2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Business Combinations

We apply the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, “Business Combinations”, in the accounting for acquisitions. It requires us to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Significant estimates and assumptions are required to value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable. These estimates are preliminary and typically include the calculation of an appropriate discount rate and projection of the cash flows associated with each acquired asset over its estimated useful life. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. In addition, deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities, uncertain tax positions and tax related valuation allowances assumed in connection with a business combination are initially estimated as of the acquisition date. We reevaluate these items quarterly based upon facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date and any adjustments to its preliminary estimates are recorded to goodwill, in the period of identification, if identified within the measurement period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

Acquisition-related Costs

We recognize a liability for acquisition-related costs when the expense is incurred. Acquisition-related costs include, but are not limited to: financial advisory, legal and debt fees; accounting, consulting, and professional fees associated with due diligence, valuation and integration; severance; and other related costs and adjustments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and all balances on deposit in banks and financial institutions. We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Such balances generally exceed the federal insurance limits. However, we periodically evaluate the creditworthiness of these institutions to minimize risk.

ATM Funding Agreements

We obtain all of the cash required to operate our ATMs through various ATM Funding Agreements. Some gaming establishments provide the cash utilized within the ATM (“Site‑Funded”). The Site‑Funded receivables generated for the amount of cash dispensed from transactions performed at our ATMs are owned by us and we are liable to the gaming establishment for the face amount of the cash dispensed. In the Consolidated Balance Sheets, the amount of the receivable for transactions processed on these ATM transactions is included within settlement receivables and the amount due to the gaming establishment for the face amount of dispensing transactions is included within settlement liabilities.

For the Non‑Site‑Funded locations, our Contract Cash Solutions Agreement with Wells Fargo allows us to use funds owned by Wells Fargo to provide the currency needed for normal operating requirements for our ATMs. For the use of these funds, we pay Wells Fargo a cash usage fee on the average daily balance of funds utilized multiplied by a contractually defined cash usage rate. Under this agreement, all currency supplied by Wells Fargo remains the sole property of Wells Fargo at all times until it is dispensed, at which time Wells Fargo obtains an interest in the corresponding settlement receivable. As the cash is never an asset of ours, supplied cash is not reflected on our balance sheet. We are charged a cash usage fee for the cash used in these ATMs, which is included as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income. We recognize the fees as interest expense due to the similar operational characteristics to a revolving line of credit, the fact that the fees are calculated on a financial index and the fees are paid for access to a capital resource.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts related to our trade and other receivables and notes receivable that have been deemed to have a high risk of uncollectibility. Management reviews its accounts and notes receivable on a quarterly basis to determine if any receivables will potentially be uncollectible. Management analyzes historical collection trends and changes in our customer payment patterns, customer concentration, and creditworthiness when evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts. In our overall allowance for doubtful accounts we include any receivable balances for which uncertainty exists as to whether the account balance has become uncollectible. Based on the information available, management believes the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate; however, actual write-offs may exceed the recorded allowance.

Settlement Receivables and Settlement Liabilities

In the credit card cash access and POS debit card cash access transactions provided by us, the gaming establishment is reimbursed for the cash disbursed to gaming patrons through the issuance of a negotiable instrument or through electronic settlement. We receive reimbursement from the patron’s credit or debit card issuer for the transaction in an amount equal to the amount owed to the gaming establishment plus the fee charged to the patron. This reimbursement is included within the settlement receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amounts owed to gaming establishments are included within settlement liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Warranty Receivables

If a gaming establishment chooses to have a check warranted, it sends a request to our third party check warranty service provider, asking whether it would be willing to accept the risk of cashing the check. If the check warranty provider accepts the risk and warrants the check, the gaming establishment negotiates the patron’s check by providing cash for the face amount of the check. If the check is dishonored by the patron’s bank upon presentment, the gaming establishment invokes the warranty, and the check warranty service provider purchases the check from the gaming establishment for the full check amount and then pursues collection activities on its own. In our Central Credit Check Warranty product under our agreement with the third party service provider, we receive all of the check warranty revenue. We are exposed to risk for the losses associated with any warranted items that cannot be collected from patrons issuing the items. Warranty receivables are defined as any amounts paid by the third party check warranty service provider to gaming establishments to purchase dishonored checks. Additionally, we pay a fee to the third party check warranty service provider for its services.

The warranty receivables amount is recorded in trade receivables, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. On a monthly basis, the Company evaluates the collectability of the outstanding balances and establishes a reserve for the face amount of the expected losses on these receivables. The warranty expense associated with this reserve is included within cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) on our Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

Inventory

Our inventory primarily consists of component parts as well as finished goods and work-in-progress. The cost of inventory includes cost of materials, labor, overhead and freight. The inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market and accounted for using the first in, first out method.

Property, Equipment and Leased Assets

Property, equipment and leased assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation, computed using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated life of the related assets, generally two to five years, or the related lease term.  Player terminals and related components and equipment are included in our rental pool. The rental pool can be further delineated as “rental pool – deployed,” which consists of assets deployed at customer sites under participation arrangements, and “rental pool – undeployed,” which consists of assets held by us that are available for customer use. Rental pool – undeployed consists of both new units awaiting deployment to a customer site and previously deployed units currently back with us to be refurbished awaiting re-deployment.  Routine maintenance of property, equipment and leased gaming equipment is expensed in the period incurred, while major component upgrades are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the component. Sales and retirements of depreciable property are recorded by removing the related cost and accumulated depreciation from the accounts. Gains or losses on sales and retirements of property are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income. Property, equipment and leased assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment is indicated when undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the asset’s carrying value.

Development and Placement Fee Agreements

We enter into development and placement fee agreements to provide financing for new gaming facilities or for the expansion of existing facilities. All or a portion of the funds provided under development agreements are reimbursed to us, while funds provided under placement fee agreements are not reimbursed. In return, the facility dedicates a percentage of its floor space to placement of our player terminals, and we receive a fixed percentage of those player terminals' hold per day over the term of the agreement which is generally for 12 to 83 months. Certain of the agreements contain player terminal performance standards that could allow the facility to reduce a portion of our guaranteed floor space. In addition, certain development agreements allow the facilities to buy out floor space after advances that are subject to repayment have been repaid. The agreements typically provide for a portion of the amounts retained by the gaming facility for their share of the operating profits of the facility to be used to repay some or all of the advances recorded as notes receivable.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired plus liabilities assumed arising from business combinations. We test for impairment annually on a reporting unit basis, at the beginning of our fourth fiscal quarter, or more often under certain circumstances. The annual impairment test is completed using either: a qualitative Step 0 assessment based on reviewing relevant events and circumstances; or a quantitative Step 1 assessment, which determines the fair value of the reporting unit, using an income approach that discounts future cash flows based on the estimated future results of our reporting units and a market approach that compares market multiples of comparable companies to determine whether or not any impairment exists. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we use the Step 2 assessment to determine the impairment. Our reporting units are identified as operating segments or one level below. Reporting units must: (a) engage in business activities from which they earn revenues and incur expenses; (b) have operating results that are regularly reviewed by our chief operating decision makers to ascertain the resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and (c) have discrete financial information available. As of December 31, 2016, our reporting units included: Games, Cash Access, Kiosk Sales and Service, Central Credit, and Everi Compliance. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company combined its Cash Advance, ATM and Check Services reporting units into a Cash Access reporting unit to be consistent with the current corporate structure and segment management.

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization, computed primarily using the straight-line method. Other intangible assets consist primarily of: (i) customer contracts (rights to provide Games and Payments services to gaming establishment customers), developed technology, trade names and trademarks and contract rights acquired through business combinations; (ii) capitalized software development costs; and (iii) the acquisition cost of our patent related to the 3-in-1 rollover technology acquired in 2005. Customer contracts require us to make renewal assumptions, which impact the estimated useful lives of such assets. Capitalized software development costs require us to make certain judgments as to the stages of development and costs eligible for capitalization. Capitalized software costs placed in service are amortized over their useful lives, generally not to exceed five years. The acquisition cost of the 3-in-1 Rollover patent is being amortized over the term of the patent, which expires in 2018. We review intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Such events or circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant decrease in the fair value of the underlying business or market price of the asset, a significant adverse change in legal factors or business climate that could affect the value of an asset, or a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses. We group intangible assets for impairment analysis at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Recoverability of intangible assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future, net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, undiscounted and without interest or taxes. Any impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with long-term borrowings are capitalized and amortized to interest expense based upon the related debt agreements using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements are included in other assets, non-current, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  All other debt issuance costs are included as contra-liabilities in long-term debt.

Original Issue Discounts

Original issue discounts incurred in connection with long-term borrowings are capitalized and amortized to interest expense based upon the related debt agreements using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. These amounts are recorded as contra-liabilities and included in long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue represents amounts from the sale of fully integrated kiosks and related service contracts, anti-money laundering and tax compliance software, and gaming equipment and systems that have been billed, or for which notes receivable have been executed, but which transaction has not met our revenue recognition criteria. The cost of the fully integrated kiosks and related service contracts, anti-money laundering and tax compliance software, and gaming equipment and systems is deferred and recorded at the time revenue is recognized. Amounts are classified between current and long-term liabilities, based upon the expected period in which the revenue will be recognized.

Revenue Recognition

Overall

We recognize revenue when evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. We evaluate our revenue streams for proper timing of revenue recognition. Revenue is recognized as products are delivered and or services are performed.

Games Revenues

Games revenues are primarily generated by our gaming operations under development, placement, and participation arrangements in which we provide our customers with player terminals, player terminal-content licenses and back-office equipment, collectively referred to herein as leased gaming equipment. Under these arrangements, we retain ownership of the leased gaming equipment installed at customer facilities, and we receive revenue based on a percentage of the net win per day generated by the leased gaming equipment or a fixed daily fee based on the number of player terminals installed at the facility. Revenue from lease participation or daily fee arrangements are considered both realizable and earned at the end of each gaming day.

Games revenues generated by player terminals deployed at sites under development or placement fee agreements are reduced by the accretion of contract rights acquired as part of those agreements. Contract rights are amounts allocated to intangible assets for dedicated floor space resulting from such agreements, described under “Development and Placement Fee Agreements.” The related amortization expense, or accretion of contract rights, is netted against our respective revenue category in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

We also generate Games revenues from back-office fees with certain customers. Back-office fees cover the service and maintenance costs for back-office servers installed in each gaming facility to run our gaming equipment, as well as the cost of related software updates. Back-office fees are considered both realizable and earned at the end of each gaming day.

Payments Revenues

Cash advance revenues are comprised of transaction fees assessed to gaming patrons in connection with credit card cash access and POS debit card cash access transactions and are recognized at the time the transactions are authorized. Such fees are based on a combination of a fixed amount plus a percentage of the face amount of the credit card cash access or POS debit card cash access transaction amount.

ATM revenues are comprised of transaction fees in the form of cardholder surcharges assessed to gaming patrons in connection with ATM cash withdrawals at the time the transactions are authorized and reverse interchange fees paid to us by the patrons’ issuing banks. Cardholder surcharges and reverse interchange are recognized as revenue when a transaction is initiated. The cardholder surcharges assessed to gaming patrons in connection with ATM cash withdrawals are currently a fixed dollar amount and not a percentage of the transaction amount.

Check services revenues are principally comprised of check warranty revenues and are generally based upon a percentage of the face amount of checks warranted. These fees are paid to us by gaming establishments.

Other revenues include amounts derived from the sale of cash access devices, such as the provision of certain professional services, software licensing, and certain other ancillary fees associated with the sale, installation and maintenance of those devices. In addition, other revenues consist of Central Credit revenues that are based upon either a flat monthly unlimited usage fee or a variable fee structure driven by the volume of patron credit histories generated. Also included in other revenues are revenues generated from ancillary marketing, database and Internet gaming activities.

Equipment and Systems Revenues

We sell gaming equipment, fully integrated kiosks and gaming systems directly to our customers under independent sales contracts through normal credit terms, or may grant extended credit terms under contracts secured by the related equipment.

For sales arrangements with multiple deliverables, we apply the guidance from ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition - Multiple-Element Arrangements.” In addition, we apply the guidance from ASC 985-605, “Software – Revenue Recognition”  which affects vendors that sell or lease tangible products in an arrangement that contains software that is more than incidental to the tangible product as a whole and clarifies what guidance should be used in allocating and measuring revenue.

The majority of our multiple element sales contracts are for some combination of gaming equipment, player terminals, content, system software, license fees, ancillary equipment and maintenance.

Revenue related to systems arrangements that contain both software and non-software deliverables requires allocation of the arrangement fee to the separate deliverables using the relative selling price method. Revenue for software deliverables is recognized under software revenue recognition guidance. Revenue resulting from the sale of non-software deliverables, such as gaming devices and other hardware, are accounted for based on other applicable revenue recognition guidance as the devices are tangible products containing both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the product's essential functionality.

In allocating the arrangement fees to separate deliverables, we evaluate whether we have vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of selling price, third party evidence (“TPE”) or estimate of selling price (“ESP”) for gaming devices, maintenance and product support fees and other revenue sources. We generally use ESP to determine the selling price used in the allocation of separate deliverables, as VSOE and TPE are generally not available. We determine the ESP on separate deliverables by estimating a margin typically received on such items and applying that margin to the product cost incurred.

Generally, player terminal sales include ancillary equipment, such as networking gear, bases, chairs, and occasionally signage, some of which may be necessary for the full functionality of the player terminals in a casino. This ancillary equipment comprises an install kit that is shipped simultaneously with the player terminals. Although our products are analyzed as multiple deliverable arrangements, revenue for the player terminal and ancillary equipment is not recognized until all elements essential for the functionality of the product have been shipped or delivered. This includes game theme software and essential ancillary equipment. If elements that are not essential to the functionality of the player terminals are shipped after the unit, such as signage, chairs, or bases, these items would be classified as deferred revenue until shipped or delivered. 

Cost of Revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

The cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) represents the direct costs required to perform revenue generating transactions. The principal costs included within cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are commissions paid to gaming establishments, interchange fees paid to credit and debit card networks, transaction processing fees to our transaction processor, inventory and related costs associated with the sale of our fully integrated kiosks, electronic gaming machines and system sales, check cashing warranties, field service and network operations personnel.

 

Advertising, Marketing and Promotional Costs

We expense advertising, marketing and promotional costs as incurred. Total advertising, marketing and promotional costs, included in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income, were $1.2 million, $0.9 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016,  2015 and 2014, respectively.

Research and Development Costs

We conduct research and development activities primarily to develop gaming systems, gaming engines, casino data management systems, casino central monitoring systems, video lottery outcome determination systems, gaming platforms and gaming content, as well as to add enhancements to our existing product lines. We believe our ability to deliver differentiated, appealing products and services to the marketplace is based on our research and development investments, and we expect to continue to make such investments in the future. Research and development costs consist primarily of salaries and benefits, consulting fees and game lab testing fees. Once the technological feasibility of a project has been established, it is transferred from research to development and capitalization of development costs begins until the product is available for general release.

 

Research and development costs were $19.4 million, $19.1 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016,  2015 and 2014, respectively.

Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the United States as well as various states and foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. In accordance with accounting guidance, our income taxes include amounts from domestic and international jurisdictions, plus the provision for U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries not deemed to be permanently invested. Since it is our practice and current intent to reinvest the earnings in the international operations of our foreign subsidiaries, U.S. federal income taxes have not been provided on the undistributed earnings of any foreign subsidiaries, except for our GCA (Macau) S.A. subsidiary. Some items of income and expense are not reported in tax returns and the Consolidated Financial Statements in the same year. The tax effect of such temporary differences is reported as deferred income taxes.

Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or income tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on the income tax provision or benefit and deferred tax assets and liabilities for a change in rates is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income in the period that includes the enactment date.

When measuring deferred tax assets, certain estimates and assumptions are required to assess whether a valuation allowance should be established by evaluating both positive and negative factors in accordance with accounting guidance. This evaluation requires that we exercise judgment in determining the relative significance of each factor. The assessment of valuation allowance involves significant estimates regarding future taxable income and when it is recognized, the amount and timing of taxable differences, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of tax-planning strategies. A valuation allowance is established based on the weight of available evidence, including both positive and negative indicators, if it is more likely than not that a portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Greater weight is given to evidence that is objectively verifiable, most notably historical results. If we report a cumulative loss from continuing operations before income taxes for a reasonable period of time, this form of negative evidence is difficult to overcome. Therefore, we include certain aspects of our historical results in our forecasts of future taxable income, as we do not have the ability to solely rely on forecasted improvements in earnings to recover deferred tax assets. When we report a cumulative loss position, to the extent our results of operations improve, such that we have the ability to overcome the more likely than not accounting standard, we expect to be able to reverse the valuation allowance in the applicable period of determination. In addition, we rely on deferred tax liabilities in our assessment of the realizability of deferred tax assets if the temporary timing difference is anticipated to reverse in the same period and jurisdiction and the deferred tax liabilities are of the same character as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets.

We also follow accounting guidance to account for uncertainty in income taxes as recognized in our consolidated financial statements. The accounting standard creates a single model to address uncertainty in income tax positions and prescribes the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. The standard also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

Under this standard, we may recognize tax benefits from an uncertain position only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the issue. The amount recognized is the largest benefit that we believe has greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Actual income taxes paid may vary from estimates depending upon changes in income tax laws, actual results of operations, and the final audit of tax returns by taxing authorities. Tax assessments may arise several years after tax returns have been filed.

Employee Benefits Plan

In connection with the acquisition of Everi Games Holding, we merged the Everi Payments 401(k) Plan (“Merged 401(k) Plan”) into the Everi Games Holding 401(k) Plan (“Surviving 401(k) Plan”), which was adopted for domestic employees of Everi Games and Everi Payments and their domestic subsidiaries. The Surviving 401(k) Plan Participant investment elections were not mapped from the current provider as the Merged 401(k) Plan assets were liquidated from their current investments and the proceeds were provided to the new provider. The participant contributions were sent to the new provider into the Surviving 401(k) Plan’s default fund until such time that a participant made investment elections. The Surviving 401(k) Plan structure is similar to the Merged 401(k) Plan and allows employees to defer up to the lesser of the Internal Revenue Code prescribed maximum amount or 100% of their income on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the plan. As a benefit to employees, we match a percentage of these employee contributions (as defined in the plan document). Expenses related to the matching portion of the contributions to the Surviving 401(k) Plan were $1.9 million, $1.3 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016,  2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The fair value of a financial instrument represents the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based upon relevant market information about the financial instrument. 

 

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, settlement receivables, trade receivables, other receivables, settlement liabilities, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The fair value of our borrowings are estimated based on various inputs to determine a market price, such as: market demand and supply, size of tranche, maturity and similar instruments trading in more active markets. 

 

The senior secured notes were fair valued using a Level 3 input as there was no market activity or observable inputs as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The fair value of the senior secured notes was derived using the same rate as the term loan given that both were treated similarly as of December 31, 2016. The fair value of the senior secured notes was derived using a Level 3 input by evaluating the trading activities of similar debt instruments as of December 31, 2015.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities for those foreign entities for which the local currency is the functional currency are translated into U.S. dollars based on exchange rates prevailing at the end of each year. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The effects of foreign exchange gains and losses arising from these translations are included as a component of other comprehensive income on the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income. Translation adjustments on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature are recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Use of Estimates

We have made estimates and judgments affecting the amounts reported in these financial statements and the accompanying notes. The actual results may differ from these estimates. These accounting estimates incorporated into the Consolidated Financial Statements include, but are not limited to:

Earnings Applicable to Common Stock

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the effect of potential common stock resulting from assumed stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock unless it is antidilutive.

Share‑Based Compensation

Share-based payment awards result in a cost that is measured at fair value on the award’s grant date.

Our time-based stock options were measured at fair value on the grant date using the Black Scholes model. Our restricted stock awards were measured at fair value based on the stock price on the grant date. The compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the awards.

Our market-based options granted in 2016 under our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) and 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2012 Plan”)  vest at a rate of 25% per year on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date, provided that as of the vesting date for each vesting tranche, the closing price of the Company’s shares on the New York Stock Exchange is at least a specified price hurdle, defined as a 50% premium to the closing stock price on the grant date. If the price hurdle is not met as of the vesting date for a vesting tranche, then the vested tranche shall vest and become vested shares on the last day of a period of 30 consecutive trading days during which the closing price is at least the price hurdle.

Our market-based stock options granted in 2015 under the 2014 Plan will vest if our average stock price in any period of 30 consecutive trading days meets certain target prices during a four-year period that commenced on the grant date of these options. If these target prices are not met during the four year period, the unvested shares underlying the options will terminate except if there is a Change in Control (as defined in the 2014 Plan) of the Company, in which case, the unvested shares underlying such options shall become fully vested on the effective date of such change in control transaction.

All market-based options were measured at fair value on the grant date using a lattice-based valuation model based on the median time horizon from the date of grant for these options to the vesting date for those paths that achieved the target threshold(s). The compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the median vesting periods calculated under such valuation model.

Forfeitures are estimated at the grant date for our time-based and market-based awards, with such estimates updated periodically; and with actual forfeitures recognized currently to the extent they differ from the estimates.

Unless otherwise provided by the administrator of our equity incentive plans, stock options granted under our plans generally expire ten years from the date of grant. In connection with our annual grant in 2015, certain market-based stock option awards were issued that expire seven years from the date of grant. The exercise price of stock options is generally the closing market price of our common stock on the date of the stock option grant.

Reclassification of Prior Year Balances

Reclassifications were made to the prior-period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.

Recent Accounting Guidance

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, which provides guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs.  These amendments require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This guidance was further clarified in ASU No. 2015-15, which addressed the treatment of debt issuance costs related to line-of credit arrangements. It noted that as ASU No. 2015-03 did not provide guidance on debt issuance costs related to line-of credit arrangements, the SEC would not object to an entity deferring and presenting these specific debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We adopted the guidance in ASU Nos. 2015-03 and 2015-15 retrospectively to reclassify all debt issuance costs not associated with line-of-credit arrangements from the non-current portion of other assets to contra-liabilities and presented them as reductions to the face amount of each respective long-term debt instrument on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and related notes during the current period.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, which eliminates the requirement that an entity separately classify, present and disclose extraordinary events and transactions. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We adopted this guidance during the current period.  There was no impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements, as we do not have any extraordinary items.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which provides guidance on determining when and how reporting entities must disclose going-concern uncertainties in their financial statements. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, and early adoption is permitted. We adopted this guidance during the current period. There was no impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, which requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance during the current period. There was no impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, which provides updated guidance on the goodwill impairment test and the method by which an entity recognizes an impairment charge. These amendments eliminate Step 2 from the current goodwill impairment process and require that an entity recognize an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, a company should also take into consideration income tax effects from tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of a reporting unit when recording an impairment loss. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance will be applied using a prospective approach. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, which clarifies the definition of a business. The amendments affect all companies and other reporting organizations that must determine whether they have acquired or sold a business. The amendments are intended to help companies and other organizations evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses.   The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance will be applied using a prospective approach as of the beginning of the first period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted for acquisitions, or disposals that occur before the issuance date or effectiveness date of the amendments when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments do not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance will be applied using a retrospective approach to each period presented. Early adoption is permitted and adoption in an interim period should reflect adjustments as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, which provides updated guidance on the recognition of the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs, and this eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of such assets. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance will be applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effective adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted during the first interim period of the year this guidance is adopted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, which provides updated guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance will be applied using a retrospective approach. If it is impracticable to apply the amendments retrospectively for some of the issues within this ASU, the amendments for those issues would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in an interim period. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, which provides updated guidance on credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost basis and available-for sale debt securities. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance will be applied using a modified retrospective approach for the cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective and using a prospective approach for debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized before the effective date. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, statutory tax withholding requirements and classification on the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or using a modified retrospective transition method, depending on the area covered in this update. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, which provides guidance on the accounting treatment of leases.  The ASU establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. While we are currently assessing the impact of this ASU on our Consolidated Financial Statements, we expect the primary impact to our consolidated financial position upon adoption will be the recognition, on a discounted basis, of our minimum commitments under noncancelable operating leases on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, which will result in the recording of right of use assets and lease obligations and are currently discussed in “Note 13 Commitments and Contingencies.”

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, which provides guidance on the measurement of inventory value.  The amendments require an entity to measure in scope inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) or the retail inventory method. The amendments do not apply to inventory that is measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. The amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost. The pronouncement is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which creates FASB ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and supersedes ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”. The guidance replaces industry-specific guidance and establishes a single five-step model to identify and recognize revenue. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue upon transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, the guidance requires the entity to disclose further quantitative and qualitative information regarding the nature and amount of revenues arising from contracts with customers, as well as other information about the significant judgments and estimates used in recognizing revenues from contracts with customers. The guidance in ASU 2014-09 was further updated by ASU 2016-08 in March 2016, which provides clarification on the implementation of the principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09.  In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, which provides clarification on the implementation of performance obligations and licensing in ASU 2014-09.  In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-11, which amends guidance provided in two SEC Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 Emerging Issues Task Force meeting over various topics relating to ASU 606. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, which clarified various topics in ASU 606.  In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, which clarified additional topics in ASU 606.  This guidance was originally effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. However, in August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, which extended the effective date to interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. This guidance may be adopted retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application.

 

We will likely adopt this guidance using the retrospective method beginning in the first quarter of 2018.  We performed an initial review of the requirements of the standard and are monitoring the activity of the FASB and the transition resource group as it relates to specific interpretive guidance that may impact us. We are currently completing detailed contract reviews to determine necessary adjustments to existing accounting policies and procedures and to support an evaluation of the standard’s impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures included within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Based on reviews performed, we do not expect our Payments revenues to be materially impacted by the implementation of this guidance. We are still evaluating Games revenues and equipment and systems revenues to determine the extent, if any, of changes to the timing and amount of revenue recorded in each reporting period. Additionally, the new guidance will require enhanced disclosures, including additions to our revenue recognition policies to identify performance obligations to customers and significant judgments in measurement and recognition. We may identify other impacts from the implementation of this guidance as we continue our assessment.