the Rockford Loan. Any borrowings under the Rockford Loan will be subject to an interest rate of 10%. The Rockford Loan has a maximum outstanding period of up to 6 years (5-year initial term with a 1-year extension). The Rockford Loan is
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prepayable without penalty following the opening of the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, IL, which occurred in late August 2024. As of December 31, 2024, $150 million was advanced and outstanding under the Rockford Loan. On January 1, 2025, the Company amended the terms of the Rockford Loan to reduce the interest rate to 8% with a maturity date of June 30, 2026, subject to a 6-month extension. The Company has a right of first refusal on the building improvements of the Hard Rock Casino Rockford if there is a future decision to sell them.
Tioga Downs Lease
On February 6, 2024, the Company acquired the real estate assets of Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY from American Racing for $175.0 million. Simultaneous with the acquisition, an affiliate of GLPI and American Racing entered into the Tioga Downs Lease.
Strategic Gaming Leases
On May 16, 2024, the Company acquired the real estate assets of Silverado, DMG, and Baldini's from Strategic for $105 million, plus an additional $5 million that was funded at closing for reimbursement for capital improvements. Simultaneous with the acquisition, GLPI and affiliates of Strategic entered into the Strategic Gaming Leases.
As part of the transaction, the Company also secured a right of first refusal on the real estate related to future acquisitions until Strategic's adjusted EBITDAR related to GLPI's owned assets reaches $40 million annualized.
Ione Loan
In September 2024, the Company entered into the Ione Loan to provide the tribe funding on a new casino development near Sacramento, California. Ione has an option at the end of the Ione Loan term to satisfy the loan obligation by converting the outstanding principal into a long-term triple net lease with an initial term of twenty five years and a maximum term of forty five years. These agreements were entered into subsequent to receiving a declination letter from the National Indian Gaming Commission approving the transaction documents, including the long-term lease. As of December 31, 2024, $15.1 million was advanced and outstanding under the Ione Loan which has a 5-year term and an interest rate of 11%.
The majority of our earnings are the result of revenues we receive from our triple-net master leases with PENN, Boyd, Bally's, Cordish, and Caesars. In addition to rent, the tenants are required to pay the following executory costs: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor) and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.
Additionally, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC 842"), we record revenue for the ground lease rent paid by our tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the Consolidated Statement of Income as we have concluded that as the lessee we are the primary obligor under the ground leases. We sublease these ground leases back to our tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe the following competitive strengths will contribute significantly to our success:
Geographically Diverse Property Portfolio
As of December 31, 2024, our portfolio consisted of 68 gaming and related facilities. Our portfolio, including our corporate headquarters building, is comprised of approximately 6,400 acres of land and is broadly diversified by location across 20 states. We expect that our geographic diversification will limit the effect of a decline in any one regional market on our overall performance.
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Financially Secure Tenants
Five of the company's tenants, PENN, Caesars, Boyd, Cordish and Bally's, are leading, diversified, multi-jurisdictional owners and managers of gaming and pari-mutuel properties and established gaming providers with strong financial performance. With the exception of Cordish, all of the aforementioned tenants are publicly traded companies that are subject to the informational filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are required to file periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Readers are directed to PENN's, Caesar's, Boyd's and Bally's respective websites for further financial information on these companies.
Long-Term, Triple-Net Lease Structure
Our real estate properties are leased under long-term triple-net leases guaranteed by our tenants, pursuant to which the tenant is responsible for all facility maintenance, insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on our income) and all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.
Resilient Regional Gaming Characteristics
We believe that the recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the resiliency of the regional gaming market. In spite of all our properties being forced to close during mid-March 2020, the Company collected all contractual rents, inclusive of rent credits, due in 2020. Furthermore, our tenants' results since they have reopened have been strong and in some cases better than prior to COVID-19, due to their increased focus on cost efficiencies and decreasing and/or eliminating lower margin amenities. Although we are unable to predict whether these results will continue, we believe that our assets should generate substantial cash flows well into the future for both ourselves and our tenants.
Flexible UPREIT Structure
We operate through an umbrella partnership, commonly referred to as an UPREIT structure, in which substantially all of our properties and assets are held by GLP Capital or by subsidiaries of GLP Capital. Conducting business through GLP Capital allows us flexibility in the manner in which we structure and acquire properties. In particular, an UPREIT structure enables us to acquire additional properties from sellers in exchange for limited partnership units, which provides property owners the opportunity to defer the tax consequences that would otherwise arise from a sale of their real properties and other assets to us. As a result, this structure potentially may facilitate our acquisition of assets in a more efficient manner and may allow us to acquire assets that the owner would otherwise be unwilling to sell because of tax considerations. We believe that this flexibility will provide us an advantage in seeking future acquisitions.
Experienced and Committed Management Team
Our management team has extensive gaming and real estate experience. Peter M. Carlino, our chief executive officer, has more than 30 years of experience in the acquisition and development of gaming facilities and other real estate projects. Through years of public company experience, our management team also has extensive experience accessing both debt and equity capital markets to fund growth and maintain a flexible capital structure.
Segment Information
The Company's operations consist solely of investments in real estate for which all such real estate properties are similar to one another in that they consist of destination and leisure properties and related offerings, whose tenants offer casino gaming, hotel, convention, dining, entertainment and retail amenities, have similar economic characteristics and are governed by triple-net operating leases. As such, the Company has one operating segment and one reportable segment. The operating results of the Company's real estate investments are reviewed in the aggregate using the Company's consolidated financial statements by the Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief operating decision maker (as such term is defined in ASC 280 - Segment Reporting).
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Executive Summary
Financial Highlights
We reported total revenues and income from operations of $1,531.5 million and $1,130.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1,440.4 million and $1,068.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023. The major factors affecting our results for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, were as follows:
•Total income from real estate was $1,531.5 million and $1,440.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Total income from real estate increased by $91.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The reason for the increase was primarily due to our recent acquisitions which in the aggregate increased cash income by $49.0 million. Current year results also benefited by $19.8 million from escalations on our leases. The Company also recognized favorable straight-line and deferred rent adjustments of $16.2 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, as well as higher accretion of $5.9 million on its Investment in leases, financing receivables. Finally, the Company had higher ground rent income of $0.3 million.
•Total operating expenses increased by $29.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year. The reason for the increase was due to an increase in the provision for credit losses, net of $30.8 million related to the initial establishment of reserves on the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease and other leases originated in 2024 as well as a decline in the estimated fair market value of the underlying real estate for our investment in financing receivables which is derived from the Commercial Real Estate Price Index. The Company also had higher general and administrative expenses of $3.1 million from higher stock based compensation charges due to higher valuations on the Company's equity awards and increased franchise taxes and payroll costs. The prior year results benefited from a $2.2 million property transfer tax recovery related to the successful appeal by one of tenants. Partially offsetting these increases was a gain on disposition of properties of $3.8 million due to the lease reassessment on the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease and lower depreciation expense and land right and ground lease expense of $3.2 million in 2024 due to certain assets being fully depreciated.
•Other expenses, net increased by $9.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year. The increase was due to higher borrowing levels that partially funded our recent acquisitions, partially offset by an increase in interest income due to higher average interest earning balances in the current year.
•Net income increased by $52.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the variances explained above.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We make certain judgments and use certain estimates and assumptions when applying accounting principles in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The nature of the estimates and assumptions are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain factors or the susceptibility of such factors to change. We have identified the accounting for leases, investment in leases, financing receivables, net, allowance for credit losses, income taxes, and real estate investments as critical accounting estimates, as they are the most important to our financial statement presentation and require difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
We believe the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and, in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition.
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Leases
As a REIT, the majority of our revenues are derived from rent received from our tenants under long-term triple-net leases. Currently, we have master leases with PENN, Caesars, Bally's, Boyd, Cordish, Strategic, and American Racing. We also have separate single property leases with PENN, Caesars, Boyd, Cordish, Bally's and 815 Entertainment. The accounting guidance under ASC 842 is complex and requires the use of judgments and assumptions by management to determine the proper accounting treatment of a lease. We perform a lease classification test upon the entry into any new tenant lease or lease modification to determine if we will account for the lease as an operating or sales-type lease. The revenue recognition model and thus the presentation of our financial statements is significantly different under operating leases and sales-type leases.
Under the operating lease model, as the lessor, the assets we own and lease to our tenants remain on our balance sheet as real estate investments and we record rental revenues on a straight-line basis over the lease term. This includes the recognition of percentage rents that are fixed and determinable at the lease inception date on a straight-line basis over the entire lease term, resulting in the recognition of deferred rental revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred rental revenue is amortized to rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the remainder of the lease term. The lease term includes the initial non-cancelable lease term and any reasonably assured renewal periods. Contingent rental income that is not fixed and determinable at lease inception is recognized only when the lessee achieves the specified target.
Under the sales-type lease model, however, at lease inception we would record an Investment in leases, financing receivables for transactions that are failed sale leasebacks or an Investment in leases, sales type on our Consolidated Balance Sheet rather than recording the actual assets we own. Furthermore, the cash rent we receive from tenants is not recorded as rental revenue, but rather a portion is recorded as interest income using an effective yield and a portion is recorded as a reduction to the Investment in leases, financing receivables or Investment in leases, sales type as applicable. Under ASC 842, for leases with both land and building components, leases may be bifurcated between operating and sales-type leases. To determine if our real estate leases trigger full or partial sales-type lease treatment we conduct the five lease tests outlined in ASC 842 below. If a lease meets any of the five criteria below, it is accounted for as a financing receivable (if the sale lease back is a failed sale leaseback) or a sales-type lease.
1) Transfer of ownership - The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term. This criterion is met in situations in which the lease agreement provides for the transfer of title at or shortly after the end of the lease term in exchange for the payment of a nominal fee, for example, the minimum required by statutory regulation to transfer title.
2) Bargain purchase option - The lease contains a bargain purchase option, which is a provision allowing the lessee, at its option, to purchase the leased property for a price which is sufficiently lower than the expected fair value of the property at the date the option becomes exercisable and that is reasonably certain to be exercised.
3) Lease term - The lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset. However, if the commencement date falls at or near the end of the economic life of the underlying asset, this criterion shall not be used for purposes of classifying the lease.
4) Minimum lease payments - The present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee that is not already reflected in the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.
5) Specialized nature - The underlying asset is of such specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.
The tests outlined above, as well as the resulting calculations, require subjective judgments, such as determining, at lease inception, the fair value of the underlying leased assets, the residual value of the assets at the end of the lease term, the likelihood a tenant will exercise some or all renewal options (in order to determine the lease term), the estimated remaining economic life of the leased assets, and an allocation of rental income received under our Master Leases to the underlying leased assets. A slight change in estimate or judgment can result in a materially different financial statement presentation and income recognition method.
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Investment in Leases, Financing Receivables and Investment in Leases, Sales Type
In accordance with ASC 842, for transactions in which we enter into a contract to acquire an asset and lease it back to the seller under a sales-type lease (i.e. a sale leaseback transaction), the Company must determine whether control of the asset has transferred to us. In cases whereby control has not transferred to the Company, we do not recognize the underlying asset but instead recognize a financial asset in accordance with ASC 310 "Receivables". The accounting for the financing receivable under ASC 310 is materially consistent with the accounting for our investments in leases - sales type under ASC 842. We have concluded that certain of our leases are required to be accounted for as an Investment in leases - financing receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 310, since control of the underlying assets was not considered to have transferred to the Company under GAAP. For transactions whereby the Company has a lease reconsideration event and the lease meets one of the five criteria mentioned above, the lease is accounted for as an Investment in leases, sales type. During 2024, the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease was reassessed and was accounted for as an Investment in leases - sales type.
Allowance for credit losses
The Company follows ASC 326 “Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”), which requires that the Company measure and record current expected credit losses (“CECL”), the scope of which includes our Investments in leases - financing receivables, Investment in leases - sales-type, as well as the Company's real estate loans.
We have elected to use an econometric default and loss rate model to estimate the Allowance for credit losses, or CECL allowance. This model requires us to calculate and input lease and property-specific credit and performance metrics which in conjunction with forward-looking economic forecasts, project estimated credit losses over the life of the lease or loan. The Company then records a CECL allowance based on the expected loss rate multiplied by the outstanding investment.
Expected losses within our cash flows are determined by estimating the probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) of our instruments subject to CECL. We have engaged a nationally recognized data analytics firm to assist us with estimating both the PD and LGD. The PD and LGD are estimated during the initial term of the instruments subject to CECL. The PD and LGD estimates were developed using current financial condition forecasts. The PD and LGD predictive model was developed using the average historical default rates and historical loss rates, respectively, of over 100,000 commercial real estate loans dating back to 1998 that have similar credit profiles or characteristics to the real estate underlying the Company's instruments subject to CECL. Management will monitor the credit risk related to its instruments subject to CECL by obtaining the applicable rent and interest coverage on a periodic basis. The Company also monitors legislative changes to assess whether it would have an impact on the underlying performance of its tenant. We are unable to use our historical data to estimate losses as the Company has no loss history to date on its lease portfolio.
We are required to update our CECL allowance on a quarterly basis with the resulting change being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the relevant period. Finally, each time the Company makes a new investment in an asset subject to ASC 326, we will be required to record an initial CECL allowance for such asset, which will result in a non-cash charge to the Consolidated Statement of Income for the relevant period. Changes in economic conditions and/or the underlying performance of the property contained within our leases accounted for as financing receivables impacts the assumptions utilized in the CECL reserve estimates. Changes in our assumptions could result in non-cash provisions or recoveries in future periods that could materially impact our results of operations.
Income Taxes - REIT Qualification
We elected on our U.S. federal income tax return for our taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and we, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. as a TRS effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a TRS. Finally, in advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company, together with GLP Financing II, jointly elected for GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. We intend to continue to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gain, and meet the various other requirements imposed by the Code relating to matters such as operating results, asset holdings, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership.
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any
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applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and dividends paid to our shareholders would not be deductible by us in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to shareholders. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Our TRS is able to engage in activities resulting in income that would not be qualifying income for a REIT. As a result, certain activities of the Company which occur within our TRS are subject to federal and state income taxes.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments primarily represent land and buildings leased to the Company's tenants. Real estate investments that we received in connection with the Spin-Off were contributed to us at PENN's historical carrying amount. We record the acquisition of real estate at fair value, including acquisition and closing costs. The cost of properties developed by GLPI includes costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. We consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. Depreciation is computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the buildings and building improvements. If we used a shorter or longer estimated useful life, it could have a material impact on our results of operations.
We continually monitor events and circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amount of our real estate investments may not be recoverable or realized. The factors considered by the Company in performing these assessments include evaluating whether the tenant is current on their lease payments, the tenant’s rent coverage ratio, the financial stability of the tenant and its parent company, and any other relevant factors. When indicators of potential impairment suggest that the carrying value of a real estate investment may not be recoverable, we determine whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the underlying lease exceeds the real estate investments' carrying value. If we determine the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the asset's carrying value then we would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We group our real estate investments together by lease, the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available, in evaluating impairment. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value, the Company must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, market and other applicable trends and residual values, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss.
Results of Operations
The following are the most important factors and trends that contribute or may contribute to our operating performance:
•We have announced or closed numerous transactions in recent years and expect to continue to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities (either existing facilities or new development facilities) to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
•Several wholly-owned subsidiaries of PENN lease a substantial number of our properties and account for a significant portion of our revenue.
•The risks related to economic conditions, including stress in the banking sector, high inflation levels and the effect of such conditions on consumer spending for leisure and gaming activities, which may negatively impact our gaming tenants and operators and the variable rent and certain annual rent escalators we receive from our tenants as outlined in the long-term triple-net leases with these tenants.
•The ability to refinance our significant levels of debt at attractive terms and obtain favorable funding in connection with future business opportunities.
•The fact that the rules and regulations of U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by legislators, the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect GLPI's investors or GLPI.
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•Our leases contain variable rent that resets on varying schedules depending on the lease. The Company's percentage rent which is subject to adjustment was 5.0% of total cash rent in 2024 compared to 5.3% in 2023.
The consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are summarized below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,531,546 | $ | 1,440,392 | ||
| Total operating expenses | 400,861 | 371,688 | ||||
| Income from operations | 1,130,685 | 1,068,704 | ||||
| Total other expenses | (320,908) | (311,337) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 809,777 | 757,367 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 2,129 | 1,997 | ||||
| Net income | 807,648 | 755,370 | ||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in the Operating Partnership | (23,028) | (21,087) | ||||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 784,620 | $ | 734,283 |
The Company has omitted the discussion comparing its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2023 to its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2022 from its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Readers are directed to Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for these disclosures.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA
Funds From Operations ("FFO"), Adjusted Funds From Operations ("AFFO") and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company as performance measures for benchmarking against the Company’s peers and as internal measures of business operating performance, which is used as a bonus metric. These metrics are presented assuming full conversion of limited partnership units to common shares and therefore before the income statement impact of non-controlling interests. The Company believes FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA provide a meaningful perspective of the underlying operating performance of the Company’s current business. This is especially true since these measures exclude real estate depreciation and we believe that real estate values fluctuate based on market conditions rather than depreciating in value ratably on a straight-line basis over time.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that are considered supplemental measures for the real estate industry and a supplement to GAAP measures. The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts defines FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding (gains) or losses from dispositions of property, net of tax and real estate depreciation. We define AFFO as FFO excluding, as applicable to the particular period, stock based compensation expense; the amortization of debt issuance costs; bond premiums and original issuance discounts; other depreciation; amortization of land rights; accretion on investment in leases, financing receivables; non-cash adjustments to financing lease liabilities; property transfer tax recoveries; straight-line rent and deferred rent adjustments; losses on debt extinguishment; capitalized interest; and provision (benefit) for credit losses, net, reduced by capital maintenance expenditures. Finally, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income excluding, as applicable to the particular period, interest, net; income tax expense; real estate depreciation; other depreciation; (gains) or losses from dispositions of property; stock based compensation expense; straight-line rent and deferred rent adjustments; amortization of land rights; accretion on Investment in leases, financing receivables; non-cash adjustments to financing lease liabilities; property transfer tax recoveries; losses on debt extinguishment; and provision (benefit) for credit losses, net.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures: (i) do not represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP; (ii) should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities; and (iii) are not alternatives to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, these measures should not be viewed as an indication of our ability to fund our cash needs, including to make cash distributions to our shareholders, to fund capital improvements, or to make interest payments on our indebtedness. Investors are also cautioned that FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other real estate companies, including REITs, due to
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the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definitions. Our presentation of these measures does not replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP.
The reconciliation of the Company’s net income per GAAP to FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Net income | $ | 807,648 | $ | 755,370 | ||
| (Gains) or losses from dispositions of property, net of tax | (3,790) | (22) | ||||
| Real estate depreciation | 258,219 | 260,440 | ||||
| Funds from operations | $ | 1,062,077 | $ | 1,015,788 | ||
| Straight-line rent and deferred rent adjustments | (56,102) | (39,881) | ||||
| Other depreciation | 1,933 | 2,430 | ||||
| Amortization of land rights | 13,270 | 13,554 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | 11,229 | 9,857 | ||||
| Accretion on investment in leases, financing receivables | (28,966) | (23,056) | ||||
| Non-cash adjustment to financing lease liabilities | 473 | 469 | ||||
| Stock based compensation | 24,262 | 22,873 | ||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | — | 556 | ||||
| Property transfer tax recovery | — | (2,187) | ||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 37,254 | 6,461 | ||||
| Capitalized interest | (4,395) | — | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | (134) | (67) | ||||
| Adjusted funds from operations | $ | 1,060,901 | $ | 1,006,797 | ||
| Interest, net (2) | 317,945 | 308,090 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 2,129 | 1,997 | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | 134 | 67 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | (11,229) | (9,857) | ||||
| Capitalized interest | 4,395 | — | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,374,275 | $ | 1,307,094 |
(1) Such amortization is a non-cash component included in interest, net.
(2) Amounts exclude the non-cash interest expense gross up related to certain ground leases.
Net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA were $807.6 million, $1,062.1 million, $1,060.9 million and $1,374.3 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2024. This compared to net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA, of $755.4 million, $1,015.8 million, $1,006.8 million and $1,307.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net income was primarily driven by a $91.2 million increase in income from real estate as explained below. This was partially offset by higher operating expenses of $29.2 million and higher interest expense, net of $9.9 million that are also discussed below. The Company also incurred higher income tax expense of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The increases in FFO for the year ended December 31, 2024 were due to the items described above, excluding gains from dispositions of property and real estate depreciation. The increases in AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA were due to the items described above, less the adjustments mentioned in the tables above. Adjusted EBITDA also increased as compared to the prior year driven by the explanations above, as well as the adjustments mentioned in the tables above.
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Revenues
Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Rental income | $ | 1,330,620 | $ | 1,286,358 | $ | 44,262 | 3.4 | % | |||||||
| Income from Investment in leases, financing receivables | 185,430 | 152,990 | 32,440 | 21.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Income from sales type leases | 5,004 | — | 5,004 | N/A | |||||||||||
| Interest income from real estate loans | 10,492 | 1,044 | 9,448 | 905.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Total income from real estate | $ | 1,531,546 | $ | 1,440,392 | $ | 91,154 | 6.3 | % |
Total income from real estate
Total income from real estate increased $91.2 million, or 6.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The reason for the increase was primarily due to our recent acquisitions which in the aggregate increased cash income by $49.0 million. Current year results also benefited by $19.8 million from escalations on our leases. The Company also recognized favorable straight-line and deferred rent adjustments of $16.2 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, as well as higher accretion of $5.9 million on its Investment in leases, financing receivables. Finally, the Company had higher ground rent income of $0.3 million.
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Details of the Company's income from real estate for the year ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | Building base rent | Land base rent | Percentage rent and other rental revenue | Interest income on real estate loans | Total cash income | Straight-line rent and deferred rent adjustments (2) | Ground rent in revenue | Accretion on financing leases | Total income from real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amended PENN Master Lease | $ | 213,067 | $ | 43,035 | $ | 26,110 | $ | — | $ | 282,212 | $ | 19,807 | $ | 2,281 | $ | — | $ | 304,300 | |||||||||||||
| PENN 2023 Master Lease | 236,242 | — | (482) | — | 235,760 | 21,897 | — | — | 257,657 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 244,322 | 71,256 | 31,209 | — | 346,787 | 7,432 | 8,281 | — | 362,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Morgantown Lease | — | 3,138 | — | — | 3,138 | — | — | — | 3,138 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Caesars Master Lease | 64,367 | 23,729 | — | — | 88,096 | 8,505 | 1,320 | — | 97,921 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horseshoe St. Louis Lease | 23,744 | — | — | — | 23,744 | 1,520 | — | — | 25,264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Master Lease | 81,343 | 11,785 | 11,546 | — | 104,674 | 2,296 | 1,729 | — | 108,699 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Belterra Lease | 2,875 | 1,894 | 1,963 | — | 6,732 | 606 | — | — | 7,338 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease | 104,768 | — | — | — | 104,768 | — | 10,690 | — | 115,458 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease II | 1,431 | — | — | — | 1,431 | — | 211 | — | 1,642 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland Live! Lease | 76,313 | — | — | — | 76,313 | — | 8,703 | 14,979 | 99,995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease | 50,729 | — | — | — | 50,729 | — | 1,241 | 8,935 | 60,905 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Casino Queen Master Lease | 31,662 | — | — | — | 31,662 | 150 | — | — | 31,812 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tropicana Las Vegas Lease | — | 12,188 | — | — | 12,188 | — | — | 2 | 12,190 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Lease | — | 8,053 | — | — | 8,053 | — | — | 2,014 | 10,067 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Loan | — | — | — | 10,055 | 10,055 | — | — | — | 10,055 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tioga Downs Lease | 13,106 | — | — | — | 13,106 | — | 5 | 2,346 | 15,457 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strategic Gaming Leases | 5,774 | — | — | — | 5,774 | — | 247 | 690 | 6,711 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ione Loan | — | — | — | 437 | 437 | — | — | — | 437 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Chicago Lease | — | 6,111 | — | — | 6,111 | (6,111) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,149,743 | $ | 181,189 | $ | 70,346 | $ | 10,492 | $ | 1,411,770 | $ | 56,102 | $ | 34,708 | $ | 28,966 | $ | 1,531,546 |
(2) Includes $0.3 million of tenant improvement allowance amortization for the year ended December 31, 2024
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| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | Building base rent | Land base rent | Percentage rent and other rental revenue | Interest income on real estate loans | Total cash income | Straight line rent | Ground rent in revenue | Accretion on financing leases | Total income from real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amended PENN Master Lease | $ | 208,889 | $ | 43,035 | $ | 29,977 | $ | — | $ | 281,901 | $ | (7,610) | $ | 2,304 | $ | — | $ | 276,595 | |||||||||||||
| PENN 2023 Master Lease | 232,750 | — | (312) | — | 232,438 | 25,388 | — | — | 257,826 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 239,532 | 71,256 | 28,655 | — | 339,443 | 7,432 | 8,255 | — | 355,130 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Morgantown Lease | — | 3,092 | — | — | 3,092 | — | — | — | 3,092 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Caesars Master Lease | 63,493 | 23,729 | — | — | 87,222 | 9,378 | 1,449 | — | 98,049 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horseshoe St. Louis Lease | 23,451 | — | — | — | 23,451 | 1,813 | — | — | 25,264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Master Lease | 79,748 | 11,786 | 10,263 | — | 101,797 | 2,296 | 1,729 | — | 105,822 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Belterra Lease | 2,819 | 1,894 | 1,889 | — | 6,602 | 605 | — | — | 7,207 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease | 102,438 | — | — | — | 102,438 | — | 10,964 | — | 113,402 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland Live! Lease | 75,000 | — | — | — | 75,000 | — | 8,450 | 13,503 | 96,953 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease | 50,000 | — | — | — | 50,000 | — | 1,237 | 8,908 | 60,145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Casino Queen Master Lease | 25,373 | — | — | — | 25,373 | 579 | — | — | 25,952 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tropicana Las Vegas Lease | — | 10,555 | — | — | 10,555 | — | — | — | 10,555 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Lease | — | 2,711 | — | — | 2,711 | — | — | 645 | 3,356 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Loan | — | — | — | 1,044 | 1,044 | — | — | — | 1,044 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,103,493 | $ | 168,058 | $ | 70,472 | $ | 1,044 | $ | 1,343,067 | $ | 39,881 | $ | 34,388 | $ | 23,056 | $ | 1,440,392 |
In accordance with ASC 842, the Company records revenue for the ground lease rent paid by its tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the consolidated statement of income as the Company has concluded that as the lessee it is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The Company subleases these ground leases back to its tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
The Company recognizes earnings on its Investment in leases, financing receivables and Investment in leases, sales type based on the effective yield method using the discount rate implicit in the leases. The amounts in the table above labeled accretion on financing leases represent earnings recognized in excess of cash received during the period.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Land rights and ground lease expense | $ | 47,674 | $ | 48,116 | $ | (442) | (0.9) | % | |||||||
| General and administrative | 59,571 | 56,450 | 3,121 | 5.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Gains from disposition of properties | (3,790) | (22) | (3,768) | 17,127.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Property transfer tax recovery | — | (2,187) | 2,187 | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation | 260,152 | 262,870 | (2,718) | (1.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 37,254 | 6,461 | 30,793 | 476.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 400,861 | $ | 371,688 | $ | 29,173 | 7.8 | % |
Land rights and ground lease expense
Land rights and ground lease expense includes the amortization of land rights and rent expense related to the Company's long-term ground leases. Land rights and ground lease expense decreased by $0.4 million, or 0.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to the acquisition of certain land that was previously subject to ground leases.
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General and administrative expense
General and administrative expenses include items such as compensation costs (including stock-based compensation awards), professional services and costs associated with development activities. General and administrative expenses increased by $3.1 million, or 5.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The reason for the increase was due primarily from higher stock based compensation charges due to higher valuations on the Company's equity awards, franchise taxes and payroll costs.
Gains from dispositions of property
Gains from dispositions for the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to the lease reconsideration event for the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease which resulted in the lease being reclassified from an operating lease to a sales type lease. See Note 1 for further discussion.
Property transfer tax recovery
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a property transfer tax recovery of $2.2 million related to a successful appeal initiated by our tenant.
Depreciation expense
Depreciation expense decreased by $2.7 million, or 1.0%, to $260.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to the certain assets being fully depreciated.
Provision for credit losses, net
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a $37.3 million provision for credit losses as compared to a $6.5 million provision in the corresponding period in the prior year. The primary reason for the increase was due to the initial establishment of reserves of $23.7 million on the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease which was reclassified from an operating lease to a sales type lease during 2024 and on new leases entered into during 2024. The additional increases in the provision for credit losses was due primarily from a decline in the estimated real estate values underlying the Company's Investment in leases, financing receivables. These values are estimated based on long term projections of the Commercial Real Estate Price Index which, as of December 31, 2024, declined relative to the corresponding period in the prior year.
Other income (expenses)
Other income (expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (366,897) | $ | (323,388) | $ | (43,509) | 13.5 | % | |||||||
| Interest income | 45,989 | 12,607 | 33,382 | 264.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | — | (556) | 556 | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Total other expenses | $ | (320,908) | $ | (311,337) | $ | (9,571) | 3.1 | % |
Interest expense
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company's interest expense increased by $43.5 million as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was due to higher borrowing levels that partially funded our recent acquisitions as well as borrowings to prefund the upcoming $850 million bond maturing in June 2025. See Note 10 for additional information.
Interest income
Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $33.4 million due to higher average interest earning balances in the current year.
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Loss on debt extinguishment
The Company redeemed its $500 million, 5.375% Senior Notes that were scheduled to mature in November 2023 during the year ended December 31, 2023. In connection with this transaction, the Company wrote-off deferred issuance costs of $0.6 million.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership
As partial consideration for certain real estate acquisitions, the Company's operating partnership has issued OP Units. OP Units are exchangeable for common shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain terms and conditions. The operating partnership is a variable interest entity ("VIE") in which the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the partnership's economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE and the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company consolidates the accounts of the operating partnership, and reflects the third party ownership in this entity as a noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and allocates the proportion of net income to the noncontrolling interests on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flow from operations, borrowings from banks, and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,072.8 million and $1,009.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $63.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to an increase in cash receipts from customers of $68.7 million along with an increase in interest income of $22.5 million, partially offset by increases in cash paid for interest of $20.1 million, cash paid for operating expenses of $4.4 million, cash paid to employees of $1.8 million and cash paid for taxes of $1.7 million. The increase in cash receipts collected from our customers for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was due to the additions to and/or the full year impact of the Bally's Master Lease, the Bally's Master Lease II, the Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease, the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease, the Rockford Lease and Rockford Loan and the Tropicana Lease and as well as escalations incurred on our leases.
Investing activities used net cash of $1,605.9 million and $650.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted primarily of $844.3 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of Bally's Kansas City and Shreveport properties which were added to the Bally's Master Lease II, for the acquisition of real estate for the Bally's Chicago development project, the Belle landside development project and the real estate assets contained within the Tioga Downs Lease and Strategic Gaming Leases which were accounted for as Investment in leases, financing receivables. The Company had real estate loan originations of $125.2 million, $48.6 million for the demolition funding related to the development project at the Tropicana site, the purchase of zero coupon U.S. Treasury Bills totaling $891.0 million, and capital expenditures equal to $39.7 million, partially offset by the maturity of zero coupon U.S. Treasury Bills totaling $341.0 million and the proceeds from a tax refund related to a previous acquisition of $1.8 million. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted primarily of $412.3 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of Bally's Tiverton, RI and Hard Rock Biloxi, MS properties (which was net of the $200 million deposit paid in the prior year) which were added to the Bally's Master Lease, $32.7 million and $1.8 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of the Casino Queen Marquette, IA and two building assets at The Belle, respectively, which were added to the Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease, and $7.6 million and $8.7 million for land in Joliet, IL and Aurora, IL, respectively. The Company also incurred capital expenditures equal to $47.4 million for the development project at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge. The Company also acquired land for $100.2 million associated with the Rockford Lease which was accounted for as an Investment in lease, financing receivables and $40.0 million in fundings for the Rockford Loan.
Financing activities provided net cash of $311.8 million and $86.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was driven by $1,521.9 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $148.2 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock. This was offset by repayments of long term debt of $463.6 million, dividend payments of $830.7 million, non-controlling interest distributions of $24.6 million, financing costs of $24.7 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $14.7 million. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was driven by the repayment of long term debt of $585.1 million, dividend payments of $834.0
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million, non-controlling interest distributions of $24.1 million, financing costs of $4.0 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $13.4 million. These items were partially offset by $1,077.8 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $469.2 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures are accounted for as either capital project or capital maintenance (replacement) expenditures. Capital project expenditures are for fixed asset additions that expand an existing facility or create a new facility. The cost of properties developed by the Company include costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. Capital maintenance expenditures are expenditures to replace existing fixed assets with a useful life greater than one year that are obsolete, worn out or no longer cost effective to repair.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 we spent approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million respectively, for capital maintenance expenditures. Our tenants are responsible for capital maintenance expenditures at our leased properties. However, during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we incurred $39.6 million and $47.4 million, respectively, on capital project expenditures primarily related to landside development projects at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and the Belle of Baron Rouge.
As described in Note 11, the Company has various funding commitments over the next several years with PENN, and Bally's to develop new casino projects or enhance existing facilities leased by these tenants. The exact amounts and timing of these commitments can not be precisely determined, however the Company expects to fund up to $575 million to develop or enhance facilities leased to PENN under the PENN 2023 Master Lease, consisting of $225 million for the relocation of PENN's riverboat in Aurora, Illinois at a 7.75% cap rate and, if requested by PENN, up to $350 million for the relocation of the Hollywood Casino Joliet as well as the construction of hotels at Hollywood Casino Columbus and a second hotel tower at the M Resort Spa Casino at then current market rates if the funding is requested by PENN. The Company has agreed to fund up to $150 million of hard construction hard costs, if requested by PENN on or prior to March 31, 2029 for a potential redevelopment of Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs. The Company intends to fund construction hard costs of up to $940 million for Bally's Chicago which is expected to occur through December 2026. Additionally, the Company has committed up to $175 million of funding for hard construction costs related to the development of a potential casino resort redevelopment envisioned at the Tropicana Site where the Stadium is intended to be constructed for the Athletics. The Company has committed to provide up to approximately $111 million of funding (of which $35.1 million was funded as of December 31, 2024) for a landside move and hotel renovation of The Belle. The Company has also committed funding for certain construction costs of a landside development project at Casino Queen Marquette for an amount not to exceed $16.5 million. Finally, the Company entered into the Ione Loan which is a $110 million commitment (of which $15.1 million was funded as of December 31, 2024).
Debt
Senior Unsecured Credit Agreement and Amended Credit Agreement
On May 13, 2022, GLP Capital entered into a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") providing for a $1.75 billion revolving credit facility (the "Initial Revolving Credit Facility") maturing in May 2026. The majority of our debt is at fixed rates and our exposure to variable interest rates is currently limited to outstanding obligations, if any, under the Initial Revolving Credit Facility and our Term Loan Credit Agreement. GLP Capital is the primary obligor under the Credit Agreement, which is guaranteed by GLPI.
On September 2, 2022, GLP Capital entered into an amendment No. 1 (the "Amendment") to the Credit Agreement among GLP Capital, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (“Agent”), and the several banks and other financial institutions or entities party thereto (as amended by the Amendment, the "Amended Credit Agreement"). Pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement, GLP Capital has the right, at any time until December 31, 2024, to elect to re-allocate up to $700 million in existing revolving commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement to a new revolving credit facility (the “Bridge Revolving Facility” and, collectively with the Initial Revolving Credit Facility, the "Revolver").
On December 2, 2024, GLP Capital entered into Amendment No.2 (the “Second Amendment"; the Amended Credit Agreement, as amended by the Second Amendment, the "Second Amended Credit Agreement”) to the Amended Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Second Amended Credit Agreement, revolving commitments were increased from $1.75 billion to $2.09 billion and the maturity date of revolving loans and commitments were extended to December 2, 2028.
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The amendment also provides GLP with the right to elect to re-allocate up to $1.04 billion in existing revolving commitments under the Second Amended Credit Agreement to one or more new revolving credit facilities (“Amended Bridge Revolving Facility” and, collectively, the "Amended Bridge Revolving Facilities"). Loans under any Amended Bridge Revolving Facility are subject to 1% amortization per annum. Amounts repaid under any Amended Bridge Revolving Facility cannot be reborrowed and the corresponding commitments are automatically re-allocated to the existing revolving facility.
Amended Bridge Revolving Facilities are intended to be used solely to fund cash distributions to third-party contributors in connection with their contribution of one or more properties to GLP. GLP’s ability to borrow under any Amended Bridge Revolving Facility is subject to certain conditions including pro forma compliance with GLP’s financial covenants, as well as the receipt by the Agent of a satisfactory conditional guarantee of the loans under the applicable Amended Bridge Revolving Facility by the applicable contributor or its affiliate, subject to the prior enforcement of all remedies against GLP Capital, GLPI and other applicable sources other than such guarantor. Loans under the Amended Bridge Revolving Facility will not be treated pro rata with loans under the existing revolving credit facility.
At December 31, 2024, $332.5 million was outstanding under the Second Amended Credit Agreement. Additionally, at December 31, 2024, the Company was contingently obligated under letters of credit issued pursuant to the Second Amended Credit Agreement with face amounts aggregating approximately $0.4 million, resulting in $1,757.2 million of available borrowing capacity under the Second Amended Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2024.
The interest rates payable on the loans borrowed under the Second Amended Credit Agreement are, at GLP Capital's option, equal to either a SOFR based rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.725% to 1.40% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.0% to 0.4% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Second Amended Credit Agreement. The current applicable margin is 1.05% for SOFR loans and 0.05% for base rate loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the base rate be less than 1.00%. In addition, GLP Capital will pay a facility fee on the commitments under the revolving facility, regardless of usage, at a rate that ranges from 0.125% to 0.3% per annum, depending on the credit rating assigned to the Second Amended Credit Agreement from time to time. The current facility fee rate is 0.25%. The Second Amended Credit Agreement is not subject to amortization except with respect to any Amended Bridge Revolving Facility. GLP Capital is not required to repay any loans under the Second Amended Credit Agreement prior to maturity except as set forth above with respect to the Amended Bridge Revolving Facility. GLP Capital may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Second Amended Credit Agreement prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any SOFR breakage costs of the lenders and may reborrow loans that it has repaid. Subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, GLP Capital can obtain additional term loan commitments and incur incremental term loans or revolving commitments, and outstanding bridge revolving loans shall not exceed $3.5 billion outstanding under the Second Amended Credit Agreement. There is currently no commitment in respect of such incremental loans and commitments.
Certain Covenants and Events of Default
The Second Amended Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations or pay certain dividends and make other restricted payments. The Second Amended Credit Agreement includes the following financial covenants, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: a maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. GLPI is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status, subject to the absence of payment or bankruptcy defaults. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Second Amended Credit Agreement also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control and termination of the Amended PENN Master Lease (subject to certain replacement rights). The occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Second Amended Credit Agreement will enable the lenders under the Second Amended Credit Agreement to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder. At December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under the Second Amended Credit Agreement.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On September 2, 2022, GLP Capital entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (“Term Loan Agent”), and the other agents and lenders party thereto from time to time, providing for a $600 million delayed draw credit facility with a maturity date of September 2, 2027 (the “Term Loan Credit Facility”). The Term Loan Credit Facility is guaranteed by GLPI.
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The availability of loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, and the receipt by Term Loan Agent of a conditional guarantee of the Term Loan Credit Facility by Bally’s on a secondary basis, subject to enforcement of all remedies against GLP Capital, GLPI and all sources other than Bally’s. The loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility may be used solely to finance a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition of one or more specified properties of Bally’s in one or a series of related transactions (the “Acquisition”) and to pay fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith. The Company drew down the entire $600 million Term Loan Credit Facility on January 3, 2023 in connection with the acquisition of the real property assets of Bally's Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton.
Subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, GLP Capital can obtain additional term loan commitments and incur incremental term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all term loans outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Facility does not exceed $1.2 billion plus up to $60 million of transaction fees and costs incurred in connection with the Acquisition. There is currently no commitment in respect of such incremental loans and commitments.
Interest Rate and Fees
The interest rates per annum applicable to loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility are, at GLP Capital's option, equal to either a Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") based rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.85% to 1.7% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.0% to 0.7% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Term Loan Credit Facility. The current applicable margin is 1.30% for SOFR loans and 0.30% for base rate loans. In addition, GLP Capital will pay a commitment fee on the unused commitments under the Term Loan Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 0.125% to 0.3% per annum, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Credit Facility from time to time. The current commitment fee rate is 0.25%. The weighted average interest rate under the Term Loan Credit Facility at December 31, 2024 was 5.68%.
Amortization and Prepayments
The Term Loan Credit Facility is not subject to interim amortization. GLP Capital is not required to repay any loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity. GLP Capital may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any SOFR breakage costs of the lenders, and may reborrow loans that it has repaid. Unused commitments under the Term Loan Credit Facility automatically terminated on August 31, 2023.
Certain Covenants and Events of Default
The Term Loan Credit Facility contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries, including GLP Capital, to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, or pay certain dividends and make other restricted payments. The financial covenants include the following, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: (i) maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, (ii) maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, (iii) maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value, and (iv) minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. GLPI is required to maintain its status as a REIT and is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions, subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Term Loan Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default. The occurrence and continuance of an event of default, which includes, among others, nonpayment of principal or interest, material inaccuracy of representations and failure to comply with covenants, will enable the lenders to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder. At December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under the Term Loan Credit Facility.
Senior Unsecured Notes
At December 31, 2024, the Company had $6,875.0 million of outstanding senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Notes"). Each of the Company's Senior Notes contain covenants limiting the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt and use its assets to secure debt; merge or consolidate with another company; and make certain amendments to the Amended PENN Master Lease. The Senior Notes also require the Company to maintain a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.
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In August 2024, the Company issued $800 million of 5.625% Senior Notes that will mature on September 15, 2034 at an issue price equal to 99.094% of the principal amount and $400 million of 6.250% Senior Notes that will mature on September 15, 2054 at an issue price equal to 99.183% of the principal amount. The Company plans to use the net proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include the funding of announced transactions, development and improvement of properties, repayment of indebtedness, capital expenditures and other general business purposes.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company redeemed its $400 million 3.350% senior unsecured notes due September 2024.
On January 13, 2023, the Company announced that it called for redemption all of the $500.0 million, 5.375% Senior
Notes due in 2023 (the "Notes"). The Company redeemed all of the Notes on February 12, 2023 (the "Redemption Date") for
$507.5 million which represented 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued interest through the Redemption
Date, incurring a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $0.6 million, primarily related to debt issuance write-offs. GLPI
funded the redemption of the Notes primarily from cash on hand as well as through the settlement of a forward sale agreement
that occurred in February 2023 which resulted in the issuance of 1,284,556 shares which raised net proceeds of $64.6 million.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes of any series at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus a "make-whole" redemption premium described in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, except that if Senior Notes of a series are redeemed 90 or fewer days prior to their maturity, the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. If GLPI experiences a change of control accompanied by a decline in the credit rating of the Senior Notes of a particular series, the Company will be required to give holders of the Senior Notes of such series the opportunity to sell their Senior Notes of such series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes of such series, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. The Senior Notes also are subject to mandatory redemption requirements imposed by gaming laws and regulations.
The Senior Notes were issued by GLP Capital and GLP Financing II, Inc. (the "Issuers"), two consolidated subsidiaries of GLPI, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by GLPI. The guarantees of GLPI are full and unconditional. The Senior Notes are the Issuers' senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Issuers' senior indebtedness, including the Second Amended Credit Agreement, and senior in right of payment to all of the Issuers' subordinated indebtedness, without giving effect to collateral arrangements.
The Senior Notes contain covenants limiting the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt and use its assets to secure debt; merge or consolidate with another company; and make certain amendments to the Amended PENN Master Lease. The Senior Notes also require the Company to maintain a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.
GLPI owns all of the assets of GLP Capital and conducts all of its operations through the operating partnership. Based on the amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, we note that since GLPI fully and unconditionally guarantees the debt securities of the Issuers and consolidates both Issuers, we are not required to provide separate financial statements for the Issuers and GLPI since they are consolidated into GLPI and the GLPI guarantee is "full and unconditional".
Furthermore, as permitted under Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi), we excluded the summarized financial information for the Issuers because the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Issuers and GLPI are not materially different than the corresponding amounts in GLPI's consolidated financial statements and we believe such summarized financial information would be repetitive and would not provide incremental value to investors.
At December 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under its Senior Notes.
Distribution Requirements
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains, in order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT (assuming that certain other requirements are also satisfied) so that U.S. federal corporate income tax does not apply to earnings that we distribute. Such distributions generally can be made with cash and/or a combination of cash and Company common stock if certain requirements are met. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement and qualify for taxation as a REIT but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our shareholders in a
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calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code. To the extent any of the Company's taxable income was not previously distributed, the Company will make a dividend declaration pursuant to Section 858(a)(1) of the Code, allowing the Company to treat certain dividends that are to be distributed after the close of a taxable year as having been paid during the taxable year.
Outlook
Based on our current level of operations and anticipated earnings, we believe that cash generated from operations and cash on hand, together with amounts available under our Second Amended Credit Agreement of $2.09 billion and our ability to raise equity proceeds, will be adequate to meet our anticipated debt service requirements, capital expenditures, working capital needs and dividend requirements.
In late December 2022, the Company refreshed its ATM capacity to $1 billion (the "2022 ATM Program"). As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $34.2 million remaining for issuance under the 2022 ATM Program. Once the 2022 ATM Program is exhausted, the Company would expect to enter into a new program.
We expect the majority of our future growth to come from acquisitions of gaming and other properties to lease to third parties. If we consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements may increase significantly and we would likely need to raise additional proceeds through a combination of either common equity (including under our 2022 ATM Program and future ATM Programs that we would expect to enter into once the 2022 ATM Program is fully utilized), issuance of additional OP Units, and/or debt offerings. In addition, the Company intends to redeem its 5.250% Notes which are due in June 2025. Our future operating performance and our ability to service or refinance our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. See "Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Capital Structure" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the risk related to our capital structure.
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001575965-24-000005.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our Operations
GLPI is a self-administered and self-managed Pennsylvania REIT. The Company was formed from the 2013 tax-free spin-off of the real estate assets of PENN and was incorporated in Pennsylvania on February 13, 2013, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PENN. On November 1, 2013, PENN contributed to GLPI, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with PENN's real property interests and real estate development business, as well as the assets and liabilities of the TRS Properties and then spun-off GLPI to holders of PENN's common and preferred stock in the Spin-Off. The assets and liabilities of GLPI were recorded at their respective historical carrying values at the time of the Spin-Off.
The Company elected on its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and the Company, together with its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge) and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Perryville) as a TRS effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In connection with the Spin-Off, PENN allocated its accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) for periods prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off between PENN and GLPI. In connection with its election to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, GLPI declared a special dividend to its shareholders to distribute any accumulated earnings and profits relating to the real property assets and attributable to any pre-REIT years, including any earnings and profits allocated to GLPI in connection with the Spin-Off, to comply with certain REIT qualification requirements.
On July 1, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville to PENN and leased the real estate to PENN pursuant to a standalone lease. On December 17, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen and leased the real estate to Casino Queen pursuant to the Casino Queen Master Lease as described below. On December 17, 2021, GLPI declared a special dividend to the Company's shareholders to distribute the accumulated earnings and profits attributable to these sales. In 2021, subsequent to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, GLP Holdings, Inc. was merged into GLP Capital.
During 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that at the time held the real estate of the Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a TRS. In September 2022, Bally's acquired both the building assets from GLPI and PENN's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas. GLPI retained ownership of the land and entered into a ground lease with Bally's. In connection with this transaction, Tropicana LV, LLC was merged
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into GLP Capital. GLPI paid a special earnings and profit dividend of $0.25 per share in the first quarter of 2023 related to the sale of the building to Bally's.
In connection with the UPREIT Transaction with Cordish, GLP Capital issued 7,366,683 newly-issued OP Units to affiliates of Cordish. OP Units are exchangeable for common shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain terms and conditions. Such issuance of OP Units to Cordish in exchange for its contribution of certain real property assets resulted in GLP Capital becoming treated as a partnership for income tax purposes, with GLPI being deemed to contribute substantially all of the assets and liabilities of GLP Capital in exchange for the general partnership and a majority of the limited partnership interests, and a minority limited partnership interest being owned by Cordish. In advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company, together with GLP Financing II, Inc. jointly elected for GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. On January 3, 2023, the Company issued 286,643 OP Units to affiliates of Bally's in connection with its acquisition of Bally's Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton. There were 7,653,326 OP Units outstanding as of December 31, 2023.
GLPI's primary business consists of acquiring, financing, and owning real estate property to be leased to gaming operators in triple-net lease arrangements. As of December 31, 2023, GLPI's portfolio consisted of interests in 61 gaming and related facilities, which was comprised of the real property associated with 34 gaming and related facilities operated by PENN, the real property associated with 6 gaming and related facilities operated by Caesars, the real property associated with 4 gaming and related facilities operated by Boyd, the real property associated with 9 gaming and related facilities operated by Bally's, the real property associated with 3 gaming and related facilities operated by Cordish and the real property associated with 4 gaming and related facilities operated by Casino Queen and 1 gaming facility under construction that upon opening is intended to be managed by Hard Rock. These facilities, including our corporate headquarters building, are geographically diversified across 18 states and contain approximately 28.7 million square feet. As of December 31, 2023, our properties were 100% occupied. We expect to continue growing our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
PENN 2023 Master Lease and Amended PENN Master Lease
As a result of the Spin-Off, GLPI owns substantially all of PENN’s former real property assets (as of the consummation of the Spin-Off) and leases back most of those assets to PENN for use by its subsidiaries pursuant to the Original PENN Master Lease. The Original PENN Master Lease was a triple-net operating lease, the term of which was scheduled to expire on October 31, 2033, with no purchase option, followed by three remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
On October 10, 2022, the Company announced that it agreed to create the PENN 2023 Master Lease for seven of PENN's properties. The companies also agreed to a funding mechanism to support PENN's pursuit of relocation and development opportunities at several of the properties included in the new master lease. The PENN 2023 Master Lease became effective on January 1, 2023.
Pursuant to this agreement, the Amended PENN Master Lease was also created to remove PENN's properties in Aurora and Joliet, Illinois; Columbus and Toledo, Ohio; and Henderson, Nevada. The properties removed from the Original Penn Master Lease were added to the PENN 2023 Master Lease. In addition, the Meadows Lease and the Perryville Lease were terminated and these properties were transferred into the PENN 2023 Master Lease. Both the Amended PENN Master Lease and the PENN 2023 Master Lease are triple-net operating leases, the terms of which expire on October 31, 2033, with no purchase options, followed by three remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
GLPI agreed to fund up to $225 million for the relocation of PENN's riverboat casino in Aurora at a 7.75% cap rate and, if requested by PENN, will fund up to $350 million for the relocation of the Hollywood Casino Joliet, the construction of a hotel at Hollywood Casino Columbus, and the construction of a second hotel tower at the M Resort Spa Casino at then current market rates.
The terms of the PENN 2023 Master Lease and the Amended PENN Master Lease are substantially similar to the Original PENN Master Lease with the following key differences:
•The PENN 2023 Master Lease is cross-defaulted and co-terminus with the Amended PENN Master Lease.
•The rent for the PENN 2023 Master Lease is $232.2 million in base rent with fixed annual escalation of 1.50%, with the first escalation occurring on November 1, 2023.
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•The rent for the Amended 2023 PENN Master Lease was adjusted to $284.1 million, consisting of $208.2 million of building base rent, $43.0 million of land base rent, and $32.9 million of percentage rent.
Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, Boyd Master Lease and Belterra Park Lease
In April 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the real estate assets of Pinnacle for approximately $4.8 billion. GLPI originally leased these assets back to Pinnacle, under the Pinnacle Master Lease, the term of which expires on April 30, 2031, with no purchase option, followed by four remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. On October 15, 2018, the Company completed the previously announced PENN-Pinnacle Merger to accommodate PENN's acquisition of the majority of Pinnacle's operations, pursuant to a definitive agreement and plan of merger between PENN and Pinnacle, dated December 17, 2017. Concurrent with the PENN-Pinnacle Merger, the Company amended the Pinnacle Master Lease to allow for the sale of the operating assets of Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles and Belterra Casino Resort from Pinnacle to Boyd and entered into the Boyd Master Lease for these properties on terms similar to the Company’s Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Boyd Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years (from the original April 2016 commencement date of the Pinnacle Master Lease and expiring April 30, 2026), with no purchase option, followed by five 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Company also purchased the real estate assets of Plainridge Park from PENN for $250.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes and added this property to the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Amended Pinnacle Master Lease was assumed by PENN at the consummation of the PENN-Pinnacle Merger. The Company also entered into the Belterra Park Loan with Boyd in connection with Boyd's acquisition of Belterra Park. In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to the Belterra Park Lease with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The Belterra Park Lease rent terms are consistent with the Boyd Master Lease. The annual rent is comprised of a fixed component, part of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities which is adjusted, subject to certain floors, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of Belterra Park during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
Third Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease
On October 1, 2018, the Company closed its previously announced transaction to acquire certain real property assets from Tropicana and certain of its affiliates pursuant to the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the real estate assets of Tropicana Atlantic City, Tropicana Evansville, Tropicana Laughlin, Trop Casino Greenville and the Belle of Baton Rouge from Tropicana for an aggregate cash purchase price of $964.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes. Concurrent with the Tropicana Acquisition, Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (now doing business as Caesars) acquired the operating assets of these properties from Tropicana pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 15, 2018 by and among Tropicana, GLP Capital, Caesars and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caesars and leased the GLP Assets from the Company pursuant to the terms of the Caesars Master Lease.
On June 15, 2020, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease to, (i) extend the initial term of 15 years to 20 years, with renewals of up to an additional 20 years at the option of Caesars, (ii) remove the variable rent component in its entirety commencing with the third lease year, (iii) in the third lease year, increase annual land base rent and annual building base rent, (iv) provide fixed escalation percentages that delay the escalation of building base rent until the commencement of the fifth lease year with building base rent increasing annually by 1.25% in the fifth and sixth lease years, 1.75% in the seventh and eighth lease years and 2% in the ninth lease year and each lease year thereafter, (v) subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, permit Caesars to elect to replace the Tropicana Evansville and/or Trop Casino Greenville properties under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease with one or more of Caesars Gaming Scioto Downs, The Row in Reno, Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Isle Casino Hotel – Black Hawk, Lady Luck Casino – Black Hawk, Waterloo, Bettendorf or Isle of Capri Casino Boonville, provided that the aggregate value of such new property, individually or collectively, is at least equal to the value of Tropicana Evansville or Trop Casino Greenville, as applicable, (vi) permit Caesars to elect to sell its interest in Belle of Baton Rouge and sever it from the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease (with no change to the rent obligation to the Company), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, and (vii) provide certain relief under the operating, capital expenditure and financial covenants thereunder in the event of facility closures due to pandemics, governmental restrictions and certain other instances of unavoidable delay. The effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease was subject to the review of certain gaming regulatory agencies and the expiration of applicable gaming regulatory advance notice periods which were received on July 23, 2020.
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On December 18, 2020, the Company and Caesars entered into the Second Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease in connection with the completion of the Exchange Agreement with subsidiaries of Caesars in which Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of Waterloo and Bettendorf in exchange for the transfer by the Company to Caesars of the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville, plus a cash payment of $5.7 million. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, the annual building base rent and the annual land component were increased.
On November 13, 2023, the Company and Caesars entered into the Third Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease in connection with Caesars selling its interest in the Belle of Baton Rouge to Casino Queen with no change in rent obligation to the Company. See Note 12 for further discussion.
Horseshoe St. Louis Lease
On October 1, 2018 the Company entered into a loan agreement with Caesars in connection with Caesars’s acquisition of Horseshoe St. Louis, whereby the Company extended funds to Caesars under the CZR loan. On the one-year anniversary of the CZR loan, the mortgage evidenced by a deed of trust on the Horseshoe St. Louis property terminated and the loan became unsecured. On June 24, 2020, the Company received approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission to own the real estate assets of Horseshoe St. Louis property in satisfaction of the CZR loan. On September 29, 2020, the transaction closed and we entered into the Horseshoe St. Louis Lease, the initial term of which expires on October 31, 2033 with four separate renewal options of five years each, exercisable at the tenant's option. The Horseshoe St. Louis Lease rent terms were adjusted on December 1, 2021 such that the annual escalator is now fixed at 1.25% for the second through fifth lease years, increasing to 1.75% for the sixth and seventh lease years and thereafter increasing by 2.0% for the remainder of the lease.
Bally's Master Lease
On June 3, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced transaction pursuant to which a subsidiary of Bally's acquired 100% of the equity interests in the Caesars subsidiary that currently operates Tropicana Evansville and the Company reacquired the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville from Caesars for a cash purchase price of approximately $340.0 million. In addition, the Company purchased the real estate assets of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino (now Bally's Dover Casino Resort) from Bally's for a cash purchase price of approximately $144.0 million. The real estate assets of these two facilities were added to the Bally's Master Lease which has an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four five-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. Rent under the Bally's Master Lease is subject to contractual escalations based on the CPI, with a 1% floor and a 2% ceiling, subject to the CPI meeting a 0.5% threshold.
On April 1, 2022 and January 3, 2023, the Company completed the acquisitions of real estate assets of Bally's Biloxi, Bally's Tiverton, Bally's Black Hawk, and Bally's Quad Cities. These properties were added to the existing Bally's Master Lease with annual rent increases that are subject to the escalation clauses described above.
In connection with GLPI’s commitment to consummate the Bally’s Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton acquisitions, a deposit of $200.0 million funded by GLPI in September 2022 was returned to the Company along with a $9.0 million transaction fee that was recorded against the purchase price of the assets acquired. Concurrent with the closing, GLPI borrowed $600 million under its previously structured delayed draw term loan. The Company continues to have the option, subject to receipt by Bally's of required consents, to acquire the real property assets of Bally's Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort prior to December 31, 2026 for a purchase price of $771.0 million and additional rent of $58.8 million.
Tropicana Las Vegas
On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries closed on its previously announced transaction to acquire the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from PENN in exchange for rent credits of $307.5 million, which were applied against future rent obligations due under the parties' existing leases during 2020.
On September 26, 2022, Bally’s acquired both GLPI’s building assets and PENN's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas for an aggregate cash acquisition price, net of fees and expenses, of approximately $145 million, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $67.4 million, $52.8 million after-tax. GLPI retained ownership of the land and concurrently entered into a ground lease for an initial term of 50 years (with a maximum term of 99 years inclusive of tenant renewal options) with rent subject to contractual escalations based on the CPI, with a 1% floor and a 2% ceiling, subject to the CPI
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meeting a 0.5% threshold. The ground lease is supported by a Bally’s corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease.
On May 13, 2023 the Company, Tropicana Las Vegas, Inc., a Nevada corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Bally’s, and Athletics, which owns the Team, entered into the LOI setting forth the terms for developing the Stadium. The Stadium is expected to complement the potential resort redevelopment envisioned at our 35-acre Tropicana Site, owned indirectly by GLPI through its indirect subsidiary, Tropicana Land LLC, a Nevada limited liability company and leased by GLPI to Bally’s pursuant to the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease. The LOI allows for Athletics to be granted fee ownership by GLPI of approximately 9 acres of the Tropicana Site for construction of the Stadium. The LOI provides that following the Stadium site transfer, there will be no reduction in the rent obligations of Bally’s on the remaining portion of the Tropicana Site or other modifications to the ground lease, and that to the extent GLPI has any consent or approval rights under the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease, such rights shall remain enforceable unless expressly modified in writing in the definitive documents. Bally's and GLPI are agreeing to provide the Stadium site transfer in exchange for the benefits that the Stadium is expected to bring to the Tropicana Site. The LOI provides that Athletics shall pay all the costs associated with the design, development, and construction of the Stadium and Bally’s shall pay all costs for the redevelopment of the casino and hotel resort amenities. GLPI is expected to commit to up to $175.0 million of funding for hard construction costs, such as demolition and site preparation and build out of minimum public spaces needed for utilization of the Stadium. The LOI provides that during the development period, rent will be due at 8.5% of what has been funded, provided that the first $15.0 million advanced for the costs of construction of the food, beverage and retail entrance plaza shall not be subject to increased rent. GLPI may have the opportunity to fund additional amounts of the construction under certain circumstances. In addition, the LOI provides that the transaction will be subject to customary approvals and other conditions, including, without limitation, approval of a master plan for the site and certain approvals by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission.
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company and PENN closed on their previously announced transaction whereby GLPI acquired the land under PENN's gaming facility under construction in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits that were utilized by PENN in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company is leasing the land back to an affiliate of PENN pursuant to the Morgantown Lease for an initial term of 20 years, followed by six 5-year renewal options exercisable by the tenant. In lease years two and three, rent increased by 1.5% annually (and on a prorated basis for the remainder of the lease year in which the gaming facility opened) for each of the following three lease years and commencing on the fourth anniversary of the opening date and for each anniversary thereafter, (i) if the CPI increase is at least 0.5% for any lease year, the rent for such lease year shall increase by 1.25% of rent as of the immediately preceding lease year, and (ii) if the CPI increase is less than 0.5% for such lease year, then the rent shall not increase for such lease year. Hollywood Casino Morgantown opened on December 22, 2021.
Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease
On November 25, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with respect to the HCBR transaction. The HCBR transaction closed on December 17, 2021. The Company retained ownership of all real estate assets at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and simultaneously entered into the Second Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease. The lease has an initial term of 15 years with four 5 year renewal options exercisable by the tenant on the same terms and conditions. See Note 12 for a discussion regarding such renewal options. Annual rent increases by 0.5% for the first six years. Beginning with the seventh lease year through the remainder of the lease term, if the CPI increases by at least 0.25% for any lease year then annual rent shall be increased by 1.25%, and if the CPI increase is less than 0.25% then rent will remain unchanged for such lease year. Additionally, the Company's landside development project at Casino Queen Baton Rouge was completed in late August 2023 and the rent under the Second Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease was adjusted upon opening to reflect a yield of 8.25% on GLPI's project costs of $77 million. The Company then entered into an amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease in connection with the acquisition of the land and certain improvements at Casino Queen Marquette for $32.72 million on September 6, 2023. The annual rent on the Second Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease was increased by $2.7 million for this acquisition. Additionally, the Company anticipates funding certain construction costs of a landside development project at Casino Queen Marquette for an amount not to exceed $12.5 million. The rent will be adjusted to reflect a yield of 8.25% for the funded project costs. The Company entered into the Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease on November 13, 2023.
Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease
On December 6, 2021, the Company announced that it had agreed to acquire the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh, including applicable long-term ground
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leases, from affiliates of Cordish for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.81 billion, excluding transaction costs, at deal announcement. The transaction also includes a binding partnership on future Cordish casino developments, as well as potential financing partnerships between the Company and Cordish in other areas of Cordish's portfolio of real estate and operating businesses. On December 29, 2021, GLPI closed the acquisition of the Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland and GLPI entered into the Maryland Live! Lease. On March 1, 2022, GLPI closed the acquisition of the Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and Live! Casino Pittsburgh and leased back the real estate to Cordish pursuant to the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease. The Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease and the Maryland Live! Lease each have initial lease terms of 39 years, with maximum terms of 60 years inclusive of tenant renewal options. The annual rent for both leases has a 1.75% fixed yearly escalator on the entirety of rent commencing on the leases' second anniversary.
Rockford Lease
On August 29, 2023, the Company acquired the land associated with a development project in Rockford, IL, that upon opening is intended to be managed by Hard Rock, from an affiliate of 815 Entertainment. Simultaneously with the land acquisition, GLPI entered into the Rockford Lease with 815 Entertainment. The initial annual rent for the Rockford Lease is subject to fixed 2% annual escalation beginning with the lease's first anniversary and for the entirety of its term.
In addition to the Rockford Lease, the Company has also committed to providing up to $150 million of development funding via the Rockford Loan. Any borrowings under the Rockford Loan will be subject to an interest rate of 10%. The Rockford Loan has a maximum outstanding period of up to 6 years (5-year initial term with a 1-year extension). The Rockford Loan is prepayable without penalty following the opening of the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, IL, which is expected in September 2024. The Rockford Loan advances are subject to typical construction lending terms and conditions. As of December 31, 2023, $40 million was advanced and outstanding under the Rockford Loan. Additionally, the Company also received a right of first refusal on the building improvements of the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, IL if there is a future decision to sell them once completed.
The majority of our earnings are the result of revenues we receive from our triple-net master leases with PENN, Boyd, Bally's, Cordish, Casino Queen and Caesars. In addition to rent, the tenants are required to pay the following executory costs: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor) and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.
Additionally, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC 842"), we record revenue for the ground lease rent paid by our tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the Consolidated Statement of Income as we have concluded that as the lessee we are the primary obligor under the ground leases. We sublease these ground leases back to our tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
Gaming revenue for our TRS Properties (whose operations we sold during 2021) was derived primarily from gaming on slot machines and to a lesser extent, table game and poker revenue, which was highly dependent upon the volume and spending levels of customers at our TRS Properties. Other revenues at our TRS Properties were derived from our dining, retail and certain other ancillary activities.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe the following competitive strengths will contribute significantly to our success:
Geographically Diverse Property Portfolio
As of December 31, 2023, our portfolio consisted of 61 gaming and related facilities. Our portfolio, including our corporate headquarters building, comprises approximately 28.7 million square feet and approximately 5,200 acres of land and is broadly diversified by location across 18 states. We expect that our geographic diversification will limit the effect of a decline in any one regional market on our overall performance.
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Financially Secure Tenants
Five of the company's tenants, PENN, Caesars, Boyd, Cordish and Bally's, are leading, diversified, multi-jurisdictional owners and managers of gaming and pari-mutuel properties and established gaming providers with strong financial performance. With the exception of Cordish, all of the aforementioned tenants are publicly traded companies that are subject to the informational filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are required to file periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Readers are directed to PENN's, Caesar's, Boyd's and Bally's respective websites for further financial information on these companies.
Long-Term, Triple-Net Lease Structure
Our real estate properties are leased under long-term triple-net leases guaranteed by our tenants, pursuant to which the tenant is responsible for all facility maintenance, insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on our income) and all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.
Resilient Regional Gaming Characteristics
We believe that the recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the resiliency of the regional gaming market. In spite of all our properties being forced to close during mid-March 2020, the Company collected all contractual rents, inclusive of rent credits, due in 2020. Furthermore, our tenants' results since they have reopened has been strong and in some cases better than prior to COVID-19, due to their increased focus on cost efficiencies and decreasing and/or eliminating lower margin amenities. For instance, the rent coverage ratios on all of our leases have increased compared to pre-COVID-19 levels at December 31, 2019. Although we are unable to predict whether these results will continue, we believe that our assets should generate substantial cash flows well into the future for both ourselves and our tenants.
Flexible UPREIT Structure
We operate through an umbrella partnership, commonly referred to as an UPREIT structure, in which substantially all of our properties and assets are held by GLP Capital or by subsidiaries of GLP Capital. Conducting business through GLP Capital allows us flexibility in the manner in which we structure and acquire properties. In particular, an UPREIT structure enables us to acquire additional properties from sellers in exchange for limited partnership units, which provides property owners the opportunity to defer the tax consequences that would otherwise arise from a sale of their real properties and other assets to us. As a result, this structure potentially may facilitate our acquisition of assets in a more efficient manner and may allow us to acquire assets that the owner would otherwise be unwilling to sell because of tax considerations. We believe that this flexibility will provide us an advantage in seeking future acquisitions.
Experienced and Committed Management Team
Our management team has extensive gaming and real estate experience. Peter M. Carlino, our chief executive officer, has more than 30 years of experience in the acquisition and development of gaming facilities and other real estate projects. Through years of public company experience, our management team also has extensive experience accessing both debt and equity capital markets to fund growth and maintain a flexible capital structure.
Segment Information
Due to the sale of the operations of the TRS Properties, the Company's operations consist solely of investments in real estate for which all such real estate properties are similar to one another in that they consist of destination and leisure properties and related offerings, whose tenants offer casino gaming, hotel, convention, dining, entertainment and retail amenities, have similar economic characteristics and are governed by triple-net operating leases. As such, as of January 1, 2022, the Company has one reportable segment. The operating results of the Company's real estate investments are reviewed in the aggregate using the Company's consolidated financial statements by the Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief operating decision maker (as such term is defined in ASC 280 - Segment Reporting).
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Executive Summary
Financial Highlights
We reported total revenues and income from operations of $1,440.4 million and $1,068.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1,311.7 million and $1,029.9 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022. The major factors affecting our results for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, were as follows:
•Total income from real estate was $1,440.4 million and $1,311.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Total income from real estate increased by $128.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Current results benefited from the additions to, and/or the full year impact of the Bally's Master Lease, the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease, the Tropicana Lease, the Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease, and the Rockford Lease and Rockford Loan, which in the aggregate increased cash income by $74.2 million. Current year results also benefited by $15.3 million from escalations on our leases. The Company also recognized favorable straight line rent adjustments of $35.6 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, as well as higher accretion of $3.6 million on its Investment in leases, financing receivables. Finally, the Company had higher ground rent income of $1.3 million due primarily to the additions to the Bally's Master Lease. Partially offsetting these favorable variances, was a $1.3 million decline in percentage rent.
•Total operating expenses increased by $89.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year. The reason for the increase was due to a decline in gains from dispositions of property of $67.5 million compared to the prior year due to the sale of the Tropicana Las Vegas building to Bally's in 2022, a $24.2 million increase in depreciation expense due to our recent acquisitions and a $5.1 million increase in general and administrative expenses due primarily from transaction related costs that did not qualify for capitalization as well as higher stock based compensation charges due to higher valuations on the Company's equity awards. Partially offsetting these increases was a property transfer tax recovery of $2.2 million in the current year compared to an impairment charge of $3.3 million in 2022, as well as lower land rights and ground lease expense of $0.9 million and lower provision for credit losses of $0.4 million.
•Other expenses, net increased by $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year. The increase was due to higher borrowing levels that partially funded our recent acquisitions, partially offset by an increase in interest income.
•Income tax expense decreased by $15.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the prior year The reason for the decrease was primarily due to the taxes incurred on the gain on the sale of the building at Tropicana Las Vegas in 2022.
•Net income increased by $52.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the variances explained above.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We make certain judgments and use certain estimates and assumptions when applying accounting principles in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The nature of the estimates and assumptions are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain factors or the susceptibility of such factors to change. We have identified the accounting for leases, investment in leases, financing receivables, net, allowance for credit losses, income taxes, and real estate investments as critical accounting estimates, as they are the most important to our financial statement presentation and require difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
We believe the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and, in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition.
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Leases
As a REIT, the majority of our revenues are derived from rent received from our tenants under long-term triple-net leases. Currently, we have master leases with PENN, Caesars, Bally's, Boyd, Cordish and Casino Queen. We also have separate single property leases with PENN, Caesars, Boyd, Cordish and 815 Entertainment. The accounting guidance under ASC 842 is complex and requires the use of judgments and assumptions by management to determine the proper accounting treatment of a lease. We perform a lease classification test upon the entry into any new tenant lease or lease modification to determine if we will account for the lease as an operating or sales-type lease. The revenue recognition model and thus the presentation of our financial statements is significantly different under operating leases and sales-type leases.
Under the operating lease model, as the lessor, the assets we own and lease to our tenants remain on our balance sheet as real estate investments and we record rental revenues on a straight-line basis over the lease term. This includes the recognition of percentage rents that are fixed and determinable at the lease inception date on a straight-line basis over the entire lease term, resulting in the recognition of deferred rental revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred rental revenue is amortized to rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the remainder of the lease term. The lease term includes the initial non-cancelable lease term and any reasonably assured renewal periods. Contingent rental income that is not fixed and determinable at lease inception is recognized only when the lessee achieves the specified target.
Under the sales-type lease model, however, at lease inception we would record an Investment in leases, financing receivables on our Consolidated Balance Sheet rather than recording the actual assets we own. Furthermore, the cash rent we receive from tenants is not recorded as rental revenue, but rather a portion is recorded as interest income using an effective yield and a portion is recorded as a reduction to the Investment in leases, financing receivables. Under ASC 842, for leases with both land and building components, leases may be bifurcated between operating and sales-type leases. To determine if our real estate leases trigger full or partial sales-type lease treatment we conduct the five lease tests outlined in ASC 842 below. If a lease meets any of the five criteria below, it is accounted for as a sales-type lease.
1) Transfer of ownership - The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term. This criterion is met in situations in which the lease agreement provides for the transfer of title at or shortly after the end of the lease term in exchange for the payment of a nominal fee, for example, the minimum required by statutory regulation to transfer title.
2) Bargain purchase option - The lease contains a bargain purchase option, which is a provision allowing the lessee, at its option, to purchase the leased property for a price which is sufficiently lower than the expected fair value of the property at the date the option becomes exercisable and that is reasonably certain to be exercised.
3) Lease term - The lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset. However, if the commencement date falls at or near the end of the economic life of the underlying asset, this criterion shall not be used for purposes of classifying the lease.
4) Minimum lease payments - The present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee that is not already reflected in the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.
5) Specialized nature - The underlying asset is of such specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.
The tests outlined above, as well as the resulting calculations, require subjective judgments, such as determining, at lease inception, the fair value of the underlying leased assets, the residual value of the assets at the end of the lease term, the likelihood a tenant will exercise some or all renewal options (in order to determine the lease term), the estimated remaining economic life of the leased assets, and an allocation of rental income received under our Master Leases to the underlying leased assets. A slight change in estimate or judgment can result in a materially different financial statement presentation and income recognition method.
Investment in Leases, Financing Receivables, net
In accordance with ASC 842, for transactions in which we enter into a contract to acquire an asset and lease it back to the seller under a sales-type lease (i.e. a sale leaseback transaction), the Company must determine whether control of the asset has transferred to us. In cases whereby control has not transferred to the Company, we do not recognize the underlying asset but instead recognize a financial asset in accordance with ASC 310 "Receivables". The accounting for the financing receivable
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under ASC 310 is materially consistent with the accounting for our investments in leases - sales type under ASC 842. We have concluded that certain of our leases are required to be accounted for as an Investment in leases - financing receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 310, since control of the underlying assets was not considered to have transferred to the Company under GAAP.
Allowance for credit losses
The Company follows ASC 326 “Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”), which requires that the Company measure and record current expected credit losses (“CECL”), the scope of which includes our Investments in leases - financing receivables, net as well as the Company's real estate loans.
We have elected to use an econometric default and loss rate model to estimate the Allowance for credit losses, or CECL allowance. This model requires us to calculate and input lease and property-specific credit and performance metrics which in conjunction with forward-looking economic forecasts, project estimated credit losses over the life of the lease or loan. The Company then records a CECL allowance based on the expected loss rate multiplied by the outstanding investment.
Expected losses within our cash flows are determined by estimating the probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) of our instruments subject to CECL. We have engaged a nationally recognized data analytics firm to assist us with estimating both the PD and LGD. The PD and LGD are estimated during the initial term of the instruments subject to CECL. The PD and LGD estimates were developed using current financial condition forecasts. The PD and LGD predictive model was developed using the average historical default rates and historical loss rates, respectively, of over 100,000 commercial real estate loans dating back to 1998 that have similar credit profiles or characteristics to the real estate underlying the Company's instruments subject to CECL. Management will monitor the credit risk related to its instruments subject to CECL by obtaining the applicable rent and interest coverage on a periodic basis. The Company also monitors legislative changes to assess whether it would have an impact on the underlying performance of its tenant. We are unable to use our historical data to estimate losses as the Company has no loss history to date on its lease portfolio.
We are required to update our CECL allowance on a quarterly basis with the resulting change being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the relevant period. Finally, each time the Company makes a new investment in an asset subject to ASC 326, we will be required to record an initial CECL allowance for such asset, which will result in a non-cash charge to the Consolidated Statement of Income for the relevant period. Changes in economic conditions and/or the underlying performance of the property contained within our leases accounted for as financing receivables impacts the assumptions utilized in the CECL reserve estimates. Changes in our assumptions could result in non-cash provisions or recoveries in future periods that could materially impact our results of operations.
Income Taxes - REIT Qualification
We elected on our U.S. federal income tax return for our taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and we, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. as a TRS effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a TRS. Finally, in advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company, together with GLP Financing II, jointly elected for GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. We intend to continue to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gain, and meet the various other requirements imposed by the Code relating to matters such as operating results, asset holdings, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership.
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and dividends paid to our shareholders would not be deductible by us in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to shareholders. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Our TRS is able to engage in activities resulting in income that would not be qualifying income for a REIT. As a result, certain activities of the Company which occur within our TRS are subject to federal and state income taxes.
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Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments primarily represent land and buildings leased to the Company's tenants. Real estate investments that we received in connection with the Spin-Off were contributed to us at PENN's historical carrying amount. We record the acquisition of real estate at fair value, including acquisition and closing costs. The cost of properties developed by GLPI includes costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. We consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. Depreciation is computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the buildings and building improvements. If we used a shorter or longer estimated useful life, it could have a material impact on our results of operations.
We continually monitor events and circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amount of our real estate investments may not be recoverable or realized. The factors considered by the Company in performing these assessments include evaluating whether the tenant is current on their lease payments, the tenant’s rent coverage ratio, the financial stability of the tenant and its parent company, and any other relevant factors. When indicators of potential impairment suggest that the carrying value of a real estate investment may not be recoverable, we determine whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the underlying lease exceeds the real estate investments' carrying value. If we determine the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the asset's carrying value then we would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We group our real estate investments together by lease, the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available, in evaluating impairment. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value, the Company must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, market and other applicable trends and residual values, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss.
Results of Operations
The following are the most important factors and trends that contribute or may contribute to our operating performance:
•We have announced or closed numerous transactions in recent years and expect to continue to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
•Several wholly-owned subsidiaries of PENN lease a substantial number of our properties and account for a significant portion of our revenue.
•The risks related to economic conditions, including stress in the banking sector, high inflation levels (that have been negatively impacted by the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as conflicts in the Middle East) and the effect of such conditions on consumer spending for leisure and gaming activities, which may negatively impact our gaming tenants and operators and the variable rent and certain annual rent escalators we receive from our tenants as outlined in the long-term triple-net leases with these tenants.
•The ability to refinance our significant levels of debt at attractive terms and obtain favorable funding in connection with future business opportunities.
•The fact that the rules and regulations of U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by legislators, the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect GLPI's investors or GLPI.
•Our leases contain variable rent that resets on varying schedules depending on the lease. The Company's percentage rent which is subject to adjustment was 5.3% of total cash rent in 2023 compared to 11.7% in 2022.
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The consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,440,392 | $ | 1,311,685 | ||
| Total operating expenses | 371,688 | 281,770 | ||||
| Income from operations | 1,068,704 | 1,029,915 | ||||
| Total other expenses | (311,337) | (309,575) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 757,367 | 720,340 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 1,997 | 17,055 | ||||
| Net income | 755,370 | 703,285 | ||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in the Operating Partnership | (21,087) | (18,632) | ||||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 734,283 | $ | 684,653 |
The Company has omitted the discussion comparing its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2022 to its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2021 from its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Readers are directed to Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for these disclosures.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA
Funds From Operations ("FFO"), Adjusted Funds From Operations ("AFFO") and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company as performance measures for benchmarking against the Company’s peers and as internal measures of business operating performance, which is used as a bonus metric. These metrics are presented assuming full conversion of limited partnership units to common shares and therefore before the income statement impact of non-controlling interests. The Company believes FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA provide a meaningful perspective of the underlying operating performance of the Company’s current business. This is especially true since these measures exclude real estate depreciation and we believe that real estate values fluctuate based on market conditions rather than depreciating in value ratably on a straight-line basis over time.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that are considered supplemental measures for the real estate industry and a supplement to GAAP measures. The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts defines FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding (gains) or losses from dispositions of property, net of tax and real estate depreciation. We define AFFO as FFO excluding, as applicable to the particular period, stock based compensation expense; the amortization of debt issuance costs; bond premiums and original issuance discounts; other depreciation; amortization of land rights; accretion on investment in leases, financing receivables; non-cash adjustments to financing lease liabilities; property transfer tax recoveries and impairment charges; straight-line rent adjustments; losses on debt extinguishment; and provision (benefit) for credit losses, net, reduced by capital maintenance expenditures. Finally, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income excluding, as applicable to the particular period, interest, net; income tax expense; real estate depreciation; other depreciation; (gains) or losses from dispositions of property, net of tax; stock based compensation expense; straight-line rent adjustments; amortization of land rights; accretion on Investment in leases, financing receivables; non-cash adjustments to financing lease liabilities; property transfer tax recoveries; impairment charges; losses on debt extinguishment; and provision (benefit) for credit losses, net.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures: (i) do not represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP; (ii) should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities; and (iii) are not alternatives to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, these measures should not be viewed as an indication of our ability to fund our cash needs, including to make cash distributions to our shareholders, to fund capital improvements, or to make interest payments on our indebtedness. Investors are also cautioned that FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other real estate companies, including REITs, due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definitions. Our presentation of these measures does not replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP.
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The reconciliation of the Company’s net income per GAAP to FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Net income | $ | 755,370 | $ | 703,285 | ||
| (Gains) or losses from dispositions of property, net of tax | (22) | (52,844) | ||||
| Real estate depreciation | 260,440 | 236,809 | ||||
| Funds from operations | $ | 1,015,788 | $ | 887,250 | ||
| Straight-line rent adjustments | (39,881) | (4,294) | ||||
| Other depreciation | 2,430 | 1,879 | ||||
| Amortization of land rights | 13,554 | 15,859 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | 9,857 | 9,975 | ||||
| Accretion on investment in leases, financing receivables | (23,056) | (19,442) | ||||
| Non-cash adjustment to financing lease liabilities | 469 | 483 | ||||
| Stock based compensation | 22,873 | 20,427 | ||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | 556 | 2,189 | ||||
| Property transfer tax recoveries and impairment charges | (2,187) | 3,298 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 6,461 | 6,898 | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | (67) | (159) | ||||
| Adjusted funds from operations | $ | 1,006,797 | $ | 924,363 | ||
| Interest, net (2) | 308,090 | 304,703 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 1,997 | 2,418 | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | 67 | 159 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | (9,857) | (9,975) | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,307,094 | $ | 1,221,668 |
(1) Such amortization is a non-cash component included in interest, net.
(2) Amounts exclude the non-cash interest expense gross up related to the ground lease for the Maryland Live! property.
Net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA were $755.4 million, $1,015.8 million, $1,006.8 million and $1,307.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023. This compared to net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA, of $703.3 million, $887.3 million, $924.4 million and $1,221.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net income was primarily driven by a $128.7 million increase in income from real estate as explained below. This was partially offset by higher operating expenses of $89.9 million that are also discussed below. The Company also incurred lower income tax expense of $15.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 due primarily from the sale of the Tropicana Las Vegas building to Bally's in 2022.
The increases in FFO for the year ended December 31, 2023 were due to the items described above, excluding gains from dispositions of property and real estate depreciation. The increases in AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA were due to the items described above, less the adjustments mentioned in the tables above. Adjusted EBITDA also increased as compared to the prior year driven by the explanations above, as well as the adjustments mentioned in the tables above.
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Revenues
Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Rental income | $ | 1,286,358 | $ | 1,173,376 | $ | 112,982 | 9.6 | % | |||||||
| Income from Investment in leases, financing receivables | 152,990 | 138,309 | 14,681 | 10.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Interest income from real estate loans | 1,044 | — | 1,044 | N/A | |||||||||||
| Total income from real estate | 1,440,392 | 1,311,685 | 128,707 | 9.8 | % |
Total income from real estate
Total income from real estate increased $128.7 million, or 9.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Current results benefited from the additions to, and/or the full year impact of the the Bally's Master Lease, the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease, the Tropicana Lease, the Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease, and the Rockford Lease and Rockford Loan which in the aggregate increased cash income by $74.2 million. Current year results also benefited by $15.3 million from escalations on our leases. The Company also recognized favorable straight line rent adjustments of $35.6 million compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, as well as higher accretion of $3.6 million on its Investment in leases, financing receivables. Finally, the Company had higher ground rent income of $1.3 million due primarily to the additions to the Bally's Master Lease. Partially offsetting these favorable variances was a $1.3 million decline in percentage rent.
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Details of the Company's income from real estate for the year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | Building base rent | Land base rent | Percentage rent and other rental revenue | Interest income on real estate loans | Total cash income | Straight-line rent adjustments | Ground rent in revenue | Accretion on financing leases | Total income from real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amended Penn Master Lease | $ | 208,889 | $ | 43,035 | $ | 29,977 | $ | — | $ | 281,901 | $ | (7,610) | $ | 2,304 | $ | — | $ | 276,595 | |||||||||||||
| PENN 2023 Master Lease | 232,750 | — | (312) | — | 232,438 | 25,388 | — | — | 257,826 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 239,532 | 71,256 | 28,655 | — | 339,443 | 7,432 | 8,255 | — | 355,130 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Morgantown Lease | — | 3,092 | — | — | 3,092 | — | — | — | 3,092 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Caesars Master Lease | 63,493 | 23,729 | — | — | 87,222 | 9,378 | 1,449 | — | 98,049 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horseshoe St. Louis Lease | 23,451 | — | — | — | 23,451 | 1,813 | — | — | 25,264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Master Lease | 79,748 | 11,786 | 10,263 | — | 101,797 | 2,296 | 1,729 | — | 105,822 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Belterra Lease | 2,819 | 1,894 | 1,889 | — | 6,602 | 605 | — | — | 7,207 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease | 102,438 | — | — | — | 102,438 | — | 10,964 | — | 113,402 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland Live! Lease | 75,000 | — | — | — | 75,000 | — | 8,450 | 13,503 | 96,953 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease | 50,000 | — | — | — | 50,000 | — | 1,237 | 8,908 | 60,145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Casino Queen Master Lease | 25,373 | — | — | — | 25,373 | 579 | — | — | 25,952 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tropicana Las Vegas Lease | — | 10,555 | — | — | 10,555 | — | — | — | 10,555 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Lease | — | 2,711 | — | — | 2,711 | — | — | 645 | 3,356 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rockford Loan | — | — | — | 1,044 | 1,044 | — | — | — | 1,044 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,103,493 | $ | 168,058 | $ | 70,472 | $ | 1,044 | $ | 1,343,067 | $ | 39,881 | $ | 34,388 | $ | 23,056 | $ | 1,440,392 |
| Year Ended December 31, 2022 | Building base rent | Land base rent | Percentage rent | Total cash income | Straight line rent | Ground rent in revenue | Accretion on financing leases | Other rental revenue | Total income from real estate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PENN Master Lease | $ | 285,944 | $ | 93,969 | $ | 97,423 | $ | 477,336 | $ | (11,700) | $ | 2,495 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 468,131 | |||||||||||||
| Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 234,835 | 71,256 | 28,030 | 334,121 | (1,494) | 8,173 | — | — | 340,800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Meadows Lease | 15,811 | — | 8,824 | 24,635 | 2,289 | — | — | 589 | 27,513 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Morgantown Lease | — | 3,047 | — | 3,047 | — | — | — | — | 3,047 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Perryville Lease | 5,871 | 1,943 | — | 7,814 | 196 | — | — | — | 8,010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Caesars Master Lease | 62,709 | 23,729 | — | 86,438 | 10,162 | 1,512 | — | — | 98,112 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horseshoe St. Louis Lease | 23,161 | — | — | 23,161 | 2,103 | — | — | — | 25,264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Master Lease | 78,184 | 11,785 | 10,124 | 100,093 | 2,296 | 1,729 | — | — | 104,118 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Belterra Lease | 2,764 | 1,894 | 1,865 | 6,523 | — | — | — | — | 6,523 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease | 49,598 | — | — | 49,598 | — | 9,603 | — | — | 59,201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland Live! Lease | 75,000 | — | — | 75,000 | — | 8,521 | 12,569 | — | 96,090 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease | 41,667 | — | — | 41,667 | — | 1,001 | 6,873 | — | 49,541 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Casino Queen Master Lease | 22,122 | — | — | 22,122 | 442 | — | — | — | 22,564 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tropicana Las Vegas Lease | — | 2,771 | — | 2,771 | — | — | — | — | 2,771 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 897,666 | $ | 210,394 | $ | 146,266 | $ | 1,254,326 | $ | 4,294 | $ | 33,034 | $ | 19,442 | $ | 589 | $ | 1,311,685 |
In accordance with ASC 842, the Company records revenue for the ground lease rent paid by its tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the consolidated statement of income as the Company has concluded that as the lessee it is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The Company subleases these ground leases back to its tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
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The Company recognizes earnings on Investment in leases, financing receivables, based on the effective yield method using the discount rate implicit in the leases. The amounts in the table above labeled accretion on financing leases represent earnings recognized in excess of cash received during the period.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Land rights and ground lease expense | $ | 48,116 | $ | 49,048 | $ | (932) | (1.9) | % | |||||||
| General and administrative | 56,450 | 51,319 | 5,131 | 10.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Gains from disposition of properties | (22) | (67,481) | 67,459 | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Property transfer tax recovery and impairment charge | (2,187) | 3,298 | (5,485) | (166.3) | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation | 262,870 | 238,688 | 24,182 | 10.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 6,461 | 6,898 | (437) | (6.3) | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 371,688 | $ | 281,770 | $ | 89,918 | 31.9 | % |
Land rights and ground lease expense
Land rights and ground lease expense includes the amortization of land rights and rent expense related to the Company's long-term ground leases. Land rights and ground lease expense decreased by $0.9 million, or 1.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The year ended December 31, 2022 had a $2.7 million accelerated write-off due to a partial donation of leased land which was partially offset by higher rent expense due to the acquisition of additional real estate assets that have ground leases.
General and administrative expense
General and administrative expenses include items such as compensation costs (including stock-based compensation awards), professional services and costs associated with development activities. General and administrative expenses increased by $5.1 million, or 10.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The reason for the increase was due primarily from transaction related costs that did not qualify for capitalization as well as higher stock based compensation charges due to higher valuations on the Company's equity awards.
Gains from dispositions of property
Gains from dispositions of property totaled $67.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 which was a result of the $67.4 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the Tropicana Las Vegas building to Bally's.
Property transfer tax recovery and impairment charge
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a property transfer tax recovery of $2.2 million related to a successful appeal initiated by our tenant. During the corresponding period in the prior year, the Company completed the sale of excess land for approximately $3.5 million that had a carrying value of $6.8 million and as such the Company recorded an impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Depreciation expense
Depreciation expense increased by $24.2 million, or 10.1%, to $262.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to the Company's acquisitions over the past year.
Provision for credit losses, net
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a $6.5 million provision for credit losses as compared to a $6.9 million provision in the corresponding period in the prior year. The primary reason for the current year provision was related to the initial provision of $6.2 million on the Rockford Lease and the Rockford Loan and related loan commitment. During 2022, the Company recorded an initial provision of $32.3 million on the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease which was
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originated on March 1, 2022. However, this initial provision was partially offset due to improved performance and updated earnings forecast from its tenant for the properties comprising both the Maryland Live! Lease and the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease. This resulted in improved rent coverage ratios in its reserve calculation which led to a reduction in the required reserves for both financing receivables. See Note 7 for additional information.
Other income (expenses)
Other income (expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (323,388) | $ | (309,291) | $ | (14,097) | 4.6 | % | |||||||
| Interest income | 12,607 | 1,905 | 10,702 | 561.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | (556) | (2,189) | 1,633 | (74.6) | % | ||||||||||
| Total other expenses | $ | (311,337) | $ | (309,575) | $ | (1,762) | 0.6 | % |
Interest expense
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company's interest expense increased by $14.1 million as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was due to higher borrowing levels that partially funded our recent acquisitions. See Note 10 for additional information.
Interest income
Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $10.7 million due to higher cash balances and market interest rates in the current year.
Taxes
Our income tax expense decreased $15.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we had income tax expense of approximately $2.0 million, compared to income tax expense of $17.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The reason for the decrease was primarily due to the taxes incurred on the gain on the sale of the building at Tropicana Las Vegas in 2022.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership
As partial consideration for certain real estate acquisitions, the Company's operating partnership has issued OP Units. OP Units are exchangeable for common shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain terms and conditions. The operating partnership is a variable interest entity ("VIE") in which the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the partnership's economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE and the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company consolidates the accounts of the operating partnership, and reflects the third party ownership in this entity as a noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and allocates the proportion of net income to the noncontrolling interests on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flow from operations, borrowings from banks, and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,009.4 million and $920.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $89.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to an increase in cash receipts from customers of $88.1 million along with decreases in cash paid for taxes of $19.3 million and an increase in interest income of $10.7 million, partially offset by increases in cash paid for interest and cash paid for operating expenses of $23.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively. The increase in cash receipts collected from our customers for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was due to the additions to and/or the full year impact of the Bally's Master Lease,
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the Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease, the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease, the Rockford Lease and Rockford Loan and the Tropicana Lease as well as escalations incurred on our leases.
Investing activities used net cash of $650.8 million and $354.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted primarily of $412.3 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of Bally's Tiverton, RI and Hard Rock Biloxi, MS properties (which was net of the $200 million deposit paid in the prior year) which were added to the Bally's Master Lease, $32.7 million and $1.8 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of the Casino Queen Marquette, IA and two building assets at the Belle of Baton Rouge properties, respectively, which were added to the Third Amended and Restated Casino Queen Master Lease, and $7.6 million and $8.7 million for land in Joliet, IL and Aurora, IL, respectively. The Company also incurred capital expenditures equal to $47.4 million for the development project at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge. The Company also acquired land for $100.2 million associated with the Rockford Lease which was accounted for as an Investment in lease, financing receivables and $40.0 million in fundings for the Rockford Loan. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 consisted primarily of $129.0 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets included in the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease which was accounted for as an Investment in lease, financing receivables, $200 million for a deposit payment for the Bally's Tiverton, RI and Hard Rock Biloxi, MS real estate acquisitions previously discussed, $150.1 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of Bally's Black Hawk, CO and Rock Island, IL properties which were added to the Bally's Master Lease, and capital expenditures equal to $24.0 million, partially offset by the proceeds of $145.2 million from the sale of the Company's building at Tropicana Las Vegas and the sale of excess land for $3.5 million.
Financing activities provided net cash of $86.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 and used net cash of $1,051.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was driven by $1,077.8 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $469.2 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock. This was offset by repayments of long term debt of $585.1 million, dividend payments of $834.0 million, non-controlling interest distributions of $24.1 million, financing costs of $4.0 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $13.4 million. Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was driven by the repayment of long term debt of $1,271.1 million, dividend payments of $770.9 million, non-controlling interest distributions of $20.7 million, financing costs of $11.9 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $11.9 million. These items were partially offset by $424.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $611.3 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures are accounted for as either capital project or capital maintenance (replacement) expenditures. Capital project expenditures are for fixed asset additions that expand an existing facility or create a new facility. The cost of properties developed by the Company include costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. Capital maintenance expenditures are expenditures to replace existing fixed assets with a useful life greater than one year that are obsolete, worn out or no longer cost effective to repair.
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 we spent approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million respectively, for capital maintenance expenditures. Our tenants are responsible for capital maintenance expenditures at our leased properties. However, during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we incurred $47.4 million and $23.9 million, respectively, on capital project expenditures related to a landside development project at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge.
As described in Note 11, the Company has various funding commitments over the next several years with PENN, Bally's and Casino Queen to develop new casino projects or enhance existing facilities leased by these tenants. The exact amounts and timing of these commitments can not be precisely determined, however the Company expects to fund up to $575 million to develop or enhance facilities leased to PENN under the PENN 2023 Master Lease, consisting of $225 million for the relocation of PENN's riverboat in Aurora, Illinois at a 7.75% cap rate and, if requested by PENN, up to $350 million for the relocation of the Hollywood Casino Joliet as well as the construction of hotels at Hollywood Casino Columbus and a second hotel tower at the M Resort Spa Casino at then current market rates if the funding is requested by PENN. Additionally, the Company is expected to commit up to $175 million of funding for hard construction costs related to the development of a potential casino resort redevelopment envisioned at the Tropicana Site where the Stadium is intended to be constructed for the Athletics. The Company has also committed to provide up to $150 million (of which $40 million was funded as of December 31, 2023) of development funding via the Rockford Loan. Finally, the Company committed funding for certain construction costs of a landside development project at Casino Queen Marquette for an amount not to exceed $12.5 million.
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Debt
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On September 2, 2022, GLP Capital entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (“Term Loan Agent”), and the other agents and lenders party thereto from time to time, providing for a $600 million delayed draw credit facility with a maturity date of September 2, 2027 (the “Term Loan Credit Facility”). The Term Loan Credit Facility is guaranteed by GLPI.
The availability of loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, and the receipt by Term Loan Agent of a conditional guarantee of the Term Loan Credit Facility by Bally’s on a secondary basis, subject to enforcement of all remedies against GLP Capital, GLPI and all sources other than Bally’s. The loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility may be used solely to finance a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition of one or more specified properties of Bally’s in one or a series of related transactions (the “Acquisition”) and to pay fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith. The Company drew down the entire $600 million Term Loan Credit Facility on January 3, 2023 in connection with the closing of Bally's Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton.
Subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, GLP Capital can obtain additional term loan commitments and incur incremental term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all term loans outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Facility does not exceed $1.2 billion plus up to $60 million of transaction fees and costs incurred in connection with the Acquisition. There is currently no commitment in respect of such incremental loans and commitments.
Interest Rate and Fees
The interest rates per annum applicable to loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility are, at GLP Capital's option, equal to either a SOFR-based rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.85% to 1.7% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.0% to 0.7% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Term Loan Credit Facility. The current applicable margin is 1.30% for SOFR loans and 0.30% for base rate loans. In addition, GLP Capital will pay a commitment fee on the unused commitments under the Term Loan Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 0.125% to 0.3% per annum, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Credit Facility from time to time. The current commitment fee rate is 0.25%.
Amortization and Prepayments
The Term Loan Credit Facility is not subject to interim amortization. GLP Capital is required to prepay outstanding term loans with 100% of the net cash proceeds from the issuance of other debt that is unconditionally guaranteed by GLPI and conditionally guaranteed by Bally’s (“Alternative Acquisition Debt”) that is received by GLPI, GLP Capital or any of their subsidiaries after the funding date of the Term Loan Facility (other than any incremental term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility (as defined below)) except to the extent such net cash proceeds are applied to repaying outstanding loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility. GLP Capital is not otherwise required to repay any loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity. GLP Capital may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any SOFR breakage costs of the lenders, and may reborrow loans that it has repaid. Unused commitments under the Term Loan Credit Facility automatically terminated on August 31, 2023.
Certain Covenants and Events of Default
The Term Loan Credit Facility contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries, including GLP Capital, to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, or pay certain dividends and make other restricted payments. The financial covenants include the following, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: (i) maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, (ii) maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, (iii) maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value, and (iv) minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. GLPI is required to maintain its status as a REIT and is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions, subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Term Loan Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default. The occurrence and continuance of an event of default, which includes, among others, nonpayment of principal or interest,
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material inaccuracy of representations and failure to comply with covenants, will enable the lenders to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder.
Senior Unsecured Credit Agreement and Amended Credit Agreement
On May 13, 2022, GLP Capital entered into a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") providing for the Initial Revolving Credit Facility maturing in May 2026, plus two six-month extensions at GLP Capital's option. GLP Capital is the primary obligor under the Credit Agreement, which was guaranteed by GLPI.
On September 2, 2022, GLP Capital entered into an amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement (as amended, the "Amended Credit Agreement") among GLP Capital, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (“Agent”), and the several banks and other financial institutions or entities party thereto (as amended by such amendment, the "Amended Credit Agreement"). Pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement, GLP Capital has the right, at any time until December 31, 2024, to elect to re-allocate up to $700 million in existing revolving commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement to a new revolving credit facility (the “Bridge Revolving Facility” and, collectively with the Initial Revolving Credit Facility, the "Revolver").
Loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility are subject to 1% amortization per annum. Amounts repaid under the Bridge Revolving Facility cannot be reborrowed and the corresponding commitments are automatically re-allocated to the existing revolving facility under the Amended Credit Agreement. GLP Capital is required to prepay the loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility with 100% of the net cash proceeds from the issuance of Alternative Acquisition Debt that is received by GLPI, GLP Capital or any of their subsidiaries (other than any term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and any loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility). Any outstanding commitments under the Bridge Revolving Facility that have not been borrowed by December 31, 2024 are automatically re-allocated to the existing revolving facility under the Amended Credit Agreement.
GLP Capital's ability to borrow under the Bridge Revolving Facility is subject to certain conditions including pro forma compliance with GLP Capital's financial covenants, as well as the receipt by Agent of a conditional guarantee of the loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility by Bally’s on a secondary basis, subject to enforcement of all remedies against GLP Capital, GLPI and all sources other than Bally’s. Loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility will not be treated pro rata with loans under the existing revolving credit facility.
At December 31, 2023, no amounts were outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. Additionally, at December 31, 2023, the Company was contingently obligated under letters of credit issued pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement with face amounts aggregating approximately $0.4 million, resulting in $1,749.6 million of available borrowing capacity under the Amended Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2023.
The interest rates payable on the loans borrowed under the Revolver are, at GLP Capital's option, equal to either a SOFR based rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.725% to 1.40% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.0% to 0.4% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Amended Credit Agreement. The current applicable margin is 1.05% for SOFR loans and 0.05% for base rate loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the base rate be less than 1.00%. In addition, GLP Capital will pay a facility fee on the commitments under the revolving facility, regardless of usage, at a rate that ranges from 0.125% to 0.3% per annum, depending on the credit rating assigned to the Amended Credit Agreement from time to time. The current facility fee rate is 0.25%. The Amended Credit Agreement is not subject to interim amortization except with respect to the Bridge Revolving Facility. GLP Capital is not required to repay any loans under the Amended Credit Agreement prior to maturity except as set forth above with respect to the Bridge Revolving Facility. GLP Capital may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Amended Credit Agreement prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any SOFR breakage costs of the lenders and may reborrow loans that it has repaid.
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The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations or pay certain dividends and make other restricted payments. The Amended Credit Agreement includes the following financial covenants, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: a maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. GLPI is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status, subject to the absence of payment or bankruptcy defaults. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Amended Credit Agreement also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control and termination of the Amended PENN Master Lease (subject to certain replacement rights). The occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Amended Credit Agreement will enable the lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder. At December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement.
Senior Unsecured Notes
At December 31, 2023, the Company had an outstanding balance of $6,075.0 million of senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Notes").
On November 22, 2023, the Company issued $400 million of 6.75% senior unsecured notes due December 2033 at an issue price equal to 98.196% of the principal amount. The Company plans to use the net proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include the acquisition, development and improvement of properties, the repayment of indebtedness, capital expenditures and other general business purposes.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes of any series at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus a "make-whole" redemption premium described in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, except that if Senior Notes of a series are redeemed 90 or fewer days prior to their maturity, the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. If GLPI experiences a change of control accompanied by a decline in the credit rating of the Senior Notes of a particular series, the Company will be required to give holders of the Senior Notes of such series the opportunity to sell their Senior Notes of such series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes of such series, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. The Senior Notes also are subject to mandatory redemption requirements imposed by gaming laws and regulations.
The Senior Notes were issued by GLP Capital and GLP Financing II, Inc. (the "Issuers"), two consolidated subsidiaries of GLPI, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by GLPI. The guarantees of GLPI are full and unconditional. The Senior Notes are the Issuers' senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Issuers' senior indebtedness, including the Amended Credit Agreement, and senior in right of payment to all of the Issuers' subordinated indebtedness, without giving effect to collateral arrangements. GLPI is not subject to any material or significant restrictions on its ability to obtain funds from its subsidiaries through dividends or loans or to transfer assets from such subsidiaries, except as provided by applicable law and the covenants listed below.
The Senior Notes contain covenants limiting the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt and use its assets to secure debt; merge or consolidate with another company; and make certain amendments to the PENN Master Lease. The Senior Notes also require the Company to maintain a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.
GLPI owns all of the assets of GLP Capital and conducts all of its operations through the operating partnership. Based on the amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X that the SEC released on January 4, 2021, we note that since GLPI fully and unconditionally guarantees the debt securities of the Issuers and consolidates both Issuers, we are not required to provide separate financial statements for the Issuers and GLPI since they are consolidated into GLPI and the GLPI guarantee is "full and unconditional".
Furthermore, as permitted under Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi), we excluded the summarized financial information for the Issuers because the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Issuers and GLPI are not materially different than the corresponding amounts in GLPI's consolidated financial statements and we believe such summarized financial information would be repetitive and would not provide incremental value to investors.
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At December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under its Senior Notes.
Distribution Requirements
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains, in order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT (assuming that certain other requirements are also satisfied) so that U.S. federal corporate income tax does not apply to earnings that we distribute. Such distributions generally can be made with cash and/or a combination of cash and Company common stock if certain requirements are met. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement and qualify for taxation as a REIT but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our shareholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code. To the extent any of the Company's taxable income was not previously distributed, the Company will make a dividend declaration pursuant to Section 858(a)(1) of the Code, allowing the Company to treat certain dividends that are to be distributed after the close of a taxable year as having been paid during the taxable year.
Outlook
Based on our current level of operations and anticipated earnings, we believe that cash generated from operations and cash on hand, together with amounts available under our Amended Credit Agreement of $1.75 billion and our ability to raise equity proceeds, will be adequate to meet our anticipated debt service requirements, capital expenditures, working capital needs and dividend requirements.
In late December 2022, the Company refreshed its ATM capacity to $1 billion (the "2022 ATM Program"). As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $593.6 million remaining for issuance under the 2022 ATM Program.
We expect the majority of our future growth to come from acquisitions of gaming and other properties to lease to third parties. If we consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements may increase significantly and we would likely need to raise additional proceeds through a combination of either common equity (including under our 2022 ATM Program), issuance of additional OP Units, and/or debt offerings. In addition, the Company intends to redeem its 3.350% Notes which are due in September 2024. Our future operating performance and our ability to service or refinance our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. See "Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Capital Structure" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the risk related to our capital structure.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001575965-23-000007.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our Operations
GLPI is a self-administered and self-managed Pennsylvania REIT. The Company was formed from the 2013 tax-free spin-off of the real estate assets of PENN and was incorporated in Pennsylvania on February 13, 2013, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PENN. On November 1, 2013, PENN contributed to GLPI, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with PENN's real property interests and real estate development business, as well as the assets and liabilities of the TRS Properties and then spun-off GLPI to holders of PENN's common and preferred stock in the Spin-Off.
The Company elected on its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and the Company, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge) and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Perryville) as a "taxable REIT subsidiary" effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a “taxable REIT subsidiary”. Further, as partial consideration for the transactions with Cordish described below, GLP Capital issued 7,366,683 newly-issued OP Units to affiliates of Cordish. OP Units are exchangeable for common shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain terms and conditions. In advance of the UPREIT Transaction being consummated, the Company, along with GLP Financing II, jointly elected for GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. As a result of the Spin-Off, GLPI owns substantially all of PENN's former real property assets (as of the consummation of the Spin-Off) and leases back most of those assets to PENN for use by its subsidiaries, under the PENN Master Lease. The assets and liabilities of GLPI were recorded at their respective historical carrying values at the time of the Spin-Off. In 2021, as a result of the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, GLP Holdings, Inc. was merged into GLP Capital.
GLPI's primary business consists of acquiring, financing, and owning real estate property to be leased to gaming operators in triple-net lease arrangements. As of December 31, 2022, GLPI's portfolio consisted of interests in 57 gaming and related facilities, which was comprised of the real property associated with 34 gaming and related facilities operated by PENN, the real property associated with 7 gaming and related facilities operated by Caesars, the real property associated with 4 gaming and related facilities operated by Boyd, the real property associated with 7 gaming and related facilities operated by Bally's, the real property associated with 3 gaming and related facilities operated by Cordish and the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by Casino Queen. These facilities, including our corporate headquarters building, are
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geographically diversified across 17 states and contain approximately 27.8 million square feet. As of December 31, 2022, our properties were 100% occupied. These figures do not include the January 3, 2023 acquisition of the real property assets of Bally's Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton which added 2.4 million of property square feet, and diversified the Company into Rhode Island. We expect to continue growing our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
PENN Master Lease
The PENN Master Lease is a triple-net operating lease, the term of which expires October 31, 2033, with no purchase option, followed by three remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. See Note 12 for further details regarding such renewal options. Additionally, see Note 18 for additional information related to the creation of a new master lease with PENN.
Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, Boyd Master Lease and Belterra Park Lease
In April 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the real estate assets of Pinnacle for approximately $4.8 billion. GLPI originally leased these assets back to Pinnacle, under the Pinnacle Master Lease, the term of which expires on April 30, 2031, with no purchase option, followed by four remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. On October 15, 2018, the Company completed the previously announced PENN-Pinnacle Merger to accommodate PENN's acquisition of the majority of Pinnacle's operations, pursuant to a definitive agreement and plan of merger between PENN and Pinnacle, dated December 17, 2017. Concurrent with the PENN-Pinnacle Merger, the Company amended the Pinnacle Master Lease to allow for the sale of the operating assets of Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles and Belterra Casino Resort from Pinnacle to Boyd and entered into the Boyd Master Lease for these properties on terms similar to the Company’s Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Boyd Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years (from the original April 2016 commencement date of the Pinnacle Master Lease and expiring April 30, 2026), with no purchase option, followed by five 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Company also purchased the real estate assets of Plainridge Park from PENN for $250.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes and added this property to the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Amended Pinnacle Master Lease was assumed by PENN at the consummation of the PENN-Pinnacle Merger. The Company also entered into the Belterra Park Loan with Boyd in connection with Boyd's acquisition of Belterra Park. In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to the Belterra Park Lease with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The Belterra Park Lease rent terms are consistent with the Boyd Master Lease. The annual rent is comprised of a fixed component, part of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component that is based on the performance of the facilities which is adjusted, subject to certain floors, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of Belterra Park during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
The Meadows Lease
The real estate assets of the Meadows Racetrack and Casino are leased to PENN pursuant to the Meadows Lease. The Meadows Lease commenced on September 9, 2016 and has an initial term of 10 years, with no purchase option, and the option to renew for three successive 5-year terms and one 4-year term (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Meadows Lease contains a fixed component, subject to annual escalators, and a component that is based on the performance of the facility, which is reset every two years to an amount determined by multiplying (i) 4% by (ii) the average annual net revenues of the facility for the trailing two-year period. The Meadows Lease contains an annual escalator provision for up to 5% of the base rent, if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, which remains at 5% until the earlier of ten years or the year in which total rent is $31 million, at which point the escalator will be reduced to a maximum of 2% annually thereafter. As described in Note 18, the Meadows Lease was terminated during 2023 and the real estate associated with the property became part of a new master lease with PENN.
Second Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease
On October 1, 2018, the Company closed its previously announced transaction to acquire certain real property assets from Tropicana and certain of its affiliates pursuant to the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the real estate assets of Tropicana Atlantic City, Tropicana Evansville, Tropicana Laughlin, Trop Casino Greenville and the Belle of Baton Rouge from Tropicana for an aggregate cash purchase price of $964.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes. Concurrent with the Tropicana Acquisition, Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (now doing business as Caesars) acquired the operating assets of these properties from Tropicana pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 15, 2018 by and among Tropicana, GLP Capital, Caesars
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and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caesars and leased the GLP Assets from the Company pursuant to the terms of the Caesars Master Lease.
On June 15, 2020, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease to, (i) extend the initial term of 15 years to 20 years, with renewals of up to an additional 20 years at the option of Caesars, (ii) remove the variable rent component in its entirety commencing with the third lease year, (iii) in the third lease year, increase annual land base rent to approximately $23.6 million and annual building base rent to approximately $62.1 million, (iv) provide fixed escalation percentages that delay the escalation of building base rent until the commencement of the fifth lease year with building base rent increasing annually by 1.25% in the fifth and sixth lease years, 1.75% in the seventh and eighth lease years and 2% in the ninth lease year and each lease year thereafter, (v) subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, permit Caesars to elect to replace the Tropicana Evansville and/or Tropicana Greenville properties under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease with one or more of Caesars Gaming Scioto Downs, The Row in Reno, Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Isle Casino Hotel – Black Hawk, Lady Luck Casino – Black Hawk, Waterloo, Bettendorf or Isle of Capri Casino Boonville, provided that the aggregate value of such new property, individually or collectively, is at least equal to the value of Tropicana Evansville or Tropicana Greenville, as applicable, (vi) permit Caesars to elect to sell its interest in Belle of Baton Rouge and sever it from the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease (with no change to the rent obligation to the Company), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, and (vii) provide certain relief under the operating, capital expenditure and financial covenants thereunder in the event of facility closures due to pandemics, governmental restrictions and certain other instances of unavoidable delay. The effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease was subject to the review of certain gaming regulatory agencies and the expiration of applicable gaming regulatory advance notice periods which were received on July 23, 2020.
On December 18, 2020, the Company and Caesars entered into the Second Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease in connection with the completion of the Exchange Agreement with subsidiaries of Caesars in which Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of Waterloo and Bettendorf in exchange for the transfer by the Company to Caesars of the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville, plus a cash payment of $5.7 million. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, the annual building base rent was increased to $62.5 million and the annual land component was increased to $23.7 million. The Exchange Agreement also resulted in a non-cash gain of $41.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, which represented the difference between the fair value of the properties received compared to the carrying value of Tropicana Evansville and the cash payment made.
Horseshoe St. Louis Lease
On October 1, 2018 the Company entered into a loan agreement with Caesars in connection with Caesars’s acquisition of Horseshoe St. Louis, whereby the Company extended funds to Caesars under the CZR loan. On the one-year anniversary of the CZR loan, the mortgage evidenced by a deed of trust on the Horseshoe St. Louis property terminated and the loan became unsecured. On June 24, 2020, the Company received approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission to own the Horseshoe St. Louis property in satisfaction of the CZR loan. On September 29, 2020, the transaction closed and we entered into the Horseshoe St. Louis Lease, the initial term of which expires on October 31, 2033 with four separate renewal options of five years each, exercisable at the tenant's option. The Horseshoe St. Louis Lease rent terms were adjusted on December 1, 2021 such that the annual escalator is now fixed at 1.25% for the second through fifth lease years, increasing to 1.75% for the sixth and seventh lease years and thereafter increasing by 2.0% for the remainder of the lease.
Bally's Master Lease
On June 3, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced transaction pursuant to which a subsidiary of Bally's acquired 100% of the equity interests in the Caesars subsidiary that currently operates Tropicana Evansville and the Company reacquired the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville from Caesars for a cash purchase price of approximately $340.0 million. In addition, the Company purchased the real estate assets of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from Bally's for a cash purchase price of approximately $144.0 million. The real estate assets of these two facilities were added to the Bally's Master Lease which has an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four five-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. Rent under the Bally's Master Lease is subject to contractual escalations based on the CPI, with a 1% floor and a 2% ceiling, subject to the CPI meeting a 0.5% threshold.
On April 1, 2022, the Company completed the previously announced acquisition from Bally's of the land and real estate assets of Bally's three Black Hawk Casinos in Black Hawk, Colorado and Bally's Quad Cities Casino & Hotel in Rock Island, Illinois for $150 million in total consideration. These properties were added to the existing Bally's Master Lease and the initial annual rent was increased by $12 million and is subject to the escalation clauses described above.
On January 3, 2023, the Company completed its previously announced acquisition of the real property assets of Bally's
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Tiverton in Tiverton, Rhode Island and Bally's Biloxi in Biloxi, Mississippi for $635 million in consideration, inclusive of $15 million in the form of OP Units. These properties were added to the Company's Master Lease with Bally's. The initial rent for the lease was increased by $48.5 million on an annualized basis, subject to escalation clauses described above.
In connection with the closing, a $200 million deposit funded by GLPI in September 2022 was returned to the Company along with a $9.0 million transaction fee that will be recorded against the purchase price of the assets acquired. Concurrent with the closing, GLPI borrowed $600 million under its previously structured delayed draw term loan.
GLPI continues to have the option, subject to receipt by Bally's of required consents, to acquire the real property assets of Bally's Lincoln in Lincoln, RI prior to December 31, 2024 for a purchase price of $771 million and additional rent of $58.8 million.
Tropicana Las Vegas
On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries closed on its previously announced transaction to acquire the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from PENN in exchange for rent credits of $307.5 million, which were applied against future rent obligations due under the parties' existing leases during 2020.
On September 26, 2022, Bally’s acquired both GLPI’s building assets and PENN's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Inc. for an aggregate cash acquisition price, net of fees and expenses, of approximately $145 million, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $67.4 million. GLPI retained ownership of the land and concurrently entered into a ground lease for an initial term of 50 years (with a maximum term of 99 years inclusive of tenant renewal options) with initial annual rent of $10.5 million subject to contractual escalations based on the CPI, with a 1% floor and a 2% ceiling, subject to CPI meeting a 0.5% threshold. The ground lease is supported by a Bally’s corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease.
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company and PENN closed on their previously announced transaction whereby GLPI acquired the land under PENN's gaming facility under construction in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits that were utilized by PENN in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company is leasing the land back to an affiliate of PENN pursuant to the Morgantown Lease for an initial annual rent of $3.0 million, provided, however, that (i) on the opening date and on each anniversary thereafter the rent shall be increased by 1.5% annually (on a prorated basis for the remainder of the lease year in which the gaming facility opens) for each of the following three lease years and (ii) commencing on the fourth anniversary of the opening date and for each anniversary thereafter, (a) if the CPI increase is at least 0.5% for any lease year, the rent for such lease year shall increase by 1.25% of rent as of the immediately preceding lease year, and (b) if the CPI increase is less than 0.5% for such lease year, then the rent shall not increase for such lease year subject to escalation provisions following the opening of the property. Hollywood Casino Morgantown opened on December 22, 2021.
Casino Queen Master Lease
On November 25, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with respect to the HCBR transaction. The HCBR transaction closed on December 17, 2021 which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $6.8 million (loss of $7.7 million after tax) for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company retained ownership of all real estate assets at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and simultaneously entered into the Casino Queen Master Lease. The initial annual cash rent is approximately $21.4 million and the lease has an initial term of 15 years with four 5 year renewal options exercisable by the tenant. See Note 12 for a discussion regarding such renewal options. This rental amount will be increased annually by 0.5% for the first six years. Beginning with the seventh lease year through the remainder of the lease term, if the CPI increases by at least 0.25% for any lease year then annual rent shall be increased by 1.25%, and if the CPI increase is less than 0.25% then rent will remain unchanged for such lease year. Additionally, the Company will complete the current landside development project that is in process and the rent under the master lease will be adjusted upon delivery to reflect a yield of 8.25% on GLPI's project costs. The Company will also have a right of first refusal with Casino Queen for other sale leaseback transactions up to $50 million until December 2023. Finally, GLPI forgave the unsecured $13.0 million, 5.5 year term loan made to CQ Holding Company, Inc., an affiliate of Casino Queen, which was previously fully impaired in return for a one-time cash payment of $4 million which was recorded in provision for credit losses, net during the year ended December 31, 2021.
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Perryville Lease
On December 15, 2020, the Company announced that PENN exercised its option to purchase from the Company the operations of our Hollywood Casino Perryville, located in Perryville, Maryland, for $31.1 million. The transaction closed on July 1, 2021 and the real estate assets of the Hollywood Casino Perryville are being leased to PENN pursuant to the Perryville Lease. A pre-tax gain of $15.6 million ($11.3 million after tax) was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2021 in connection with the sale of the operating assets to PENN. As described in Note 18, the Perryville Lease was terminated during 2023 and the real estate associated with the property became part of a new master lease with PENN.
Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease
On December 6, 2021, the Company announced that it had agreed to acquire the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh, including applicable long-term ground leases, from affiliates of Cordish for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.81 billion, excluding transaction costs, at deal announcement. The transaction also includes a binding partnership on future Cordish casino developments, as well as potential financing partnerships between the Company and Cordish in other areas of Cordish's portfolio of real estate and operating businesses. On December 29, 2021, GLPI closed the acquisition of the Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland transaction and GLPI entered into the Maryland Live! Lease. On March 1, 2022, GLPI closed the acquisition of the Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and Live! Casino Pittsburgh and leased back the real estate to Cordish pursuant to the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease. The Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease and the Maryland Live! Lease each have initial lease terms of 39 years, with maximum terms of 60 years inclusive of tenant renewal options. The annual rent for the Maryland Live! Lease is $75 million and the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease is $50 million. Both leases have a 1.75% fixed yearly escalator on the entirety of rent commencing on the leases' second anniversary.
The majority of our earnings are the result of revenues we receive from our triple-net master leases with PENN, Boyd, Bally's, Cordish and Caesars. Additionally, we have rental revenue from the Casino Queen Master Lease which is also a triple net lease. In addition to rent, the tenants are required to pay the following executory costs: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor) and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.
Additionally, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC 842"), we record revenue for the ground lease rent paid by our tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the Consolidated Statement of Income as we have concluded that as the lessee we are the primary obligor under the ground leases. We sublease these ground leases back to our tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
Gaming revenue for our TRS Properties (whose operations we sold during 2021) was derived primarily from gaming on slot machines and to a lesser extent, table game and poker revenue, which was highly dependent upon the volume and spending levels of customers at our TRS Properties. Other revenues at our TRS Properties were derived from our dining, retail and certain other ancillary activities.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe the following competitive strengths will contribute significantly to our success:
Geographically Diverse Property Portfolio
As of December 31, 2022, our portfolio consisted of 57 gaming and related facilities. Our portfolio, including our corporate headquarters building, comprises approximately 27.8 million square feet and approximately 5,200 acres of land and is broadly diversified by location across 17 states. We expect that our geographic diversification will limit the effect of a decline in any one regional market on our overall performance. These figures do not include the January 3, 2023 acquisition of Bally's Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton real property assets which added 2.4 million of property square feet, and 55.3 acres of land and diversified the Company into Rhode Island.
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Financially Secure Tenants
Five of the company's tenants, PENN, Caesars, Boyd, Cordish and Bally's, are leading, diversified, multi-jurisdictional owners and managers of gaming and pari-mutuel properties and established gaming providers with strong financial performance. With the exception of Cordish, all of the aforementioned tenants are publicly traded companies that are subject to the informational filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are required to file periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Readers are directed to PENN's, Caesar's, Boyd's and Bally's respective websites for further financial information on these companies.
Long-Term, Triple-Net Lease Structure
Our real estate properties are leased under long-term triple-net leases guaranteed by our tenants, pursuant to which the tenant is responsible for all facility maintenance, insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on our income) and all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.
Resilient Regional Gaming Characteristics
We believe that the recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the resiliency of the regional gaming market. In spite of all our properties being forced to close during mid-March 2020, the Company collected all contractual rents, inclusive of rent credits, due in 2020. Furthermore, our tenants' results since they have reopened has been strong and in some cases better than prior to COVID-19, due to their increased focus on cost efficiencies and decreasing and/or eliminating lower margin amenities. For instance, the rent coverage ratios on all of our leases except for the Meadows Lease have increased at September 30, 2022 compared to pre-COVID-19 levels at December 31, 2019. Although we are unable to predict whether these results will continue, we believe that our assets should generate substantial cash flows well into the future for both ourselves and our tenants.
Flexible UPREIT Structure
We operate through an umbrella partnership, commonly referred to as an UPREIT structure, in which substantially all of our properties and assets are held by GLP Capital or by subsidiaries of GLP Capital. Conducting business through GLP Capital allows us flexibility in the manner in which we structure and acquire properties. In particular, an UPREIT structure enables us to acquire additional properties from sellers in exchange for limited partnership units, which provides property owners the opportunity to defer the tax consequences that would otherwise arise from a sale of their real properties and other assets to us. As a result, this structure potentially may facilitate our acquisition of assets in a more efficient manner and may allow us to acquire assets that the owner would otherwise be unwilling to sell because of tax considerations. We believe that this flexibility will provide us an advantage in seeking future acquisitions.
Experienced and Committed Management Team
Our management team has extensive gaming and real estate experience. Peter M. Carlino, our chief executive officer, has more than 30 years of experience in the acquisition and development of gaming facilities and other real estate projects. Through years of public company experience, our management team also has extensive experience accessing both debt and equity capital markets to fund growth and maintain a flexible capital structure.
Segment Information
Due to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, the Company's operations consist solely of investments in real estate for which all such real estate properties are similar to one another in that they consist of destination and leisure properties and related offerings, whose tenants offer casino gaming, hotel, convention, dining, entertainment and retail amenities, have similar economic characteristics and are governed by triple-net operating leases. The operating results of the Company's real estate investments are reviewed in the aggregate, by the chief operating decision maker (as such term is defined in ASC 280 - Segment Reporting). As such, as of January 1, 2022, the Company has one reportable segment.
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Executive Summary
Financial Highlights
We reported total revenues and income from operations of $1,311.7 million and $1,029.9 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $1,216.4 million and $841.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021. The major factors affecting our results for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, were as follows:
•Total income from real estate was $1,311.7 million and $1,106.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Total income from real estate increased by $205.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Current results benefited from the additions and/or full year impact of the Maryland Live! Lease, the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease, Bally's Master Lease, the Casino Queen Master Lease, the Perryville Lease and the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease which in the aggregate increased cash rental income by $156.6 million. Current year results also benefited by $12.4 million from full escalations being incurred on the PENN Master Lease, the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease, the Bally's Master Lease and the Belterra Park Lease. The Company also recognized accretion of $19.4 million on its Investment in leases, financing receivables and had higher ground rent revenue gross ups of $14.4 million compared to the prior year due primarily from the additions of the Maryland Live! Lease and the Bally's Master Lease. Finally, the Company had higher percentage rents of $1.0 million due primarily to strong performance at its tenants properties upon reopening from the COVID-19 mandated closures which negatively impacted the 2020 variable rent resets for certain leases.
•Gaming, food, beverage and other revenue decreased by $109.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year due to the sale of the operations of the Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2021.
•Total operating expenses decreased by $92.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year. Gains from dispositions of property increased $45.7 million compared to the prior year due to the sale of of the Tropicana Las Vegas building to Bally's that closed on September 26, 2022 which resulted in a gain of $67.4 million. Gains from dispositions of property for the year ended December 31, 2021 included gains of $22.4 million attributable to the sale of operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge. The sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge led to a $53.0 million decline in gaming, food, beverage and other expense as well as a $9.9 million reduction in general and administrative expenses due to the sales partially offset by higher acquisition expenses, payroll and benefit expenses, insurance costs as well as increased stock based compensation charges. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded non-cash provision for credit losses, net of $6.9 million compared to provisions for credit losses, net of $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company incurred higher depreciation expense of $2.3 million due to its recent acquisitions. Finally, the Company incurred higher land rights and ground lease expense of $11.7 million due to higher ground lease rents paid by our tenants due to the acquisition of the real estate of Maryland Live! Hotel & Casino and Pittsburgh Live! Casino, which both have ground leases and higher land right amortization due to a partial donation of leased land that occurred in the first quarter of 2022 as well as the full year impact of the June 3, 2021 acquisition of Tropicana Evansville.
•Other expenses, net increased by $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher interest expense associated with the increased borrowings to fund our recent acquisitions.
•Income tax expense decreased by $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year primarily due to the year over year variances associated with the sale of the Tropicana Las Vegas building to Bally's in 2022 compared with the prior year income tax expense associated with the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge.
•Net income increased by $169.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the variances explained above.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We make certain judgments and use certain estimates and assumptions when applying accounting principles in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The nature of the estimates and assumptions are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain factors or the susceptibility of such factors to change.
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We have identified the accounting for leases, investment in leases, financing receivables, net, allowance for credit losses, income taxes, and real estate investments as critical accounting estimates, as they are the most important to our financial statement presentation and require difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
We believe the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and, in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition.
Leases
As a REIT, the majority of our revenues are derived from rent received from our tenants under long-term triple-net leases. Currently, we have master leases with PENN, Caesars, Bally's, Boyd, Cordish and Casino Queen. We also have separate single property leases with PENN, Caesars, Boyd and Cordish. The accounting guidance under ASC 842 is complex and requires the use of judgments and assumptions by management to determine the proper accounting treatment of a lease. We perform a lease classification test upon the entry into any new tenant lease or lease modification to determine if we will account for the lease as an operating or sales-type lease. The revenue recognition model and thus the presentation of our financial statements is significantly different under operating leases and sales-type leases.
Under the operating lease model, as the lessor, the assets we own and lease to our tenants remain on our balance sheet as real estate investments and we record rental revenues on a straight-line basis over the lease term. This includes the recognition of percentage rents that are fixed and determinable at the lease inception date on a straight-line basis over the entire lease term, resulting in the recognition of deferred rental revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred rental revenue is amortized to rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the remainder of the lease term. The lease term includes the initial non-cancelable lease term and any reasonably assured renewal periods. Contingent rental income that is not fixed and determinable at lease inception is recognized only when the lessee achieves the specified target.
Under the sales-type lease model, however, at lease inception we would record an Investment in leases, financing receivables on our Consolidated Balance Sheet rather than recording the actual assets we own. Furthermore, the cash rent we receive from tenants is not recorded as rental revenue, but rather a portion is recorded as interest income using an effective yield and a portion is recorded as a reduction to the Investment in leases, financing receivables. Under ASC 842, for leases with both land and building components, leases may be bifurcated between operating and sales-type leases. To determine if our real estate leases trigger full or partial sales-type lease treatment we conduct the five lease tests outlined in ASC 842 below. If a lease meets any of the five criteria below, it is accounted for as a sales-type lease.
1) Transfer of ownership - The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term. This criterion is met in situations in which the lease agreement provides for the transfer of title at or shortly after the end of the lease term in exchange for the payment of a nominal fee, for example, the minimum required by statutory regulation to transfer title.
2) Bargain purchase option - The lease contains a bargain purchase option, which is a provision allowing the lessee, at its option, to purchase the leased property for a price which is sufficiently lower than the expected fair value of the property at the date the option becomes exercisable and that is reasonably certain to be exercised.
3) Lease term - The lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset. However, if the commencement date falls at or near the end of the economic life of the underlying asset, this criterion shall not be used for purposes of classifying the lease.
4) Minimum lease payments - The present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee that is not already reflected in the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.
5) Specialized nature - The underlying asset is of such specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.
The tests outlined above, as well as the resulting calculations, require subjective judgments, such as determining, at lease inception, the fair value of the underlying leased assets, the residual value of the assets at the end of the lease term, the likelihood a tenant will exercise all renewal options (in order to determine the lease term), the estimated remaining economic
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life of the leased assets, and an allocation of rental income received under our Master Leases to the underlying leased assets. A slight change in estimate or judgment can result in a materially different financial statement presentation and income recognition method.
Investment in Leases, Financing Receivables, net
In accordance with ASC 842, for transactions in which we enter into a contract to acquire an asset and lease it back to the seller under a sales-type lease (i.e. a sale leaseback transaction), the Company must determine whether control of the asset has transferred to us. In cases whereby control has not transferred to the Company, we do not recognize the underlying asset but instead recognize a financial asset in accordance with ASC 310 "Receivables". The accounting for the financing receivable under ASC 310 is materially consistent with the accounting for our investments in leases - sales type under ASC 842. We have concluded that each of the Maryland Live! Lease and the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease are required to be accounted for as an Investment in leases - financing receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 310, since control of the underlying assets was not considered to have transferred to the Company under GAAP.
Allowance for credit losses
The Company follows ASC 326 “Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”), which requires that the Company measure and record current expected credit losses (“CECL”), the scope of which includes our Investments in leases - financing receivables.
We have elected to use an econometric default and loss rate model to estimate the Allowance for credit losses, or CECL allowance. This model requires us to calculate and input lease and property-specific credit and performance metrics which in conjunction with forward-looking economic forecasts, project estimated credit losses over the life of the lease or loan. The Company then records a CECL allowance based on the expected loss rate multiplied by the outstanding Investment in leases, financing receivable balance.
Expected losses within our cash flows are determined by estimating the probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) of our Investments in lease - financing receivable. We have engaged a nationally recognized data analytics firm to assist us with estimating both the PD and LGD for this financing receivable. The PD and LGD are estimated during the initial term of the lease. The PD and LGD estimates for the lease term were developed using current financial condition forecasts. The PD and LGD predictive model was developed using the average historical default rates and historical loss rates, respectively, of over 100,000 commercial real estate loans dating back to 1998 that have similar credit profiles or characteristics to the real estate underlying the Company's financing receivables. Management will monitor the credit risk related to its financing receivables by obtaining the rent coverage on the Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease on a periodic basis. The Company also monitors legislative changes to assess whether it would have an impact on the underlying performance of its tenant. We are unable to use our historical data to estimate losses as the Company has no loss history to date on its lease portfolio.
The CECL allowance is recorded as a reduction to our net Investments in leases - financing receivable, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are required to update our CECL allowance on a quarterly basis with the resulting change being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the relevant period. Finally, each time the Company makes a new investment in an asset subject to ASC 326, we will be required to record an initial CECL allowance for such asset, which will result in a non-cash charge to the Consolidated Statement of Income for the relevant period. Changes in economic conditions and/or the underlying performance of the property contained within our leases accounted for as financing receivables impacts the assumptions utilized in the CECL reserve estimates. Changes in our assumptions could result in non-cash provisions or recoveries in future periods that could materially impact our results of operations.
Income Taxes - REIT Qualification
We elected on our U.S. federal income tax return for our taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and we, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. as a TRS effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a TRS. Finally, in advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company, together with GLP Financing II, jointly elected for GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. We intend to continue to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gain, and meet the various other requirements
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imposed by the Code relating to matters such as operating results, asset holdings, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership.
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and dividends paid to our shareholders would not be deductible by us in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to shareholders. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Our TRS is able to engage in activities resulting in income that would not be qualifying income for a REIT. As a result, certain activities of the Company which occur within our TRS are subject to federal and state income taxes.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments primarily represent land and buildings leased to the Company's tenants. Real estate investments that we received in connection with the Spin-Off were contributed to us at PENN's historical carrying amount. We record the acquisition of real estate at fair value, including acquisition and closing costs. The cost of properties developed by GLPI includes costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. We consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. Depreciation is computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the buildings and building improvements. If we used a shorter or longer estimated useful life, it could have a material impact on our results of operations.
We continually monitor events and circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amount of our real estate investments may not be recoverable or realized. The factors considered by the Company in performing these assessments include evaluating whether the tenant is current on their lease payments, the tenant’s rent coverage ratio, the financial stability of the tenant and its parent company, and any other relevant factors. When indicators of potential impairment suggest that the carrying value of a real estate investment may not be recoverable, we determine whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the underlying lease exceeds the real estate investments' carrying value. If we determine the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the asset's carrying value then we would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We group our real estate investments together by lease, the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available, in evaluating impairment. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value, the Company must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, market and other applicable trends and residual values, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss.
Results of Operations
The following are the most important factors and trends that contribute or may contribute to our operating performance:
•We have announced or closed numerous transactions in recent years and expect to continue to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
•Several wholly-owned subsidiaries of PENN lease a substantial number of our properties and account for the majority of our revenue.
•The risks related to economic conditions, including uncertainty related to COVID-19, high inflation levels (that have been negatively impacted by the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine) and the effect of such conditions on consumer spending for leisure and gaming activities, which may negatively impact our gaming tenants and operators and the variable rent and certain annual rent escalators we receive from our tenants as outlined in the long-term triple-net leases with these tenants.
•The ability to refinance our significant levels of debt at attractive terms and obtain favorable funding in connection with future business opportunities.
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•The fact that the rules and regulations of U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by legislators, the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect GLPI's investors or GLPI.
•Our leases contain variable rent that resets on varying schedules depending on the lease. The portion of our cash rents that are variable represented approximately 11.7% of full year cash rental income for the year ended December 31, 2022. However, given our recent amendment to the PENN Master Lease and our January 2023 transaction with Bally's, both of which are described more fully in Note 18, we expect this percentage to decline to approximately 5.3% in 2023.
The consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are summarized below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,311,685 | $ | 1,216,351 | ||
| Total operating expenses | 281,770 | 374,583 | ||||
| Income from operations | 1,029,915 | 841,768 | ||||
| Total other expenses | (309,575) | (279,340) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 720,340 | 562,428 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 17,055 | 28,342 | ||||
| Net income | 703,285 | 534,086 | ||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interest in the Operating Partnership | (18,632) | (39) | ||||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 684,653 | $ | 534,047 |
The Company has omitted the discussion comparing its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2021 to its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2020 from its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Readers are directed to Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 for these disclosures.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA
Funds From Operations ("FFO"), Adjusted Funds From Operations ("AFFO") and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company as performance measures for benchmarking against the Company’s peers and as internal measures of business operating performance, which is used as a bonus metric. These metrics are presented assuming full conversion of limited partnership units to common shares and therefore before the income statement impact of non-controlling interests. The Company believes FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA provide a meaningful perspective of the underlying operating performance of the Company’s current business. This is especially true since these measures exclude real estate depreciation and we believe that real estate values fluctuate based on market conditions rather than depreciating in value ratably on a straight-line basis over time.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that are considered supplemental measures for the real estate industry and a supplement to GAAP measures. The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts defines FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding (gains) or losses from dispositions of property, net of tax and real estate depreciation. We define AFFO as FFO excluding, as applicable to the particular period, stock based compensation expense; the amortization of debt issuance costs; bond premiums and original issuance discounts; other depreciation; amortization of land rights; accretion on investment in leases, financing receivables; non-cash adjustments to financing lease liabilities; impairment charges; straight-line rent adjustments; (gains) or losses on sales of operations, net of tax; losses on debt extinguishment; and provision for credit losses, net, reduced by maintenance capital expenditures. Finally, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income excluding, as applicable to the particular period, interest, net; income tax expense; real estate depreciation; other depreciation; (gains) or losses from dispositions of property, net of tax; (gains) or losses on sales of operations, net of tax; stock based compensation expense; straight-line rent adjustments; amortization of land rights; accretion on Investment in leases, financing receivables; non-cash adjustments to financing lease liabilities; impairment charges; losses on debt extinguishment; and provision for credit losses, net.
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FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures: (i) do not represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP; (ii) should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities; and (iii) are not alternatives to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, these measures should not be viewed as an indication of our ability to fund our cash needs, including to make cash distributions to our shareholders, to fund capital improvements, or to make interest payments on our indebtedness. Investors are also cautioned that FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other real estate companies, including REITs, due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definitions. Our presentation of these measures does not replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP.
The reconciliation of the Company’s net income per GAAP to FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Net income | $ | 703,285 | $ | 534,086 | ||
| (Gains) or losses from dispositions of property, net of tax | (52,844) | 711 | ||||
| Real estate depreciation | 236,809 | 230,941 | ||||
| Funds from operations | $ | 887,250 | $ | 765,738 | ||
| Straight-line rent adjustments | (4,294) | (3,993) | ||||
| Other depreciation | 1,879 | 5,493 | ||||
| Amortization of land rights | 15,859 | 15,616 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | 9,975 | 9,929 | ||||
| Accretion on investment in leases, financing receivables | (19,442) | — | ||||
| Non-cash adjustment to financing lease liabilities | 483 | — | ||||
| Stock based compensation | 20,427 | 16,831 | ||||
| Gains on sale of operations, net of tax | — | (3,560) | ||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | 2,189 | — | ||||
| Impairment loss on land | 3,298 | — | ||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 6,898 | 8,226 | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | (159) | (2,270) | ||||
| Adjusted funds from operations | $ | 924,363 | $ | 812,010 | ||
| Interest, net (2) | 304,703 | 282,840 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 2,418 | 9,440 | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | 159 | 2,270 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | (9,975) | (9,929) | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,221,668 | $ | 1,096,631 |
(1) Such amortization is a non-cash component included in interest, net.
(2) Current year amounts exclude the non-cash interest expense gross up related to the ground lease for the Maryland Live! property.
Net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA were $703.3 million, $887.3 million, $924.4 million and $1,221.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022. This compared to net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA, of $534.1 million, $765.7 million, $812.0 million and $1,096.6 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in net income was primarily driven by a $205.0 million increase in income from real estate as explained below. In addition, we had lower operating expenses of $92.8 million that are also discussed below. These benefits were partially offset by a reduction of $109.7 million in gaming, food, beverage and other revenues resulting from the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2021, higher interest expense of $26.3 million due to our increased borrowings to partially fund our recent acquisitions and lower income tax expense of $11.3 million. The income tax variance was due primarily from the sale of the Tropicana Las Vegas building to Bally's in 2022 as
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compared to income tax expenses on the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2021.
The increases in FFO for the year ended December 31, 2022 were due to the items described above, excluding gains from dispositions of property and real estate depreciation. The increases in AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA were due to the items described above, less the adjustments mentioned in the tables above. Adjusted EBITDA also increased as compared to the prior year driven by the explanations above, as well as the adjustments mentioned in the tables above.
Revenues
Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Rental income | $ | 1,173,376 | $ | 1,106,658 | $ | 66,718 | 6.0 | % | |||||||
| Income from Investment in leases, financing receivables | 138,309 | — | 138,309 | N/A | |||||||||||
| Total income from real estate | 1,311,685 | 1,106,658 | 205,027 | 18.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Gaming, food, beverage and other | — | 109,693 | (109,693) | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,311,685 | $ | 1,216,351 | $ | 95,334 | 7.8 | % |
Total income from real estate
Total income from real estate increased $205.0 million, or 18.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Current results benefited from the additions and/or full year impact of the Maryland Live! Lease, the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease, the Bally's Master Lease, the Casino Queen Master Lease, the Perryville Lease and the Tropicana Las Vegas Lease which in the aggregate increased cash rental income by $156.6 million. Current year results also benefited by $12.4 million from full escalations being incurred on the PENN Master Lease, the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease, the Bally's Master Lease and the Belterra Park Lease. The Company also recognized accretion of $19.4 million on its Investment in leases, financing receivables. The Company also had higher ground rent revenue gross ups of $14.4 million compared to the prior year due primarily from the additions of the Maryland Live! Lease and the Bally's Master Lease. Finally, the Company had higher percentage rents of $1.0 million due primarily to strong performance at its tenants' properties upon reopening from the COVID-19 mandated closures, which negatively impacted the 2020 variable rent resets for certain leases.
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Details of the Company's income from real estate for the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, 2022 | Building base rent | Land base rent | Percentage rent | Total cash income | Straight line rent | Ground rent in revenue | Accretion on financing leases | Other rental revenue | Total rental income | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PENN Master Lease | $ | 285,944 | $ | 93,969 | $ | 97,423 | $ | 477,336 | $ | (11,700) | $ | 2,495 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 468,131 | |||||||||||||
| Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 234,835 | 71,256 | 28,030 | 334,121 | (1,494) | 8,173 | — | — | 340,800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Meadows Lease | 15,811 | — | 8,824 | 24,635 | 2,289 | — | — | 589 | 27,513 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Morgantown Lease | — | 3,047 | — | 3,047 | — | — | — | — | 3,047 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| PENN Perryville Lease | 5,871 | 1,943 | — | 7,814 | 196 | — | — | — | 8,010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Caesars Master Lease | 62,709 | 23,729 | — | 86,438 | 10,162 | 1,512 | — | — | 98,112 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horseshoe St. Louis Lease | 23,161 | — | — | 23,161 | 2,103 | — | — | — | 25,264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Master Lease | 78,184 | 11,785 | 10,124 | 100,093 | 2,296 | 1,729 | — | — | 104,118 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Belterra Lease | 2,764 | 1,894 | 1,865 | 6,523 | — | — | — | — | 6,523 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease | 49,598 | — | — | 49,598 | — | 9,603 | — | — | 59,201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland Live! Lease | 75,000 | — | — | 75,000 | — | 8,521 | 12,569 | — | 96,090 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease | 41,667 | — | — | 41,667 | — | 1,001 | 6,873 | — | 49,541 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Casino Queen Master Lease | 22,122 | — | — | 22,122 | 442 | — | — | — | 22,564 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tropicana Las Vegas Lease | — | 2,771 | — | 2,771 | — | — | — | — | 2,771 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 897,666 | $ | 210,394 | $ | 146,266 | $ | 1,254,326 | $ | 4,294 | $ | 33,034 | $ | 19,442 | $ | 589 | $ | 1,311,685 |
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | Building base rent | Land base rent | Percentage rent | Total cash income | Straight line rent | Ground rent in revenue | Other rental revenue | Total rental income | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PENN Master Lease | $ | 280,338 | $ | 93,969 | $ | 97,814 | $ | 472,121 | $ | 8,926 | $ | 3,013 | $ | 12 | $ | 484,072 | ||||||||||||
| Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 230,230 | 71,256 | 26,779 | 328,265 | (19,346) | 7,430 | — | 316,349 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn Meadows Lease | 15,811 | — | 9,046 | 24,857 | 2,288 | — | 195 | 27,340 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn Morgantown | — | 3,000 | — | 3,000 | — | — | — | 3,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn Perryville | 2,914 | 971 | — | 3,885 | 120 | — | — | 4,005 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Caesars Master Lease | 62,514 | 23,729 | — | 86,243 | 10,358 | 1,586 | — | 98,187 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Horseshoe St. Louis Lease | 22,875 | — | — | 22,875 | 544 | — | — | 23,419 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Master Lease | 76,652 | 11,785 | 9,845 | 98,282 | 2,296 | 1,726 | — | 102,304 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Boyd Belterra Lease | 2,709 | 1,894 | 1,817 | 6,420 | (1,211) | — | — | 5,209 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease | 23,111 | — | — | 23,111 | — | 4,832 | — | 27,943 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Casino Queen Master Lease | 9,388 | — | 5,424 | 14,812 | 18 | — | — | 14,830 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 726,542 | $ | 206,604 | $ | 150,725 | $ | 1,083,871 | $ | 3,993 | $ | 18,587 | $ | 207 | $ | 1,106,658 |
In accordance with ASC 842, the Company records revenue for the ground lease rent paid by its tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the consolidated statement of income as the Company has concluded that as the lessee it is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The Company subleases these ground leases back to its tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
The Company recognizes earnings on Investment in leases, financing receivables, based on the effective yield method using the discount rate implicit in the leases. The amounts in the table above labeled accretion on financing leases represent earnings recognized in excess of cash received during the period.
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Gaming, food, beverage and other revenue
Gaming, food, beverage and other revenue decreased by $109.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year due to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Gaming, food, beverage and other | $ | — | $ | 53,039 | $ | (53,039) | (100.0) | % | |||||||
| Land rights and ground lease expense | 49,048 | 37,390 | 11,658 | 31.2 | % | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 51,319 | 61,245 | (9,926) | (16.2) | % | ||||||||||
| (Gains) losses from disposition of properties | (67,481) | (21,751) | (45,730) | 210.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Impairment charge on land | 3,298 | — | 3,298 | N/A | |||||||||||
| Depreciation | 238,688 | 236,434 | 2,254 | 1.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 6,898 | 8,226 | (1,328) | — | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 281,770 | $ | 374,583 | $ | (92,813) | (24.8) | % |
Gaming, food, beverage and other expense
Gaming, food, beverage and other expense decreased by approximately $53.0 million, or 100.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. As previously discussed, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2021.
Land rights and ground lease expense
Land rights and ground lease expense includes the amortization of land rights and rent expense related to the Company's long-term ground leases. Land rights and ground lease expense increased by $11.7 million, or 31.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily from higher rent expense due to the acquisition of the real estate of Maryland Live! Hotel & Casino and Pittsburgh Live! Casino, which both have ground leases, higher land right amortization due to the acquisition of Tropicana Evansville on June 3, 2021, and a $2.7 million accelerated write-off due to a partial donation of leased land which occurred during 2022.
General and administrative expense
General and administrative expenses include items such as compensation costs (including stock-based compensation awards), professional services and costs associated with development activities. General and administrative expenses decreased by $9.9 million, or 16.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The reason for the decline was primarily due to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021 which was partially offset by higher bonus expense and stock based compensation charges due to improved performance and higher valuations on the Company's equity awards as well as transaction related costs that did not qualify for capitalization.
Gains from dispositions of property
Gains from dispositions of property totaled $67.5 million and $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The year ended December 31, 2022 included a pre-tax gain of $67.4 million on the sale of the Tropicana Las Vegas building to Bally's. The year ended December 31, 2021 included the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge that resulted in a combined pre-tax gain of $22.4 million.
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Impairment charge on land
During 2022, the Company entered into an agreement and completed the sale of excess land for approximately $3.5 million that had a carrying value of $6.8 million and as such the Company recorded an impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Depreciation expense
Depreciation expense increased by $2.3 million, or 1.0%, to $238.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to the Company's acquisitions over the past year.
Provision for credit losses, net
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $6.9 million provision for credit losses on the Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 when the Company recorded a $12.2 million provision for credit losses on the Maryland Live! Lease. Additionally, the Company recorded a $4 million recovery during the year ended December 31, 2021 for a payment received from Casino Queen in full satisfaction of a loan that was previously fully impaired. The Company recorded an initial allowance of $32.3 million on the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease which was originated on March 1, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company received an updated earnings forecast from its tenant for the properties comprising both the Maryland Live! Lease and the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease. This resulted in improved rent coverage ratios in its reserve calculation which led to a reduction in the required reserves for both financing receivables. See Note 7 for additional information.
Other income (expenses)
Other income (expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (309,291) | $ | (283,037) | $ | (26,254) | 9.3 | % | |||||||
| Interest income | 1,905 | 197 | 1,708 | 867.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Insurance gain | — | 3,500 | (3,500) | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | (2,189) | — | (2,189) | NA | |||||||||||
| Total other expenses | $ | (309,575) | $ | (279,340) | $ | (30,235) | 10.8 | % |
Interest expense
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company's interest expense increased by $26.3 million as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was due to the issuance of additional unsecured senior notes that partially funded our recent acquisitions. See Note 10 for additional information.
Insurance gain
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized insurance gains of $3.5 million due to an insurance claim related to the temporary closures of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2020 related to COVID-19.
Taxes
Our income tax expense decreased $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we had income tax expense of approximately $17.1 million, compared to income tax expense of $28.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The reason for the decrease was primarily due to the taxes incurred on the gain on the sale of the building at Tropicana Las Vegas in 2022 compared to the taxes incurred on the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2021.
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Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership
As partial consideration for the Cordish transactions related to the Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease, the Company's operating partnership issued OP Units to affiliates of Cordish. OP Units are exchangeable for common shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain terms and conditions. The operating partnership is a variable interest entity ("VIE") in which the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the partnership's economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE and the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company consolidates the accounts of the operating partnership, and reflects the third party ownership in this entity as a noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and allocates the proportion of net income to the noncontrolling interests on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flow from operations, borrowings from banks, and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $920.1 million and $803.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $116.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to an increase in cash receipts from customers of $60.9 million along with decreases in cash paid to employees of $16.4 million, cash paid for operating expenses of $57.3 million partially offset by an increase in cash paid for interest and cash paid for taxes of $12.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively. The increase in cash receipts collected from our customers for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was due to the additions of the Maryland Live! Lease, the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease, the Casino Queen Master Lease, the Bally's Master Lease, and the Perryville Lease and full escalations being incurred on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease, the Belterra Park Lease and the PENN Master Lease less the impact from the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge which also led to the decline in cash paid for operating expenses.
Investing activities used net cash of $354.5 million and $1,030.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 consisted primarily of $129.1 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets contained within the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease which was accounted for as an Investment in lease, financing receivables, $200 million for a deposit payment for our recently announced transaction with Bally's, $150.1 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of Bally's Black Hawk, CO and Rock Island, IL properties which were added to the Bally's Master Lease, and capital expenditures equal to $24.0 million, partially offset by the proceeds of $145.2 million from the sale of the Company's building at Tropicana Las Vegas and the sale of excess land for $3.5 million. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 consisted of $487.5 million for the acquisition of real estate assets in the Bally's acquisitions and $592.2 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of Maryland Live! which was accounted for as an investment in lease, financing receivable. The Company also incurred capital expenditures of $16.2 million, partially offset by the net proceeds received for the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville to PENN of $30.8 million, proceeds from the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen of $28.2 million, a loan loss recovery of $4.0 million, and proceeds from the sale of property of $2.1 million.
Financing activities used net cash of $1,051.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and provided net cash of $443.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was driven by the repayment of long term debt of $1,271.1 million, dividend payments of $770.9 million, non-controlling interest distributions of $20.7 million, financing costs of $11.9 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $11.9 million. These items were partially offset by $424.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $611.3 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was driven by $795.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $662.3 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock, partially offset by the repayment of long term debt of $363.4 million related to the Maryland Live! transaction, dividend payments of $633.9 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $9.9 million.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures are accounted for as either capital project or capital maintenance (replacement) expenditures. Capital project expenditures are for fixed asset additions that expand an existing facility or create a new facility. The cost of properties developed by the Company include costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs
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incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. Capital maintenance expenditures are expenditures to replace existing fixed assets with a useful life greater than one year that are obsolete, worn out or no longer cost effective to repair.
During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 we spent approximately $0.2 million and $2.3 million respectively, for capital maintenance expenditures. Our tenants are responsible for capital maintenance expenditures at our leased properties. However, during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we incurred $23.9 million and $5.2 million, respectively, on capital project expenditures related to a landside development project at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2021, $8.7 million was incurred on capital project expenditures related to an expansion at Casino Queen.
Debt
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On September 2, 2022, GLP Capital entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (“Term Loan Agent”), and the other agents and lenders party thereto from time to time, providing for a $600 million delayed draw credit facility with a maturity date of September 2, 2027 (the “Term Loan Credit Facility”). The Term Loan Credit Facility is guaranteed by GLPI.
The availability of loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, and the receipt by Term Loan Agent of a conditional guarantee of the Term Loan Credit Facility by Bally’s on a secondary basis, subject to enforcement of all remedies against GLP Capital, GLPI and all sources other than Bally’s. The loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility may be used solely to finance a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition of one or more specified properties of Bally’s in one or a series of related transactions (the “Acquisition”) and to pay fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith. The Company drew down the entire $600 million Term Loan Credit Facility on January 3, 2023 in connection with the closing of Bally's Biloxi and Bally's Tiverton.
Subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, GLP Capital can obtain additional term loan commitments and incur incremental term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all term loans outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Facility does not exceed $1.2 billion plus up to $60 million of transaction fees and costs incurred in connection with the Acquisition. There is currently no commitment in respect of such incremental loans and commitments.
Interest Rate and Fees
The interest rates per annum applicable to loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility are, at GLP Capital's option, equal to either a SOFR-based rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.85% to 1.7% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.0% to 0.7% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Term Loan Credit Facility. The current applicable margin is 1.30% for SOFR loans and 0.30% for base rate loans. In addition, GLP Capital will pay a commitment fee on the unused commitments under the Term Loan Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 0.125% to 0.3% per annum, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Credit Facility from time to time. The current commitment fee rate is 0.25%.
Amortization and Prepayments
The Term Loan Credit Facility is not subject to interim amortization. GLP Capital is required to prepay outstanding term loans with 100% of the net cash proceeds from the issuance of other debt that is unconditionally guaranteed by GLPI and conditionally guaranteed by Bally’s (“Alternative Acquisition Debt”) that is received by GLPI, GLP Capital or any of their subsidiaries after the funding date of the Term Loan Facility (other than any incremental term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility (as defined below)) except to the extent such net cash proceeds are applied to repaying outstanding loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility. GLP Capital is not otherwise required to repay any loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity. GLP Capital may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any SOFR breakage costs of the lenders, and may reborrow loans that it has repaid. Unused commitments under the Term Loan Credit Facility automatically terminate on August 31, 2023.
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Certain Covenants and Events of Default
The Term Loan Credit Facility contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries, including GLP Capital, to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, or pay certain dividends and make other restricted payments. The financial covenants include the following, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: (i) maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, (ii) maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, (iii) maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value, and (iv) minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. GLPI is required to maintain its status as a REIT and is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions, subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Term Loan Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default. The occurrence and continuance of an event of default, which includes, among others, nonpayment of principal or interest, material inaccuracy of representations and failure to comply with covenants, will enable the lenders to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder.
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility
The Company, through GLP Capital, historically had access to a senior unsecured credit facility (the "Amended Credit
Facility") consisting of a $1,175 million revolving credit facility and a $424 million Term Loan A-2 facility. The Amended Credit Facility was scheduled to mature on May 21, 2023. On May 13, 2022, GLP Capital terminated its Amended Credit Facility and entered into a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") providing for the Initial Revolving Credit Facility maturing in May 2026, plus two six-month extensions at GLP Capital's option. GLP Capital was the primary obligor under the Amended Credit Facility, which was guaranteed by GLPI and GLP Capital is the primary obligor under the Credit Agreement, which is guaranteed by GLPI. The Company recorded a debt extinguishment loss of $2.2 million in connection with this transaction.
On September 2, 2022, GLP Capital entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement (as amended, the "Amended Credit Agreement") among GLP Capital, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (“Agent”), and the several banks and other financial institutions or entities party thereto. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, as amended by the Amendment, GLP Capital has the right, at any time until December 31, 2024, to elect to re-allocate up to $700 million in existing revolving commitments under the Credit Agreement to a new revolving credit facility (the “Bridge Revolving Facility” and, collectively with the Initial Revolving Credit Facility, the "Revolver").
Loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility are subject to 1% amortization per annum. Amounts repaid under the Bridge Revolving Facility cannot be reborrowed and the corresponding commitments are automatically re-allocated to the existing revolving facility under the Amended Credit Agreement. GLP Capital is required to prepay the loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility with 100% of the net cash proceeds from the issuance of Alternative Acquisition Debt that is received by GLPI, GLP Capital or any of their subsidiaries (other than any term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and any loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility). Any outstanding commitments under the Bridge Revolving Facility that have not been borrowed by December 31, 2024 are automatically re-allocated to the existing revolving facility under the Credit Agreement.
GLP Capital's ability to borrow under the Bridge Revolving Facility is subject to certain conditions including pro forma compliance with GLP Capital's financial covenants, as well as the receipt by Agent of a conditional guarantee of the loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility by Bally’s on a secondary basis, subject to enforcement of all remedies against GLP Capital, GLPI and all sources other than Bally’s. Loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility will not be treated pro rata with loans under the existing revolving credit facility.
At December 31, 2022, no amounts were outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. Additionally, at December 31, 2022, the Company was contingently obligated under letters of credit issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement with face amounts aggregating approximately $0.4 million, resulting in $1,749.6 million of available borrowing capacity under the Amended Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2022.
The interest rates payable on the loans borrowed under the Revolver are, at GLP Capital's option, equal to either a SOFR based rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.725% to 1.40% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.0% to 0.4% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Credit Agreement. The current applicable margin is 1.05% for SOFR loans and 0.05% for base rate loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the base rate be less than 1.00%. In addition, GLP Capital will pay a facility fee on the commitments under the revolving facility, regardless of usage, at a rate that ranges from 0.125% to 0.3% per annum, depending on the credit rating assigned to the Credit Agreement from time to time. The current facility fee rate is 0.25%. The Credit Agreement is not subject
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to interim amortization except with respect to the Bridge Revolving Facility. GLP Capital is not required to repay any loans under the Credit Agreement prior to maturity except as set forth above with respect to the Bridge Revolving Facility. GLP Capital may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Credit Agreement prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any SOFR breakage costs of the lenders and may reborrow loans that it has repaid.
The Amended Credit Facility contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations or pay certain dividends and make other restricted payments. The Amended Credit Facility includes the following financial covenants, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: a maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. In addition, GLPI is required to maintain a minimum tangible net worth and its status as a REIT. GLPI is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status, subject to the absence of payment or bankruptcy defaults. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Amended Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control and termination of the PENN Master Lease (subject to certain replacement rights). The occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Amended Credit Facility will enable the lenders under the Amended Credit Facility to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder. At December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under the Amended Credit Facility.
Senior Unsecured Notes
At December 31, 2022, the Company had an outstanding balance of $6,175.0 million of senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Notes").
On December 13, 2021, the Company issued $800 million of 3.25% senior unsecured notes due January 2032 at an issue price equal to 99.376% of the principal amount. The proceeds were used to partially finance the Company's acquisition of certain real estate assets in the Cordish transaction.
In the first quarter of 2020, the Company redeemed all $215.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 4.875% senior unsecured notes due in November 2020 and all $400 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 4.375% senior unsecured notes due in April 2021, incurring a loss on the early extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of $17.3 million, primarily for call premium charges and debt issuance write-offs.
On June 25, 2020, the Company issued $500 million of 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2031 at an issue price equal to 98.827% of the principal amount to repay indebtedness under its Revolver. On August 18, 2020, the Company issued an additional $200 million of 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2031 at an issue price equal to 103.824% of the principal amount to repay Term Loan A-1 indebtedness, incurring a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $0.8 million, related to debt issuance write-offs. These bond offerings extended the maturities of our long-term debt.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes of any series at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus a "make-whole" redemption premium described in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, except that if Senior Notes of a series are redeemed 90 or fewer days prior to their maturity, the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. If GLPI experiences a change of control accompanied by a decline in the credit rating of the Senior Notes of a particular series, the Company will be required to give holders of the Senior Notes of such series the opportunity to sell their Senior Notes of such series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes of such series, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. The Senior Notes also are subject to mandatory redemption requirements imposed by gaming laws and regulations.
The Senior Notes were issued by GLP Capital and GLP Financing II, Inc. (the "Issuers"), two consolidated subsidiaries of GLPI, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by GLPI. The guarantees of GLPI are full and unconditional. The Senior Notes are the Issuers' senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Issuers' senior indebtedness, including the Amended Credit Facility, and senior in right of payment to all of the Issuers' subordinated indebtedness, without giving effect to collateral arrangements. GLPI is not subject to any material or significant restrictions on its ability to obtain funds from its subsidiaries through dividends or loans or to transfer assets from such subsidiaries, except as provided by applicable law and the covenants listed below.
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The Senior Notes contain covenants limiting the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt and use its assets to secure debt; merge or consolidate with another company; and make certain amendments to the PENN Master Lease. The Senior Notes also require the Company to maintain a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.
GLPI owns all of the assets of GLP Capital and conducts all of its operations through the operating partnership. Based on the amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X that the SEC released on January 4, 2021, we note that since GLPI fully and unconditionally guarantees the debt securities of the Issuers and consolidates both Issuers, we are not required to provide separate financial statements for the Issuers and GLPI since they are consolidated into GLPI and the GLPI guarantee is "full and unconditional".
Furthermore, as permitted under Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi), we excluded the summarized financial information for the Issuers because the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Issuers and GLPI are not materially different than the corresponding amounts in GLPI's consolidated financial statements and we believe such summarized financial information would be repetitive and would not provide incremental value to investors.
At December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under its Senior Notes.
Distribution Requirements
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains, in order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT (assuming that certain other requirements are also satisfied) so that U.S. federal corporate income tax does not apply to earnings that we distribute. Such distributions generally can be made with cash and/or a combination of cash and Company common stock if certain requirements are met. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement and qualify for taxation as a REIT but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our shareholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code. To the extent any of the Company's taxable income was not previously distributed, the Company will make a dividend declaration pursuant to Section 858(a)(1) of the Code, allowing the Company to treat certain dividends that are to be distributed after the close of a taxable year as having been paid during the taxable year.
Outlook
Based on our current level of operations and anticipated earnings, we believe that cash generated from operations and cash on hand, together with amounts available under our Amended Credit Agreement of $1.75 billion, will be adequate to meet our anticipated debt service requirements, capital expenditures, working capital needs and dividend requirements.
In late December 2022, the Company refreshed its ATM capacity to $1 billion (the "2022 ATM Program"). As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $1 billion remaining for issuance under the 2022 ATM Program. Additionally, the Company also entered into the Term Loan Credit Agreement for up to $600 million in funding which was accessed in connection with the January 3, 2023 acquisition of the real property assets of Bally's Tiverton and Bally's Biloxi.
In August 2022, the Company entered into a forward sale agreement (the "August 2022 Forward Sale Agreement"), for up to $105 million that will require settlement by August 19, 2023. No amounts have been or will be recorded on the Company's balance sheet with respect to the August 2022 Forward Sale Agreement until settlement. The Company settled the August 2022 Forward Sale Agreement in February 2023 and utilized the net proceeds of $64.6 million to partially fund the redemption of the $500 million, 5.375% Notes that were redeemed on February 12, 2023.
We expect the majority of our future growth to come from acquisitions of gaming and other properties to lease to third parties. If we consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements may increase significantly and we would likely need to raise additional proceeds through a combination of either common equity (including under our 2022 ATM Program), issuance of additional OP Units, and/or debt offerings. In addition, as described above, the Company redeemed its 5.375% Notes. Our future operating performance and our ability to service or refinance our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. See "Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Capital Structure" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the risk related to our capital structure.
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FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001575965-22-000005.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our Operations
GLPI is a self-administered and self-managed Pennsylvania REIT. The Company was formed from the 2013 tax-free spin-off of the real estate assets of Penn and was incorporated in Pennsylvania on February 13, 2013, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn. On November 1, 2013, Penn contributed to GLPI, through a series of internal corporate restructurings, substantially all of the assets and liabilities associated with Penn's real property interests and real estate development business, as well as the assets and liabilities of the TRS Properties and then spun-off GLPI to holders of Penn's common and preferred stock in the Spin-Off. The Company elected on its U.S. federal income tax return for its taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and the Company, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge) and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. (d/b/a Hollywood Casino Perryville) as a "taxable REIT subsidiary" effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a “taxable REIT subsidiary”. Finally, in advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company elected GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. As a result of the Spin-Off, GLPI owns substantially all of Penn's former real property assets (as of the consummation of the Spin-Off) and leases back most of those assets to Penn for use by its subsidiaries, under the Penn Master Lease and owns and operates the TRS Properties through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, GLP Holdings, Inc. The assets and liabilities of GLPI were recorded at their respective historical carrying values at the time of the Spin-Off.
GLPI's primary business consists of acquiring, financing, and owning real estate property to be leased to gaming operators in triple-net lease arrangements. As of December 31, 2021, GLPI's portfolio consisted of interests in 51 gaming and related facilities, including the TRS Segment, the real property associated with 34 gaming and related facilities operated by Penn, the real property associated with 7 gaming and related facilities operated by Caesars, the real property associated with 4 gaming and related facilities operated by Boyd, the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by Bally's, the real property associated with gaming and related facilities at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland operated by Cordish and the real property associated with 2 gaming and related facilities operated by the Casino Queen. These facilities, including our corporate headquarters building, are geographically diversified across 17 states and contain approximately 27.6 million square feet. As of December 31, 2021, our properties were 100% occupied. We expect to continue growing our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
Penn Master Lease
The Penn Master Lease is a triple-net operating lease, the term of which expires October 31, 2033, with no purchase option, followed by three remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions.
Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, Boyd Master Lease and Belterra Park Lease
In April 2016, the Company acquired substantially all of the real estate assets of Pinnacle for approximately $4.8 billion. GLPI originally leased these assets back to Pinnacle, under the Pinnacle Master Lease, the term of which expires on April 30, 2031, with no purchase option, followed by four remaining 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. On October 15, 2018, the Company completed the previously announced Penn-Pinnacle Merger to accommodate Penn's acquisition of the majority of Pinnacle's operations, pursuant to a definitive agreement and plan of merger between Penn and Pinnacle, dated December 17, 2017. Concurrent with the Penn-Pinnacle Merger, the Company amended the Pinnacle Master Lease to allow for the sale of the operating assets of Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles and Belterra Casino Resort from Pinnacle to Boyd and entered into the Boyd Master Lease for these properties on terms similar to the Company’s Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Boyd Master Lease has an initial term of 10 years (from the original April 2016 commencement date of the Pinnacle Master Lease and expiring April 30, 2026), with no purchase option, followed by five 5-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Company also purchased the real estate assets of Plainridge Park from Penn for $250.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes and added this property to the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease. The Amended Pinnacle Master Lease was assumed by Penn at the consummation of the Penn-Pinnacle Merger. The Company also entered into the Belterra Park Loan with Boyd in connection with Boyd's acquisition of Belterra Park. In May 2020, the Company acquired the real estate of Belterra Park in satisfaction of the Belterra Park Loan, subject to the Belterra Park Lease with a Boyd affiliate operating the property. The Belterra Park Lease rent terms are consistent with the Boyd Master Lease. The annual rent is comprised of a fixed component, part of which is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, and a component
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that is based on the performance of the facilities which is adjusted, subject to certain floors, every two years to an amount equal to 4% of the average annual net revenues of Belterra Park during the preceding two years in excess of a contractual baseline.
The Meadows Lease
The real estate assets of the Meadows Racetrack and Casino are leased to Penn pursuant to the Meadows Lease. The Meadows Lease commenced on September 9, 2016 and has an initial term of 10 years, with no purchase option, and the option to renew for three successive 5-year terms and one 4-year term (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. The Meadows Lease contains a fixed component, subject to annual escalators, and a component that is based on the performance of the facility, which is reset every two years to an amount determined by multiplying (i) 4% by (ii) the average annual net revenues of the facility for the trailing two-year period. The Meadows Lease contains an annual escalator provision for up to 5% of the base rent, if certain rent coverage ratio thresholds are met, which remains at 5% until the earlier of ten years or the year in which total rent is $31 million, at which point the escalator will be reduced to a maximum of 2% annually thereafter.
Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease
On October 1, 2018, the Company closed its previously announced transaction to acquire certain real property assets from Tropicana and certain of its affiliates pursuant to the Real Estate Purchase Agreement dated April 15, 2018 between Tropicana and GLP Capital, which was subsequently amended on October 1, 2018. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Real Estate Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the real estate assets of Tropicana Atlantic City, Tropicana Evansville, Tropicana Laughlin, Trop Casino Greenville and the Belle of Baton Rouge from Tropicana for an aggregate cash purchase price of $964.0 million, exclusive of transaction fees and taxes. Concurrent with the Tropicana Acquisition, Caesars acquired the operating assets of these properties from Tropicana pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 15, 2018 by and among Tropicana, GLP Capital, Caesars and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caesars and leased the GLP Assets from the Company pursuant to the terms of the Caesars Master Lease.
On June 15, 2020, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease to, (i) extend the initial term of 15 years to 20 years, with renewals of up to an additional 20 years at the option of Caesars, (ii) remove the variable rent component in its entirety commencing with the third lease year, (iii) in the third lease year increase annual land base rent to approximately $23.6 million and annual building base rent to approximately $62.1 million, (iv) provide fixed escalation percentages that delay the escalation of building base rent until the commencement of the fifth lease year with building base rent increasing annually by 1.25% in the fifth and sixth lease year, 1.75% in the seventh and eighth lease years and 2% in the ninth lease year and each lease year thereafter, (v) subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, permit Caesars to elect to replace the Tropicana Evansville and/or Tropicana Greenville properties under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease with one or more of Caesars Gaming Scioto Downs, The Row in Reno, Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Isle Casino Hotel – Black Hawk, Lady Luck Casino – Black Hawk, Waterloo, Bettendorf or Isle of Capri Casino Boonville, provided that the aggregate value of such new property, individually or collectively, is at least equal to the value of Tropicana Evansville or Tropicana Greenville, as applicable (vi) permit Caesars to elect to sell its interest in Belle of Baton Rouge and sever it from the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease (with no change to the rent obligation to the Company), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, and (vii) provide certain relief under the operating, capital expenditure and financial covenants thereunder in the event of facility closures due to pandemics, governmental restrictions and certain other instances of unavoidable delay. The effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease was subject to the review and approval of certain gaming regulatory agencies and the expiration of applicable gaming regulatory advance notice periods which conditions were satisfied on July 23, 2020. On December 18, 2020, the Company and Caesars completed the Exchange Agreement with subsidiaries of Caesars in which Caesars transferred to the Company the real estate assets of Waterloo and Bettendorf in exchange for the transfer by the Company to Caesars of the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville, plus a cash payment of $5.7 million. This resulted in a non-cash gain of $41.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, which represented the difference between the fair value of the properties received compared to the carrying value of Tropicana Evansville and the cash payment made. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, the annual building base rent was increased to $62.5 million and the annual land component was increased to $23.7 million.
Lumière Place Lease
On October 1, 2018 the Company entered into a loan agreement with Caesars in connection with Caesars’s acquisition of Lumière Place, whereby the Company extended funds to Caesars under the CZR loan. The CZR loan bore interest at a rate equal to (i) 9.09% until October 1, 2019 and (ii) 9.27% until its maturity. On the one-year anniversary of the CZR loan, the mortgage evidenced by a deed of trust on the Lumière Place property terminated and the loan became unsecured. On June 24,
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2020, the Company received approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission to own the Lumière Place property in satisfaction of the CZR loan. On September 29, 2020, the transaction closed and we entered into the Lumière Place Lease, the initial term of which expires on October 31, 2033 with four separate renewal options of five years each, exercisable at the tenant's option. The Lumière Place Lease rent terms were adjusted on December 1, 2021 such that the annual escalator is now fixed at 1.25% for the second through fifth lease years, increasing to 1.75% for the sixth and seventh lease years and thereafter increasing by 2.0% for the remainder of the lease.
Bally's Master Lease
On June 3, 2021, the Company completed its previously announced transaction pursuant to which a subsidiary of Bally's acquired 100% of the equity interests in the Caesars subsidiary that currently operates Tropicana Evansville and the Company reacquired the real property assets of Tropicana Evansville from Caesars for a cash purchase price of approximately $340.0 million. In addition, the Company purchased the real estate assets of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from Bally's for a cash purchase price of approximately $144.0 million. The real estate assets of these two facilities were added to the Bally's Master Lease which has an initial term of 15 years, with no purchase option, followed by four five-year renewal options (exercisable by the tenant) on the same terms and conditions. Rent under the Bally's Master Lease is $40 million annually and is subject to an annual escalator of up to 2% determined in relation to the annual increase in CPI.
Tropicana Las Vegas
On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries closed on its previously announced transaction to acquire the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from Penn in exchange for rent credits of $307.5 million, which were applied against future rent obligations due under the parties' existing leases during 2020. An affiliate of Penn continues to operate the casino and hotel business of the Tropicana Las Vegas pursuant to a triple net lease with GLPI for nominal rent for the earlier of two years (subject to three one-year extensions at the Company's option) or until the Tropicana Las Vegas is sold.
On April 13, 2021, Bally's agreed to acquire the Company's non-land real estate assets and Penn's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas for $150.0 million. The Company will retain ownership of the land and concurrently enter into a 50-year ground lease with an initial annual rent of $10.5 million. The ground lease will be supported by a Bally's corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease. This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
Morgantown Lease
On October 1, 2020, the Company and Penn closed on their previously announced transaction whereby GLPI acquired the land under Penn's gaming facility under construction in Morgantown, Pennsylvania in exchange for $30.0 million in rent credits that were utilized by Penn in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company is leasing the land back to an affiliate of Penn pursuant to the Morgantown Lease for an initial annual rent of $3.0 million, provided, however, that (i) on the opening date and on each anniversary thereafter the rent shall be increased by 1.5% annually (on a prorated basis for the remainder of the lease year in which the gaming facility opens) for each of the following three lease years and (ii) commencing on the fourth anniversary of the opening date and for each anniversary thereafter, (a) if the CPI increase is at least 0.5% for any lease year, the rent for such lease year shall increase by 1.25% of rent as of the immediately preceding lease year, and (b) if the CPI increase is less than 0.5% for such lease year, then the rent shall not increase for such lease year subject to escalation provisions following the opening of the property.
Casino Queen Master Lease
On November 25, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with respect to the HCBR transaction. This transaction closed on December 17, 2021 which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $6.8 million (loss of $7.7 million after tax) for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company retained ownership of all real estate assets at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and simultaneously entered into the Casino Queen Master Lease. The initial annual cash rent is approximately $21.4 million and the lease has an initial term of 15 years with four 5 year renewal options exercisable by the tenant. This rental amount will be increased annually by 0.5% for the first six years. Beginning with the seventh lease year through the remainder of the lease term, if the CPI increases by at least 0.25% for any lease year then annual rent shall be increased by 1.25%, and if the CPI increase is less than 0.25% then rent will remain unchanged for such lease year. Additionally, the Company will complete the current landside development project that is in process and the rent under the master lease will be adjusted upon delivery to reflect a yield of 8.25% on GLPI's project costs. The Company will also have a right of first refusal with Casino Queen for
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other sale leaseback transactions up to $50 million over the next 2 years. Finally, GLPI forgave the unsecured $13.0 million, 5.5 year term loan made to CQ Holding Company, Inc., an affiliate of Casino Queen, which had been previously fully impaired in return for a one-time cash payment of $4 million which was recorded in provision for credit losses, net during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Perryville Lease
On December 15, 2020, the Company announced that Penn exercised its option to purchase from the Company the operations of our Hollywood Casino Perryville, located in Perryville, Maryland, for $31.1 million. The transaction closed on July 1, 2021 and the real estate assets of the Hollywood Casino Perryville are being leased to Penn pursuant to the Perryville Lease. A pre-tax gain of $15.6 million ($11.3 million after tax) was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2021 in connection with the sale of the operating assets to Penn.
Maryland Live! Lease and Pennsylvania Live! Lease
On December 6, 2021, the Company announced that it had agreed to acquire the real property assets of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh, including applicable long-term ground leases, from affiliates of Cordish for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.81 billion at deal announcement (the "Cordish Acquisitions"). The transaction also includes a binding partnership on future Cordish casino developments, as well as potential financing partnerships between the Company and Cordish in other areas of Cordish's portfolio of real estate and operating businesses. Upon the closing of the Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland transaction, GLPI entered into the Maryland Live! Lease, and upon the closing of the other transactions, GLPI will enter into the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease. The Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease will have and the Maryland Live! Lease has initial lease terms of 39 years, with a maximum term of 60 years inclusive of tenant renewal options. The annual rent for the Maryland Live! Lease is $75 million and for the Pennsylvania Live! Master Lease will be $50 million both of which have or will have a 1.75% fixed yearly escalator on the entirety of rent commencing on the leases' second anniversary. The Maryland Live! Lease became effective on December 29, 2021 and the Pennsylvania transactions are expected to close in early 2022, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The majority of our earnings are the result of revenues we receive from our triple-net master leases with Penn, Boyd, Bally's, Cordish and Caesars. Additionally, we have rental revenue from the Casino Queen Master Lease which is also a triple net lease. In addition to rent, the tenants are required to pay the following executory costs: (1) all facility maintenance, (2) all insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, (3) taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on the income of the lessor) and (4) all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.
Additionally, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC 842"), we record revenue for the ground lease rent paid by our tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the Consolidated Statement of Income as we have concluded that as the lessee we are the primary obligor under the ground leases. We sublease these ground leases back to our tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
Gaming revenue for our TRS Properties is derived primarily from gaming on slot machines and to a lesser extent, table game and poker revenue, which is highly dependent upon the volume and spending levels of customers at our TRS Properties. Other revenues at our TRS Properties are derived from our dining, retail and certain other ancillary activities.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe the following competitive strengths will contribute significantly to our success:
Geographically Diverse Property Portfolio
As of December 31, 2021, our portfolio consisted of 51 gaming and related facilities, including 50 rental properties and the TRS Segment. Our portfolio, including our corporate headquarters building, comprises approximately 27.6 million square feet and approximately 5,800 acres of land and is broadly diversified by location across 17 states. We expect that our geographic diversification will limit the effect of a decline in any one regional market on our overall performance.
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Financially Secure Tenants
Five of the company's tenants, Penn, Caesars, Boyd, Cordish and Bally's, are leading, diversified, multi-jurisdictional owners and managers of gaming and pari-mutuel properties and established gaming providers with strong financial performance. With the exception of Cordish, all of the aforementioned tenants are publicly traded companies that are subject to the informational filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are required to file periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Readers are directed to Penn's, Caesar's, Boyd's and Bally's respective websites for further financial information on these companies.
Long-Term, Triple-Net Lease Structure
Our real estate properties are leased under long-term triple-net leases guaranteed by our tenants, pursuant to which the tenant is responsible for all facility maintenance, insurance required in connection with the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties, including coverage of the landlord's interests, taxes levied on or with respect to the leased properties (other than taxes on our income) and all utilities and other services necessary or appropriate for the leased properties and the business conducted on the leased properties.
Resilient Regional Gaming Characteristics
We believe that the recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the resiliency of the regional gaming market. In spite of all our properties being forced to close during mid-March 2020, the Company collected all contractual rents, inclusive of rent credits, due in 2020. Furthermore, our tenants' results since they have reopened has been strong and in some cases better than prior to COVID-19, due to their increased focus on cost efficiencies and decreasing and/or eliminating lower margin amenities. For instance, the rent coverage ratios on our leases have increased at September 30, 2021 compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Although we are unable to predict whether these results will continue, we believe that our assets should generate substantial cash flows well into the future for both ourselves and our tenants.
Flexible UPREIT Structure
We operate through an umbrella partnership, commonly referred to as an UPREIT structure, in which substantially all of our properties and assets are held by GLP Capital or by subsidiaries of GLP Capital. Conducting business through GLP Capital allows us flexibility in the manner in which we structure and acquire properties. In particular, an UPREIT structure enables us to acquire additional properties from sellers in exchange for limited partnership units, which provides property owners the opportunity to defer the tax consequences that would otherwise arise from a sale of their real properties and other assets to us. As a result, this structure potentially may facilitate our acquisition of assets in a more efficient manner and may allow us to acquire assets that the owner would otherwise be unwilling to sell because of tax considerations. We believe that this flexibility will provide us an advantage in seeking future acquisitions.
Experienced and Committed Management Team
Our management team has extensive gaming and real estate experience. Peter M. Carlino, our chief executive officer, has more than 30 years of experience in the acquisition and development of gaming facilities and other real estate projects. Through years of public company experience, our management team also has extensive experience accessing both debt and equity capital markets to fund growth and maintain a flexible capital structure.
Segment Information
Consistent with how our Chief Operating Decision Maker (as such term is defined in ASC 280 - Segment Reporting) reviews and assesses our financial performance, we have two reportable segments, GLP Capital and the TRS Segment. The GLP Capital reportable segment consists of the leased real property and represents the majority of our business. The TRS Segment consists of our operations at Hollywood Casino Perryville (until July 1, 2021 and subsequent to this date includes rental income from the Perryville Lease) and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge (until December 17, 2021 when the operations were sold to Casino Queen), as well as the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas we acquired in 2020. In December 2021, the TRS Properties were merged into GLP Capital and therefore the Company does not expect to have a TRS Segment in 2022.
Executive Summary
Financial Highlights
We reported total revenues and income from operations of $1,216.4 million and $841.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $1,153.2 million and $809.3 million, respectively, for the year ended
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December 31, 2020. The major factors affecting our results for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, were as follows:
•Total income from real estate was $1,106.7 million and $1,050.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total income from real estate increased by $56.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Current results benefited from the addition of the Bally's Master Lease, the Perryville Lease, the Morgantown Lease and the Casino Queen Master Lease which in the aggregate increased cash rental income by $29.5 million. Current year results also benefited from full escalations being incurred on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, Boyd Master Lease, Penn Master Lease and Belterra Park Lease which increased building base rents by $5.0 million. The Company also collected higher percentage rent of $15.2 million on the Penn Master Lease due to the impact of COVID-19 closures in 2020. The Company also had favorable straight line rent adjustments of $8.6 million and higher ground rent revenue gross ups of $3.7 million due to the impact of the temporary COVID-19 closures that occurred in 2020. Partially offsetting these favorable variances were lower percentage rents of $3.7 million from the 2020 resets on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease, and the Meadows Lease as well as lower cash rental income of $1.8 million from the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease that became effective in July 2020 which provided for fixed escalations in the future.
•Gaming, food, beverage and other revenue increased by $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year. The prior year revenues were impacted by the temporary closures of the properties during 2020 due to COVID-19. The TRS Properties were closed in mid-March 2020. Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge reopened to the public on May 18, 2020 and Hollywood Casino Perryville reopened on June 19, 2020 with various restrictions to limit capacity in accordance with regulatory requirements. Both properties opened to strong results which strengthened in the current year. The Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021. See Note 1 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
•Total operating expenses increased by $30.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year. The year ended December 31, 2020 had a non-cash gain on the disposition of property related to the Evansville swap transaction of $41.4 million, while the current year included pre-tax gains of $22.4 million attributable to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, which also was the reason for the $3.7 million decline in gaming, food, beverage and other expense as well as a $2.3 million reduction in our TRS Segment general and administrative expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an initial reserve for its direct finance lease related to the Maryland Live! Lease of $12.2 million, which was partially offset by a $4.0 million recovery on a previously impaired loan to Casino Queen. The Company incurred higher depreciation expense of $5.5 million due to its recent acquisitions and had lower general and administrative expenses of $5.0 million in our GLP Capital segment. This was due to severance and stock compensation charges associated of $6.3 million for the departure of our former chief financial officer in the third quarter of 2020, which was partially offset by higher bonus accruals in the current year as a result of improved financial performance relative to the prior year. Finally, the Company incurred higher land rights and ground lease expense of $8.3 million due to higher ground lease rents paid by our tenants in 2021 that are based on the facilities revenues which were negatively impacted in the prior year by the temporary closures COVID-19 had in 2020 and higher land lease right expense due to the June 3, 2021 acquisition of Tropicana Evansville.
•Other expenses, net decreased by $20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to debt extinguishment charges incurred in 2020 as well as a $3.5 million insurance gain at our TRS Segment related to the temporary closures of our TRS Properties in the prior year due to COVID-19.
•Income tax expense increased by $24.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year due to the gain on the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, the write-off of deferred tax assets related to the Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge sale, improved performance at our TRS Segment due to strong results in the current year as well as the impact of the temporary closures related to COVID-19 in the prior year.
•Net income increased by $28.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily due to the variances explained above.
Segment Developments
The following are recent developments that have had or are expected to have an impact on us by segment:
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GLP Capital
•Our leases contain variable rent that resets on varying schedules depending on the lease. The portion of our cash rents that are variable represented approximately 14% of our 2021 full year cash rental income. Of that variable rent, approximately 24% resets every five years, which is associated with our Penn Master Lease, 32% resets every two years and 41% resets monthly, which is associated with two properties in the Penn Master Lease (of which approximately 37% is subject to a floor, or $22.9 million annually, for Hollywood Casino Toledo). The percentage rent in the Penn Master Lease increased by $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended 2020 primarily due to the temporary closures of Hollywood Casino Columbus and to a lesser extent, Hollywood Casino Toledo from mid-March 2020 to June 19, 2020 as well as strong results in 2021 at these two properties. In connection with the Casino Queen Master Lease becoming effective December 17, 2021, 3% of the Company's percentage rent in 2021 is no longer subject to any variability.
•Certain of our leases contain annual escalation clauses that are based on adjusted revenues to rent coverage ratios exceeding 1.8 to 1. During the year ended December 31, 2021, full escalations were incurred on the Penn Master Lease, the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease and the Belterra Park Lease, which increased 2021 rental income by $5.0 million.
•We have announced or closed numerous transactions in the past two years and expect to continue to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
•Several wholly-owned subsidiaries of Penn lease a substantial number of our properties which account for the majority of our revenue.
•Our ability to refinance our significant levels of debt at attractive terms and obtain favorable funding in connection with future business opportunities.
•The fact that the rules and regulations of U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by legislators, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof, including any changes proposed and implemented by the Biden administration, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect GLPI and its investors.
TRS Segment
•The Company's wholly-owned and operated TRS Properties closed in mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Our property in Baton Rouge reopened on May 18, 2020 and our property in Perryville, Maryland reopened on June 19, 2020 with enhanced safety protocols and capacity restrictions. On July 1, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville to Penn, recognizing a gain of $15.6 million and entered into the Perryville Lease. On December 17, 2021 the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen, recognizing a gain of $6.8 million, and entered into the Casino Queen Master Lease.
•On April 16, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries acquired the real property associated with the Tropicana Las Vegas from Penn. This asset was placed in the Company's TRS Segment. An affiliate of Penn continues to operate the casino and hotel business of the Tropicana Las Vegas pursuant to a triple net lease with GLPI for nominal rent for the earlier of two years (subject to three one-year extensions at the Company's option) or until the Tropicana Las Vegas is sold. On April 13, 2021, Bally's agreed to acquire the Company's non-land real estate assets and Penn's outstanding equity interests in Tropicana Las Vegas for $150.0 million. The Company will retain the ownership of the land and concurrently enter into a 50-year ground lease with an initial annual rent of $10.5 million. The ground lease will be supported by a Bally's corporate guarantee and cross-defaulted with the Bally's Master Lease. This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
We make certain judgments and use certain estimates and assumptions when applying accounting principles in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The nature of the estimates and assumptions are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain factors or the susceptibility of such factors to change. We have identified the accounting for leases, allowance for credit losses, income taxes, and real estate investments as critical accounting estimates, as they are the most important to our financial statement presentation and require difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
We believe the current assumptions and other considerations used to estimate amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements are appropriate. However, if actual experience differs from the assumptions and other considerations used in estimating amounts reflected in our consolidated financial statements, the resulting changes could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and, in certain situations, could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition.
Leases
As a REIT, the majority of our revenues are derived from rent received from our tenants under long-term triple-net leases. Currently, we have master leases with Penn, Caesars, Bally's, Boyd and Casino Queen. We also have separate single property leases with Penn, Caesars, Boyd and Cordish. The accounting guidance under ASC 842 is complex and requires the use of judgments and assumptions by management to determine the proper accounting treatment of a lease. We perform a lease classification test upon the entry into any new tenant lease or lease modification to determine if we will account for the lease as an operating or sales-type lease. The revenue recognition model and thus the presentation of our financial statements is significantly different under operating leases and sales-type leases.
Under the operating lease model, as the lessor, the assets we own and lease to our tenants remain on our balance sheet as real estate investments and we record rental revenues on a straight-line basis over the lease term. This includes the recognition of percentage rents that are fixed and determinable at the lease inception date on a straight-line basis over the entire lease term, resulting in the recognition of deferred rental revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred rental revenue is amortized to rental revenue on a straight-line basis over the remainder of the lease term. The lease term includes the initial non-cancelable lease term and any reasonably assured renewal periods. Contingent rental income that is not fixed and determinable at lease inception is recognized only when the lessee achieves the specified target.
Under the sales-type lease model, however, at lease inception we would record an Investment in leases, on our Consolidated Balance Sheet rather than recording the actual assets we own. Furthermore, the cash rent we receive from tenants is not recorded as rental revenue, but rather a portion is recorded as interest income using an effective yield and a portion is recorded as a reduction to the Investment in leases. Under ASC 842, for leases with both land and building components, leases may be bifurcated between operating and sales-type leases. To determine if our real estate leases trigger full or partial sales-type lease treatment we conduct the five lease tests outlined in ASC 842 below. If a lease meets any of the five criteria below, it is accounted for as a sales-type lease.
1) Transfer of ownership - The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term. This criterion is met in situations in which the lease agreement provides for the transfer of title at or shortly after the end of the lease term in exchange for the payment of a nominal fee, for example, the minimum required by statutory regulation to transfer title.
2) Bargain purchase option - The lease contains a bargain purchase option, which is a provision allowing the lessee, at its option, to purchase the leased property for a price which is sufficiently lower than the expected fair value of the property at the date the option becomes exercisable and that is reasonably certain to be exercised.
3) Lease term - The lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset. However, if the commencement date falls at or near the end of the economic life of the underlying asset, this criterion shall not be used for purposes of classifying the lease.
4) Minimum lease payments - The present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee that is not already reflected in the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.
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5) Specialized nature - The underlying asset is of such specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.
The tests outlined above, as well as the resulting calculations, require subjective judgments, such as determining, at lease inception, the fair value of the underlying leased assets, the residual value of the assets at the end of the lease term, the likelihood a tenant will exercise all renewal options (in order to determine the lease term), the estimated remaining economic life of the leased assets, and an allocation of rental income received under our Master Leases to the underlying leased assets. A slight change in estimate or judgment can result in a materially different financial statement presentation and income recognition method.
Investment in Leases, Financing Receivables, net
In accordance with ASC 842, for transactions in which we enter into a contract to acquire an asset and lease it back to the seller under a sales-type lease (i.e. a sale leaseback transaction), the Company must determine whether control of the asset has transferred to us. In cases whereby control has not transferred to the Company, we do not recognize the underlying asset but instead recognize a financial asset in accordance with ASC 310 "Receivables". The accounting for the financing receivable under ASC 310 is materially consistent with the accounting for our investments in leases - sales type under ASC 842. We have concluded that the Maryland Live! Lease is required to be accounted for as an Investment in leases - financing receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with ASC 310, since control of the underlying assets was not considered to have transferred to the Company under GAAP.
Allowance for credit losses
The Company follows ASC 326 “Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”), which requires that the Company measure and record current expected credit losses (“CECL”), the scope of which includes our Investments in leases - financing receivables.
We have elected to use an econometric default and loss rate model to estimate the Allowance for credit losses, or CECL allowance. This model requires us to calculate and input lease and property-specific credit and performance metrics which in conjunction with forward-looking economic forecasts, project estimated credit losses over the life of the lease or loan. The Company then records a CECL allowance based on the expected loss rate multiplied by the outstanding investment in lease financing receivable balance.
Expected losses within our cash flows are determined by estimating the probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) of our Investments in lease - financing receivable. We have engaged a nationally recognized data analytics firm to assist us with estimating both the PD and LGD for this financing receivable. The PD and LGD are estimated during the initial term of the lease. The PD and LGD estimates for the lease term were developed using current financial condition forecasts. The PD and LGD predictive model was developed using the average historical default rates and historical loss rates, respectively, of over 100,000 commercial real estate loans dating back to 1998 that have similar credit profiles or characteristics to the real estate underlying the Company's financing receivable. Management will monitor the credit risk related to its financing receivable by obtaining the rent coverage on the Maryland Live! Lease on a periodic basis. The Company also monitors legislative changes to assess whether it would have an impact on the underlying performance of its tenant. We are unable to use our historical data to estimate losses as the Company has no loss history to date on its lease portfolio.
The CECL allowance is recorded as a reduction to our net Investments in leases - financing receivable, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are required to update our CECL allowance on a quarterly basis with the resulting change being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the relevant period. Finally, each time the Company makes a new investment in an asset subject to ASC 326, we will be required to record an initial CECL allowance for such asset, which will result in a non-cash charge to the Consolidated Statement of Income for the relevant period. Changes in economic conditions and/or the underlying performance of the property contained within our leases accounted for as financing receivables impacts the assumptions utilized in the CECL reserve estimates. Changes in our assumptions could result in non-cash provisions or recoveries in future periods that could materially impact our results of operations.
Income Taxes - REIT Qualification
We elected on our U.S. federal income tax return for our taxable year that began on January 1, 2014 to be treated as a REIT and we, together with an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, GLP Holdings, Inc., jointly elected to treat each of GLP Holdings, Inc., Louisiana Casino Cruises, Inc. and Penn Cecil Maryland, Inc. as a "taxable REIT subsidiary" effective on the first day of the first taxable year of GLPI as a REIT. In addition, during 2020, the Company and Tropicana LV,
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LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company which holds the real estate of Tropicana Las Vegas, elected to treat Tropicana LV, LLC as a “taxable REIT subsidiary”. Finally, in advance of the UPREIT Transaction, the Company elected GLP Financing II, Inc. to be treated as a TRS effective December 23, 2021. We intend to continue to be organized and to operate in a manner that will permit us to qualify as a REIT. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gain, and meet the various other requirements imposed by the Code relating to matters such as operating results, asset holdings, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership.
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and dividends paid to our shareholders would not be deductible by us in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to shareholders. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Our TRS Segment is able to engage in activities resulting in income that would not be qualifying income for a REIT. As a result, certain activities of the Company which occur within our TRS Segment are subject to federal and state income taxes. Due to the recent sales of the Company's TRS operations, the Company does not expect to have a TRS segment in 2022.
Real Estate Investments
Real estate investments primarily represent land and buildings leased to the Company's tenants. Real estate investments that we received in connection with the Spin-Off were contributed to us at Penn's historical carrying amount. We record the acquisition of real estate at fair value, including acquisition and closing costs. The cost of properties developed by GLPI includes costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. We consider the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. Depreciation is computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the buildings and building improvements. If we used a shorter or longer estimated useful life, it could have a material impact on our results of operations.
We continually monitor events and circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amount of our real estate investments may not be recoverable or realized. The factors considered by the Company in performing these assessments include evaluating whether the tenant is current on their lease payments, the tenant’s rent coverage ratio, the financial stability of the tenant and its parent company, and any other relevant factors. When indicators of potential impairment suggest that the carrying value of a real estate investment may not be recoverable, we determine whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the underlying lease exceeds the real estate investments' carrying value. If we determine the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the asset's carrying value then we would recognize an impairment charge equivalent to the amount required to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value, calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). We group our real estate investments together by lease, the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available, in evaluating impairment. In assessing the recoverability of the carrying value, the Company must make assumptions regarding future cash flows and other factors. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current operating results, market and other applicable trends and residual values, as well as the effect of obsolescence, demand, competition and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss.
Results of Operations
The following are the most important factors and trends that contribute or may contribute to our operating performance:
•We have announced or closed numerous transactions in the past two years and expect to continue to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional gaming facilities to lease to gaming operators under prudent terms.
•The fact that several wholly-owned subsidiaries of Penn lease a substantial number of our properties and account for the majority of our revenue.
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•The risks related to economic conditions, including uncertainty related to COVID-19 and the effect of such conditions on consumer spending for leisure and gaming activities, which may negatively impact our gaming tenants and operators and the variable rent and annual rent escalators we receive from our tenants as outlined in the long-term triple-net leases with these tenants.
•The ability to refinance our significant levels of debt at attractive terms and obtain favorable funding in connection with future business opportunities.
•The fact that the rules and regulations of U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by legislators, the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Changes to the tax laws or interpretations thereof, with or without retroactive application, could materially and adversely affect GLPI's investors or GLPI.
The consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized below:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,216,351 | $ | 1,153,165 | ||
| Total operating expenses | 374,583 | 343,891 | ||||
| Income from operations | 841,768 | 809,274 | ||||
| Total other expenses | (279,340) | (299,686) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 562,428 | 509,588 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 28,342 | 3,877 | ||||
| Net income | 534,086 | 505,711 | ||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership | (39) | — | ||||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 534,047 | $ | 505,711 |
The Company has omitted the discussion comparing its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2020 to its operating results for the year ended December 31, 2019 from its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Readers are directed to Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for these disclosures.
Certain information regarding our results of operations by segment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is summarized below:
| Total Revenues | Income from Operations | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| GLP Capital | $ | 1,102,653 | $ | 1,050,166 | $ | 781,226 | $ | 792,467 | ||||||||
| TRS Segment | 113,698 | 102,999 | 60,542 | 16,807 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,216,351 | $ | 1,153,165 | $ | 841,768 | $ | 809,274 |
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FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA
Funds From Operations ("FFO"), Adjusted Funds From Operations ("AFFO") and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company as performance measures for benchmarking against the Company’s peers and as internal measures of business operating performance, which is used as a bonus metric. These metrics are presented assuming full conversion of limited partnership units to common shares and therefore before the income statement impact of non-controlling interests. The Company believes FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA provide a meaningful perspective of the underlying operating performance of the Company’s current business. This is especially true since these measures exclude real estate depreciation and we believe that real estate values fluctuate based on market conditions rather than depreciating in value ratably on a straight-line basis over time.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that are considered supplemental measures for the real estate industry and a supplement to GAAP measures. The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts defines FFO as net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding (gains) or losses from sales of property and real estate depreciation. We define AFFO as FFO excluding stock based compensation expense, the amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts, other depreciation, amortization of land rights, straight-line rent adjustments, gains or (losses) on sales of operations, net of tax, losses on debt extinguishment, and provision for credit losses, net reduced by maintenance capital expenditures. Finally, we define Adjusted EBITDA as net income excluding interest, net, income tax expense, depreciation, (gains) or losses from sales of property, gains on sales of operations, net of tax, stock based compensation expense, straight-line rent adjustments, amortization of land rights, losses on debt extinguishment, and provision for credit losses, net.
FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures: (i) do not represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP; (ii) should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities; and (iii) are not alternatives to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, these measures should not be viewed as an indication of our ability to fund our cash needs, including to make cash distributions to our shareholders, to fund capital improvements, or to make interest payments on our indebtedness. Investors are also cautioned that FFO, AFFO and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other real estate companies, including REITs due to the fact that not all real estate companies use the same definitions. Our presentation of these measures does not replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP.
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The reconciliation of the Company’s net income per GAAP to FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Net income | $ | 534,086 | $ | 505,711 | ||
| Losses (gains) from dispositions of property | 711 | (41,393) | ||||
| Real estate depreciation | 230,941 | 220,069 | ||||
| Funds from operations | $ | 765,738 | $ | 684,387 | ||
| Straight-line rent adjustments | (3,993) | 4,576 | ||||
| Other depreciation | 5,493 | 10,904 | ||||
| Amortization of land rights | 15,616 | 12,022 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | 9,929 | 10,503 | ||||
| Stock based compensation | 16,831 | 20,004 | ||||
| Gains on sale of operations, net of tax | (3,560) | — | ||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | — | 18,113 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 8,226 | — | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | (2,270) | (3,130) | ||||
| Adjusted funds from operations | $ | 812,010 | $ | 757,379 | ||
| Interest, net | 282,840 | 281,573 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 9,440 | 3,877 | ||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | 2,270 | 3,130 | ||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | (9,929) | (10,503) | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,096,631 | $ | 1,035,456 |
(1) Such amortization is a non-cash component included in interest, net.
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The reconciliation of each segment’s net income per GAAP to FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
| GLP Capital | TRS Segment | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 514,883 | $ | 508,060 | $ | 19,203 | $ | (2,349) | |||||||||
| Losses (gains) from dispositions of property | 604 | (41,402) | 107 | 9 | |||||||||||||
| Real estate depreciation | 230,333 | 220,069 | 608 | — | |||||||||||||
| Funds from operations | $ | 745,820 | $ | 686,727 | $ | 19,918 | $ | (2,340) | |||||||||
| Straight-line rent adjustments | (3,873) | 4,576 | (120) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other depreciation | 1,881 | 1,972 | 3,612 | 8,932 | |||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of operations, net of tax | — | — | (3,560) | — | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of land rights | 15,616 | 12,022 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | 9,929 | 10,503 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | 16,831 | 20,004 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | — | 18,113 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 8,226 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | (65) | (186) | (2,205) | (2,944) | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted funds from operations | $ | 794,365 | $ | 753,731 | $ | 17,645 | $ | 3,648 | |||||||||
| Interest, net (2) | 265,439 | 265,597 | 17,401 | 15,976 | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 904 | 697 | 8,536 | 3,180 | |||||||||||||
| Capital maintenance expenditures | 65 | 186 | 2,205 | 2,944 | |||||||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, bond premiums and original issuance discounts (1) | (9,929) | (10,503) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,050,844 | $ | 1,009,708 | $ | 45,787 | $ | 25,748 |
(1) Such amortization is a non-cash component included in interest, net.
(2) Interest, net for the GLP Capital segment is net of an intercompany interest elimination of $17.4 million and $16.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA for our GLP Capital segment were $514.9 million, $745.8 million, $794.4 million and $1,050.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021. This compared to net income, FFO, AFFO, and Adjusted EBITDA, for our GLP Capital segment of $508.1 million, $686.7 million, $753.7 million and $1,009.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in net income in our GLP Capital segment was primarily driven by a $52.5 million increase in income from real estate as explained below. In addition, we had several operating expense variances that are also discussed below.
The increase in operating expenses in our GLP Capital segment for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year period of $63.7 million was primarily from a gain on the disposition of property related to the Evansville swap transaction of $41.4 million in 2020, higher depreciation expense and land right amortization expense in our REIT segment of $18.5 million due to the Company's recent acquisitions, and a $8.2 million provision for credit losses, net in the current year. Partially offsetting these increases was lower general and administrative expenses of $5.0 million due primarily from severance and stock based compensation acceleration charges for the departure of our former chief financial officer in 2020.
The decrease in other expenses, net, for the year ended December 31, 2021 was due to $18.1 million of debt extinguishment charges in the prior year.
The increase in FFO for our GLP Capital segment for the year ended December 31, 2021 is due to the items described above, excluding gains (losses) from the disposition of property and real estate depreciation. The increase in AFFO is due to the items described above, less the adjustments mentioned in the table above, primarily straight line rent adjustments,
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amortization expenses, stock based compensation costs, provision for credit losses, net and losses on debt extinguishment. Adjusted EBITDA for our GLP Capital segment for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, also increased driven by the explanations above, as well as adjustments mentioned in the table above, primarily related to interest expense.
The net income of $19.2 million for our TRS Segment for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to a net loss of $2.3 million for the prior year is primarily related to strong reopening results in the current year at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and Hollywood Casino Perryville which in the prior year were closed temporarily from mid-March 2020 to May 2020 and June 2020, respectively, due to COVID-19. Additionally, the Company recorded a net after tax gain of $3.6 million on the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2021.
Revenues
Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Rental income | $ | 1,106,658 | $ | 1,031,036 | $ | 75,622 | 7.3 | % | |||||||
| Interest income from real estate loans | — | 19,130 | (19,130) | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Total income from real estate | 1,106,658 | 1,050,166 | 56,492 | 5.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Gaming, food, beverage and other | 109,693 | 102,999 | 6,694 | 6.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 1,216,351 | $ | 1,153,165 | $ | 63,186 | 5.5 | % |
Total income from real estate
Total income from real estate increased $56.5 million, or 5.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Results for the current year benefited from the additions on the Bally's Master Lease, the Perryville Lease, the Morgantown Lease and the Casino Queen Master Lease which in the aggregate increased cash rental income by $29.5 million. Additionally, the Company benefited from full escalations being incurred on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease and the Belterra Lease effective May 1, 2021 and the Penn Master Lease that became effective November 1, 2021. The aggregate impact of these escalations increased building base rent by $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company had higher percentage rent on the Penn Master Lease in the current year of $15.2 million, due to the impact of the COVID-19 closures in 2020 and strong performance in the current year by Penn's Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo properties. Finally, the Company also had favorable straight line rent adjustments of $8.6 million and higher ground rent revenue gross ups of $3.7 million due to the impact of the temporary COVID-19 closures that occurred in 2020.
Partially offsetting these favorable variances were lower percentage rents of $3.7 million from the 2020 resets on the Amended Pinnacle Master Lease, the Boyd Master Lease and the Meadows Lease which was driven primarily from the COVID-19 closures. Additionally, we had lower cash rental income of $1.8 million on the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease that became effective in July 2020 which lowered rent initially but removed variable rents going forward and provided for fixed escalation increases as previously described.
The reason for the decline in interest income from real estate loans was due to the CZR loan and Belterra Park Loan both being satisfied in 2020 as the Company acquired the real estate subject to the Lumière Place Lease and the Belterra Park Lease. See Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
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Details of the Company's income from real estate for the year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | Building base rent | Land base rent | Percentage rent | Total cash rental income | Straight-line rent adjustments | Ground rent in revenue (1) | Other rental revenue | Total rental income | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Master Lease | $ | 280,338 | $ | 93,969 | $ | 97,814 | $ | 472,121 | $ | 8,926 | $ | 3,013 | $ | 12 | $ | 484,072 | ||||||||||||
| Amended Pinnacle Master Lease | 230,230 | 71,256 | 26,779 | 328,265 | (19,346) | 7,430 | — | 316,349 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn - Meadows Lease | 15,811 | — | 9,046 | 24,857 | 2,288 | — | 195 | 27,340 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn Morgantown | — | 3,000 | — | 3,000 | — | — | — | 3,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn Perryville | 2,914 | 971 | — | 3,885 | 120 | — | — | 4,005 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Caesars Master Lease | 62,514 | 23,729 | — | 86,243 | 10,358 | 1,586 | — | 98,187 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumiere Place Lease | 22,875 | — | — | 22,875 | 544 | — | — | 23,419 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| BYD Master Lease | 76,652 | 11,785 | 9,845 | 98,282 | 2,296 | 1,726 | — | 102,304 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| BYD Belterra Lease | 2,709 | 1,894 | 1,817 | 6,420 | (1,211) | — | — | 5,209 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bally's Master Lease | 23,111 | — | — | 23,111 | — | 4,832 | — | 27,943 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Casino Queen Master Lease | 9,388 | — | 5,424 | 14,812 | 18 | — | — | 14,830 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 726,542 | $ | 206,604 | $ | 150,725 | $ | 1,083,871 | $ | 3,993 | $ | 18,587 | $ | 207 | $ | 1,106,658 |
(1) In accordance with ASC 842, the Company records revenue for the ground lease rent paid by its tenants with an offsetting expense in land rights and ground lease expense within the consolidated statement of income as the Company has concluded that as the lessee it is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The Company subleases these ground leases back to its tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the landlord.
Gaming, food, beverage and other revenue
Gaming, food, beverage and other revenue for our TRS Properties increased by $6.7 million, or 6.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The reason for the increase was due to the properties being closed in mid-March 2020 due to COVID-19. Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge reopened to the public on May 18, 2020 and Hollywood Casino Perryville reopened on June 19, 2020 with various restrictions to limit capacity in accordance with regulatory requirements. Results since reopening have exceeded the corresponding periods in the prior years as spend per visit has increased due to various factors such as pent up demand and government stimulus efforts, partially offset by the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Gaming, food, beverage and other | $ | 53,039 | $ | 56,698 | $ | (3,659) | (6.5) | % | |||||||
| Land rights and ground lease expense | 37,390 | 29,041 | 8,349 | 28.7 | % | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 61,245 | 68,572 | (7,327) | (10.7) | % | ||||||||||
| (Gains) losses from disposition of properties | (21,751) | (41,393) | 19,642 | (47.5) | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation | 236,434 | 230,973 | 5,461 | 2.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Provision for credit losses, net | 8,226 | — | 8,226 | — | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 374,583 | $ | 343,891 | $ | 30,692 | 8.9 | % |
Gaming, food, beverage and other expense
Gaming, food, beverage and other expense for our TRS Properties decreased by approximately $3.7 million, or 6.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. As previously discussed, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021. Additionally, the TRS Properties were closed for part of 2020 due to COVID-19.
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Land rights and ground lease expense
Land rights and ground lease expense includes the amortization of land rights and rent expense related to the Company's long-term ground leases. Land rights and ground lease expense increased by $8.3 million, or 28.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily from higher ground lease rents paid by our tenants in 2021 of $4.7 million that are primarily based on the facilities' revenues which increased due to the impact of COVID-19 in 2020 that resulted in temporary casino closures. We sublease these ground leases back to our tenants, who are responsible for payment directly to the applicable landlord. These amounts are required to be recorded in both revenue and expense within the consolidated statements of income as we have concluded that as the lessee the Company is the primary obligor under the ground leases. The Company also had higher land right amortization expense of $3.6 million due to the June 3, 2021 acquisition of Tropicana Evansville.
General and administrative expense
General and administrative expenses include items such as compensation costs (including stock-based compensation awards), professional services and costs associated with development activities. General and administrative expenses decreased by $7.3 million, or 10.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. This is primarily attributable to the negative impact from severance and stock acceleration charges of $6.3 million, related to the departure of our former chief financial officer as well as lower costs at our TRS Properties of $2.3 million primarily due to the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville effective July 1, 2021, partially offset by higher bonus accruals in the current year.
Gains and losses from dispositions of property
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge which resulted in a combined pre-tax gain of $22.4 million. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. In connection with the Exchange Agreement with Caesars, whereby the Company acquired Waterloo and Bettendorf to replace Tropicana Evansville under the Amended and Restated Caesars Master Lease, the Company recorded a non-cash gain of $41.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 which represented the difference between the fair value of the properties received compared to the carrying value of Tropicana Evansville and the cash payment of $5.7 million.
Depreciation expense
Depreciation expense increased by $5.5 million, or 2.4%, to $236.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to the Company's acquisitions over the past year.
Provision for credit losses,net
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a $12.2 million provision for credit losses on the Maryland Live! Lease which represented the Company's best estimate of losses over the life of the lease under ASC 326 "Credit Losses". See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Allowance for Credit Losses, for further discussion. Additionally, the Company recorded a $4 million recovery during the year ended December 31, 2021 for a payment received from Casino Queen in full satisfaction of a loan that was previously fully impaired.
Other income (expenses)
Other income (expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | Percentage | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Variance | Variance | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | (283,037) | $ | (282,142) | $ | (895) | 0.3 | % | |||||||
| Interest income | 197 | 569 | (372) | (65.4) | % | ||||||||||
| Insurance gain | 3,500 | — | 3,500 | N/M | |||||||||||
| Losses on debt extinguishment | — | (18,113) | 18,113 | (100.0) | % | ||||||||||
| Total other expenses | $ | (279,340) | $ | (299,686) | $ | 20,346 | (6.8) | % |
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Insurance gain
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized insurance gains of $3.5 million due to an insurance claim related to the temporary closures of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in 2020 related to COVID-19.
Losses on debt extinguishment
In the first quarter of 2020, the Company redeemed all $215.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding 4.875% senior unsecured notes due in November 2020 and all $400 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding 4.375% senior unsecured notes due in April 2021, resulting in the retirement of such senior notes. The Company recorded losses on the early extinguishment of debt related to the current year retirements of $18.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily for call premium charges and debt issuance write-offs.
Taxes
Our income tax expense increased $24.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we had income tax expense of approximately $28.3 million, compared to income tax expense of $3.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. Our income tax expense is primarily driven from the operations of the TRS Segment, which are taxed at the corporate rate. Our effective tax rate (income taxes as a percentage of income before income taxes) was 5.0% and 0.8% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The current year sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, as well as deferred tax write off related to the sale of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge resulted in a $18.9 million increase to income tax expense in 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flow from operations, borrowings from banks, and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $803.8 million and $428.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $375.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the prior year was primarily due to an increase in cash receipts from tenants and customers of $388.2 million, a decrease in cash paid to employees of $9.6 million and a decrease in cash paid for operating expenses of $2.5 million, partially offset by an increase in cash paid for taxes of $14.1 million and an increase in interest payments of $12.4 million. The increase in cash receipts collected from our tenants and customers was primarily due to $337.5 million in non-cash rent recognized in connection with the Tropicana Las Vegas and Morgantown transactions in 2020, higher rental income from the Bally's Master Lease, the Perryville Lease, the Morgantown Lease, and the Casino Queen Master Lease, and higher percentage rent on the Penn Master Lease due to strong results at Hollywood Casino Columbus and Hollywood Casino Toledo (which were closed for part of 2020 due to COVID-19), along with the strong reopenings of our TRS Properties, which were forced to close in mid-March 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19. These properties reopened in May 2020 and June 2020 as previously discussed. The reduction in cash paid to employees was primarily due to lower bonus payouts in 2021 related to 2020 performance that was negatively impacted by COVID-19 as well as the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville on July 1, 2021 and the sale of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge on December 17, 2021. The increase in taxes paid was due to the sale of Hollywood Casino Perryville and Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and strong results at the TRS Properties prior to the sales. The increase in interest payments is due primarily from the $700 million 4.000% senior unsecured note offering that was completed in June and August of 2020.
Investing activities used net cash of $1,030.8 million and $9.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 consisted of $487.5 million for the acquisition of real estate assets in the Bally's acquisitions and $592.2 million for the acquisition of the real estate assets of Maryland Live! which was accounted for as an investment in lease, financing receivable. The Company also incurred capital expenditures of $16.2 million, partially offset by the net proceeds received for the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Perryville to Penn of $30.8 million, proceeds from the sale of the operations of Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge to Casino Queen of $28.2 million, a loan loss recovery of $4.0 million, and proceeds from the sale of property of $2.1 million. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily consisted of capital expenditures of $3.1 million and $5.9 million for the acquisition of real estate assets primarily related to the Evansville swap transaction.
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Financing activities provided net cash of $443.1 million and $63.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was driven by $795.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and $662.3 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock, partially offset by the repayment of long term debt of $363.4 million relating to the Maryland Live! transaction, dividend payments of $633.9 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $9.9 million. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company raised $2,076.4 million of proceeds from the issuance of long term debt and $320.9 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock. This was partially offset by repayments of long-term debt of $2,076.6 million, dividend payments of $230.5 million and taxes paid related to shares withheld for tax purposes on restricted stock award vestings of $15.3 million.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures are accounted for as either capital project or capital maintenance (replacement) expenditures. Capital project expenditures are for fixed asset additions that expand an existing facility or create a new facility. The cost of properties developed by the Company include costs of construction, property taxes, interest and other miscellaneous costs incurred during the development period until the project is substantially complete and available for occupancy. Capital maintenance expenditures are expenditures to replace existing fixed assets with a useful life greater than one year that are obsolete, worn out or no longer cost effective to repair.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 we spent approximately $2.3 million and $3.1 million respectively, for capital maintenance expenditures. The majority of the capital maintenance expenditures were for slot machines and slot machine equipment at our TRS Properties. Our tenants are responsible for capital maintenance expenditures at our leased properties. However, during 2021, $5.2 million was incurred on capital project expenditures related to a landside development project at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge and $8.7 million was incurred on capital project expenditures related to an expansion at Casino Queen.
Debt
Senior Unsecured Credit Facility
Prior to June 25, 2020, the Company's senior unsecured credit facility (the "Credit Facility"), consisted of a $1,175 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") with a maturity date of May 21, 2023, and a $449 million Term Loan A-1 facility with a maturity date of April 28, 2021.
The Company fully drew down on its Revolver in the first quarter of 2020 to increase its liquidity position and repay certain senior unsecured notes as described below. On June 25, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility (as amended, the "Amended Credit Facility") which extended the maturity date of approximately $224 million of outstanding Term Loan A-1 facility borrowings to May 21, 2023, which term loans are now classified as a new tranche of term loans (Term Loans A-2). Additionally, the Company borrowed incremental Term Loans A-2 totaling $200 million. Furthermore, on June 25, 2020, the Company also closed on an offering of $500 million of 4.00% unsecured senior notes due in January 2031 priced at an issue price equal to 98.827% of the principal amount. The Company utilized the proceeds from these two financings along with cash on hand to repay all outstanding obligations under its Revolver. On August 18, 2020, the Company borrowed an additional $200 million of 4.00% unsecured senior notes due in January 2031 at an issue price equal to 103.824% of the principal amount. The Company utilized the net proceeds from this additional borrowing to repay indebtedness under the Term Loan A-1 facility.
At December 31, 2021, the Amended Credit Facility had a gross outstanding balance of $424.0 million, consisting of the $424.0 million Term Loan A-2 facility. No amounts were outstanding under the Revolver. Additionally, at December 31, 2021, the Company was contingently obligated under letters of credit issued pursuant to the Amended Credit Facility with face amounts aggregating approximately $0.4 million, resulting in $1,174.6 million of available borrowing capacity under the Revolver.
The interest rates payable on the loans are, at the Company's option, equal to either a LIBOR rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 1.0% to 2.0% per annum for LIBOR loans and 0.0% to 1.0% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Amended Credit Facility. At December 31, 2021, the applicable margin was 1.50% for LIBOR loans and 0.50% for base rate loans. In addition, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the commitments under the Revolver at a rate that ranges from 0.15% to 0.35% per annum, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Amended Credit Facility. At December 31, 2021, the commitment fee rate was 0.25%. The Company is not required to repay any loans under the Amended Credit Facility prior to maturity and may
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prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Amended Credit Facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any LIBOR breakage costs of the lenders. The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, GLP Capital, is the primary obligor under the Amended Credit Facility, which is guaranteed by GLPI.
The Amended Credit Facility contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations or pay certain dividends and other restricted payments. The Amended Credit Facility contains the following financial covenants, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: a maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, a maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. In addition, GLPI is required to maintain a minimum tangible net worth and its status as a REIT. GLPI is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status, subject to the absence of payment or bankruptcy defaults. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends and distributions subject to pro forma compliance with the financial covenants and the absence of defaults. The Amended Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control and termination of the Penn Master Lease (subject to certain replacement rights). The occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Amended Credit Facility will enable the lenders under the Amended Credit Facility to accelerate the loans and terminate the commitments thereunder. At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under the Amended Credit Facility.
Senior Unsecured Notes
At December 31, 2021, the Company had an outstanding balance of $6,175.0 million of senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Notes").
On December 13, 2021, the Company issued $800 million of 3.25% senior unsecured notes due January 2032 at an issue price equal to 99.376% of the principal amount. The proceeds are being used to partially finance the Company's acquisition of certain real estate assets in the Cordish transaction as described in Note 7.
In the first quarter of 2020, the Company redeemed all $215.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 4.875% senior unsecured notes due in November 2020 and all $400 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 4.375% senior unsecured notes due in April 2021, incurring a loss on the early extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of $17.3 million, primarily for call premium charges and debt issuance write-offs.
On June 25, 2020, the Company issued $500 million of 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2031 at an issue price equal to 98.827% of the principal amount to repay indebtedness under its Revolver. On August 18, 2020, the Company issued an additional $200 million of 4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 2031 at an issue price equal to 103.824% of the principal amount to repay Term Loan A-1 indebtedness, incurring a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $0.8 million, related to debt issuance write-offs. These bond offerings have extended the maturities of our long-term debt.
On August 29, 2019, the Company issued $400 million of 3.35% Senior Unsecured Notes maturing on September 1, 2024 at an issue price equal to 99.899% of the principal amount (the "2024 Notes") and $700 million of 4.00% Senior Unsecured Notes maturing on January 15, 2030 at an issue price equal to 99.751% of the principal amount (the "2030 Notes"). Interest on the 2024 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on March 1, 2020. Interest on the 2030 Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2020. The net proceeds from the sale of the 2024 Notes and 2030 Notes were used to (i) finance the Company's cash tender offer to purchase its 4.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2020 (described below), (ii) repay outstanding borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility and (iii) repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the Company's Term Loan A-1 facility.
On September 12, 2019, the Company completed a cash tender offer (the "2019 Tender Offer") to purchase its $1,000 million aggregate principal amount 4.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes"). The Company received early tenders from the holders of approximately $782.6 million in aggregate principal of the 2020 Notes, or approximately 78% of its outstanding 2020 Notes, in connection with the 2019 Tender Offer at a price of 102.337% of the unpaid principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest through the settlement date. Subsequent to the early tender deadline, an additional $2.2 million in aggregate principal of the 2020 Notes was tendered at a price of 99.337% of the unpaid principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest through the settlement date, for a total redemption of $784.8 million of the 2020 Notes. The Company recorded a loss on the early extinguishment of debt related to the 2019 Tender Offer, of approximately $21.0 million, for the difference between the reacquisition price of the tendered 2020 Notes and their net carrying value.
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The Company may redeem the Senior Notes of any series at any time, and from time to time, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus a "make-whole" redemption premium described in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, except that if Senior Notes of a series are redeemed 90 or fewer days prior to their maturity, the redemption price will be 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. If GLPI experiences a change of control accompanied by a decline in the credit rating of the Senior Notes of a particular series, the Company will be required to give holders of the Senior Notes of such series the opportunity to sell their Senior Notes of such series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes of such series, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. The Senior Notes also are subject to mandatory redemption requirements imposed by gaming laws and regulations.
The Senior Notes were issued by GLP Capital and GLP Financing II, Inc. (the "Issuers"), two wholly-owned subsidiaries of GLPI both of which are consolidated by GLPI, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by GLPI which such guarantees are full and unconditional. The Senior Notes are the Issuers' senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Issuers' senior indebtedness, including the Amended Credit Facility, and senior in right of payment to all of the Issuers' subordinated indebtedness, without giving effect to collateral arrangements. GLPI is not subject to any material or significant restrictions on its ability to obtain funds from its subsidiaries through dividends or loans or to transfer assets from such subsidiaries, except as provided by applicable law and the covenants listed below. None of GLPI's other subsidiaries guarantee the Senior Notes.
The Senior Notes contain covenants limiting the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt and use its assets to secure debt; merge or consolidate with another company; and make certain amendments to the Penn Master Lease. The Senior Notes also require the Company to maintain a specified ratio of unencumbered assets to unsecured debt. These covenants are subject to a number of important and significant limitations, qualifications and exceptions.
GLPI owns all of the assets of GLP Capital and conducts all of its operations through the operating partnership. Based on the amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X that the SEC released on January 4, 2021, we note that since GLPI fully and unconditionally guarantees the debt securities of the Issuers and consolidates both Issuers, we are not required to provide separate financial statements for the Issuers and GLPI since they are consolidated into GLPI and the GLPI guarantee is “full and unconditional.”
Furthermore, as permitted under Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi), we excluded the summarized financial information for the Issuers because the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Issuers and GLPI are not materially different than the corresponding amounts in GLPI’s consolidated financial statements and we believe such summarized financial information would be repetitive and would not provide incremental value to investors.
At December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all required financial covenants under its Senior Notes.
Distribution Requirements
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains, in order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT (assuming that certain other requirements are also satisfied) so that U.S. federal corporate income tax does not apply to earnings that we distribute. To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement and qualify for taxation as a REIT but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and including any net capital gains, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed net taxable income. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we distribute to our shareholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws. We intend to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with the REIT requirements of the Code.
LIBOR Transition
The majority of our debt is at fixed rates and our exposure to variable interest rates is currently limited to our Revolver and our Term Loan A-2. Both of these debt instruments are indexed to LIBOR which is expected to be phased out through mid-2023. The discontinuance of LIBOR would affect our interest expense and earnings. The borrowings under our Amended Credit Facility will be subject to the expected LIBOR transition. LIBOR is currently expected to transition to a new standard rate, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). We are currently monitoring the transition and cannot be certain whether SOFR will become the standard rate for our variable rate debt.
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Outlook
Based on our current level of operations and anticipated earnings, we believe that cash generated from operations and cash on hand, together with amounts available under our Amended Credit Facility, will be adequate to meet our anticipated debt service requirements, pending acquisition costs for our Pennsylvania transactions with Cordish that will total approximately $698 million, inclusive of estimated real estate transfer taxes and fees (of which $575 million will require cash with the remainder funded in additional operating units) and the $150 million purchase price for the real estate of Bally's Black Hawk and Rock Island properties, capital expenditures, working capital needs and dividend requirements. Additionally, we anticipate the sale of the non-land real estate assets at Tropicana Las Vegas to Bally's will result in $150.0 million of proceeds.
In addition, we expect the majority of our future growth to come from acquisitions of gaming and other properties to lease to third parties. If we consummate significant acquisitions in the future, our cash requirements may increase significantly and we would likely need to raise additional proceeds through a combination of either common equity (including under our ATM Program), issuance of additional operating partnership units, and/or debt offerings. In addition, although we have no significant debt maturities in 2022, the Company intends to refinance its Amended Credit Facility and certain senior unsecured note obligations in advance of their maturity dates in 2023. Our future operating performance and our ability to service or refinance our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. See "Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Capital Structure" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the risk related to our capital structure.