Vici Properties Inc S-3ASR, filed Apr 18, 2022
Vici Properties Inc. (VICI)
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2022
Registration No.333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
VICI PROPERTIES INC.
VICI PROPERTIES L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in governing instruments)
| Maryland (VICI Properties Inc.) Delaware (VICI Properties L.P.) |
81-4177147 35-2576503 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
535 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022 (646) 949-4631
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Samantha Sacks Gallagher
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
VICI Properties Inc.
535 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022 (646) 949-4631
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
with a copy to:
David Bonser, Esq
Andrew S. Zahn, Esq
Hogan Lovells US LLP
555 13th Street Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 637-5600
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
VICI Properties Inc.:
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
VICI Properties L.P.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.
VICI Properties Inc.: ☐
VICI Properties L.P.: ☐
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PROSPECTUS
VICI Properties Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Stock Purchase Contracts
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Rights
Units
VICI Properties L.P.
Debt Securities
VICI Properties Inc., a Maryland corporation (“VICI REIT”), may from time to time offer, in one or more series or classes, separately or together, and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus, the following securities: common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, depositary shares representing our preferred stock, warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares representing our preferred stock, rights to purchase common stock and units representing an interest in two or more securities.
VICI Properties L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“VICI LP”) and subsidiary of VICI REIT, may from time to time offer, in one or more series and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus, debt securities.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. Each time VICI REIT and/or VICI LP sell securities, a prospectus supplement will be provided that will contain specific information about the terms and conditions of any securities offered, any net proceeds that VICI REIT and/or VICI LP, as applicable, expect to receive from the sale of such securities and the specific manner in which the securities will be offered. The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the securities covered by the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may add to, update or change the information in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in any of the securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
VICI REIT and/or VICI LP may offer the securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time by VICI REIT and/or VICI LP, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement with, between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in an accompanying prospectus supplement. For more detailed information, see “Plan of Distribution” on page 69.
The common stock of VICI REIT is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “VICI.” On April 14, 2022, the last reported sale price of VICI REIT’s common stock on the NYSE was $29.09 per share. VICI REIT’s and VICI LP’s principal executive offices are located at 535 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10022, and VICI REIT’s and VICI LP’s telephone number is (646) 949-4631.
Investing in the securities involves various risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 6 as well as the risk factors contained in documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” and “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is April 18, 2022.
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We are responsible for the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or, any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered to you. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between the information in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information, and we take no responsibility for any information others may give you. You should assume that the information appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus prepared by us is accurate only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates which are specified in such documents. Our business, financial condition, cash flows, operating and financial results, and prospects may have changed since those dates.
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This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). By using a “shelf” registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, one or any combination of the securities described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. As allowed by the SEC rules, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement, including its exhibits, as well as any accompanying prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are only summaries. If the SEC’s rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of the related matters.
You should read carefully the entire prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, which we have referred you to in “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” on page 74 of this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Statements contained or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement as to the content of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or such prospectus supplement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Any information in such subsequent filings and any applicable prospectus supplement that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement.
Unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise specified, (i) all references in this prospectus to “VICI REIT” refer to VICI Properties Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries and (ii) all references to “VICI LP” refer to VICI Properties L.P. Unless the context otherwise requires, or unless otherwise specified, all references in this prospectus to the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to VICI REIT, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including VICI LP.
“Apollo” refers to Apollo Global Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, as the context requires, certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates.
“Caesars” refers to Caesars Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation, formerly Eldorado, following the consummation of the Eldorado/Caesars Merger on July 20, 2020 and Eldorado’s conversion to a Delaware corporation.
“Caesars Lease Agreements” refer collectively to (i) prior to the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction, the CPLV Lease Agreement, the Non-CPLV Lease Agreement, the Joliet Lease Agreement and the HLV Lease Agreement, and (ii) from and after the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction, the Las Vegas Master Lease Agreement, the Regional Master Lease Agreement and the Joliet Lease Agreement, in each case, unless the context otherwise requires.
“Caesars Southern Indiana” refers to the real estate assets associated with the Caesars Southern Indiana facility, located in Elizabeth, Indiana.
“Century Casinos” refers to Century Casinos, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries.
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“Century Portfolio” refers to the real estate assets associated with the (i) Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort located in New Cumberland, West Virginia, (ii) Century Casino Caruthersville located in Caruthersville, Missouri and (iii) Century Casino Cape Girardeau located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, which we purchased on December 6, 2019.
“Century Portfolio Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for the Century Portfolio, as amended from time to time.
“CEOC” refers to Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, prior to October 6, 2017 (the “Formation Date”), and following the Formation Date, CEOC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries. CEOC was a subsidiary of Pre-Merger Caesars, and following the consummation of the Eldorado/Caesars Merger, is a subsidiary of Caesars.
“CPLV Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for Caesars Palace Las Vegas, as amended from time to time, which was combined with the HLV Lease Agreement into the Las Vegas Master Lease Agreement upon the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction.
“CSI Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for Caesars Southern Indiana, as amended from time to time.
“EBCI” refers to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a federally recognized Tribe located in western North Carolina, and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries.
“Eldorado” refers to Eldorado Resorts, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries. Following the consummation of the Eldorado/Caesars Merger on July 20, 2020, Eldorado converted to a Delaware corporation and changed its name to Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
“Eldorado Transaction” refers to a series of transactions between us and Eldorado in connection with the Eldorado/Caesars Merger, including the acquisition of the Harrah’s New Orleans, Harrah’s Atlantic City and Harrah’s Laughlin properties, modifications to the Caesars Lease Agreements, and rights of first refusal.
“Eldorado/Caesars Merger” refers to the merger consummated on July 20, 2020 under an Agreement and Plan of Merger pursuant to which a subsidiary of Eldorado merged with and into Pre-Merger Caesars, with Pre-Merger Caesars surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Caesars (which changed its name from Eldorado in connection with the closing of the Eldorado/Caesars Merger).
“Greektown” refers to the real estate assets associated with the Greektown Casino-Hotel, located in Detroit, Michigan, which we purchased on May 23, 2019.
“Greektown Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for Greektown, as amended from time to time.
“Hard Rock Cincinnati” refers to the casino-entitled land and real estate and related assets associated with the Hard Rock Cincinnati Casino, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, which we purchased on September 20, 2019.
“Hard Rock Cincinnati Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for Hard Rock Cincinnati, as amended from time to time.
“HLV Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for the Harrah’s Las Vegas facilities, as amended from time to time, which was combined with the CPLV Lease Agreement into the Las Vegas Master Lease Agreement upon the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction.
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“JACK Cleveland/Thistledown” refers to the casino-entitled land and real estate and related assets associated with the JACK Cleveland Casino located in Cleveland, Ohio, and the video lottery gaming and pari-mutuel wagering authorized land and real estate and related assets of JACK Thistledown Racino located in North Randall, Ohio, which we purchased on January 24, 2020.
“JACK Cleveland/Thistledown Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for JACK Cleveland/Thistledown, as amended from time to time.
“JACK Entertainment” refers to JACK Ohio LLC, and, as the context requires, its subsidiary and affiliate entities.
“Joliet Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for the facility in Joliet, Illinois, as amended from time to time.
“Las Vegas Master Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for Caesars Palace Las Vegas and the Harrah’s Las Vegas facilities, as amended from time to time, from and after the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction.
“Lease Agreements” refer collectively to the Caesars Lease Agreements, the Penn National Lease Agreements, the Hard Rock Cincinnati Lease Agreement, the Century Portfolio Lease Agreement, the JACK Cleveland/Thistledown Lease Agreement, the CSI Lease Agreement and the Venetian Lease Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires.
“Margaritaville” refers to the real estate of Margaritaville Resort Casino, located in Bossier City, Louisiana, which we purchased on January 2, 2019.
“Margaritaville Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for Margaritaville, as amended from time to time.
“MGM” refers to MGM Resorts International, a Delaware corporation, and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries.
“MGM Master Lease Agreement” refers to the form of amended and restated triple-net master lease to be entered into by us and MGM with respect to certain MGM properties that will be owned by us upon consummation of the MGP Transactions.
“MGP” refers to MGM Growth Properties LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries.
“MGP Master Transaction Agreement” refers to that certain Master Transaction Agreement between VICI REIT, MGP, MGP OP, VICI LP, Venus Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of VICI LP, and VICI Properties OP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of VICI REIT.
“MGP OP” refers to MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries.
“MGP Transactions” refers collectively to a series of transactions pursuant to the MGP Master Transaction Agreement between us, MGP and MGM and the other parties thereto in connection with our acquisition of MGP, as contemplated by the MGP Master Transaction Agreement, including a tax protection agreement and the MGM Master Lease Agreement.
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“Non-CPLV Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for regional properties (other than the facility in Joliet, Illinois) leased to Pre-Merger Caesars prior to the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction, as amended from time to time, which was replaced by the Regional Master Lease Agreement upon the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction.
“Penn National” refers to Penn National Gaming, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries.
“Penn National Lease Agreements” refer collectively to the Margaritaville Lease Agreement and the Greektown Lease Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires.
“Pre-Merger Caesars” refers to Caesars Entertainment Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries. Following the consummation of the Eldorado/Caesars Merger on July 20, 2020, Pre-Merger Caesars became a wholly owned subsidiary of Caesars.
“Regional Master Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for the regional properties (other than the facility in Joliet, Illinois) leased to Caesars, as amended from time to time, from and after the consummation of the Eldorado Transaction.
“Seminole Hard Rock” means Seminole Hard Rock International, LLC, and, as the context requires, its subsidiary and affiliate entities.
“Venetian Lease Agreement” refers to the lease agreement for the Venetian Resort.
“Venetian Resort” refers to the land and real estate assets associated with The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and Venetian Expo, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, which we purchased on February 23, 2022.
“VICI Golf” refers to VICI Golf LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that is the owner and operator of our golf segment business.
“VICI LP” refers to VICI Properties L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and a wholly owned subsidiary of VICI REIT.
CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING CAESARS AND MGM
The historical audited and unaudited financial statements of Caesars (which are not included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus), as the parent and guarantor of CEOC, our significant lessee, have been filed with the SEC. Caesars files annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. In addition, the historical audited and unaudited financial statements of MGM (which are not included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus), which is the parent and will be the guarantor of the entity that will become one of our significant lessees upon the closing of the MGP Transactions, have been filed with the SEC. MGM files annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC.
Caesars’ and MGM’s SEC filings are available to the public through the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. We make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information regarding Caesars and MGM that is contained in this prospectus, which is obtained from Caesars’ or MGM’s publicly available information, or that is available through the SEC’s website or otherwise made publicly available by Caesars and MGM, and none of such publicly available Caesars or MGM information is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
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The brands under which our properties are operated are trademarks of their respective owners. None of these owners nor any of their respective officers, directors, agents or employees:
| • | have approved any disclosure contained in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein; or |
| • | are responsible or liable for the content of this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein. |
Although we are responsible for all of the disclosures contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, such documents may contain industry, market and competitive position data and estimates that are based on industry publications and studies conducted by third parties. The industry publications and third-party studies generally state that the information that they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe that such information included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein is generally reliable, we have not independently investigated or verified such data. The industry forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may be materially different than our or the industry’s actual results.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and documents incorporated by reference herein contain statements regarding future events that can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions, which constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on our current plans, expectations and projections about future events. We therefore caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They give our expectations about the future and are not guarantees. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance and achievements to materially differ from any future results, performance and achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Currently, one of the most significant factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from our forward-looking statements is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our and our tenants’ financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and performance. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic continues to adversely affect our tenants, and ultimately impacts our business and financial condition, depends on future developments which cannot be predicted with confidence, including the impact of the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, including the availability, distribution, public acceptance and efficacy of approved vaccines, new or mutated variants of COVID-19 (including vaccine-resistant variants) or a similar virus, the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures on our tenants, the ability of our tenants to successfully operate their businesses, including the costs of complying with regulatory requirements necessary to keep their respective facilities open, such as reduced capacity requirements, the need to close any of the facilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effects of the negotiated capital expenditure reductions and other amendments to the Lease Agreements that we agreed to with certain tenants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our tenants’ ability to satisfy their obligations under their Lease Agreements with us, including their continued ability to pay rent in a timely manner, or at all, and/or to fund capital expenditures or make other payments required under their leases. Investors are cautioned to interpret many of the risks identified under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that are incorporated by reference herein and therein as being heightened as a result of the ongoing and numerous adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein are based upon our current expectations, plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements and may be affected by a variety of risks and other factors, including, among others:
| • | risks associated with the pending MGP Transactions, including our ability or failure to complete the pending MGP Transactions and to realize the anticipated benefits of the MGP Transactions, including as a result of delay in completing the pending MGP Transactions; |
| • | the impact of changes in general economic conditions and market developments, including rising inflation, increased fuel prices, low consumer confidence, supply chain disruptions, unemployment levels and depressed real estate prices resulting from the severity and duration of any downturn in the U.S. or global economy; |
| • | our dependence on our tenants (including, following the completion of the pending MGP Transactions, MGM) as tenants of our properties and their affiliates that serve as guarantors of the lease payments |
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| and the negative consequences any material adverse effect on their respective businesses could have on us; |
| • | the anticipated benefits of certain arrangements with certain tenants relating to our funding of “same-store” capital improvements in exchange for increased rent pursuant to the terms of our existing Lease Agreements with such tenants, which we collectively refer to as the Partner Property Growth Fund; |
| • | our borrowers’ ability to repay their outstanding loan obligations to us; |
| • | our dependence on the gaming industry; |
| • | our ability to pursue our business and growth strategies may be limited by our substantial debt service requirements and by the requirement that we distribute 90% of our real estate investment trust (“REIT”) taxable income in order to qualify for taxation as a REIT and that we distribute 100% of our REIT taxable income in order to avoid current entity-level U.S. federal income taxes; |
| • | our inability to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT; |
| • | the impact of extensive regulation from gaming and other regulatory authorities; |
| • | the ability of our tenants to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals in connection with the operation of our properties and the completion of our pending transactions on a timely basis, or at all, or the imposition of conditions to such regulatory approvals; |
| • | the possibility that our tenants may choose not to renew the Lease Agreements following the initial or subsequent terms of the leases; |
| • | restrictions on our ability to sell our properties subject to the Lease Agreements; |
| • | our tenants and any guarantors’ historical results may not be a reliable indicator of their future results; |
| • | our substantial amount of indebtedness, including indebtedness to be assumed and incurred by us upon consummation of the pending MGP Transactions, and ability to service, refinance and otherwise fulfill our obligations under such indebtedness; |
| • | our historical financial information may not be reliable indicators of our future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; |
| • | the impact of a rise in interest rates, which have begun increasing from historic lows, on us; |
| • | our inability to successfully pursue investments in, and acquisitions of, additional properties; |
| • | our ability to obtain the financing necessary to complete our pending acquisitions or related transactions on the terms we currently expect in a timely manner, or at all; |
| • | the possibility that our pending transactions may not be completed or that completion may be unduly delayed, and the potential adverse impact on our business, operations and stock price; |
| • | the possibility that we identify significant environmental, tax, legal or other issues that materially and adversely impact the value of assets acquired or secured as collateral (or other benefits we expect to receive) in any of our pending or recently completed transactions; |
| • | the effects of our pending and recently completed transactions on us, including the future impact on our financial condition, financial and operating results, cash flows, strategy and plans; |
| • | the impact of changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws; |
| • | the impact and outcome of previous and potential future litigation relating to the pending MGP Transactions, including the possibility that any adverse judgment may prevent the pending MGP Transactions from being consummated on a timely basis, or at all; |
| • | the possibility of adverse tax consequences as a result of our pending transactions; |
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| • | increased volatility in our stock price as a result of our pending transactions; |
| • | the impact of climate change, natural disasters, war, political and public health conditions or uncertainty or civil unrest, sanctions, violence or terrorist activities or threats on our properties and changes in economic conditions or heightened travel security and health measures instituted in response to these events; |
| • | the loss of the services of key personnel; |
| • | the inability to attract, retain and motivate employees; |
| • | the costs and liabilities associated with environmental compliance; |
| • | failure to establish and maintain an effective system of integrated internal controls; |
| • | our reliance on distributions received from our subsidiaries, including VICI LP, and, following the completion of the MGP Transactions, VICI OP (as defined below), to make distributions to our stockholders; |
| • | the potential impact on the amount of our cash distributions if we were to sell any of our properties in the future; |
| • | our ability to continue to make distributions to holders of our common stock or maintain anticipated levels of distributions over time; |
| • | competition for transaction opportunities, including from other REITs, investment companies, private equity firms and hedge funds, sovereign funds, lenders, gaming companies and other investors that may have greater resources and access to capital and a lower cost of capital or different investment parameters than us; |
| • | the impact of any sales of our securities pursuant to this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or otherwise; and |
| • | additional factors discussed herein, in any accompanying prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. |
Any of the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements could be inaccurate. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. All forward-looking statements are made as of the respective dates of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein or such other dates as may be indicated in such documents, as applicable, and the risk that actual results, performance and achievements will differ materially from the expectations expressed in or referenced by the applicable document will increase with the passage of time. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, as applicable, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, the inclusion of such forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the objectives and strategies set forth in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein will be achieved.
We are an owner and acquirer of experiential real estate assets across leading gaming, hospitality, entertainment and leisure destinations, subject to long-term triple net leases.
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Our national, geographically diverse portfolio currently consists of 28 market-leading properties, including Caesars Palace Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas and the Venetian Resort, three of the most iconic entertainment facilities on the Las Vegas Strip. Our entertainment facilities are leased to leading brands that seek to drive consumer loyalty and value with guests through superior services, experiences, products and continuous innovation. Across over 62 million square feet, our well-maintained properties are currently located across urban, destination and drive-to markets in twelve states, contain approximately 25,000 hotel rooms and feature over 250 restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Subsequent to the closing of the MGP Transactions, which we anticipate will occur in the first half of 2022, we will have 43 market-leading properties, 10 of which will be located on the Las Vegas Strip, consisting of 117 million square feet, 57,500 hotel rooms and featuring over 400 restaurants, bars and nightclubs across our portfolio.
Our portfolio also includes three real estate loan investments that we have originated for strategic reasons in connection with transactions that may provide the potential to convert our investment into the ownership of certain of the underlying real estate in the future. In addition, we own approximately 34 acres of undeveloped or underdeveloped land on and adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip that is leased to Caesars, which we may look to monetize as appropriate. We also own and operate four championship golf courses located near certain of our properties, two of which are in close proximity to the Las Vegas Strip.
We lease our properties to subsidiaries of, or entities managed by, Caesars, Penn National, Seminole Hard Rock, Century Casinos, JACK Entertainment, EBCI and Apollo, with Caesars being our largest tenant (and subsequent to the MGP Transactions, MGM and Caesars being our largest tenants). We believe we have a mutually beneficial relationship with each of our tenants, all of which are leading owners and operators of gaming, entertainment and leisure properties. Our long-term triple-net Lease Agreements with our tenants provide us with a highly predictable revenue stream with embedded growth potential. We believe our geographic diversification limits the effect of changes in any one market on our overall performance. We are focused on driving long-term total returns through managing experiential asset growth and allocating capital diligently, maintaining a highly productive tenant base, and optimizing our capital structure to support external growth. As a growth focused public REIT with long-term investments, we expect our relationship with our partners will position us for the acquisition of additional properties across leisure and hospitality over the long term. Despite the ongoing impact and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to evaluate and may opportunistically pursue accretive acquisitions or investments that may arise in the market.
Our portfolio is competitively positioned and well-maintained. Pursuant to the terms of the Lease Agreements, which require our tenants to invest in our properties, and in line with our tenants’ commitment to build guest loyalty, we anticipate our tenants will continue to make strategic value-enhancing investments in our properties over time, helping to maintain their competitive position. In addition, given our scale and deep industry knowledge, we believe we are well-positioned to execute highly complementary single-asset and portfolio acquisitions, as well as other investments, to augment growth as market conditions allow, with a focus on disciplined capital allocation.
On August 4, 2021, we, MGP and MGM (MGP’s controlling shareholder) announced that we entered into the MGP Master Transaction Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, we will acquire MGP for total consideration of $17.2 billion, inclusive of the assumption of approximately $5.7 billion of debt, in the MGP Transactions. MGP is a publicly traded gaming REIT, and the transaction will add $1,009.0 million of annualized rent to our portfolio from 15 Class A entertainment casino resort properties spread across nine regions and comprising 33,000 hotel rooms, 3.6 million square feet of meeting and convention space and hundreds of food, beverage and entertainment venues. Upon the closing of the MGP Transactions, VICI LP will become a wholly owned subsidiary of VICI Properties OP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“VICI OP”), and VICI OP will become our operating company. All of our real property business will continue to be owned by VICI LP and our golf course business will continue to be conducted through VICI Golf.
We conduct our operations as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our taxable income to the extent that we annually distribute all of our net taxable
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income to stockholders and maintain our qualification as a REIT. We believe our election of REIT status, combined with the income generation from the Lease Agreements, will enhance our ability to make distributions to our stockholders, providing investors with current income as well as long-term growth, subject to the current macroeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and market conditions more broadly. We conduct our real property business through VICI LP, which is our wholly owned subsidiary and operating partnership, and our golf course business through a taxable REIT subsidiary of VICI REIT, VICI Golf. Following the closing of the MGP Transactions, we will conduct our real property business through VICI OP.
Corporate Matters
Our principal executive offices are located at 535 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10022, and our main telephone number is (646) 949-4631. Our website address is www.viciproperties.com. None of the information on, or accessible through, our website or any other website identified herein is incorporated in, or constitutes a part of, this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
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An investment in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in VICI REIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and any other documents incorporated by reference therein, as well as the other information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, before making an investment in our securities. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects, the market price of our common stock or any other securities offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus, and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders and to satisfy any debt service obligations may be materially and adversely affected. This could cause the value of our securities to decline and you could lose part or all of your investment. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that as of the date of this prospectus we deem immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on us. Some statements included in this prospectus, in the documents incorporated by reference herein and in any prospectus supplement constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information,” “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
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Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary in an accompanying prospectus supplement, VICI REIT and/or VICI LP, as the case may be, intend to use the net proceeds from the sales of securities covered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, but is not limited to, repayment of indebtedness, acquisitions, development, capital expenditures and additions to working capital. Until VICI REIT and/or VICI LP, as the case may be, use the net proceeds for the purposes described above, we may invest them in short-term income producing investments, such as commercial paper, government securities or money market funds that invest in government securities and/or commercial paper that are consistent with our intention to continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of the offering and, if necessary, will be described in a prospectus supplement.
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The following is a summary of the rights and preferences of our capital stock. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our charter and bylaws and applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”). While we believe the following summary covers the material terms of our capital stock, the description may not include all of the information that is important to you. We encourage you to read carefully this entire prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, our charter and bylaws and the other documents we refer to for a more complete understanding of our capital stock. Copies of our charter and bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Unless the context otherwise requires, or unless otherwise specified, all references in this section under the heading “Description of Capital Stock” to the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to VICI REIT, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including VICI LP.
General
Our charter authorizes us to issue up to 1,350,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 12,000,000 shares are classified as Series A preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. Our charter authorizes our board of directors, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock that we are authorized to issue or the number of authorized shares of any class or series, subject to the terms of any outstanding preferred stock.
As of April 15, 2022, 748,414,127 shares of our common stock are issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock are issued or outstanding.
Under Maryland law, a stockholder generally is not liable for a corporation’s debts or obligations solely as a result of the stockholder’s status as a stockholder.
Common Stock
Subject to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed below under the caption “—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” and the voting rights of holders of outstanding shares of any other class or series of our stock, holders of our common stock will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote generally, including the election or removal of directors. The holders of our common stock will not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive dividends if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of outstanding shares of any class or series of our stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of our common stock will not have preemptive, subscription, redemption, preference, exchange, conversion or appraisal rights. There will be no sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All shares of our common stock will be fully paid and nonassessable and will have equal dividend and liquidation rights. The rights, powers, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock will be subject to those of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock or any other class or series of stock we may authorize and issue in the future.
Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally may not amend its charter, consolidate, merge, convert, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or dissolve unless the action is advised by its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. As permitted by Maryland law, our charter provides that any of these actions, once advised by our board of directors, may be approved by the affirmative vote of
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stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, except for amendments to the charter provisions relating to indemnification and limitation of liability of our directors and officers and amendments to our charter relating to these provisions, which require the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast 75% of all of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. See “Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws.” Maryland law also permits a corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of its stockholders to an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation. In addition, because many of our operating assets are held by our subsidiaries, these subsidiaries will be able to merge or sell all or substantially all of their assets without the approval of our stockholders.
Power to Reclassify and Issue Stock
Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding shares of our preferred stock, our board of directors will be able to, without approval of holders of our common stock, classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our stock into other classes or series of stock, including one or more classes or series of stock that have preference over our common stock with respect to dividends or upon liquidation, or have voting rights and other rights that differ from the rights of the common stock, and authorize us to issue the newly-classified shares. Before authorizing the issuance of shares of any new class or series, our board of directors will be required to set, subject to the provisions in our charter relating to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series of stock. In addition, our charter authorizes our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of our board of directors and without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock, or the number of shares of any class or series of stock, that we are authorized to issue, subject to the rights of holders of our preferred stock. These actions will be able to be taken without the approval of holders of our common stock unless such approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which any of our stock is listed or traded.
Preferred Stock
Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series of preferred stock having terms not already established pursuant to our charter, our board of directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each such class or series. Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock that have priority over our common stock with respect to dividends or rights upon liquidation or with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interests.
Series A Preferred Stock
Of the 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance under our charter, 12,000,000 shares are classified as Series A preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, all of which were issued on the Formation Date and automatically converted on November 6, 2017 in accordance with the terms of the Series A preferred stock into shares of our common stock. As a result of this conversion, none of the authorized shares of Series A preferred stock are currently issued or outstanding. Our board of directors has no plans to issue any shares of Series A preferred stock as currently constituted, and given the terms applicable to the Series A preferred stock and the circumstances in which originally issued, any such additional issuance would be impractical. Our board of directors could, however, without stockholder approval, reclassify the authorized but unissued shares of Series A preferred stock as preferred stock without further designation, or into one or more other or additional series or classes of our capital stock, pursuant to its power to reclassify stock, as described above, and cause us to issue the
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newly-classified shares, subject, however, to the rights of holders of any then outstanding shares of our preferred stock.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
In order for us to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as qualified pension plans) during the last half of a taxable year.
Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock. Subject to the exceptions described below, our charter provides that no person or entity will be able to beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, with respect to any class or series of our capital stock, more than 9.8% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of such class or series of our capital stock.
The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of 9.8% or less of a class or series of our capital stock, or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns our stock, could, nevertheless, cause the acquirer or another individual or entity to own our stock in excess of the ownership limit.
An exemption from the 9.8% ownership limit was granted to certain stockholders, and our board may in the future provide exceptions to the ownership limit for other stockholders, subject to certain initial and ongoing conditions designed to protect our status as a REIT. In addition, our charter provides that our board of directors will have the power to, upon receipt of certain representations and agreements and in its sole discretion, prospectively or retroactively, exempt a person from the ownership limit or establish a different limit on ownership for a particular stockholder if the stockholder’s ownership in excess of the ownership limit would not result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT. As a condition to granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating an excepted holder limit, our board of directors will be able, but will not be required, to require an opinion of counsel or IRS ruling satisfactory to our board of directors as it may deem necessary or advisable to determine or ensure our status as a REIT and may impose such other conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate.
In connection with granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating or modifying an excepted holder limit, or at any other time, our charter provides that our board of directors will be able to increase or decrease the ownership limit unless, after giving effect to any increased or decreased ownership limit, five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as qualified pension plans) could beneficially own or constructively own, in the aggregate, more than 50% in value of the shares of our stock then outstanding or we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT. A decreased ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage ownership of our stock is in excess of the decreased ownership limit until the person or entity’s ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of our stock will be subject to the decreased ownership limit.
Our charter also provides that:
| • | any person is prohibited from owning shares of our stock that, if effective, would cause us to constructively own more than 10% of the ownership interests, assets or net profits in (i) any of our tenants or (ii) any tenant of one of our direct or indirect subsidiaries, to the extent such ownership would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT; |
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| • | any person is prohibited from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT; and |
| • | any person is prohibited from transferring shares of our stock if the transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons. |
Our charter provides that any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limit or any other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed above, and any person who owned or would have owned shares of our stock that are transferred to a trust for the benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries described below, will be required to give immediate written notice of such an event or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transfer, give at least five days’ prior written notice to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of the transfer on our status as a REIT. The provisions of our charter relating to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT, or that compliance is no longer required in order for us to qualify as a REIT.
Our charter provides that any attempted transfer of our stock that, if effective, would result in our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons will be void ab initio and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares of stock. Our charter provides that any attempted transfer of our stock that, if effective, would result in a violation of the ownership limit (or other limit established by our charter or our board of directors), any person owning shares of our stock that, if effective, would cause us to constructively own more than 10% of the ownership interests, assets or net profits in (i) any of our tenants or (ii) any tenant of one of our direct or indirect subsidiaries, to the extent such ownership would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT, or our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or our otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT will be void ab initio and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares of stock and, if such voidness is not effective, the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) will be transferred automatically to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the intended transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day before the date of the attempted transfer or other event that resulted in a transfer to the trust. Our charter provides that if the transfer to the trust as described above does not occur or is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent a violation of the applicable restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, then the attempted transfer which, if effective, would have resulted in a violation on the restrictions of ownership and transfer of our stock, will be void ab initio and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares of stock.
Our charter provides that shares of our stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The intended transferee may not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our stock held in the trust and will have no rights to dividends and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of our stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will exercise all voting rights and receive all dividends and other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. Our charter provides that any dividend or other distribution paid before we discover that the shares have been transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand by us. Pursuant to our charter, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by an intended transferee before our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trustee and to recast the vote in accordance with the direction of the trustee acting for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust.
Pursuant to our charter, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of a transfer of shares to the trust, the trustee must sell the shares to a person, designated by the trustee, that would be permitted to own the shares without violating the ownership limit or the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock in our
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charter. After such sale of the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee must distribute to the intended transferee, an amount equal to the lesser of:
| • | the price paid by the intended transferee for the shares or, if the intended transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event that resulted in the transfer to the trust at the market price of the shares on the day of the event that resulted in the transfer of such shares to the trust; and |
| • | the sales proceeds received by the trustee for the shares. |
Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the intended transferee shall be paid to the charitable beneficiary.
Our charter provides that shares of our stock held in the trust will be deemed to be offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of:
| • | the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust or, in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction, at market price, at the time of such gift, devise or other such transaction; and |
| • | the market price on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer. |
The amount payable to the transferee may be reduced by the amount of any dividends or other distributions that we paid to the intended transferee before we discovered that the shares had been transferred to the trust and that is owed by the intended transferee to the trustee as described above. We may accept the offer until the trustee has otherwise sold the shares of our stock held in the trust. Pursuant to our charter, upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the intended transferee and distribute any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to the shares to the charitable beneficiary.
Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give us written notice stating the person’s name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the person beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner also must provide us with any additional information that we request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the person’s beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limit. In addition, any person or entity that is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner will be required to, on request, disclose to us such information as we may request in order to determine our status as a REIT or to comply, or determine our compliance, with the requirements of any governmental or taxing authority.
If our board of directors authorizes any of our shares to be represented by certificates, the certificates will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
These restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of us that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Redemption of Securities Owned or Controlled by an Unsuitable Person or Affiliate
In addition to the restrictions set forth above, all of our outstanding shares of capital stock will be held subject to applicable gaming laws. Any person owning or controlling at least 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of our capital stock will be required to promptly notify us of such person’s identity. Our charter provides that any shares of our capital stock that are owned or controlled by an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an
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unsuitable person are redeemable by us, out of funds legally available for that redemption, to the extent required by the gaming authorities making the determination of unsuitability or to the extent determined to be necessary or advisable by our board of directors. From and after the redemption date, the securities will not be considered outstanding and all rights of the unsuitable person or affiliate will cease, other than the right to receive the redemption price. The redemption price with respect to any securities to be redeemed will be the price, if any, required to be paid by the gaming authority making the finding of unsuitability or if the gaming authority does not require a price to be paid (including if the finding of unsuitability is made by our board of directors alone), an amount that in no event exceeds (i) the market price of such securities as reported on a securities exchange, a generally recognized reporting system or domestic over-the-counter market, as applicable, or (ii) if such securities are not quoted by any recognized reporting system, then the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith and in the reasonable discretion of the board of directors. The redemption price may be paid in cash, by promissory note, or both, as required by the applicable gaming authority and, if not, as determined by us. If all or a portion of the redemption price is paid with a promissory note, such note shall have a ten year term, bear interest at 3% and amortize in 120 equal monthly installments and contain such other terms determined by our board.
Our charter provides that the redemption right is not exclusive and that our capital stock that is owned or controlled by an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person may also be transferred to a trust for the benefit of a designated charitable beneficiary, and that any such unsuitable person or affiliate will not be entitled to any dividends on the shares or be entitled to vote the shares or receive any proceeds from the subsequent sale of the shares in excess of the lesser of the price paid by the unsuitable person or affiliate for the shares or the amount realized from the sale, in each case less a discount in a percentage (up to 100%) to be determined by our board of directors in its sole and absolute discretion.
Our charter requires any unsuitable person and any affiliate of an unsuitable person to indemnify us and our affiliated companies for any and all losses, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by us and our affiliated companies as a result of the unsuitable person’s ownership or control or failure to promptly divest itself of any of our securities when and in the specific manner required by a gaming authority or by our charter.
Under our charter, an unsuitable person will be defined as one who (i) fails or refuses to file an application, or has withdrawn or requested the withdrawal of a pending application, to be found suitable by any gaming authority or for any gaming license, (ii) is denied or disqualified from eligibility for any gaming license by any gaming authority, (iii) is determined by any gaming authority to be unsuitable or disqualified to own or control any of our capital stock or the capital stock or any other equity securities of any of our affiliates, (iv) is determined by any gaming authority to be unsuitable to be affiliated, associated or involved with a person engaged in gaming activities or holding a gaming license in any gaming jurisdiction, (v) causes any gaming license of our company or any of our affiliates to be lost, rejected, rescinded, suspended, revoked or not renewed, or causes our company or any of our affiliates to be threatened by any gaming authority with the loss, rejection, rescission, suspension, revocation or non-renewal of any gaming license, or (vi) is deemed likely, in the sole and absolute discretion of our board, to preclude or materially delay, impede, impair, threaten or jeopardize any gaming license, cause or otherwise result in, the disapproval, cancellation, termination, material adverse modification or non-renewal of any material contract with a gaming authority to which our company or our affiliates is a party, or cause or otherwise result in the imposition of any materially burdensome or unacceptable terms or conditions on any gaming license of our company or any of our affiliates.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company.
Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Charter and Bylaws
The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our charter and bylaws is only a summary, and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our charter and bylaws and the
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applicable provisions of the MGCL. Copies of our charter and bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Election and Removal of Directors
Our charter and bylaws provide that the number of our directors may be established only by our board of directors but may not be more than fifteen or fewer than the minimum number permitted by the MGCL, which is one. The number of directors is currently set at seven. Our bylaws provide for the election of directors, in uncontested elections, by a majority of the votes cast. In contested elections, the election of directors shall be by a plurality of the votes cast. Our bylaws provide that a director may not be an “unsuitable person” as defined in our charter, and that the term of office of any director found by our board of directors to be an unsuitable person will expire.
Our bylaws provide that any vacancy on our board of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum of the board of directors except that a vacancy created by the removal of a director by stockholders may also be filled by the requisite vote or consent of stockholders set forth in our bylaws.
Our charter also provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect one or more directors, a director may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding a majority of all of the shares of our stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
Amendment to Charter and Bylaws
Except as provided in our charter, including with respect to indemnification and limitation of liability of our directors and officers and amendments to our charter relating to these provisions, which must each be advised by our board of directors and receive the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast 75% of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors, amendments to our charter must be advised by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of our stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Each of our board of directors and our stockholders, by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of all shares then outstanding and entitled to be cast on the matter, have the power to amend our bylaws.
Business Combinations
Under the MGCL, certain “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, and, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:
| • | any person who beneficially, directly or indirectly, owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock; or |
| • | an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period before the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s then outstanding voting stock. |
A person is not an interested stockholder under the MGCL if the corporation’s board of directors approves in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. In approving the transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
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After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and the interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the corporation’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
| • | 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and |
| • | two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder. |
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under the MGCL, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.
The MGCL provides various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our charter provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of our charter or our bylaws, the Maryland Business Combination Act (Title 3, Subtitle 6 of the MGCL) will not apply to any business combination between us and any interested stockholder of ours and that we expressly elect not to be governed by the provisions of Section 3-602 of the MGCL in whole or in part. Any amendment to such provision of our charter must be advised by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to a business combination between us and any other person. As a result, any person described in the preceding sentence may be able to enter into a business combination with us that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders, without compliance with the supermajority vote requirements and other provisions of the statute. We cannot assure you that this provision of our charter will not be amended or repealed in the future. In that event, business combinations between us and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder would be subject to the five-year prohibition and the super-majority vote requirements.
Control Share Acquisitions
The Maryland control share acquisition statute provides that a holder of control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition has no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise or direct voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
| • | one-tenth or more but less than one-third; |
| • | one-third or more but less than a majority; or |
| • | a majority or more of all voting power. |
Control shares do not include shares the acquirer is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval or shares acquired directly from us. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the
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voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquirer does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may, subject to certain limitations and conditions, redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last acquisition of control shares by the acquiring person in a control share acquisition; or, if a meeting of stockholders is held at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved, then as of the date of the meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of a majority of the voting power, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.
Our bylaws contain a provision exempting any acquisition of our stock by any person from the foregoing provisions on control shares. In the event that our bylaws are amended by our stockholders to modify or eliminate this provision, acquisitions of our common stock may constitute a control share acquisition and may be subject to the control share acquisition statute.
Subtitle 8
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL (“Subtitle 8”) permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and at least three independent directors to elect, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and without the need for stockholder approval, and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, unless the charter or a resolution adopted by the board of directors prohibits such election, to be subject to any or all of five provisions, including:
| • | a classified board of directors; |
| • | a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director; |
| • | a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the board of directors; |
| • | a requirement that a vacancy on the board of directors be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies; and |
| • | a provision that a special meeting of stockholders must be called upon stockholder request only on the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. |
We do not currently have a classified board. Our charter provides that we are prohibited from electing to be subject to any or all of the provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the MGCL unless such election is first approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders of not less than a majority of all shares of ours then outstanding and entitled to be cast on the matter.
Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already (1) vest in our board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directors, and (2) require the request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting to call a special meeting (unless the special meeting is called by our board of directors, the chair of our board of directors, our president or chief executive officer as described below under “—Special Meetings of Stockholders”).
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Special Meetings of Stockholders
Our board of directors, the chair of our board of directors, our president or our chief executive officer may call a special meeting of our stockholders. Our bylaws provide that a special meeting of our stockholders to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of our stockholders must also be called by our secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting and containing the information required by our bylaws.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
The MGCL generally provides that, unless the charter of the corporation authorizes stockholder action by less than unanimous consent, stockholder action may be taken by consent in lieu of a meeting only if it is given by all stockholders entitled to vote on the matter. Our charter permits stockholder action by consent in lieu of a meeting to the extent permitted by our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors may be taken without a meeting (a) if a unanimous consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the stockholders or (b) if the action is advised, and submitted to the stockholders for approval, by our board and a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of stockholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting of stockholders is delivered to us in accordance with the MGCL. We will be required to give notice of any action taken by less than unanimous consent to each stockholder not later than ten days after the effective time of such action.
Competing Interests and Activities of Our Directors or Officers
Our charter provides that we have the power to renounce, by resolution of the board of directors, any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities or classes or categories of business opportunities that are (i) presented to us or (ii) developed by or presented to one or more of our directors or officers.
Advance Notice of Director Nomination and New Business
Our bylaws provide that nominations of individuals for election as directors and proposals of business to be considered by stockholders at any annual meeting may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of our board of directors or any duly authorized committee of our board of directors or (3) by any stockholder present in person or by proxy who was a stockholder of record at the time of provision of notice by the stockholders and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of the individuals so nominated or on such other proposed business, who is not an “unsuitable person” as defined in our charter, and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of our bylaws. Stockholders generally must provide notice to our secretary not earlier than the 150th day or later than the close of business on the 120th day before the first anniversary of the date of our proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting.
Only the business specified in the notice of the meeting may be brought before a special meeting of our stockholders. Nominations of individuals for election as directors at a special meeting of stockholders may be made only (1) by or at the direction of our board of directors or any duly authorized committee of our board of directors or (2) if the special meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of provision of notice and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of our bylaws. Stockholders generally must provide notice to our secretary not earlier than the 120th day before such special meeting or later than the later of the close of business on the 90th day before such special meeting or the tenth day after the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting and the nominees of our board of directors to be elected at the meeting.
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A stockholder’s notice must contain certain information specified by our bylaws about the stockholder, its affiliates and any proposed business or nominee for election as a director, including information about the economic interest of the stockholder, its affiliates and any proposed nominee in us.
Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and our Charter and Bylaws
The restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed under the caption “—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of our Common Stock” prohibit any person from acquiring, with respect to any class or series of our capital stock, more than 9.8% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of such class or series of our capital stock without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions may delay, defer or prevent a change in control of us. Further, subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock, our board of directors has the power to increase the aggregate number of authorized shares, or the number of authorized shares of any class or series, and classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our stock into other classes or series of stock, and to authorize us to issue the newly-classified shares, as discussed under the captions “—Common Stock” and “—Power to Reclassify and Issue Stock,” and could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or another class or series of stock, including a class or series of preferred stock, that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us. We believe that the power to increase the aggregate number of authorized shares and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common or preferred stock, without approval of holders of our common stock, provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise.
Our charter and bylaws also provide that the number of directors may be established only by our board of directors, which prevents our stockholders from increasing the number of our directors and filling any vacancies created by such increase with their own nominees. The provisions of our bylaws discussed above under the captions “—Special Meetings of Stockholders” and “—Advance Notice of Director Nomination and New Business” require stockholders seeking to call a special meeting, nominate an individual for election as a director or propose other business at an annual meeting to comply with certain notice and information requirements. We believe that these provisions will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors and promote good corporate governance by providing us with clear procedures for calling special meetings, information about a stockholder proponent’s interest in us and adequate time to consider stockholder nominees and other business proposals. However, these provisions, alone or in combination, could make it more difficult for our stockholders to remove incumbent directors or fill vacancies on our board of directors with their own nominees and could delay, defer or prevent a change in control, including a proxy contest or tender offer that might involve a premium price for our common stockholders or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
Exclusive Forum
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our present or former directors or officers or other employees or stockholders to us or to our stockholders, as applicable, or any standard of conduct applicable to our directors, (c) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our present or former directors or officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws or (d) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our present or former directors or officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Maryland law permits us to include a provision in our charter eliminating the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an
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improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) a final judgment based upon a finding that his or her action or failure to act was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty by the director or officer and was material to the cause of action adjudicated. Our charter contains a provision that eliminates our directors’ and officers’ liability to us and our stockholders for money damages to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The MGCL requires us (unless our charter were to provide otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits us to indemnify our present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a part to, or witness in, by reason of their service in those or certain other capacities unless it is established that:
| • | the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; |
| • | the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or |
| • | in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
However, the MGCL prohibits us from indemnifying a director or officer who has been adjudged liable in a suit by us or on our behalf or in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct for indemnification set forth above or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by us or on our behalf, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.
In addition, the MGCL permits us to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon our receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
Our charter provides that we will have the power to obligate ourselves, and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:
| • | any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or |
| • | any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. |
Our charter and bylaws provide that we have the power, with approval of our board, to provide such indemnification and advance of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of us in any such capacity described above and to any employee or agent of us or a predecessor of us.
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Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors or executive officers, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable.
We have purchased and maintain insurance on behalf of all of our directors and executive officers against liability asserted against or incurred by them in their official capacities, whether or not we are required to have the power to indemnify them against the same liability.
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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
The following description contains general terms and provisions of stock purchase contracts to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the stock purchase contracts offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the stock purchase contracts so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such stock purchase contracts. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the stock purchase contract, a form of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the stock purchase contracts. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” Unless the context otherwise requires, or unless otherwise specified, all references in this section under the heading “Description of Stock Purchase Contracts” to the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to VICI REIT, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including VICI LP.
We may issue stock purchase contracts, which are contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to purchase from or sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of our common stock or preferred stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock or preferred stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula contained in the stock purchase contracts. We may issue stock purchase contracts in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we wish.
The prospectus supplement may contain, where applicable, the following information about the stock purchase contracts issued under it:
| • | whether the stock purchase contracts obligate the holder to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, our common stock or preferred stock and the nature and amount of common stock or preferred stock, or the method of determining that amount; |
| • | whether the stock purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not; |
| • | whether the stock purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of our common stock or preferred stock; |
| • | any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the stock purchase contracts; and |
| • | whether the stock purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form. |
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any stock purchase contracts. The preceding description and any description of stock purchase contracts in the applicable prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the stock purchase contract agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depository arrangements relating to such stock purchase contracts.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following description contains general terms and provisions of depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the depositary shares so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such depositary shares. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the deposit agreement, a form of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the depositary shares. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” Unless the context otherwise requires, or unless otherwise specified, all references in this section under the heading “Description of Depositary Shares” to the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to VICI REIT, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including VICI LP.
General
We may issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Shares of preferred stock of each series represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement among us, the depositary named therein and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares (including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Immediately following the issuance and delivery of the preferred stock by us to a depositary, we will cause such depositary to issue, on our behalf, the depositary receipts. Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may be obtained from us upon request, and the statements made hereunder relating to the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of such depositary receipts owned by such holders, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the depositary. The depositary, however, will distribute only such amount as can be distributed without attributing to any depositary share a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary receipts then outstanding.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the depositary, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the depositary may, with our approval, adopt any other method for such distribution as it deems equitable and appropriate, including the sale of such property (at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem equitable and appropriate) and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any preferred stock converted into other securities.
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Withdrawal of Stock
Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the applicable depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or converted into other securities), the holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such holder’s order, of the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of preferred stock on the basis of the proportion of preferred stock represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of such preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing preferred stock so redeemed, provided we shall have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the corresponding proportion of the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional depositary shares) or by any other equitable method determined by us that will not result in a violation of the ownership restrictions in our declaration of trust. See “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in respect of the preferred stock so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such depositary receipts were entitled upon such redemption and surrender thereof to the depositary.
Voting of the Shares of Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the class or series of preferred stock represented by the applicable series of depositary shares are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares that represent such preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will vote the amount of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting the amount of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing such depositary shares. The depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from negligence or willful misconduct of the depositary.
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Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share evidenced by such depositary receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion of Shares of Preferred Stock
The depositary shares, as such, are not convertible into common stock or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the depositary with written instructions to the depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into whole shares of common stock, other preferred stock, and we agree that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred stock to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by us equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.
Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred stock and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related preferred stock will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least two-thirds of the applicable depositary shares evidenced by the applicable depositary receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair the right, subject to certain exceptions in the deposit agreement, of any holder of depositary receipts to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder the related preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby.
The deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the depositary if (i) such termination is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT or (ii) a majority of each series of preferred stock affected by such termination consents to such termination, whereupon the depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by the depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. We have agreed that if the deposit agreement is terminated to preserve our status as a REIT, then we will use our best efforts to list the preferred stock issued upon surrender of the related depositary shares on a national securities exchange. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding depositary shares shall have been redeemed, (ii) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred stock or (iii) each related preferred stock shall have been converted into our securities not so represented by depositary shares.
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Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary. A successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and that meets certain combined capital and surplus requirements.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any notices, reports and communications from us which are received by the depositary with respect to the related preferred stock.
Neither the depositary nor us will be liable if it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of us and the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares), gross negligence or willful misconduct, and we and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or preferred stock represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred stock represented thereby for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.
In the event the depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from us.
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The following description contains general terms and provisions of warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the warrants offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the warrants so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant, forms of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the warrant. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” Unless the context otherwise requires, or unless otherwise specified, all references in this section under the heading “Description of Warrants” to the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to VICI REIT, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including VICI LP.
We may offer by means of this prospectus warrants for the purchase of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares representing preferred stock. We may issue warrants separately or together with any other securities offered by means of this prospectus, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified therein or the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
| • | the title and issuer of such warrants; |
| • | the aggregate number of such warrants; |
| • | the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued; |
| • | the currencies in which the price or prices of such warrants may be payable; |
| • | the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; |
| • | the designation and terms of the other securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security; |
| • | if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants will be separately transferable; |
| • | the price or prices at which and currency or currencies in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| • | the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| • | a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| • | any other material terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange and exercise of such warrants. |
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The following description contains general terms and provisions of rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the rights offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the rights so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such rights. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the rights agreement and rights certificate, forms of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the rights. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” Unless the context otherwise requires, or unless otherwise specified, all references in this section under the heading “Description of Rights” to the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to VICI REIT, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including VICI LP.
We may issue rights to our stockholders for the purchase of shares of our common stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of rights. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of rights will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the rights to be issued, including the following, where applicable:
| • | the date for determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution; |
| • | the aggregate number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of such rights and the exercise price; |
| • | the aggregate number of rights being issued; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which such rights may be transferable separately; |
| • | the date on which the right to exercise such rights shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; |
| • | a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| • | any other terms of such rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of such rights. |
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The following description contains general terms and provisions of units to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the units offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the units so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such units. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the unit agreement and unit certificate, forms of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the units. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” Unless the context otherwise requires, or unless otherwise specified, all references in this section under the heading “Description of Units” to the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to VICI REIT, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including VICI LP.
We may issue units from time to time in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we determine. We will issue each series of units under a unit agreement to be entered into between us and a unit agent to be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement. When we refer to a series of units, we mean all units issued as part of the same series under the applicable unit agreement.
We may issue units consisting of any combination of two or more securities offered by VICI REIT described in this prospectus; we will not issue units consisting of debt securities offered by VICI LP described in this prospectus. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferable as, a single security only, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the units offered pursuant to it, including one or more of the following:
| • | the title of any series of units; |
| • | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units; |
| • | the aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the units and any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; |
| • | the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable; |
| • | whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form; |
| • | a description of the terms of any unit agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as unit agent, governing the units; |
| • | a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; |
| • | whether the units will be listed on any securities exchange; and |
| • | any other terms of the units and their constituent securities. |
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
VICI LP may issue debt securities in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into between VICI LP and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee (herein referred to as the “Trustee”). The form of the indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indenture will be available for inspection as described in the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” If any provision of the indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), that is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern the indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of the indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to the indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be. Some of the terms of the debt securities and some of the provisions of the indenture are described below. VICI LP will describe the particular terms of the debt securities offered and the extent to which the provisions described below apply in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. The descriptions in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement are not complete and may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. If any particular terms of such debt securities described in a prospectus supplement are inconsistent with any of the terms of the debt securities generally described in this prospectus, then the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supersede the terms described in this prospectus. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the indenture and the debt securities. Capitalized terms used in this summary but not defined have the meaning specified in the indenture.
General
VICI LP may issue an unlimited principal amount of debt securities under the indenture in one or more series. The indenture provides that debt securities of any series may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount which may be authorized from time to time by resolution of the board of directors of VICI LP, if any, or resolution of the board of directors of a direct or indirect general partner of VICI LP, including any committee of such board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for VICI LP under the indenture. Please read the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities of the particular series being offered thereby for the specific terms of such debt securities, including, where applicable:
| • | the title of the series of debt securities; |
| • | the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the series and any limit thereon; |
| • | whether such debt securities are to be issuable in global form or as registered securities; |
| • | if issued in global form, among other things, the identity of the depository for the global debt securities; |
| • | the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended, on which VICI LP will pay the principal of and premium, if any, on debt securities of the series; |
| • | the rate or rates at which debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine such rate or rates; |
| • | the basis used to calculate interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series, if other than a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months; |
| • | the date or dates, if any, from which interest on the debt securities of the series will accrue, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine such date or dates; |
| • | the date or dates, if any, on which interest on the debt securities of the series will be payable and the record dates for any such payment of interest; |
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| • | the place or places where (1) amounts due on the debt securities of the series will be payable, (2) the debt securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, (3) the debt securities of the series may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and (4) notices or demands to or upon VICI LP in respect of the debt securities of the series or the indenture may be served, if different than the corporate trust office of the Trustee; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which VICI LP is obligated to, or may, at its option, redeem debt securities of the series; |
| • | the terms of any sinking fund or analogous provision; |
| • | the authorized denominations in which debt securities of the series will be issued, if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities will be convertible into and/or exchangeable for equity or other securities or property of VICI LP or of any other person; |
| • | if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities of the series which will be payable upon acceleration; |
| • | if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which purchases of, and payments on, the debt securities of the series must be made, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars for any purpose, and the ability, if any, of VICI LP or the holders of debt securities of the series to elect for payments to be made in any other currency or currencies and the terms and conditions upon which such election may be made; |
| • | whether the amount of payments on the debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula, or other method or methods (any of those debt securities being referred to as “Indexed Securities”) and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner used to determine and pay those amounts; |
| • | any additional covenants subject to waiver by the act of the holders of debt securities pursuant to the indenture; |
| • | any addition to, modification of, or deletion of, any covenant or Event of Default with respect to debt securities of the series or any guarantee, and any change in the right of the Trustee or the holders of debt securities of the series to declare the principal amount due and payable; |
| • | any addition to, modification of, or deletion of, any of the covenants subject to satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or covenant defeasance; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which VICI LP will be required to repurchase debt securities of the series at the option of the holders of debt securities of the series; |
| • | if debt securities issuable in global form are to be issuable in definitive form, then the forms and terms related to such issuance; |
| • | the circumstances under which VICI LP will pay additional amounts on the debt securities of the series in respect of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge and whether VICI LP will have the option to redeem such debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities will be secured; |
| • | if there is more than one trustee, the identity of the trustee that has any obligations, duties and remedies with respect to the debt securities and, if not the trustee, the identity of each security registrar, paying agent or authenticating agent with respect to the debt securities; |
| • | the person to whom any interest on any registered security shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name such security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such payment and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in the indenture; |
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| • | the terms of any guarantee of the debt securities and, if applicable, the identity of any guarantor or guarantors of the debt securities, and the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such debt securities shall be guaranteed and may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the guarantor or guarantors, if applicable; |
| • | if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of the debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such debt securities as of any date; |
| • | the exchanges, if any, on which the debt securities of the series may be listed; |
| • | the price or prices at which the debt securities of the series will be sold; and |
| • | any other terms of debt securities of the series and any deletions from or modifications or additions to the indenture in respect of such securities. |
As used in this prospectus, references to the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of a series include additional amounts, if any, payable on the debt securities of such series in that context.
VICI LP may issue debt securities as original issue discount securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. In the event of an acceleration of the maturity of any original issue discount security, the amount payable to the holder upon acceleration will be determined in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Important federal income tax and other considerations applicable to original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The terms of the debt securities of any series may be inconsistent with the terms of the debt securities of any other series. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, VICI LP may, without the consent of, or notice to, the holders of the debt securities of any series, reopen an existing series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series.
Other than to the extent provided in “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale” or to the extent provided with respect to the debt securities of a particular series and described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture will not contain any provisions that would limit the ability of VICI LP to incur indebtedness or to substantially reduce or eliminate its consolidated assets, which may have a material adverse effect on the ability of VICI LP to service its indebtedness (including the debt securities) or that would afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of:
| (1) | a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving VICI LP’s management, or any affiliate of any of those parties, |
| (2) | a change of control, or |
| (3) | a reorganization, restructuring, merger, or similar transaction involving VICI LP or its affiliates. |
Registration, Transfer, Payment and Paying Agent
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of debt securities will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be payable and may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange at an office of VICI LP or an agent of VICI LP in the United States. However, VICI LP, at its option, may make payments of interest on any interest payment date on any debt security by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to receive that payment or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States; provided, that the paying agent shall have received appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five (5) business days prior to the interest payment date.
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Any interest and any additional amounts not punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date with respect to the debt securities of any series will forthwith cease to be payable to the holders of those debt securities on the relevant regular record date and may either be paid, in each case at VICI LP’s election, (i) to the persons in whose names those debt securities are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of the interest not punctually paid or duly provided for to be fixed by the Trustee, in consultation with the Issuer, and notice whereof shall be given to the holders of those debt securities not less than ten (10) days prior to the special record date, or (ii) at any time in any other lawful manner, all as completely described in the indenture.
Subject to certain limitations imposed on debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor of different authorized denominations upon surrender of those debt securities at the designated place or places. In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange thereof at the designated place or places if duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, redemption or repayment of debt securities, or any conversion or exchange of debt securities for other types of securities or property, but VICI LP may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with certain of those transactions.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, VICI LP will not be required to:
| • | issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen (15) days before any selection of debt securities of that series of like tenor and terms to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of that selection; |
| • | register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or portion of any debt security, selected for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part; or |
| • | issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of the debt security not to be repaid. |
Outstanding Debt Securities
In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding debt securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, or waiver under the indenture:
| • | the principal amount of an original issue discount security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for these purposes shall be that portion of the principal amount of the original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the original issue discount security as of the time of the determination, |
| • | the principal amount of any Indexed Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for these purposes shall be the principal amount of the Indexed Security determined on the date of its original issuance, unless otherwise provided in the indenture, |
| • | the principal amount of a debt security denominated in a foreign currency that may be counted in making such determination shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the date of its original issuance, of the principal amount of the debt security, and |
| • | a debt security owned by VICI LP, VICI REIT or any other obligor on the debt security or any affiliate of VICI LP, the VICI REIT or such other obligor shall be deemed not to be outstanding for these purposes. |
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Redemption and Repurchase
The debt securities of any series may be redeemable at VICI LP’s option or may be subject to mandatory redemption by VICI LP as required by a sinking fund or otherwise. In addition, the debt securities of any series may be subject to repurchase by VICI LP at the option of the holders thereof. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions regarding any optional or mandatory redemption or option to repurchase the debt securities of the related series.
Covenants
Existence
Except as described under the section below titled “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale,” VICI LP will be required to do everything necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises. However, it will not be required to preserve any right or franchise if its board of directors, if any, or board of directors of any direct or indirect general partner of VICI LP (or any duly authorized committee thereof) determines that the preservation of the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of VICI LP’s business.
Maintenance of Properties
VICI LP will be required to cause all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or any of its subsidiaries’ businesses to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and to cause all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements to be made, all as in VICI LP’s judgment may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times. However, VICI LP will not be prevented from (1) removing permanently any property that has been condemned or suffered a casualty loss if it is in its best interests, (2) discontinuing maintenance or operation of any property if, in its reasonable judgment, doing so is in its best interest, or (3) selling or otherwise disposing for value its properties in the ordinary course of business.
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims
VICI LP will be required to pay or discharge, before they become delinquent, (1) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon VICI LP or any of its subsidiaries or upon the income, profits or property of VICI LP or any of its subsidiaries, and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a material lien upon the property of VICI LP or any of its subsidiaries. However, VICI LP will not be required to pay or discharge any tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith.
Statement as to Compliance
Within 120 calendar days after the close of each fiscal year, VICI LP must deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by any principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of VICI LP or any direct or indirect general partner of VICI LP stating whether or not the certifying officer has knowledge of any default under the indenture and, if so, specifying each such default and the nature and status thereof. Within 30 calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in the indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying with particularity such default or Event of Default and further stating what action VICI LP has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Additional Covenants
Any additional material covenants applicable to the debt securities of the applicable series will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of any series is defined in the indenture as being:
| (1) | default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest or additional amounts payable with respect to such interest under the debt securities of that series; |
| (2) | default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or any additional amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on the debt securities of that series, when the same becomes due and payable or default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment with respect to the debt securities of that series when the same becomes due and payable; |
| (3) | VICI LP fails to comply with any of its other agreements contained in the debt securities or the indenture (other than an agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere specifically dealt with in the indenture or which has expressly been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series) upon receipt by VICI LP of notice of such default by the Trustee or receipt by VICI LP and the Trustee of notice of such default by holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding and VICI LP fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within sixty (60) days after VICI LP receives such notice; |
| (4) | failure to pay any recourse indebtedness for monies borrowed by VICI LP or any significant subsidiary of VICI LP in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $150,000,000 at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable notice and grace period, which recourse indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice of such failure to VICI LP from the Trustee (or to VICI LP and the Trustee from holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series); or |
| (5) | specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization with respect to VICI LP or any significant subsidiary of VICI LP. |
No Event of Default with respect to any particular series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The Trustee is required to give notice to holders of the debt securities of the applicable series within ninety (90) days after a responsible officer (as described in the indenture) of the Trustee has actual knowledge (as such knowledge is described in the indenture) of a default relating to such debt securities, unless such default has been cured or waived; provided, however, that in the case of an Event of Default as described in (3) above, the Trustee will not give notice to the holders until at least sixty (60) days after the occurrence thereof.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) above occurs, then the principal of, and premium, if any, on all the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series and unpaid interest, if any, accrued thereon shall automatically become immediately due and payable. If any other Event of Default with respect to the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding may declare the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the debt securities of that series, or such lesser amount as may be specified in the terms of that series of debt securities, and unpaid interest, if any, accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately. However, upon specified conditions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding may rescind and annul any such declaration of acceleration and its consequences.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may waive any past default with respect to the debt securities of such series and its consequences except as further described under “—Modification, Waivers and Meetings.”
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The indenture provides that no holders of debt securities of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or such debt securities, or for the appointment of a receiver or Trustee, or for any other remedy under the indenture, except in the case of failure of the Trustee, for sixty (60) days, to act after it has received written notice of an Event of Default with respect to such series from such holder of a debt security of such series, a written request to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default from the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, as well as an offer of indemnity or security satisfactory to it, and no inconsistent direction has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Notwithstanding any other provision of the indenture, each holder of a debt security will have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, and any additional amounts on that debt security on the respective stated maturities for those payments, and in the case of any debt security which is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, to convert or exchange, as the case may be, such debt security in accordance with its terms, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and any such right to convert or exchange, and this right shall not be impaired without the consent of such holder.
Subject to the provisions of the indenture requiring the Trustee, during the continuance of an Event of Default under the indenture, to act with the requisite standard of care, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities of any series unless those holders have offered the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series, provided that the direction would not conflict with any rule or law or with the indenture or with the debt securities of any other series and could not involve the Trustee in personal liability, such direction would not be unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holders of debt securities of that series (or the debt securities of any other series) not joining in such action, and the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee, which is not inconsistent with such direction.
Modification, Waivers and Meetings
The indenture permits VICI LP and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series issued under the indenture and affected by a modification or amendment (voting as separate classes), to modify or amend any of the provisions of the indenture or of the debt securities of the applicable series or the rights of the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series under the indenture. However, no modification or amendment shall, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:
| • | change the stated maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest, if any, on, or any additional amounts, if any, with respect to, any debt securities; |
| • | reduce the principal amount of, or any premium on, any debt securities, reduce the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest on, or the redemption or repurchase price of, any debt securities, reduce any additional amounts payable with respect to any debt securities or change VICI LP’s obligation to pay additional amounts; |
| • | reduce the amount of principal of any original issue discount securities that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the maturity of any debt security; |
| • | adversely affect any right of repayment or repurchase at the option of any holder or change any mandatory or optional redemption provisions in a manner that is adverse to any holder; |
| • | change any place where, or the currency in which, the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to any debt securities are payable; |
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| • | impair the holder’s right to institute suit to enforce the payment of principal, or any premium or interest on, any debt securities, or any additional amounts payable with respect to any debt securities on or after their stated maturity (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date, or, in the case of repayment or repurchase, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase); |
| • | impair the holder’s right to institute suit to enforce the right to convert or exchange any debt security which is convertible or exchangeable in accordance with its terms; |
| • | reduce the requirements for a quorum or voting at a meeting of holders of the applicable debt securities; |
| • | reduce the percentage of the outstanding debt securities of any series whose holders must consent to any modification or amendment or any waiver of compliance with specific provisions of the indenture or specified defaults under the indenture and their consequences; |
| • | modify the sections of the indenture setting forth the provisions of the indenture that may not be amended without the consent of each holder, or providing for the waiver of past defaults and the waiver of certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage or provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series affected thereby; |
| • | release a guarantor from any of the obligations under a guarantee except as permitted under the indenture; or |
| • | make any change that adversely affects the right, if any, to convert or exchange any debt security for common equity or other securities or property. |
The indenture also contains provisions permitting VICI LP and the Trustee, without the consent of the holders of any debt securities, to modify or amend the indenture, among other things:
| • | to evidence a successor to VICI LP or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of VICI LP contained in the indenture and the debt securities; |
| • | to add to the covenants of VICI LP for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon VICI LP in the indenture; |
| • | to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on or any additional amounts with respect to any debt securities or any guarantee, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the holders of debt securities of any series; |
| • | to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series and any deletions from or additions or changes to the indenture in connection therewith (provided that any such deletions, additions and changes shall not be applicable to any other series of debt securities then outstanding); |
| • | to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee; |
| • | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; |
| • | to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; |
| • | to comply with applicable gaming laws, to the extent that such supplemental indenture is not materially adverse to the holders of debt securities of such series; |
| • | to add to the Events of Default in a manner that benefits the holders of all or any series of debt securities issued under the indenture; |
| • | to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance, covenant defeasance and/or satisfaction and discharge of any series of debt securities; |
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| provided that the action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities in any material respect; |
| • | to provide for any guarantee for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of a series, to secure the debt securities or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any guarantee or lien securing the debt securities which such release, termination or discharge is permitted by the indenture; |
| • | to amend or supplement any provision contained in the indenture, in any supplemental indenture or in any debt securities, provided that the amendment or supplement (i) does not (a) apply to any outstanding debt securities issued before the date of the amendment or supplement and entitled to the benefits of that provision, or (b) modify the rights of holders of any such debt securities with respect to such provision, or (ii) becomes effective only when no debt security described in clause (i)(a) is outstanding; |
| • | in the case of any debt security which is convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common equity or other securities or property, to safeguard or provide for the conversion or exchange rights in the event of any reclassification or change of outstanding shares or any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or combination of VICI LP with or into another person, or any sale, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of VICI LP to any other person or similar transactions, if expressly required by the terms of such series of debt securities; |
| • | to conform the terms of the indenture or the debt securities of a series, as applicable, to the description thereof contained in any prospectus, prospectus supplement, term sheet or other offering document relating to the offer and sale of such debt securities; |
| • | to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities, subject to the limitations established in the indenture; |
| • | to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of debt securities or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any holder; |
| • | to add to or change any provisions of the indenture to such extent as is necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form; |
| • | to add a co-issuer or co-obligor of the debt securities; |
| • | to provide for reduction in the minimum denominations of the debt securities; or |
| • | to comply with the rules of any applicable depository or the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the debt securities may be listed or traded. |
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive VICI LP’s compliance with some of the restrictive provisions of the indenture, which may include covenants, if any, which are specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series and its consequences, except a default which is continuing (i) in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, and any additional amounts with respect to, the debt securities of that series, (ii) with respect to the conversion or exchange of a series of debt securities convertible or exchangeable into common equity of VICI LP or other securities or property, or (iii) in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the affected series.
The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of a series of debt securities. A meeting may be called at any time by the Trustee, and also, upon VICI LP’s request, or the request of holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series. Notice of a meeting must be given in accordance with the provisions of the indenture. Except for any consent which must be given by the holder of each outstanding debt security affected in the manner described above, any resolution presented at a
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meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum, as described below, is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series. However, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action which may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage, other than a majority, in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the holders of that specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of debt securities of any series duly held in accordance with the indenture will be binding on all holders of debt securities of that series. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series, subject to exceptions; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at that meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which may be given by the holders of a supermajority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, the persons holding or representing that specified supermajority percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series will constitute a quorum.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale
VICI LP may merge or consolidate with or into, or sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property and assets, in one transaction or series of related transactions, to, any other entity, provided that the following conditions are met:
| (1) | VICI LP is the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than VICI LP) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all of the debt securities and, in each case, the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in the indenture; |
| (2) | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default under the indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
| (3) | VICI LP or the successor entity of VICI LP shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture complies with the applicable provisions of the indenture and that all conditions precedent provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with. |
In the event of any transaction described in and complying with the conditions listed in the immediately preceding paragraph in which VICI LP is not the continuing entity, the successor person formed or remaining shall succeed, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of VICI LP and (except in the case of a lease) VICI LP shall be discharged from its obligations under the debt securities and the indenture.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Satisfaction and Discharge
Upon VICI LP’s direction, the indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of any series specified by VICI LP (except for provisions that survive pursuant to the terms of the indenture or the applicable series of debt securities), subject to the survival of specified provisions of the indenture, including (unless the accompanying prospectus supplement provides otherwise) VICI LP’s obligation to repurchase such
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debt securities at the option of the holders thereof, if applicable, and VICI LP’s obligation to pay additional amounts in respect of such debt securities to the extent described below, when:
| • | either |
| (A) | all outstanding debt securities of that series have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, subject to exceptions, or |
| (B) | all debt securities of that series (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or (iii) if redeemable at the option of VICI LP, are to be called for redemption within one year, and, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii), VICI LP has deposited with the Trustee, in trust for such purpose, funds in the currency in which the debt securities of that series are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series, including the principal thereof and, premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon, and, to the extent that (x) the debt securities of that series provide for the payment of additional amounts and (y) the amount of any additional amounts which are or will be payable is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by VICI LP, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, those additional amounts, to the date of such deposit, if the debt securities of that series have become due and payable, or to the maturity or redemption date of the debt securities of that series, as the case may be; |
| • | VICI LP has paid all other sums payable by it under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series (including amounts payable to the Trustee); and |
| • | VICI LP has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an opinion of counsel to the effect that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture in respect of the debt securities of such series have been complied with. |
If the debt securities of any series provide for the payment of additional amounts, VICI LP will remain obligated, following the deposit described above, to pay additional amounts on those debt securities to the extent that they exceed the amount deposited in respect of those additional amounts as described above.
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, VICI LP may elect with respect to the debt securities of a particular series either:
| • | to defease and discharge itself from any and all obligations with respect to those debt securities (“legal defeasance”), except for, among other things: |
| (1) | the obligation to pay additional amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of specified events of taxation, assessment, or governmental charge with respect to payments on those debt securities to the extent that those additional amounts exceed the amount deposited in respect of those amounts as provided below; |
| (2) | the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of those debt securities; |
| (3) | the obligation to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost, or stolen debt securities; |
| (4) | the obligation to maintain an office or agent of VICI LP in the United States, in respect of those debt securities; |
| (5) | the rights of holders of such outstanding debt securities to receive payments from moneys held in trust when such payments are due; |
| (6) | the obligation, if applicable, to repurchase those debt securities at the option of the holders thereof; and |
| (7) | the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee; or |
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| • | to be released from its obligations with respect to those debt securities under (1) certain covenants in the indenture related to the preservation of the rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of VICI LP and (2) if applicable, other covenants as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any omission to comply with those obligations shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to those debt securities (“covenant defeasance”), |
in either case upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust for that purpose, of an amount in the currency in which those debt securities are payable at maturity or, if applicable, upon redemption, and/or government obligations (as defined in the indenture) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay and discharge the principal of and any premium and any interest on, and, to the extent that (x) those debt securities provide for the payment of any additional amounts and (y) the amount of any such additional amounts which are or will be payable is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by VICI LP, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, the additional amounts with respect to, those debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments on those debt securities, on the due dates for those payments. If the cash and government obligations deposited are sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and any interest on the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series on a particular redemption date, VICI LP shall have given the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem those debt securities on that date.
The legal defeasance or covenant defeasance described above shall only be effective if, among other things:
| • | it shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which VICI LP is a party or is bound; |
| • | VICI LP shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and legal opinion to the effect that all conditions precedent to the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with; |
| • | in the case of legal defeasance, VICI LP shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel stating that: |
| (A) | VICI LP has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or |
| (B) | since the date of the indenture, there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law, and |
in either case to the effect that, and based on this ruling or change the opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the legal defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the legal defeasance had not occurred;
| • | in the case of covenant defeasance, VICI LP shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the covenant defeasance had not occurred; and |
| • | no Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of the applicable series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of the deposit into trust, and, solely in the case of legal defeasance, no Event of Default with respect to such debt securities arising from specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization with respect to VICI LP or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would |
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| become an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of the deposit into trust. |
In the event VICI LP effects covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series, the applicable covenants will cease to be applicable to such debt securities, but all other covenants not subject to covenant defeasance will be deemed to be in effect. The amount of monies and/or government obligations deposited with the Trustee to effect covenant defeasance may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of any acceleration resulting from an Event of Default. However, VICI LP would remain liable to make payment of those amounts due at the time of acceleration.
The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting or restricting legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of a particular series.
Concerning the Trustee
The indenture provides that there may be more than one Trustee under the indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different Trustees for different series of debt securities, each Trustee will be a Trustee of a trust or trusts separate and apart from the trust or trusts administered by any other Trustee under the indenture. Unless otherwise indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a Trustee may be taken by such Trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the Trustee under the indenture. Any Trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities. All registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery (including authentication and delivery on original issuance of the debt securities) of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the applicable Trustee with respect to that series at an office designated by the Trustee and all payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the applicable Trustee or the paying agent with respect to that series at an office designated by the Trustee or the paying agent, as the case may be.
UMB Bank, National Association has been appointed to act as the Trustee under the indenture. We may maintain corporate trust relationships in the ordinary course of business with the Trustee. The Trustee shall have and be subject to all the duties and responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities, unless offered indemnity or security satisfactory to it by the holder against the losses, damages, costs, expense and liabilities which might be incurred thereby.
Under the Trust Indenture Act, the indenture is deemed to contain limitations on the right of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of VICI LP, to obtain payment of claims in some cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee may engage in other transactions with VICI LP. If it acquires any conflicting interest under the Trust Indenture Act relating to any of its duties with respect to the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as Trustee.
Governing Law
The indenture, the debt securities and any related guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Notices
All notices to holders of debt securities shall be validly given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid to them at their respective addresses in the register maintained by the trustee, or delivered electronically pursuant to the applicable procedures of the depository.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations of an Investment in VICI REIT
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of an investment in our capital stock (“our stock”). For purposes of this section under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” references to “VICI REIT,” “we,” “our” and “us” generally mean VICI Properties Inc. and its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated, and references to “tenants” are to persons who are treated as lessees of real property for purposes of the REIT requirements. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury Regulations”), rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we and our subsidiaries and affiliated entities will operate in accordance with our and their applicable organizational documents. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. It does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or the possible application of the alternative minimum tax, the 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income or U.S. federal gift or estate taxes, and it does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:
| • | banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, or other financial institutions; |
| • | dealers or brokers in securities or currencies; |
| • | partnerships, other pass-through entities and trusts, including REITs; |
| • | partners in partnerships holding our stock; |
| • | persons who hold our stock on behalf of other persons as nominees; |
| • | persons who receive our stock as compensation; |
| • | persons holding our stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment; |
| • | persons who are subject to alternative minimum tax; |
| • | tax-exempt organizations, except to the extent provided in “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders” below; and |
| • | foreign investors, except to the extent provided in “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders” below. |
In addition, this summary does not address tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of stock purchase contracts, stock represented by depository shares, warrants, rights, units representing an interest in two or more securities or debt securities. In the event we issue any such securities, the prospectus supplement will discuss the related tax considerations in greater detail.
This summary assumes that investors will hold shares of our stock as a capital asset, which generally means property held for investment.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders of our stock depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular investor holding our stock will depend on the investor’s particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging or otherwise disposing of our stock.
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Taxation of VICI REIT
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2017, upon the filing of our U.S. federal income tax return for such period. We believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner, and will continue to be organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code.
Our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of share ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. Our ability to qualify to be taxed as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. Such fair market values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under “—Requirements for Qualification—General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify and continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “—Failure to Qualify,” below.
Provided that we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for distributions that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from an investment in a “C corporation.” A C corporation is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. In general, the income that we generate (other than at any taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) of ours) is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution to our stockholders.
Most U.S. stockholders (as defined below) that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% (the same as long-term capital gains). With limited exceptions, however, distributions from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for this rate and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income, but non-corporate stockholders will generally be eligible for a deduction equal to 20% of such distributions. Currently, the highest marginal non-corporate U.S. federal income tax rate (exclusive of any Medicare tax, if applicable) applicable to ordinary income is 37% (before application of the 20% deduction which results in an effective 29.6% tax rate). See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions” below.
Any of our net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generated or incurred by us generally do not pass through to VICI REIT stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the undistributed but designated capital gain that we recognize. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions” below.
If we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
| • | We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains. |
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| • | If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “—Prohibited Transactions” and “—Foreclosure Property” below. |
| • | If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 21%). |
| • | If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test and/or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income. |
| • | If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or certain other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to a penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the nonqualifying assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 21%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure. |
| • | If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts that we actually distributed and (b) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level. |
| • | We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “—Requirements for Qualification— General” below. |
| • | A 100% tax may be imposed on certain transactions between us and a TRS that do not reflect arm’s-length terms. |
| • | If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a “C” corporation) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the C corporation (which is the case with respect to all or substantially all of the properties we acquired from Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation, pursuant to our formation transactions as well as certain other properties we have acquired), we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the five- year period following our acquisition from the C corporation. Treasury Regulations exclude from the application of this built-in gains tax any gain from the sale of property we acquire in an exchange under Section 1031 (a like-kind exchange) or 1033 (an involuntary conversion) of the Code. |
| • | The taxable income of our TRSs will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax. |
| • | We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed net capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, would be deemed to have paid the tax that we paid on such gain, and would be allowed a credit for the stockholder’s proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid, and an adjustment would be made to increase the stockholder’s basis in shares of our stock. |
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In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property, gross receipts and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification—General
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
| 1. | that is managed by one or more trustees or directors; |
| 2. | the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest |
| 3. | that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT; |
| 4. | that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code; |
| 5. | the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; |
| 6. | in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares or other beneficial interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as private foundations); |
| 7. | that makes an election to be taxed as a REIT, or has made such an election for a previous taxable year which has not been revoked or terminated; |
| 8. | that has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year at the close of any taxable year; and |
| 9. | that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amounts of its distributions. |
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) above must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) above must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) above need not be met during an entity’s initial tax year as a REIT (which, in our case, will be 2017). Our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our shares of beneficial interest, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we, in all cases, will be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next two sentences, our status as a REIT will terminate. To monitor our compliance with condition (6) above, we are generally required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. If we comply with the record-keeping requirement and we do not know or, exercising reasonable diligence, would not have known of our failure to meet condition (6) above, then we will be treated as having met condition (6) above.
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares of beneficial interest. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our distributions in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record- keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our stock and other information.
In addition, a REIT must have a taxable year that is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our taxable year-end to satisfy this requirement.
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Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests
If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury Regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, as described below, our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). We calculate our capital interest in any partnership based on either our percentage ownership of the capital of the partnership or based on the allocations provided in the applicable partnership’s operating agreement, using the more conservative calculation. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.
We have control of VICI LP and its subsidiaries and intend to operate them in a manner consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT. We have a non-controlling interest in Harrah’s Joliet LandCo LLC, an entity taxed as a partnership that owns the Harrah’s Joliet property and is the lessor under the related Joliet Lease Agreement. Our non-controlling interest represents a 20% third-party ownership of Harrah’s Joliet LandCo LLC. If we become aware that such entity has taken or may take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or incur unexpected tax liability, we may be forced to dispose of the non-controlling interest or transfer it to a TRS. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail the gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or otherwise take corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below.
Disregarded Subsidiaries
If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary’s assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly (through disregarded subsidiaries) wholly owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly owned by us or our subsidiaries, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned—for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours—the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would generally be treated as a either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirements that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “—Asset Tests” and “—Income Tests” below.
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Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, and no more than 5% of the value of our assets can be represented by the securities of any single taxable corporation, in each case unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS, provided that not more than 20% of the value of our total assets is represented by securities of one or more TRSs (25% for our 2017 taxable year). The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate and may reduce our ability to make distributions to VICI REIT stockholders.
We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary corporation to us is an asset in our hands, and we generally treat the distributions paid to us from such taxable subsidiary corporation, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations on a look-through basis in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to perform services or conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
U.S. federal income tax law limits the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT’s tenants that are not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. We intend that all of our transactions with our TRSs, if any and as applicable, will be conducted on an arm’s-length basis.
We have subsidiaries that are corporations and TRSs. In the future, we may form or acquire additional TRSs, or elect to treat certain existing subsidiaries that are qualified REIT subsidiaries or disregarded entities as TRSs. TRSs might be used to hold all or a portion of an investment that, for example, would be treated as a non-real estate security for purposes of the REIT asset tests or excess personal property when testing rents from real property.
Income Tests
In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions,” discharge of indebtedness, certain hedging transactions and certain foreign currency gains, generally must be derived from “rents from real property,” gains from the sale of real estate assets (other than certain publicly offered REIT debt instruments that would not be real estate assets but for the inclusion of publicly offered REIT debt instruments), interests and gain derived from mortgage loans secured by real property or an interest in real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities and certain mortgage loans secured by both real and personal property), dividends received from other REITs, and specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from “prohibited transactions,” discharge of indebtedness, certain hedging transactions and certain foreign currency gains, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. Income and gain from certain hedging transactions will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.
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Rents from Real Property
Rents we receive from a tenant generally will qualify as “rents from real property” for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the conditions described below are met:
| • | The amount of rent is not based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person from the property. However, an amount we receive or accrue generally will not be excluded from the term “rents from real property” solely because it is based on a fixed-percentage or percentages of gross receipts or sales; |
| • | Neither we nor an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of VICI REIT shares actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the interests in the assets or net profits of a non-corporate tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of stock of the tenant, taking into account applicable complex attribution rules. To ensure that our rental income will not be treated as nonqualifying income under the rule described in the preceding sentence, and thus to ensure that we will not inadvertently lose our REIT status as a result of the ownership of shares by a tenant, or a person that holds an interest in a tenant, our charter provides restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares, including restrictions on such ownership or transfer that would cause the rents received or accrued by us from tenants to be treated as nonqualifying rent for purposes of the REIT gross income requirements. Stockholders should be aware that events unknown to us (i.e., events other than a purchase or other transfer of shares) may result in ownership, under the applicable attribution rules, of shares in excess of our charter ownership limits. |
| • | Rents we receive from such a tenant that is a TRS of ours, however, will not be excluded from the definition of “rents from real property” as a result of this condition if at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space. Whether rents paid by a TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the TRS is entered into, extended, and modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if a lease with a “controlled taxable REIT subsidiary” is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such TRS, any such increase will not qualify as “rents from real property.” For purposes of this rule, a “controlled taxable REIT subsidiary” is a TRS in which the parent REIT owns stock possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock of such TRS; |
| • | Rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease of real property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of the rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property”; and |
| • | We generally are not permitted to operate or manage our properties or to furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis exception and except as further provided below. We are permitted, however, to perform directly certain services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant” of the property. Examples of these permitted services include the provision of light, heat, or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we are permitted to employ an independent contractor from whom we derive no revenue, or a TRS that is wholly or partially owned by us, to provide both customary and non-customary property management or services to our tenants without causing the rent that we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as “rents from real property.” Any dividends that we receive from a TRS with respect to the TRS’s provision of non-customary services will, however, be nonqualifying income under the 75% gross income test. |
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We believe that all of our leases meet the above requirements so that rents we receive are “rents from real property.” We intend to structure future leases such that we are in compliance with the 75% and 95% gross income tests.
In addition, in order for the rent payable under the leases of our properties to constitute “rents from real property,” the leases must be respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes and not treated as service contracts, joint ventures, financing arrangements, or another type of arrangement. We have structured, and generally expect to continue to structure, our leases to qualify as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, with respect to the leases, generally:
| • | the ground lease holder or property owning entity, on the one hand, and the lessee, on the other hand, intend for their relationship to be that of a lessor and lessee, and such relationship will be documented by a lease agreement; |
| • | the lessee has the right to exclusive possession and use and quiet enjoyment of the property covered by the lease during the term of the lease; |
| • | the lessee bears the cost of, and is responsible for, day-to-day maintenance and repair of the property and is responsible for how the property is operated; |
| • | the lessee bears the costs and expenses of operating the property, including the cost of any inventory used in their operation, during the term of the lease; |
| • | the lessee benefits from any savings and bears the burdens of any increases in the costs of operating the property during the term of the lease; |
| • | in the event of damage or destruction to a property, the lessee will be at economic risk because it will bear the economic burden of the loss in income from operation of the property subject to the right, in certain circumstances, to terminate the lease in whole or in part if the lessor does not restore the property to its prior condition; |
| • | the lessee generally indemnifies the lessor against all liabilities imposed on the lessor during the term of the lease by reason of (A) injury to persons or damage to property occurring at the property or (B) the lessee’s use, management, maintenance or repair of the property; |
| • | the lessee is obligated to pay, at a minimum, substantial base rent for the period of use of the property under the lease; |
| • | the lessee stands to incur substantial losses or reap substantial gains depending on how successfully it operates the property; |
| • | the lease enables the tenant to derive a meaningful profit, after expenses and taking into account the risks associated with the lease, from the operation of the property during the term of the lease; and |
| • | upon termination of the lease, the property will be expected to have a remaining useful life equal to at least 20% of its expected useful life on the date the lease is entered into, and a fair market value equal to at least 20% of its fair market value on the date the lease was entered into. |
We generally treat our leases with respect to our properties as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes; however, there can be no assurance that the IRS would not consider a particular lease a financing arrangement instead of a true lease for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In that case, and in any case in which we intentionally structure a lease as a financing arrangement, our income from that lease would be interest income rather than rent and we expect to treat that interest as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the deemed “loan” amount does not exceed the fair market value of the real estate assets leased (and thus deemed to secure the deemed loan). All of the interest income from our loan would be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. In addition, we expect to treat only a portion of the deemed “loan” amount as a qualifying “real estate asset” for purposes of the 75% asset test if and to the extent
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the loan amount does not exceed the fair market value of the real estate assets leased (and thus deemed to be securing the deemed loan). We believe that the characterization of a lease as a financing arrangement would not adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.
Interest Income
Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on (i) real property or an interest in real property or (ii) property described in (i) and other property if such other property constitutes 15% or less of the total fair market value of the secured property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is described in the preceding clause (ii), such interest income may need to be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is not fully secured by real property, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test. The term “interest” generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term “interest” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.
We may originate or acquire mezzanine loans or investments treated as subordinated debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Mezzanine loans include loans secured by equity interests in an entity that directly or indirectly owns real property, rather than by a direct mortgage of the real property. Revenue Procedure 2003-65 provides a safe harbor under which loans secured by a first priority security interest in ownership interests in a partnership or limited liability company owning real property will be treated as real estate assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests described below, and interest derived from those loans will be treated as qualifying income for both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided several requirements are satisfied.
Although Revenue Procedure 2003-65 provides a safe harbor on which taxpayers may rely, it does not prescribe rules of substantive tax law. Moreover, it is possible that some mezzanine loans may not meet all of the requirements for reliance on the safe harbor. We intend to invest in mezzanine loans in a manner that will enable us to satisfy the REIT gross income and asset tests.
Dividend Income
We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from another REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.
Fee Income
Any fee income that we earn will generally not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS, however, will not be included for purposes of our gross income tests.
Hedging Transactions
Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument is entered into during the ordinary course of our business, the instrument hedges risks associated
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with indebtedness issued by us or our pass-through subsidiary that is incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry “real estate assets” (as described under “—Asset Tests,” below), and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods. Certain items of income or gain attributable to hedges of foreign currency fluctuations with respect to income that satisfies the REIT gross income requirements may also be excluded from the 95% and 75% gross income tests as well as certain items of income or gain attributable to certain counteracting hedges that offset prior qualifying hedges where the prior debt is repaid or qualifying assets underlying such prior hedges are sold. To the extent that we do not properly identify such transactions as hedges or we hedge with other types of financial instruments, the income from those transactions is not likely to be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.
Forward Sale Agreements
We enter into forward sale agreements from time to time and, subject to certain conditions, we have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under these agreements at any time and from time to time, in part or in full. In the event that we elect to settle the forward sale agreements for cash and the settlement price is below the forward sale price, we would be entitled to receive a cash payment from the forward purchasers. Under Section 1032 of the Code, generally, no gains and losses are recognized by a corporation in dealing in its own shares, including pursuant to a “securities futures contract,” as defined in the Code by reference to the Exchange Act. Although we believe that any amount received by us in exchange for our shares of common stock would qualify for the exemption under Section 1032 of the Code, because it is not entirely clear whether the forward sale agreements qualify as “securities futures contracts,” the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any cash settlement payment we receive is uncertain. In the event that we recognize a significant gain from the cash settlement of the forward sale agreements, we might not be able to satisfy the gross income requirements applicable to REITs under the Code.
Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify to be taxed as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (i) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (ii) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury Regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, we will be required to pay a tax equal to (1) the greater of (A) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test and (B) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 95% gross income test, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability (i.e., generally our net income divided by our gross income). We may not always be able to comply with the gross income tests for REIT qualification despite periodic monitoring of our income.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy certain tests relating to the nature of our assets. Specifically:
| • | At least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property and stock of other REITs, as well as some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage |
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| loans. The term “real estate assets” also includes debt instruments of publicly offered REITs, personal property securing a mortgage secured by both real property and personal property if the fair market value of such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all such property, and personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property generating qualifying rents from real property for which the rent attributable to personal property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below; |
| • | The value of any one issuer’s securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets; |
| • | We may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs or qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics or to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code; |
| • | The aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold, may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets; and |
| • | Not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments of publicly offered REITs to the extent those debt instruments would not be real estate assets but for the inclusion of debt instruments of publicly offered REITs in the meaning of real estate assets. |
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met.
Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (although such debt will not be treated as “securities” for purposes of the 10% asset test, as explained below).
Certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% asset test (for purposes of value) described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute “straight debt,” which term generally excludes, among other things, securities having contingency features. A security does not qualify as “straight debt” where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer’s outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% value limitation. Such securities include (i) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (ii) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (iii) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (iv) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (v) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT and (vi) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership’s income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under “—Income Tests.” In applying the 10% value limitation, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT’s proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.
No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification
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of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
Certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification, notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. For example, if we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause VICI REIT to lose its REIT qualification if (i) it satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (ii) the discrepancy between the value of its assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of nonqualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the relative market values of our assets. If the condition described in (ii) were not satisfied, VICI REIT still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of the relief provisions described below.
In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets and $10,000,000 and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure or the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
Even if we did not qualify for the foregoing relief provisions, one additional provision allows a REIT that fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (i) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate and (iv) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure or the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we are required to make distributions, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to the sum of:
| • | 90% of our REIT taxable income (with certain adjustments), computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid; and |
| • | 90% of our after-tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property (as described below); minus the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gain and the deduction for dividends paid. |
We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular distribution payment after such declaration. These distributions will be treated as received by VICI REIT stockholders in the year in which paid, except that any distribution that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the distribution before the end of January of the following calendar year.
If we fail to distribute, with respect to each calendar year, at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed net taxable income
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from prior periods, we will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts actually distributed, plus (b) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We have the ability to elect to retain, rather than distribute, some or all of our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. If we were to make this election, VICI REIT stockholders would include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income and receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. VICI REIT stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their shares by the difference between (i) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they included in their taxable income, minus (ii) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses, subject to applicable limitations, may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the tax treatment to VICI REIT stockholders of any distributions that are actually made. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions,” below.
From time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the distribution requirements described above, including due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt, acquire assets, or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay distributions or we may pay distributions through the distribution of other property (including our stock) in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash.
If our taxable income for a particular year is subsequently determined to have been understated, we may be able to rectify a resultant failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for distributions paid for the earlier year but treated as an additional distribution to our stockholders in the year such dividends are paid. In this case, VICI REIT may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to pay interest based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or having been, held as inventory or for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held as inventory or “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as inventory or property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.
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Derivatives and Hedging Transactions
We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, interest rate cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts, and options. Except to the extent provided by Treasury Regulations, (i) income from a hedging transaction we enter into (A) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, including gain from the sale or disposition of a position in such a transaction or (B) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test; and (ii) if we enter into a position described in clause (i)(A) above with respect to indebtedness described therein or clause (i)(B) above with respect to property generating income described therein, and in connection with the extinguishment or disposition of such indebtedness or property we enter into a transaction that would be a hedging transaction within the meaning of clause (i) above as to any position referred to in this clause (ii) if such position were ordinary property, then any income from such a position or transaction described in this clause (ii) will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test so long as, in each of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the transaction or position is clearly identified, as specified in Treasury Regulations, before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into. To the extent that we enter into hedging transactions that are not described in the preceding clause (i) or (ii), the income from these transactions is likely to be treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Moreover, to the extent that a position in a hedging transaction has positive value at any particular point in time, it may be treated as an asset that does not qualify for purposes of the REIT asset tests. We intend to structure and have structured any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through a TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income or assets that do not qualify for purposes of the REIT tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.
Foreclosure Property
Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (i) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (ii) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (iii) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 21%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. We do not anticipate receiving any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test.
Penalty Tax
Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, excess interest or redetermined TRS service income we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a TRS, and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a TRS for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the
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amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s-length negotiations or if the interest payments were at a commercially reasonable rate. Rents that we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code. Redetermined TRS service income generally represents income of a TRS that is understated as a result of services provided to us or on our behalf.
Record Keeping Requirements
We are required to comply with applicable record keeping requirements. Failure to comply could result in monetary penalties. For example, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding shares of common stock.
Built-In Gains Tax
If we dispose of any asset we acquired from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of that C corporation, during the five-year period beginning on the date we acquire the asset, we could be required to pay tax at the highest corporate rate on the gain, if any, we recognize on the disposition of the asset, to the extent that gain does not exceed the excess of (1) the fair market value of the asset over (2) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case on the date we acquired the asset. Such gain is taken into account in determining our taxable income and capital gains, and the amount of tax paid is taken into account as a loss for purposes of the distribution requirements. This is the case with respect to all or substantially all of the properties acquired from CEOC pursuant to our formation transactions as well as certain other properties we have acquired after our formation. We may acquire additional properties subject to these rules in the future.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification as a REIT if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are also available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in “—Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), distributions to stockholders would be taxable as regular corporate dividends. Such dividends paid to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates may be taxable at the preferential income tax rates (i.e., currently at a 20% maximum U.S. federal rate) for qualified dividends. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost our qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.
Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships
General
Following the MGP Transactions, VICI REIT will own substantially all of its investments indirectly through VICI OP, which will be VICI REIT’s operating company and is intended to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, partnerships are “pass-through” entities that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are subject to tax on these items without regard to whether the partners
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receive a distribution from the partnership. VICI REIT will include its allocable share of these partnership items for purposes of computing its REIT taxable income, and for purposes of the various REIT income tests, will include its proportionate share of these partnership items based on its capital interest in such partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). Capital interest in a partnership is calculated based on either the partner’s percentage ownership of the capital of the partnership or based on the allocations provided in the applicable partnership’s operating agreement, using the more conservative calculation. Consequently, to the extent that VICI REIT holds an equity interest in a partnership, such partnership’s assets and operations may affect VICI REIT’s ability to continue to qualify as a REIT, even though it may have no control, or only limited influence, over any such partnership.
Entity Classification
The ownership by VICI REIT of equity interests in a partnership involves special tax considerations, including the possibility of a challenge by the IRS of the status of a subsidiary partnership as a partnership, as opposed to an association taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a subsidiary partnership were treated as an association for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be taxable as a corporation and, therefore, generally would be subject to an entity-level tax on its income. In such a situation, the character of VICI REIT’s assets and items of its gross income would change and would preclude it from satisfying the REIT asset tests (particularly the tests generally preventing a REIT from owning more than 10% of the voting securities, or more than 10% of the value of the securities, of any one corporation) or the gross income tests as discussed in “—Asset Tests” and “—Income Tests” above, and in turn would prevent VICI REIT from qualifying as a REIT. See “—Failure to Qualify,” above, for a discussion of the effect of VICI REIT’s failure to meet these tests for a taxable year.
In addition, any change in the status of a subsidiary partnership for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case VICI REIT could have taxable income that is subject to the REIT distribution requirements without receiving any cash.
Tax Allocations with Respect to an Investment in a Partnership
Under the Code and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated for tax purposes in a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss at the time of contribution is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value of the contributed property at the time of contribution, and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of contribution, or the book-tax difference. Such allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.
Under Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership or partnership property that has been revalued on the books of the partnership, must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partners, or partners who held an interest in the partnership at the time of such revaluation, are charged with the unrealized gain or benefit from the unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of such contribution or revaluation. Any elections or other decisions relating to VICI OP allocations under Section 704(c) of the Code (including whether to use the “traditional method,” the “traditional method with curative allocations” or the “remedial method”) shall be made by a wholly owned subsidiary of VICI REIT that will be the managing member of VICI OP.
Partnership Audit Rules
Subject to certain exceptions, any audit adjustment to items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership (and any partner’s distributive share thereof) is determined, and taxes, interest, or penalties
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attributable thereto are assessed and collected, at the partnership level. These partnership audit rules could result in partnerships in which we directly or indirectly invest, including VICI OP following the MGP Transactions, being required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment, and we, as a direct or indirect partner of these partnerships, could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest, and penalties even though we, as a REIT, may not otherwise have been required to pay additional corporate-level taxes as a result of the related audit adjustment. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to these changes and their potential impact on their investment.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to taxable U.S. stockholders. A U.S. stockholder is any holder of shares of our stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes a “U.S. person”, which includes:
| • | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| • | a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; |
| • | an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or |
| • | a trust if (i) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds shares of our stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of our stock.
Distributions
So long as we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable U.S. stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that we do not designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by such stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our distributions are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates (i.e., currently at a 20% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate) for qualified dividends received by most U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates from taxable C corporations but are generally eligible for a deduction equal to 20% of such distributions. This deduction is scheduled to expire after 2025. Such stockholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on distributions designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the distributions are attributable to:
| • | income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate-level income tax (less the amount of corporate tax on such income); |
| • | dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or |
| • | income in the prior taxable year from the sales of “built-in gain” property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income). |
Dividends that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains to the extent that such dividends do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable
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year or our dividends paid for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such dividend has held its shares. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long- term capital gains, in which case we may elect to apply provisions of the Code that treat our U.S. stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders as receiving a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains and an increase in the adjusted basis of their shares equal to the difference between (i) the amount of such undistributed capital gains, minus (ii) the amount of such taxes that we paid on their behalf. See “—Taxation of VICI REIT” and “—Annual Distribution Requirements.” U.S. stockholders that are corporations may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 20% in the case of U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates (although depending on the characteristics of the assets that produced these gains and on designations that we may make, certain capital gain dividends may be taxed at a 25% rate), and 21% in the case of U.S. stockholders that are corporations.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a U.S. stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions does not exceed the adjusted basis of the U.S. stockholder’s shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the U.S. stockholder’s shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a U.S. stockholder’s shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any distribution that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a U.S. stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the U.S. stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the distribution before the end of January of the following calendar year.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “—Taxation of VICI REIT” and “—Annual Distribution Requirements.”
Such losses, however, are not passed through to U.S. stockholders and do not offset income of U.S. stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of U.S. stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
Dispositions of Our Stock
If a U.S. stockholder sells or disposes of shares of our stock, it will generally recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition, and the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares (generally the amount paid for such shares). In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and estates upon the sale or disposition of shares of our stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% if the shares are held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 37%) if the shares are held for one year or less. Gains recognized by U.S. stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 21%, whether or not such gains are classified as long- term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a U.S. stockholder upon the disposition of shares of our stock that were held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the U.S. stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, trusts and estates who may also offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a U.S. stockholder who has held the shares for nine months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of actual or deemed distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long- term capital gain.
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If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of shares of our stock in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury Regulations involving “reportable transactions” could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards “tax shelters,” are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of shares of our stock or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Redemption of Preferred Stock
The treatment to a holder of preferred stock accorded to any redemption by us (as distinguished from a sale, exchange or other disposition) of our preferred stock can only be determined on the basis of particular facts as to the holder of preferred stock at the time of redemption. In general, a holder of preferred stock will recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the amount received upon the redemption and the holder of the preferred stock’s adjusted tax basis in the preferred stock redeemed (provided the preferred stock is held as a capital asset) if such redemption (i) results in a “complete termination” of a holder’s interest in all classes of our stock under Section 302(b)(3) of the Code or (ii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the holder under Section 302(b)(1) of the Code. In applying these tests, there must be taken into account not only any preferred stock owned by the holder, but also such holder’s ownership of common stock, equity shares, other series of preferred stock and any options (including stock purchase rights) to acquire any of the foregoing. The holder also must take into account any such securities (including options) which are considered to be owned by such holder by reason of the constructive ownership rules set forth in Sections 318 and 302(c) of the Code.
If a particular holder of preferred stock owns (actually or constructively) none of our common stock or an insubstantial percentage of our outstanding common stock or preferred stock, based upon current law, it is probable that the redemption of preferred stock from such a holder would be considered “not essentially equivalent to a dividend.” However, whether a distribution is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” depends on all of the facts and circumstances, and a holder of preferred stock intending to rely on any of these tests at the time of redemption should consult its tax advisor to determine their application to its particular situation.
If the redemption does not meet any of the tests under Section 302 of the Code, then the redemption proceeds received from the preferred stock will be treated as a distribution on the preferred stock as described under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders” and “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders” in the accompanying prospectus. If the redemption is taxed as a distribution, the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the redeemed preferred stock will be transferred to any other stockholdings of the holder of our preferred stock. If the holder of preferred stock owns no other shares of beneficial interest in us, under certain circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a related person, or it may be lost entirely.
Conversion of Preferred Stock
Except as provided below, (i) a U.S. stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of preferred stock into our common stock, and (ii) a U.S. stockholder’s basis and holding period in our common stock received upon conversion generally will be the same as those of the converted preferred stock (but the basis will be reduced by the portion of adjusted tax basis allocated to any fractional share exchanged for cash). Any of our shares of common stock received in a conversion that are attributable to accumulated and unpaid dividends on the converted preferred stock will be treated as a distribution that is potentially taxable as a dividend. Cash received upon conversion in lieu of a fractional share generally will be treated as a payment in a taxable exchange for such fractional share, and gain or loss will be recognized on the receipt of cash in an
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amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the adjusted tax basis allocable to the fractional share deemed exchanged. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held the preferred stock for more than one year at the time of conversion. U.S. stockholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of any transaction by which such holder exchanges shares of our common stock received on a conversion of preferred stock for cash or other property.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations
Distributions that we make and gains arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, stockholder will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our stock. A U.S. stockholder may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of our capital shares and income designated as qualified dividend income, as described above, as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the stockholder will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. To the extent that distributions we make do not constitute a return of capital, they will generally be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of our stock applicable to non-U.S. stockholders. A “non-U.S. stockholder” is any holder of shares of our stock other than a partnership or U.S. person.
Ordinary Dividends
The portion of distributions received by non-U.S. stockholders that (i) is payable out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, (ii) is not designated as capital gains, (iii) is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder (or if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. stockholder does not maintain a permanent establishment in the United States to which such distributions are attributable) and (iv) is not attributable to gains from the sales or exchanges of United States real property interests, as defined in Section 897 of the Code (“USRPIs”), will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty. Under certain treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from a REIT.
In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of shares of our stock. In cases where the distribution income from a non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business (through a United States permanent establishment, where applicable), the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such distributions. Such effectively connected income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. stockholder. The income, as adjusted for certain items, may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation.
Except as otherwise provided below, we expect to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% on any distributions made to a non-U.S. stockholder unless (i) a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. stockholder provides us an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or applicable successor form) evidencing eligibility for that reduced treaty rate; or (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder provides us an IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form) with us claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s trade or business.
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Non-Dividend Distributions
Unless shares of our stock constitute a USRPI, distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits, not attributable to gain from the disposition of USRPIs and not in excess of the adjusted tax basis of the non-U.S. stockholder’s shares will not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. For withholding purposes, because we generally cannot determine at the time we make a distribution whether the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we expect to treat all distributions as made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. The non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent that such distributions exceed the non-U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares, the distributions will generally give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such shares, the tax treatment of which is described below. However, such excess distributions may be treated as dividend income for certain non-U.S. stockholders.
Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of United States Real Property Interests
Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”), a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. stockholder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. See above under “—Ordinary Dividends” for a discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 21% (20% to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations) of the maximum amount that could have been designated as USRPI capital gain dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation. A distribution is not attributable to USRPI capital gain if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends and are attributable to dispositions of assets other than USRPIs generally are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (i) the investment in our stock is effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. trade or business (through a United States permanent establishment where applicable), in which case the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty), or (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on his or her capital gains (reduced by certain capital losses). Substantially all of our assets will constitute USRPIs.
A capital gain dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and generally will not be subject to the 21% withholding tax described above, and instead will be treated in the same manner as an ordinary dividend; if the distribution is received (i) with respect to a class of shares that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States and the recipient non-U.S. stockholder does not own more than 10% of that class of shares at any time during the year ending on the date on which the distribution is received; (ii) by certain non-U.S. publicly traded stockholders that meet certain record-keeping and other requirements (“qualified stockholders”) except to the extent owners of such qualified stockholders that are not also qualified stockholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our capital shares; or (iii) by a “qualified foreign pension fund” (as defined in the Code) or any entity all of the interests of which are held by such a qualified foreign pension fund. We
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anticipate that our common stock will continue to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market in the United States.
Retention of Net Capital Gains
Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts we designate as retained net capital gains in respect of our stock held by U.S. stockholders generally should be treated with respect to non-U.S. stockholders in the same manner as actual distributions of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, the non-U.S. stockholders may be able to offset as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such retained net capital gains and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent their proportionate share of such tax paid by us exceeds their actual U.S. federal income tax liability. If we were to designate any portion of our net capital gain as retained net capital gain, non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the taxation of such retained net capital gain.
Dispositions of Our Stock
Unless shares of our stock constitute USRPIs, a sale of such shares by a non-U.S. stockholder generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, shares of our stock will be treated as USRPIs if 50% or more of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. We believe that 50% or more of our assets consist, and will continue to consist, of USRPIs.
Even if the foregoing 50% test is met, however, shares of our common stock will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is held, directly or indirectly, by non-U.S. persons at all times during a specified testing period. No assurance can be given that we will be a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.
In the event that we are not a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, but shares of our common stock are “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market, a non-U.S. stockholder’s sale of shares of our common stock nonetheless also would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. stockholder held 10% or less of the outstanding shares of such class of stock at all times during a prescribed testing period. We expect that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market.
Even if none of the foregoing tests are met and shares of our common stock are not considered to be regularly traded on an established securities market, dispositions of our capital shares by qualified stockholders would still be exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified stockholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our capital shares. Furthermore, dispositions of our capital shares by “qualified foreign pension funds” or entities all of the interests of which are held by “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
If gain on the sale of shares of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals. Moreover, in order to enforce the collection of the tax, the purchaser of the shares could be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.
Gain from the sale of shares of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. stockholder in two cases: (i) if the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment
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in the shares is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (through a United States permanent establishment, where applicable), the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty), or (ii) if the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gain (reduced by certain capital losses). In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of shares of our common stock, a non-U.S. stockholder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. stockholder (a) disposes of shares of our common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (b) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other of shares of the same class of our stock during the 61-day period beginning with the first day of the 30-day period described in clause (a). The preceding sentence shall not apply to a non-U.S. stockholder if the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 5% of the shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution described in clause (a) of the preceding sentence and the class of shares is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market in the United States.
Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning shares of our stock.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that a tax-exempt stockholder has not held shares of our stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder), distributions that we make and income from the sale of the shares generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.
Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations or supplemental unemployment benefit trusts exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9) or (c)(17) of the Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.
In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of the value of shares of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of any distributions received from it as UBTI if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (i) we are required to “look through” one or more of our pension trust stockholders in order to satisfy the REIT “closely held” test and (ii) either (a) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of shares of our stock or (b) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of the shares, collectively own more than 50% of the value of the shares. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares generally should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our stock.
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Other Tax Considerations
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. We cannot give you any assurances as to whether, or in what form, any proposals affecting REITs or their stockholders might be enacted, but these changes might include, in particular, increases in the U.S. federal income tax rates that apply to various categories of holders of our stock in certain circumstances, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our stock. Investors should consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of potential changes to the federal tax laws and on an investment in our stock.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, VICI REIT is required to report to U.S. stockholders of our stock and to the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of any tax withheld. Backup withholding, at a rate of 24% through 2025 and 28% thereafter, may apply to dividends paid to a U.S. stockholders unless such holder (1) is a corporation or comes within other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact or (2) provides a taxpayer identification number or social security number, certifies under penalties of perjury that such number is correct and that such holder is not subject to backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide its correct taxpayer identification number or social security number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.
In general, VICI REIT is required to report annually to non-U.S. stockholders of shares of our stock the IRS the amount of dividends paid to such non-U.S. stockholders and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends, interest and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. stockholder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. Non-U.S. stockholders may be subject to backup withholding unless applicable certification requirements are met.
Payment of the proceeds from a sale of our stock within the United States is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting requirements unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. stockholder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person) or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our stock conducted through certain United States related financial intermediaries is subject to information reporting requirements (but not backup withholding) unless the financial intermediary has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. stockholder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against the applicable holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
A U.S. Federal withholding tax of 30% generally will be imposed on certain payments made to a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act rules) unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. tax authorities to withhold certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) or otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing
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these withholding and reporting requirements may be subject to different rules. Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and administrative guidance, a U.S. Federal withholding tax of 30% generally also will be imposed on certain payments made to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with certification identifying certain of its direct and indirect U.S. owners. Under certain circumstances, a stockholder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. These withholding taxes are imposed on distributions paid with respect to our stock. While withholding under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our stock on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Stockholders should consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of shares of our stock.
State, Local and Foreign Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders and holders of debt securities may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes that we or our subsidiaries may incur do not pass through to our stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws applicable to an investment in our stock.
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We may issue the securities offered by means of this prospectus in whole or in part in book-entry form, meaning that beneficial owners of the securities will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except in the event the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued. If securities are issued in book-entry form, they will be evidenced by one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities. The Depository Trust Company is expected to serve as depository. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of such depository or by a nominee of such depository to such depository or another nominee of such depository or by the depository or any nominee of such depository to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor. Global securities may be issued in registered form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a class or series of securities that differ from the terms described here will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depository for the global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depository, who are called “participants.” Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to the securities or by us if the securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to the depository’s participants or persons that may hold interests through such participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depository or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of participants) and records of the participants (with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.
So long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depository or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable instrument defining the rights of a holder of the securities. Except as provided below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual securities of the series represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable instrument defining the rights of the holders of the securities.
Payments of amounts payable with respect to individual securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such securities. None of us or VICI LP, our or VICI LP’s officers and directors or any trustee, paying agent or security registrar for an individual series of securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depository for a series of securities offered by means of this prospectus or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest, dividend or other amount in respect of a permanent global security representing any of such securities, will immediately credit its participants’ accounts with
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payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security for such securities as shown on the records of such depository or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.
If a depository for a series of securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of securities. In addition, we may, at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such securities, determine not to have any securities of such series represented by one or more global securities and, in such event, will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security or securities representing such series of securities.
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We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions in any one or more of the following ways:
| • | directly to investors, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process; |
| • | to investors through agents; |
| • | directly to agents; |
| • | to or through brokers or dealers; |
| • | to the public through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters; |
| • | to one or more underwriters acting alone for resale to investors or to the public; |
| • | in “at the market offerings” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, or a securities exchange or otherwise; |
| • | through forward delivery contracts; and |
| • | through a combination of any such methods of sale. |
Common stock or preferred stock of VICI REIT may be issued upon conversion of preferred stock of VICI REIT or debt securities of VICI LP or in exchange for units or other interests of an operating subsidiary of VICI REIT (including VICI OP). Securities may also be issued upon exercise of warrants of VICI REIT. VICI REIT and VICI LP reserve the right to sell securities directly to investors on their own behalf in those jurisdictions where they are authorized to do so.
If we sell securities to a dealer acting as principal, the dealer may resell such securities at varying prices to be determined by such dealer in its discretion at the time of resale without consulting with us and such resale prices may not be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm commitment basis. We may also offer securities through subscription rights distributed to our stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.
Sales of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions:
| • | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
| • | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| • | at prices related to prevailing market prices; or |
| • | at negotiated prices. |
Any of the prices may represent a discount from the then prevailing market prices.
In the sale of the securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive compensation from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.
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Discounts, concessions and commissions may be changed from time to time. Dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts, concessions or commissions they receive from us and any profit on the resale of securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under applicable federal and state securities laws.
The applicable prospectus supplement will, where applicable:
| • | describe the terms of the offering; |
| • | identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent; |
| • | describe any compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, commissions or otherwise received from us by each such underwriter or agent and in the aggregate by all underwriters and agents; |
| • | describe the purchase price or the public offering price of the securities; |
| • | identify the amounts underwritten; and |
| • | identify the nature of the underwriter’s or underwriters’ obligation to take the securities. |
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than shares of our common stock, which are listed on the NYSE. Any common stock of VICI REIT sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. We may elect to list any series of preferred stock on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any offered securities.
We may offer the securities into an existing trading market on the terms described in a prospectus supplement relating thereto. Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with those derivative transactions third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and such prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or from others to settle those short sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivative transactions to close out any related open borrowings of securities. If the third party is or may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act, it will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplements.
Until the distribution of the securities is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability of any underwriters and selling group members to bid for and purchase the securities. As an exception to these rules, underwriters are permitted to engage in some transactions that stabilize the price of the securities. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.
Underwriters may engage in overallotment. If any underwriters create a short position in the securities in an offering in which they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing the securities in the open market.
The lead underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on other underwriters and selling group members participating in an offering. This means that if the lead underwriters purchase securities in the open market to reduce the underwriters’ short position or to stabilize the price of the securities, they may reclaim the amount of any selling concession from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those securities as part of the offering.
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In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of a security to the extent that it were to discourage resales of the security before the distribution is completed.
We do not make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above might have on the price of the securities. In addition, we do not make any representation that underwriters will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against or contribution towards certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the applicable securities laws.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, perform services for us or be our tenants in the ordinary course of business.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by particular institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount no less than, and the aggregate amounts of securities sold under delayed delivery contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with which such contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the conditions that (a) the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject, and (b) if the securities are being sold to underwriters, we shall have sold to the underwriters the total amount of the securities less the amount thereof covered by the contracts. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.
To comply with applicable state securities laws, the securities offered by this prospectus will be sold, if necessary, in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, securities may not be sold in some states unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Underwriters, dealers or agents that participate in the offer of securities, or their affiliates or associates, may have engaged or engage in transactions with and perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they may have received or receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.
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Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities offered by means of this prospectus and certain U.S. federal income tax matters have been passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The financial statements of VICI Properties Inc. incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the effectiveness of VICI Properties Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of VICI Properties L.P. incorporated by reference in this prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of MGM Growth Properties LLC and MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, incorporated by reference in this prospectus by reference to VICI Properties Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2022, and the effectiveness of MGM Growth Properties LLC’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We and VICI LP file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The historical audited and unaudited financial statements of Caesars (which are not included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus), as the parent and guarantor of CEOC, our significant lessee, have been filed with the SEC. Caesars files annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC (which are not included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus). In addition, the historical audited and unaudited financial statements of MGM (which are not included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus), which is the parent and will be the guarantor of the entity that will become one of our significant lessees upon the closing of the MGP Transactions. MGM files annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC (which are not included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus).
SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and our SEC filings are also available from our website at www.viciproperties.com. We make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information regarding Caesars and MGM that is contained in this prospectus, which is obtained from Caesars’ and MGM’s publicly available information, or that is available through the SEC’s website or otherwise made available by Caesars or MGM, and none of such publicly available Caesars or MGM information is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. None of the information on, or accessible through, our website or any other website identified herein is incorporated into this prospectus, and does not constitute a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows VICI REIT and VICI LP to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information about us by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents and reports listed below:
| • | VICI REIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2022; |
| • | VICI REIT’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for its 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 14, 2022 (solely to the extent incorporated by reference into Part III of VICI REIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021); |
| • | VICI REIT’s current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2022, February 14, 2022, February 23, 2022 (other than the information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 thereto), April 1, 2022, April 14, 2022 and April 18, 2022; and |
| • | The description of VICI REIT’s common stock, which is contained in Item 1 of its Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on January 29, 2018. |
VICI REIT and VICI LP also incorporate by reference the information contained in all other documents VICI REIT and VICI LP, as applicable, file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than portions of these documents that are deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including current reports on Form 8-K furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 (including any financial statements or exhibits relating thereto furnished pursuant to Item 9.01)) after the date of this prospectus.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner of our securities, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the reports or documents that have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus free of charge upon written or oral request. VICI REIT’s and VICI LP’s filings with the SEC are available on our website at www.viciproperties.com, in the “Investors” section, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC. The information that is contained on, or is or becomes accessible through, our website is not part of this prospectus. You may also obtain a copy of these filings at no cost by calling us at (646) 949-4631 or writing to us at the following address:
VICI Properties Inc.
535 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attn: Secretary
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution |
The following is a statement of the expenses estimated to be incurred by us in connection with the distribution of the securities registered under this Registration Statement:
| Item |
Amount | |||
| SEC Registration Fee |
$ | * | ||
| Legal Fees and Expenses |
$ | * | * | |
| Accounting Fees and Expenses |
$ | * | * | |
| Transfer Agent and Depositary Fees |
$ | * | * | |
| Rating Agency Fees |
$ | * | * | |
| Blue Sky Fees and Expenses |
$ | * | * | |
| Printing Fees |
$ | * | * | |
| Miscellaneous |
$ | * | * | |
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
$ | * | * | |
|
|
|
|||
| * | In accordance with Rule 456(b), we are deferring payment of the registration fee for the securities offered by the prospectus included herein. |
| ** | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances. Therefore, these fees cannot be estimated at this time. |
| Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
VICI Properties Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland.
Maryland law permits us to include a provision in our charter eliminating the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) a final judgment based upon a finding that his or her action or failure to act was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty by the director or officer and was material to the cause of action adjudicated. Our charter contains a provision that eliminates our directors’ and officers’ liability to us and our stockholders for money damages to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The MGCL requires us (unless our charter were to provide otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits us to indemnify our present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, by reason of their service in those or certain other capacities unless it is established that:
| • | the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; |
| • | the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or |
| • | in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
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However, the MGCL prohibits us from indemnifying a director or officer who has been adjudged liable in a suit by us or on our behalf or in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct for indemnification set forth above or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by us or on our behalf, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.
In addition, the MGCL permits us to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon our receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
Our charter provides that we will have the power to obligate ourselves, and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:
| • | any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or |
| • | any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, employee, agent, fiduciary, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. |
Our charter and bylaws provide that we have the power, with approval of our board, to provide such indemnification and advance of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of us in any such capacity described above and to any employee or agent of us or a predecessor of us.
We have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers.
We have purchased and maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (i) to our directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (ii) to us with respect to indemnification payments that it may make to such directors and officers.
The partnership agreement of VICI LP provides that VICI LP is required to indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law (i) VICI REIT and VICI Properties GP LLC, the general partner of VICI LP, and any member, manager or managing member, director or stockholder of VICI REIT or VICI Properties GP LLC, director or officer of VICI REIT or VICI Properties GP LLC or employee or agent of VICI REIT, VICI Properties GP LLC or VICI LP, and (ii) such other persons (including affiliates or employees of VICI REIT, VICI Properties GP LLC or VICI LP) as VICI Properties GP LLC may designate from time to time (whether before or after the event giving rise to potential liability), in its sole and absolute discretion.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the staff of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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| Item 16. | Exhibits |
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| * | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference to this registration statement, including a Current Report on Form 8-K. |
| ** | Filed herewith. |
| Item 17. | Undertakings. |
(a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrants pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post- effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser,
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter,
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such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrants under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrants pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrants will be sellers to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrants relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants or used or referred to by the undersigned registrants;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrants or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrants to the purchaser.
| (b) | The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the applicable registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (h) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the applicable registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the applicable registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| (j) | The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in New York, New York, on April 18, 2022.
| VICI Properties Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Edward B. Pitoniak | |
| Name: Edward B. Pitoniak | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
| VICI Properties L.P. | ||
| By: | /s/ David A. Kieske | |
| Name: David A. Kieske | ||
| Title: Treasurer | ||
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned constitutes and appoints each of Edward B. Pitoniak, John Payne, Samantha Gallagher and David Kieske, or any of them, each acting alone, the individual’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (including all pre-effective and post-effective amendments and registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any such attorney-in-fact and agent, or the individual’s substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person listed below has signed this registration statement as an officer or director of VICI Properties Inc., on its behalf and in its capacity as the sole member of the general partner of VICI Properties L.P., on its behalf.
| Name |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Edward B. Pitoniak Edward B. Pitoniak |
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director | April 18, 2022 | ||
| /s/ David A. Kieske David A. Kieske |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | April 18, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Gabriel F. Wasserman Gabriel F. Wasserman |
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) | April 18, 2022 | ||
| /s/ James R. Abrahamson James R. Abrahamson |
Chair of the Board of Directors | April 18, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Diana F. Cantor Diana F. Cantor |
Director | April 18, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Monica H. Douglas Monica H. Douglas |
Director | April 18, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Elizabeth I. Holland Elizabeth I. Holland |
Director | April 18, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Craig Macnab Craig Macnab |
Director | April 18, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Michael D. Rumbolz Michael D. Rumbolz |
Director | April 18, 2022 | ||
Exhibit 4.9
VICI PROPERTIES L.P.,
as Issuer
— and —
UMB Bank, National Association,
as Trustee
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF [ ], 2022
Debt Securities
Certain Sections of this Indenture
relating to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
| Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section | |
| §310(a)(1) |
607 | |
| (a)(2) |
607 | |
| (b) |
608 | |
| §312(a) |
701, 702(1) | |
| (b) |
702 | |
| (c) |
702 | |
| §313(a) |
703 | |
| (b)(2) |
703 | |
| (c) |
703 | |
| (d) |
703 | |
| §314(a) |
704 | |
| (c)(1) |
102 | |
| (c)(2) |
102 | |
| (e) |
102 | |
| §315(a) |
601(2) | |
| (b) |
603 | |
| (c) |
601(1) | |
| (d) |
601(3) | |
| (e) |
515 | |
| §316(a) (last sentence) |
101 | |
| (a)(1)(A) |
502, 512 | |
| (a)(1)(B) |
513 | |
| (b) |
508 | |
| §317(a)(1) |
503 | |
| (a)(2) |
504 | |
| (b) |
1003 | |
| §318(a) |
108 |
Note: This table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.
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| ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION |
1 | |||||
| Section 101 |
Definitions |
1 | ||||
| Section 102 |
Compliance Certificates and Opinions |
9 | ||||
| Section 103 |
Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee |
10 | ||||
| Section 104 |
Acts of Holders; Record Dates |
10 | ||||
| Section 105 |
Notices, etc. to Trustee and Issuer |
11 | ||||
| Section 106 |
Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver |
12 | ||||
| Section 107 |
Language of Notices |
12 | ||||
| Section 108 |
Conflict with Trust Indenture Act |
12 | ||||
| Section 109 |
Effect of Headings and Table of Contents |
13 | ||||
| Section 110 |
Successors and Assigns |
13 | ||||
| Section 111 |
Separability Clause |
13 | ||||
| Section 112 |
Benefits of Indenture |
13 | ||||
| Section 113 |
Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial |
13 | ||||
| Section 114 |
Legal Holidays |
13 | ||||
| Section 115 |
Counterparts |
13 | ||||
| Section 116 |
Judgment Currency |
14 | ||||
| Section 117 |
Extension of Payment Dates |
14 | ||||
| Section 118 |
Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Stockholders, Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Issuer, the Company and any Guarantor |
14 | ||||
| Section 119 |
USA Patriot Act |
14 | ||||
| Section 120 |
Force Majeure |
15 | ||||
| Section 121 |
FATCA |
15 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES FORMS |
15 | |||||
| Section 201 |
Forms Generally |
15 | ||||
| Section 202 |
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication |
16 | ||||
| Section 203 |
Securities in Global Form |
16 | ||||
| ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES |
17 | |||||
| Section 301 |
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series |
17 | ||||
| Section 302 |
Currency; Denominations |
20 | ||||
| Section 303 |
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating |
21 | ||||
| Section 304 |
Temporary Securities |
22 | ||||
| Section 305 |
Registration, Transfer and Exchange |
23 | ||||
| Section 306 |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities |
25 | ||||
| Section 307 |
Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved |
25 | ||||
| Section 308 |
Persons Deemed Owners |
26 | ||||
| Section 309 |
Cancellation |
27 | ||||
| Section 310 |
Computation of Interest |
27 | ||||
| Section 311 |
CUSIP or ISIN Numbers |
27 | ||||
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| ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE |
28 | |||||
| Section 401 |
Satisfaction and Discharge |
28 | ||||
| Section 402 |
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance |
29 | ||||
| Section 403 |
Application of Trust Money |
33 | ||||
| Section 404 |
Reinstatement |
33 | ||||
| ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES |
33 | |||||
| Section 501 |
Events of Default |
33 | ||||
| Section 502 |
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment |
34 | ||||
| Section 503 |
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee |
35 | ||||
| Section 504 |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim |
36 | ||||
| Section 505 |
Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities |
37 | ||||
| Section 506 |
Application of Money Collected |
37 | ||||
| Section 507 |
Limitations on Suits |
37 | ||||
| Section 508 |
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts |
38 | ||||
| Section 509 |
Restoration of Rights and Remedies |
38 | ||||
| Section 510 |
Rights and Remedies Cumulative |
38 | ||||
| Section 511 |
Delay or Omission Not Waiver |
39 | ||||
| Section 512 |
Control by Holders of Securities |
39 | ||||
| Section 513 |
Waiver of Past Defaults |
39 | ||||
| Section 514 |
Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws |
40 | ||||
| Section 515 |
Undertaking for Costs |
40 | ||||
| ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE |
40 | |||||
| Section 601 |
Duties of Trustee |
40 | ||||
| Section 602. |
Certain Rights of Trustee |
41 | ||||
| Section 603 |
Notice of Defaults |
43 | ||||
| Section 604 |
Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities |
43 | ||||
| Section 605 |
May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Issuer or any Guarantor |
44 | ||||
| Section 606 |
Money Held in Trust |
44 | ||||
| Section 607 |
Compensation and Reimbursement |
44 | ||||
| Section 608 |
Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility |
45 | ||||
| Section 609 |
Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor |
45 | ||||
| Section 610 |
Acceptance of Appointment by Successor |
46 | ||||
| Section 611 |
Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business |
47 | ||||
| Section 612 |
Appointment of Authenticating Agent |
48 | ||||
| ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, ISSUER AND GUARANTORS |
49 | |||||
| Section 701 |
Issuer to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders |
49 | ||||
| Section 702 |
Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders |
49 | ||||
| Section 703 |
Reports by Trustee |
50 | ||||
| Section 704 |
Reports by the Issuer |
50 | ||||
| ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION |
50 | |||||
| Section 801 |
Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms |
50 | ||||
| Section 802 |
Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms |
51 | ||||
| Section 803 |
Successor Person Substituted for Issuer or Guarantor |
52 | ||||
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| ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
52 | |||||
| Section 901 |
Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders |
52 | ||||
| Section 902 |
Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders |
54 | ||||
| Section 903 |
Execution of Supplemental Indentures |
55 | ||||
| Section 904 |
Effect of Supplemental Indentures |
55 | ||||
| Section 905 |
Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures |
56 | ||||
| Section 906 |
Conformity with Trust Indenture Act |
56 | ||||
| ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS |
56 | |||||
| Section 1001 |
Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts |
56 | ||||
| Section 1002 |
Maintenance of Office or Agency |
56 | ||||
| Section 1003 |
Provisions as to Paying Agent |
57 | ||||
| Section 1004 |
Additional Amounts |
58 | ||||
| Section 1005 |
Corporate Existence |
58 | ||||
| Section 1006 |
Waiver of Certain Covenants |
58 | ||||
| Section 1007 |
Issuer and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance |
58 | ||||
| Section 1008 |
Calculation of Original Issue Discount |
58 | ||||
| Section 1009 |
Maintenance of Properties |
59 | ||||
| Section 1010 |
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims |
59 | ||||
| ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES |
59 | |||||
| Section 1101 |
Applicability of Article |
59 | ||||
| Section 1102 |
Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee |
59 | ||||
| Section 1103 |
Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed |
60 | ||||
| Section 1104 |
Notice of Redemption |
60 | ||||
| Section 1105 |
Deposit of Redemption Price |
61 | ||||
| Section 1106 |
Securities Payable on Redemption Date |
61 | ||||
| Section 1107 |
Securities Redeemed in Part |
62 | ||||
| ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS |
62 | |||||
| Section 1201 |
Applicability of Article |
62 | ||||
| Section 1202 |
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities |
62 | ||||
| Section 1203 |
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund |
63 | ||||
| ARTICLE THIRTEEN REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS |
63 | |||||
| Section 1301 |
Applicability of Article |
63 | ||||
| ARTICLE FOURTEEN SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES |
64 | |||||
| Section 1401 |
Applicability of Article |
64 | ||||
| Section 1402 |
Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated |
64 | ||||
iv
| ARTICLE FIFTEEN MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF THE SECURITIES |
64 | |||||
| Section 1501 |
Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called |
64 | ||||
| Section 1502 |
Call, Notice and Place of Meetings |
64 | ||||
| Section 1503 |
Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings |
65 | ||||
| Section 1504 |
Quorum; Action |
65 | ||||
| Section 1505 |
Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings |
66 | ||||
| Section 1506 |
Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings |
66 | ||||
| ARTICLE SIXTEEN GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES |
67 | |||||
| Section 1601 |
Note Guarantee |
67 | ||||
| Section 1602 |
Future Guarantors |
69 | ||||
| Section 1603 |
Delivery of Note Guarantee |
69 | ||||
v
INDENTURE, dated as of [ ], 2022 (the “Indenture”), between VICI Properties L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Issuer”), having its principal office at 535 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10022, as issuer, and UMB Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS
The Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its Securities (as herein defined), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such fixed or floating rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (as herein defined), that are deemed to be incorporated into this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and binding agreement of the Issuer, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 101 Definitions.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;
(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”);
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
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(7) the term “merger” includes a statutory share exchange and the terms “merge” and “merged” have correlative meanings;
(8) the word “including” means including without limitation;
(9) the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter; and
(10) references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent amendments and supplements thereto.
Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.
“Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 104.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by this Indenture, by the terms of any Security established pursuant to Section 301 or by the terms of any Note Guarantee, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, in respect of certain taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein or therein.
“Additional Amounts Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 1004.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Agency” with respect to any Securities, means an agent of the Issuer or the office of an agent of the Issuer, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other agent of the Issuer or office of an agent of the Issuer, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such agent or agent’s office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
“Applicable Law” has the meaning specified in Section 121.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 612 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Issuer or, if the Issuer does not have a board of directors, the board of directors of its direct or indirect general partner, including, in each case, any committee of such board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect for the Issuer hereunder.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions or unanimous written consents certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer (or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of its direct or indirect general partner) to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, on behalf of the Issuer, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification delivered to the Trustee.
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“Business Day” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close; provided that such term shall mean, when used with respect to any payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of any series to be made at any Place of Payment for such Securities, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Securities, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Common Equity” includes any equity security of any class of the Issuer or the Company, as the context requires, which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer or the Company, as applicable, and which is not subject to redemption by the Issuer or the Company, as applicable.
“Company” means VICI Properties Inc., a Maryland corporation, or any successor thereto.
“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time, this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date of this Indenture is located at UMB Bank, National Association, Corporate Trust and Escrow Services, 120 South Sixth Street Ste. 1400, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attention: Teri Donofrio, or at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or at such other address as the successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer).
“Corporation” includes corporations, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies and other companies, and business trusts (which term shall expressly include real estate investment trusts).
“covenant defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 402(3).
“Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or any Security, means Dollars.
“CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s, CUSIP Service Bureau.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.
“defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 402(2).
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“Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, the Person designated as depository by the Issuer in or pursuant to this Indenture, and, unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security, any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the depository which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.
“Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.
“Equivalent Terms” has the meaning specified in Section 1102.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such government.
“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the date of any calculation or determination.
“Gaming” means casino, race track, racino, video lottery terminal, card club or other gambling activities, including, but not limited to, the operation of slot machines, video lottery terminals, table games, pai gow poker, pari-mutuel wagering, sports wagering or other applicable types of wagering.
“Gaming Approval” means any and all approvals, licenses, findings of suitability, authorizations, registrations, permits, consents, rulings, orders or directives of any governmental authority: (i) necessary to enable the Issuer or its Subsidiaries to engage in a Gaming business (including the business of owning or leasing real property or vessels used in the Gaming business) or otherwise to continue to conduct its business substantially as is presently conducted or contemplated to be conducted following the issue date or (ii) required by any Gaming Law.
“Gaming Authority” means any governmental agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, department, office or instrumentality with regulatory, licensing or permitting authority or jurisdiction over any Gaming Facility owned by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, or with regulatory, licensing or permitting authority or jurisdiction over any Gaming operation (or a proposed Gaming operation) at a Gaming Facility owned by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Gaming Facility” means any casino, hotel, resort, race track at which pari-mutuel wagering is conducted, racino, off-track wagering site, card club casinos, or venue at which Gaming or wagering is conducted, and all related or ancillary property and assets.
“Gaming Laws” means all applicable provisions of all: (i) constitutions, treaties, statutes or laws governing Gaming Facilities owned by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries and rules, regulations, codes and ordinances of, and all administrative or judicial orders or decrees or other laws pursuant to which, any Gaming Authority possesses or exercises regulatory, licensing or permit authority or jurisdiction over Gaming Facilities owned by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) Gaming Approvals; and (iii) orders, decisions, determinations, judgments, awards and decrees of any Gaming Authority.
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“General Partner” means the general partner of the Issuer, which as of the date of this Indenture, is VICI Properties GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments in the confederation which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on the relevant Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
“Guarantor” and “Guarantors” mean any Person that is liable under a Note Guarantee under Article Sixteen hereof.
“Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.
“Indebtedness,” when used with respect to any Person, and without duplication, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, means any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium or interest) for or in respect of (i) any notes, bonds, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities or (ii) any borrowed money.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security established pursuant to Section 301 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof); provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established pursuant to Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted.
“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.
“Interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
“Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
5
“Issuer” means the Person named as the “Issuer” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Issuer” shall mean such successor Person.
“Issuer Request” and “Issuer Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed by an Officer on behalf of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.
“Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, upon redemption at the option of the Issuer, upon repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holder or otherwise, and includes a Redemption Date for such Security and a date fixed for the repurchase or repayment of such Security at the option of the Holder.
“New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 116.
“Note Guarantee” has the meaning specified in Section 1601(1).
“Office,” with respect to any Securities, means an office of the Issuer maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other office of the Issuer maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
“Officer” means (i) the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the General Counsel, the Secretary, or the Assistant Secretary of the Issuer, or (ii) the persons holding the positions set forth in clause (i) of any direct or indirect general partner of the Issuer, as the case may be.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer on behalf of the Issuer or a Guarantor, as applicable, that, if applicable, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Issuer or the Company, as the case may be, or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Indenture may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security, other than an Indexed Security, issued pursuant to this Indenture which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 502.
“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(1) any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount (or, to the extent that such Security is payable at such Maturity in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property or such other securities or property in the necessary amount, together with, if
6
applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities) has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 402) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer, the Company or any Affiliate of the Issuer or the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuer, the Company or any Affiliate of the Issuer or the Company (if it shall act as Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3) any such Security with respect to which the Issuer has effected defeasance or covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 402, except to the extent provided in Section 402;
(4) any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Issuer; and
(5) any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 301;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security would be due and payable upon acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 502 at the time of such determination, (ii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, (iii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in (i) above) of such Security, and (iv) Securities owned by the Issuer, the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer, the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Responsible Officer of the Trustee making such determination actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes in writing to the satisfaction of the Trustee (x) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (y) that the pledgee is not the Issuer, the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate of the Issuer, the Company or such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuer to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security on behalf of the Issuer.
“Person” and “person” mean any individual, Corporation, joint venture, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
7
“Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.
“Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered in the Security Register.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the regular record date for the payment of such interest.
“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.
“Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its corporate trust department who is directly responsible for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer or employee of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary or group of Subsidiaries that meets either of the following conditions: (1) the Issuer and its other Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 10% of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission; or (2) the Issuer’s and its other Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 10% of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed therefor by the Trustee, in consultation with the Issuer, pursuant to Section 307.
8
“Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.
“Subsidiary” and “Subsidiaries” mean any Person (excluding an individual), a majority of the outstanding voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interest, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Issuer. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, trustees or managers, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
“Transfer Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 502.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed; provided, however, that in the event that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended, including any regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
“United States” and “United States of America” mean the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction; and the term.
“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Issuer, the Company, the General Partner or any indirect general partner of the Issuer, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President.”
Section 102 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents or any of them is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than certificates delivered pursuant to Section 1007) must include:
(1) a statement that each person signing the certificate or opinion has read the covenant or condition and the related definitions;
9
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in the certificate or opinion is based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, that person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 103 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an Officer of the Issuer or any Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, unless such Officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Officer or Officers of the Issuer or any Guarantor, a governmental official or officers or any other Person or Persons, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, unless counsel rendering the Opinion of Counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 104 Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing or the record of any action taken by Holders at a meeting pursuant to Article Fifteen. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, and any agent of the Trustee, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.
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Without limiting the generality of this Section 104, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, a Holder, including a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.
(2) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.
(3) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
(4) If the Issuer or any Guarantor shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Issuer may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized, agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.
(5) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, the Issuer or any Guarantor in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.
Section 105 Notices, etc. to Trustee and Issuer.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Issuer shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office at the location specified in Section 101; or
(2) the Issuer by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid or overnight delivery, to the Issuer, addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the Company at the address of the Issuer’s principal office specified in writing to the Trustee by the Issuer and, until further notice, at
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VICI Properties L.P., 535 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Chief Financial Officer with a copy to VICI Properties Inc., 535 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Corporate Legal.
In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notices, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile notices, instructions or directions (or notices, instructions or directions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee acts upon such notices, instructions or directions, the Trustee’s understanding of such notices, instructions or directions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such notices, instructions or directions notwithstanding such notices, instructions or directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written notice, instruction or direction. The Issuer agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit notices, instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized notices, instructions or directions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
Section 106 Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or if delivered electronically pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depository, to each Holder affected by such event, at the Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.
In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail or otherwise delivered, neither the failure to mail or otherwise deliver such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed or otherwise delivered, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed or delivered in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee in its sole discretion shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
Section 107 Language of Notices.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language.
Section 108 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
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Section 109 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 110 Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Issuer or any Guarantor shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 111 Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 112 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or any Security, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 113 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.
This Indenture, the Securities and any Note Guarantees shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby. EACH OF THE ISSUER, ANY GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES, ANY GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 114 Legal Holidays.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of, or any other day on which a payment is due with respect to, any Security shall be a day which is not a Business Day, then payment need not be made on such day, but such payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a relevant Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on any such other payment date, as the case may be, and no interest shall accrue or be payable on the payment so deferred on such succeeding Business Day for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or other payment date, as the case may be, to such succeeding Business Day.
Section 115 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. This Indenture may be signed by manual, facsimile or pdf or other electronically-imaged signature (including, without limitation, DocuSign or AdobeSign). Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
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Section 116 Judgment Currency.
Each of the Issuer and any Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (i) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased with the Judgment Currency in The City of New York on the New York Banking Day preceding the date on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (ii) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (a) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (i)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (b) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (c) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed. The provisions of this Section 116 shall not be applicable with respect to any payment due on a Security which is payable in Dollars.
Section 117 Extension of Payment Dates.
In the event that (i) the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Issuer or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable and (ii) the due date for any such payment shall have been so extended, then all references herein to the Stated Maturity of such payment (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to refer to the date as so extended.
Section 118 Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Stockholders, Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Issuer, the Company and any Guarantor.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any past, present or future general partner, limited partner, member, employee, incorporator, controlling person, stockholder, officer, director or agent, as such, of the Issuer, the Company, any Guarantor or of any of the Issuer’s, the Company’s or any Guarantor’s predecessors or successors, either directly or through the Issuer, the Company or any Guarantor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
Section 119 USA Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that, in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. Each of the Issuer and any Guarantor agrees that it will provide the Trustee with such information as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A.
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Patriot Act, including documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity, financial statements, licenses, and identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.
Section 120 Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, epidemics, pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 121 FATCA.
In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Law”) that a foreign financial institution, or issuer, trustee, paying agent, holder or other institution is or has agreed to be subject to related to this Indenture, the Issuer agrees (i) to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Trustee or any Paying Agent sufficient information about Holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) that is reasonably requested by the Trustee or such Paying Agent so the Trustee or such Paying Agent can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Law, (ii) that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law for which the Trustee and such Paying Agent shall not have any liability, and (iii) to hold harmless the Trustee and such Paying Agent for any losses it may suffer due to the actions it takes to comply with such Applicable Law, in case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), other than any liability or losses as may be attributable to the Trustee’s or the Paying Agent’s, as applicable, willful misconduct or negligence. The terms of this paragraph shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITIES FORMS
Section 201 Forms Generally.
Each Registered Security and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officer executing such Security as evidenced by the execution of such Security.
Definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or in any other manner, all as determined by the Officer executing such Securities, as evidenced by the execution of such Securities.
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Section 202 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
Subject to Section 612, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
| UMB Bank, National Association, as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: | ||
Section 203 Securities in Global Form.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in temporary or permanent global form, any such Security may provide that it or any principal amount of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser principal amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon or reflected on the books and records of the Trustee and may also provide that the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the principal amount, or any increase or decrease in the principal amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the Issuer Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 303 or 304 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the applicable Issuer Order. If an Issuer Order pursuant to Section 303 (with respect to Outstanding Securities) or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Issuer increasing or decreasing the amount outstanding with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, in the event a global Security is exchangeable for definitive Securities as provided in Section 305, then, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver such global Security to the extent necessary to effect such exchanges, shall endorse such global Security to reflect any decrease in the principal amount thereto resulting from such exchanges and shall take such other actions, all as contemplated by Section 305.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person in whose name such Security is registered.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of the principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security in registered form, the Person whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.
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ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
Section 301 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series.
With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of any Securities of a series:
(1) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);
(2) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities;
(3) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 905 or 1107, upon repayment in part of any Security of such series pursuant to Article Thirteen or upon surrender in part of any Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may from time to time be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (a) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (b) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 305, (c) the name of the Depository with respect to any such global Security and (d) if applicable and in addition to the Persons specified in Section 305, the Person or Persons who shall be entitled to make any endorsements on any such global Security and to give the instructions and take the other actions with respect to such global Security contemplated by the first paragraph of Section 203;
(5) the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of any Securities of the series is payable or the method or methods used to determine or extend those dates;
(6) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
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(7) if in addition to or other than the Corporate Trust Office, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange and notices or demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made;
(8) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Issuer and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Issuer to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(9) if the Issuer is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;
(10) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
(11) whether such Securities will be convertible into and/or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property of the Issuer or of any other Person, and if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions or changes to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;
(12) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion is to be determined;
(13) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which purchases of such Securities must be made and the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101;
(14) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;
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(15) if the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;
(16) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Issuer or any Guarantor with respect to any of such Securities or any Note Guarantee (whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein), any additional covenants subject to waiver by the Act of Holders pursuant to Section 1006, and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502;
(17) if any one or more of the provisions of Section 401 relating to satisfaction and discharge, Section 402(2) relating to defeasance or Section 402(3) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to such Securities, and any covenants in addition to or other than those specified in Section 402(3) relating to such Securities which shall be subject to covenant defeasance, and, if such Securities are subject to repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holders thereof pursuant to Article Thirteen, if the Issuer’s obligation to repurchase or repay such Securities will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and, if the Holders of such Securities have the right to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the right to effect such conversion or exchange will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article Four (including any modification which would permit satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or covenant defeasance to be effected with respect to less than all of the outstanding Securities of such series) in respect of such Securities;
(18) if any of such Securities are issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(19) the circumstances under which the Issuer or any guarantor will pay Additional Amounts on such Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or other government charge and whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts;
(20) whether the Securities of the series will be secured and, if so, specification of the collateral and the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Securities shall be secured;
(21) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee that has any obligations, duties and remedies with respect to such Securities and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;
(22) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of such series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in this Indenture;
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(23) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed by a Guarantor and, if so, the identity of such Guarantor, and the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such Note Guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective Guarantors;
(24) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(25) whether the Securities will not be issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;
(26) the exchanges, if any, on which such Securities may be listed;
(27) the price or prices at which the Securities will be sold; and
(28) any other terms of such Securities and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as may be provided by the Issuer in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Board Resolutions of the Issuer or any Guarantor (with respect to its Note Guarantee), Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, as the case may be, pertaining to such series of Securities and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture.
All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided by the Issuer as contemplated by this Section 301, a series may be reopened from time to time without notice to or the consent of any Holders for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.
If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to Board Resolutions of the Issuer, such Board Resolution(s) shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.
Section 302 Currency; Denominations.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture.
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Section 303 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
Securities and any Note Guarantee to be endorsed thereon shall be executed on behalf of the Issuer or the related Guarantor, as applicable, by the Chairman, President or one of the Vice Presidents, Treasurer or Secretary of the Issuer or the General Partner on behalf of the Issuer, or such Guarantor, and may (but need not) have the Issuer’s, General Partner’s or the Guarantor’s, as applicable, corporate seal or a facsimile thereof reproduced thereon. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities and any related Note Guarantees bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the General Partner on behalf of the Issuer, as applicable, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, bind the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or the Securities upon which any such Note Guarantee is endorsed or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or any such related Note Guarantee.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Securities executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication; provided that the Board Resolutions and Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 301 and an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Issuer Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Issuer Order may set forth procedures for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate or formula, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon,
(1) an Opinion of Counsel to the following effect:
(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with Sections 201 and 301 of this Indenture;
(b) all conditions precedent set forth in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been complied with; and
(c) that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions (if applicable), executed by a duly authorized Officer on behalf of the Issuer, delivered by a duly authorized Officer on behalf of the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, and that any Note Guarantee, when executed by a duly authorized signatory of the Guarantor and issued by such Guarantor in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel and when the Securities upon which such Note Guarantees have been endorsed have been completed, executed and delivered by a duly authorized Officer on behalf of the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantor, except, in each case, as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by
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general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and subject to such other exceptions as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee; provided that such Opinion of Counsel need not express an opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States; and
(2) an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been complied with.
If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each Security, but such opinion, with such modifications as counsel shall deem appropriate, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series. After any such first delivery, any separate request by the Issuer that the Trustee authenticate Securities of such series for original issue will be accompanied by (a) an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to authentication and delivery of such Securities continue to have been complied with and (b) an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or will otherwise be in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.
Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 202 or 612 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 304 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Issuer may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 303, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Officers of the Issuer executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.
Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture or the provisions established pursuant to Section 301, if temporary Securities are issued, the Issuer shall cause definitive Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, after the preparation of definitive Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities (other than any variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for definitive Securities that are reasonably acceptable to the Trustee), such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Issuer shall execute and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical
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terms and provisions. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
Section 305 Registration, Transfer and Exchange.
With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Issuer shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuer shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers and exchanges of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities, the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities shall be as specified in the second to last paragraph of Section 1002. The Issuer shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Issuer and shall have accepted such appointment. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Issuer shall execute, and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the global Securities of any series shall be exchangeable for definitive certificated Securities of such series only if (i) the Depository for such global Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable or no longer qualified to continue as a Depository for such global Securities or at any time the Depository for such global Securities ceases to be a clearing agency registered as such under the Exchange Act, if so required by applicable law or regulation, and no successor Depository for such Securities shall have been appointed by the Issuer within ninety (90) days of such notification or of the Issuer becoming aware of the Depository’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be, (ii) the Issuer, in its sole discretion and subject to the Depository’s procedures, determines that the Securities of such series shall no longer be represented by one or more global Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee an Issuer Order to the effect that such global Securities shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such Securities and the Depository or the Issuer specifically requests such exchange.
If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding paragraph, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or
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pursuant to this Indenture, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Issuer. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be surrendered from time to time by the Depository (or its custodian) as shall be specified in the Issuer Order with respect thereto (which the Issuer agrees to deliver), and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the Depository as shall be specified in the Issuer Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Issuer’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which shall be in such denominations and, in the case of Registered Securities, registered in such names, as shall be specified by the Depository, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen (15) days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository (or its custodian) or such other Depository (or its custodian) referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Issuer referred to above, and the Trustee shall endorse such global Security to reflect the decrease in the principal amount thereof resulting from such exchange. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (x) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next Interest Payment Date, or (y) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, or any redemption or repayment of Securities, or any conversion or exchange of Securities for other types of securities or property, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 905 or 1107, upon repayment or repurchase in part of any Registered Security pursuant to Article Thirteen, or upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms, in each case not involving any transfer.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the Issuer shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen (15) days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of like tenor and terms and of the same series under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security, or portion thereof, so selected for redemption, except in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen and not withdrawn, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.
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Section 306 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 306, the Issuer shall execute and, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
If there be delivered to the Issuer and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuer or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Issuer shall execute and, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 306, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Issuer may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and its legal counsel) connected therewith.
Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute a separate obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall (to the extent lawful) be exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 307 Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
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(1) The Issuer may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee, in consultation with the Issuer, shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than fifteen (15) days and not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than ten (10) days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) in the manner set forth in Section 106 not less than ten (10) days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2); or
(2) The Issuer may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any interest which is paid prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period set forth in Section 501(1) shall be paid to Holders as of the record date for the Interest Payment Date for which interest has not been paid.
Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture and unless agreed to in writing separately by the Trustee or the Securities of any particular series, at the option of the Issuer, interest on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States of America; provided, that the Paying Agent shall have received appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307 and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 308 Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
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No owner of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the applicable Depository, as a Holder, with respect to a global Security or impair, as between such Depository and the owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depository (or its nominee) as the Holder of such global Security.
Section 309 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be promptly delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities, as well as Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Issuer may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures, subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act, and the Trustee shall deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Issuer upon its written request therefor. The Trustee shall provide the Issuer with a list of all Securities that have been cancelled from time to time as requested by the Issuer.
Section 310 Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or in the Securities of any series, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 311 CUSIP or ISIN Numbers.
The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.
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ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 401 Satisfaction and Discharge.
Unless, pursuant to Section 301, the provisions of this Section 401 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of any series, upon the direction of the Issuer by an Issuer Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Issuer Order and any Note Guarantee of such Securities (except for provisions that survive pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or the applicable series of Securities), and the Trustee, on receipt of an Issuer Order, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when,
(1) either
(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (ii) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(b) all such Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
(i) have become due and payable; or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or
(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Issuer, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer;
and the Issuer, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and, to the extent that the Securities of such series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit determinable by the Issuer (in the exercise by the Issuer of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;
(2) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series (including amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 607); and
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(3) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to the Securities of such series have been complied with.
In the event there are Securities of two or more series Outstanding hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee, if such notice is in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Issuer to the Trustee under Section 607 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Sections 305, 306, 403, 404, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 401(1)(b)), the obligations of any Guarantor under any Note Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Issuer to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Issuer to repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Issuer to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, shall survive.
Section 402 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.
(1) Unless, pursuant to Section 301, either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 402 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 402 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 402 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Issuer may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to the Securities of or within such series, elect to have Section 402(2) or Section 402(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Note Guarantees of such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 402. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, defeasance under clause (2) of this Section 402 and covenant defeasance under clause (3) of this Section 402 may be effected only with respect to all, and not less than all, of the Outstanding Securities of any series. To the extent that the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Issuer or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable, then unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301, the right to extend such date shall terminate upon defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be.
(2) Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be deemed to have been discharged from their respective obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 402 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in subclauses (a) through (d) of this clause (2), and that each of the Issuer and any
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Guarantor shall be deemed to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely (except as provided in subclause (b) below) from the trust fund described in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 and as more fully set forth in this Section 402 and 403, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities when such payments are due, (b) the obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to clause (4)(a) of this Section 402)), the obligations of any Guarantor under a Note Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, as applicable, any rights of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Issuer to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Issuer to repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Issuer to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (d) this Section 402 and Sections 403 and 404. The Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 402(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 402(3) with respect to such Securities.
(3) Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(3) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be released from their respective obligations under clause (ii) of Section 1005, Section 704 and, to the extent specified pursuant to Section 301, any other covenant applicable to such Securities with respect to such Securities shall cease to be applicable to such Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with any such covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or any such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default under Section 501(3) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 402 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:
(a) The Issuer shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 608 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 402 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (i) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or
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covenant defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be, or (ii) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or covenant defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (A) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and, to the extent that such Securities provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by the Issuer (in the exercise by the Issuer of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Outstanding Securities on the Maturity or Stated Maturity of such principal or interest, and (B) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.
(b) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound.
(c) No Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, and, solely in the case of defeasance under Section 402(2), no Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 shall have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on and including the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition to defeasance under Section 402(2) shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).
(d) In the case of defeasance pursuant to Section 402(2), the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel stating that (i) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of independent counsel shall confirm that, the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred; or, in the case of covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 402(3), the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.
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(e) The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, under this Indenture have been complied with.
(f) If the monies or Government Obligations or combination thereof, as the case may be, deposited under subclause (a) above are sufficient to pay the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and, to the extent provided in such subclause (a), Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities on a particular Redemption Date, the Issuer shall have given the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem such Securities on such date and to provide notice of such redemption to Holders as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 402(4), such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Issuer in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.
(5) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) pursuant to clause (4)(a) of Section 402 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 402(4)(a) has been made, (i) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (ii) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to subclause (i) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.
The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 402 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Section 402 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon Issuer Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 which, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 402.
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Section 403 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or 402 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, interest and Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has or Government Obligations have been deposited with or received by the Trustee; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 404 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any moneys or Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 401(1) or 402(4)(a) to pay any principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the Securities of any series by reason of any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series and the Note Guarantee shall be revived and reinstated as though no such deposit had occurred, until such time as the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such moneys and Government Obligations to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 401 or 402 as the case may be, and Section 403; provided, however, that if the Issuer makes any payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series following the reinstatement of its obligations as aforesaid, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the funds held by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
Section 501 Events of Default.
An “Event of Default” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) means any of the following events, or any other event as specified in accordance with Section 301 for a particular series of Securities:
(1) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest under the Securities of that series;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, the Securities of that series, when the same becomes due and payable or default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of that series when the same becomes due and payable;
(3) the Issuer fails to comply with any of the Issuer’s other agreements contained in the Securities of that series or this Indenture (other than an agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this
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Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series) upon receipt by the Issuer of notice of such default by the Trustee or receipt by the Issuer and the Trustee of notice of such default by Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series and the Issuer fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within sixty (60) days after the Issuer receives such notice;
(4) failure to pay any recourse indebtedness for monies borrowed by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $150,000,000 at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable notice and grace period, which recourse indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Issuer from the Trustee (or to the Issuer and the Trustee from Holders of at least twenty five percent (25%) in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series);
(5) the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to, under or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer or such Significant Subsidiary or their debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer or such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer or such Significant Subsidiary; (b) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Issuer or such Significant Subsidiary; (c) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or (d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(6) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer or such Significant Subsidiary or their debts under any Bankruptcy Law or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer or such Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer or any such Significant Subsidiary, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or
(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that: (a) is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding; (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer or any such Significant Subsidiary; or (c) orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary; and, in each case in this clause (7), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for ninety (90) calendar days.
Section 502 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501) with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, then either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or such lesser amount, as the case may be, and such accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 with respect to the Securities of any series occurs, then the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Securities of such series.
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At any time after Securities of any series have been accelerated by declaration of the Trustee or the Holders and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Issuer, any Guarantor and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(1) the Issuer or the Company has paid or deposited, or cause to be paid or deposited, with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay (or, to the extent that the terms of the Securities of such series established pursuant to Section 301 expressly provide for payment to be made in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, deposited with a transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, together with cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities, sufficient to pay):
(a) all overdue installments of any interest on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto;
(b) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest thereon at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities;
(c) to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest upon installments of any interest, if any, which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities; and
(d) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been waived as provided in Section 513 or cured.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 503 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Issuer covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any interest on, any Security when such interest or Additional Amounts, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of thirty (30) days, or
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(2) default is made in the payment of any principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, any Security at its Maturity, when the same becomes due and payable, or
(3) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if applicable, when due, and such default continues for three (3) Business Days,
the Issuer or any Guarantor shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for or with respect to such Securities or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the reasonable costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607.
If the Issuer (and any applicable Guarantor) fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 504 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Issuer, such Guarantor or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuer for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of the principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
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and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee hereunder.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.
Section 505 Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of a Security in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 506 Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five with respect to the Securities of any series shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of such Securities, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) and any predecessor Trustee under this Indenture;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts;
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Issuer.
Section 507 Limitations on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or such Security, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;
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(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs, to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for sixty (60) days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
Section 508 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof at the option of such Holder if provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, on the date such repayment is due) and, in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, to convert or exchange, as the case may be, such Security in accordance with its terms, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and any such right to convert or exchange, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 509 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Issuer, any Guarantor (if applicable), the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 510 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
To the extent permitted by applicable law and except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
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Section 511 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.
Section 512 Control by Holders of Securities.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series; provided that:
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of any other series and could not involve the Trustee in personal liability,
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee, which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series (or any other series) not joining in such action.
Section 513 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except
(1) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series, or
(2) in the case of any Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property, a continuing default in any such conversion or exchange, or
(3) a continuing default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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Section 514 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Issuer covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or any other law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which would prohibit or forgive the Issuer or any applicable Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, as contemplated in this Indenture, any Note Guarantee and the Securities or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and each of the Issuer and any Guarantor expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee or the Holders, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 515 Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 515 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, on or after the date for repayment) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
Section 601 Duties of Trustee.
(1) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
(2) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(a) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(b) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
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(3) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a) this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (2) of this Section 601;
(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 512; and
(d) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(4) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 601.
Section 602. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to Section 601:
(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Request or an Issuer Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
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(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs, which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, upon reasonable prior written notice and during normal business hours, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(8) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers. The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so;
(9) the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail (PDF only), facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing designated persons with the authority to provide such instructions, which incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Issuer or any Guarantor elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile transmission instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its sole and absolute discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, damages, costs, fees or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or inconsistency with a subsequent written instruction. The Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, agree to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception by third parties;
(10) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;
(11) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(12) in no event shall the Trustee be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;
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(13) the Trustee may request that the Issuer and any Guarantor deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;
(14) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred under this Indenture;
(15) any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the Holder of any Outstanding Security shall be conclusive and binding upon future holders of Securities and upon Securities executed and delivered in exchange thereof or in place thereof; and
(16) the Trustee need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated in the certificates or opinions referred to therein.
Section 603 Notice of Defaults.
Within ninety (90) days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of Securities of such series, notice of such default hereunder actually known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that except in the case of any default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders; provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(3) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least sixty (60) days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series; provided that any default that results solely from the taking of an action that would have been permitted but for the continuation of a previous default will be deemed to be cured if such previous default is cured prior to becoming an Event of Default. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default or Event of Default under this Indenture or related documents unless (i) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such default or Event of Default or (ii) the Trustee shall have received notice in writing of such default or Event of Default by the Issuer or by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of the affected series, and such notice is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.
Section 604 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Issuer are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.
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Section 605 May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Issuer or any Guarantor.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Issuer, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person; provided, however, that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest under the Trust Indenture Act relating to any of its duties with respect to the Securities, it must either eliminate such conflict or resign as Trustee, subject to its right under the Trust Indenture Act to seek a stay of its duty to resign.
Section 606 Money Held in Trust.
Subject to Section 1402, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuer.
Section 607 Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Issuer and, in the event that the Issuer fails to perform the following obligations and indemnities, any Guarantor, agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as agreed in writing for all services rendered by the Trustee (in any capacity) hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel, such as attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its directors, officers, employees and its agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability or reasonable cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee’s agents, legal counsel, accountants and experts) arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability or expense was due to the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct.
The foregoing payment obligations and indemnities shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Issuer and any Guarantor under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to particular Securities.
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Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified by Section 501(5), (6) or (7) is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 607 shall include any predecessor Trustee but the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 607. The provisions of this Section 607 shall, to the extent permitted by law, survive any termination or expiration of this Indenture (including, without limitation, termination pursuant to any bankruptcy or insolvency laws) and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
Section 608 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000 subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
Section 609 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 610.
(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Issuer. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 610 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Issuer. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 610 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.
(4) If at any time:
(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Issuer or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six (6) months, or
(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 608 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or any such Holder, or
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(c) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (i) the Issuer, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Issuer, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 610. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Issuer and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 610, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Issuer or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 610, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(6) The Issuer shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 610 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Issuer or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 1003, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 607.
(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, any Guarantor, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall
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accept such appointment and which (a) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (b) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (c) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts separate and apart from trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Issuer or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor relates and subject to Section 1003 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 607.
(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Issuer and any Guarantor shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section, as the case may be.
(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under this Article.
Section 611 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder (provided that such Person shall otherwise be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under this Article), without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any such successor to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee.
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Section 612 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Issuer with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption, partial repayment, partial conversion or exchange for Common Equity or other securities or property, or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.
Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Issuer and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, shall at all times be a Person that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $50,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any Person into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder; provided such Person shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Issuer and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Issuer agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section. If the Trustee makes such payments, it shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607.
The provisions of Sections 308, 604 and 605 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.
If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
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| [NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT], | ||
| as Authenticating Agent | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: | ||
If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Issuer wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Issuer with respect to such series of Securities.
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, ISSUER AND GUARANTORS
Section 701 Issuer to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Issuer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee,
(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date, and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Issuer of any such request, a list of the names and addresses of Holders as of a date not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished pursuant to either clause (1) or clause (2) of this Section 701.
Section 702 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
(1) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.
(2) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuer, any Guarantor and the Trustee that none of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee or any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived.
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Section 703 Reports by Trustee.
(1) Within sixty (60) days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 301, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding May 15 and the date of this Indenture.
(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by the Trust Indenture Act, including Sections 313(a), 313(b), 313(c) and 313(d), at the times, in the manner and to the Persons specified therein.
(3) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and the Issuer. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 704 Reports by the Issuer.
For so long as any Securities are outstanding, if the Issuer is subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) or any successor provision, within fifteen (15) days after the date that the Issuer files the same with the Commission. If the Issuer is not subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, and for so long as any Securities are outstanding, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee the quarterly and annual financial statements and accompanying Item 303 of Regulation S-K (“management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations”) disclosure that would be required to be contained in annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q required to be filed with the Commission if the Issuer was subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, within fifteen (15) days of the filing date that would be applicable to the Issuer at that time pursuant to applicable Commission rules and regulations.
Reports and other documents filed with the Commission and publicly available via the EDGAR system or the Company’s website will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time of such filing is publicly available via EDGAR or on the Company’s website for purposes of this covenant; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed or are publicly available via EDGAR or on the Company’s website. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including its compliance with any of the covenants relating to the Securities (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION
Section 801 Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Issuer will be the continuing entity or the Issuer or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Issuer, in one transaction or series of related transactions, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:
(1) the Issuer shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Issuer) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state
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thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by such successor entity and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture on the part of the Issuer to be performed or observed;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) either the Issuer or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 802 Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of any Guarantor with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor), or successive consolidations or mergers in which such Guarantor will be the continuing entity or such Guarantor or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of such Guarantor, in one transaction or series of related transactions, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor); provided, however, that except as provided with respect to any Securities established pursuant to Section 301 hereof, the following conditions are met:
(1) such Guarantor shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than such Guarantor) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture (or indentures, if at such time there is more than one Trustee) supplemental hereto, executed by such successor entity and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the obligations of such Guarantor under the applicable Note Guarantee and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture on the part of such Guarantor to be performed or observed;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) either such Guarantor or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of such Guarantor and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, sale, merger, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
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Section 803 Successor Person Substituted for Issuer or Guarantor.
If the Issuer or any Guarantor shall, in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise convey all or substantially all its property and assets to any Person, in each case in accordance with Section 801 or Section 802, as applicable, the successor Person formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or the Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of the applicable series, with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer or Guarantor, as applicable, herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the applicable Securities.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 901 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Issuer (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer or any Guarantor, if applicable, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Issuer or any Guarantor, if applicable, contained herein and in the Securities; or
(2) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor with respect to all or any series of Securities issued under this Indenture (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures); or
(3) to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities or any Note Guarantee; provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series; or
(4) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including, without limitation, any conversion or exchange provisions applicable to Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, and any deletions from or additions or changes to this Indenture in connection therewith (provided that any such deletions, additions and changes shall not be applicable to any other series of Securities then Outstanding); or
(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 610; or
(6) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture; or
(7) to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(8) to comply with applicable Gaming Laws, to the extent that such supplemental indenture is not materially adverse to the Holders of Securities of such series; or
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(9) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture) (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all of the Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, however, that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or
(10) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance, covenant defeasance and/or satisfaction and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article Four; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of a Security of such series or any other Security in any material respect; or
(11) to add one or more Note Guarantees for the benefit of Holders of all or any series of Securities, to secure the Securities or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Note Guarantee or lien securing the Securities which such release, termination or discharge is permitted by this Indenture; or
(12) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or in any Securities (which amendment or supplement may apply to one or more series of Securities or to one or more Securities within any series as specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures); provided that such amendment or supplement (a) does not (i) apply to any Outstanding Security issued prior to the date of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefits of such provision or (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (b) shall become effective only when there is no Security described in clause (a)(i) Outstanding; or
(13) in the case of any series of Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, to safeguard or provide for the conversion or exchange rights, as the case may be, of such Securities in the event of any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Equity or any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or combination of the Issuer with or into another Person or any sale, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer to any other Person or other similar transactions, if expressly required by the terms of such series of Securities established pursuant to Section 301; or
(14) to conform the terms of this Indenture or the Securities of a series, as applicable, to the description thereof contained in any prospectus, prospectus supplement, term sheet or other offering document relating to the offer and sale of such Securities; or
(15) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 301, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series; or
(16) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository; or
(17) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any Holder; or
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(18) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or
(19) to add a co-issuer or co-obligor of the Securities; or
(20) to provide for reduction in the minimum denominations of the debt securities; or
(21) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded.
Section 902 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as separate classes) by Act of said Holders delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee, the Issuer (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series or of any Note Guarantee or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the premium, if any, thereon or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest thereon, or reduce the amount payable upon redemption thereof at the option of the Issuer or repayment or repurchase thereof at the option of the Holder, or reduce any Additional Amounts payable with respect to any Security or any Note Guarantee, or change the obligation of the Issuer to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)) or the obligation of any Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts under any Note Guarantee, or reduce the amount of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect the right of repayment or repurchase at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article Thirteen, or change the Place of Payment where or the Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Note Guarantee is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment or repurchase pursuant to Article Thirteen at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) in each case as such Stated Maturity, Redemption Date or date for repayment or repurchase may, if applicable, be extended in accordance with the terms of such Security, or in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, impair the right to institute suit to enforce the right to convert or exchange such Security in accordance with its terms, or release a Guarantor from any of its obligations under a Note Guarantee except as permitted under this Indenture, or
(2) reduce the requirements for a quorum or voting at a meeting of Holders of the Outstanding Securities of any series;
(3) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in Section 513 or 1006 of this Indenture, or
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(4) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1006 except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, or
(5) make any change that adversely affects the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms.
Other than as set forth above, a supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if more than one series of Securities is Outstanding, the Issuer and any Guarantor shall be entitled to enter into a supplemental indenture under this Section 902 with respect to any one or more series of Outstanding Securities without entering into a supplemental indenture with respect to any other series of Outstanding Securities.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 903 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 601 hereof) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of each of the Issuer and any Guarantor to the effect that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of, each of the Issuer and any Guarantor, respectively, subject to customary exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Upon an Issuer Request, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel provided for in Section 102 and this Section 903, and, if applicable, upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the other parties thereto in the execution of a supplemental indenture, subject to the protection afforded to the Trustee by the last sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 903.
Section 904 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
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Section 905 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuer shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuer, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, upon Issuer Order, in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue new Securities shall not affect the validity of such supplemental indenture.
Section 906 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Unless the Issuer shall determine, based on an Opinion of Counsel delivered to the Trustee, that the same shall not be required, every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
Section 1001 Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.
The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article Eleven hereof), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Securities; provided that the Issuer or Paying Agent may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article Three hereof, maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Issuer or Paying Agent is required to withhold by law.
Section 1002 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Issuer will maintain an office or agency, where the Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or redemption and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. As of the date of this Indenture, such office shall be the Corporate Trust Office and, at any other time, at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Issuer. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be deemed an agent of the Issuer or Company for service of legal process.
The Issuer may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Issuer shall designate the Paying Agent, Security Registrar and Transfer Agent for each series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 of this Indenture. In no event shall the Trustee be designated in any such capacity without the Trustee’s written consent. The Trustee shall not serve as Transfer Agent for any shares of Common Equity.
So long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, the Trustee agrees to mail (or send by electronic transmission), or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 609(6) hereof. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section 1002, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the Issuer and the Holders of Securities it can identify from its records.
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Section 1003 Provisions as to Paying Agent.
(1) If the Issuer shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a Paying Agent, the Issuer will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 1003: (a) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities; (b) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and (c) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.
The Issuer shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.
(2) If the Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Issuer (or any other obligor under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall become due and payable.
(3) Anything in this Section 1003 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuer or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 1003, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Issuer or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Issuer or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other Paying Agents (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.
Subject to applicable law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on Issuer Request, or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
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Section 1004 Additional Amounts.
In the event that the Issuer is required to make the payment of Additional Amounts to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Issuer will provide written notice (“Additional Amounts Notice”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Additional Amounts no later than ten (10) calendar days prior to the proposed payment date for Additional Amounts, and the Additional Amount Notice shall set forth the amount of Additional Amounts to be paid by the Issuer on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities to determine the Additional Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent or calculation of the amount of Additional Amounts when made, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Additional Amounts.
Section 1005 Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, each of the Issuer and any Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its (i) existence, and (ii) rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided that neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee of that Board of Directors), as applicable, shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable.
Section 1006 Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Issuer and any Guarantor may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1005(ii) and 704 with respect to the Securities of any series and, if expressly provided pursuant to Section 301(16), any additional covenants applicable to the Securities of such series if, before the time for such compliance, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 1007 Issuer and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance.
Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, the Issuer and, if applicable, any Guarantor, shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by any of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer, or of its direct or indirect general partner, and such Guarantor, stating whether or not the signer has knowledge of any default under this Indenture, and, if so, specifying each default and the nature and the status thereof.
The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying with particularity such default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Issuer has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Any notice required to be given under this Section 1007 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 1008 Calculation of Original Issue Discount.
So long as there is any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Security, the Issuer shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
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Section 1009 Maintenance of Properties.
The Issuer will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Issuer may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1009 shall prevent the Issuer from (i) removing permanently any property that has been condemned or suffered a casualty loss, if it is in its best interests, (ii) discontinuing maintenance or operation of any property if, in its reasonable judgment, doing so is in its best interest, or (iii) selling or otherwise disposing for value its properties in the ordinary course of business.
Section 1010 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Issuer will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Issuer or any Subsidiary, and (ii) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a material lien upon the property of the Issuer or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 1101 Applicability of Article.
Redemption of Securities of any series at the option of the Issuer as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.
Section 1102 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Issuer to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Issuer, the Issuer shall, not less than fifteen (15) and not more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Issuer (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, in the event that the Issuer shall determine that the Securities of any series to be redeemed shall be selected from Securities of such series having the same issue date, interest rate or interest rate formula, Stated Maturity and other terms (the “Equivalent Terms”), the Issuer shall notify the Trustee of such Equivalent Terms.
In the case of any redemption of Securities (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (ii) pursuant to an election of the Issuer which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
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Section 1103 Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or if less than all of the Securities of any series with Equivalent Terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not less than ten (10) days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Securities of such series or from the Outstanding Securities of such series with Equivalent Terms, as the case may be, not previously called for redemption, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security of such series not redeemed to be less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto; provided that if the Securities of such series are represented by one or more global Securities, interests in such global Securities shall be selected for redemption by the Depository in accordance with its standard procedures therefor.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted or exchanged for Common Equity or other securities or property in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted or exchanged portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
Section 1104 Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portions thereof.
Any notice that is sent to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;
(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed;
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(4) that, in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed;
(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, together (if applicable) with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon (subject, if applicable, to the proviso to the first paragraph of Section 1106), and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;
(6) the place or places where such Securities, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto;
(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;
(8) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, the then current conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate, as applicable, and the place or places where and the Persons to whom such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange;
(9) the CUSIP number, Common Code or ISIN number of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities); and
(10) if the Redemption Price or any portion thereof shall be payable, at the option of the Issuer or any Holders, in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof), a statement as to whether the Issuer has elected to pay the Redemption Price in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof) and, if applicable, the portion of the Redemption Price that is to be paid in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request with five (5) days prior written notice (or such shorter notice as shall be acceptable to the Trustee), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer, which request shall set forth the information to be contained in such notice of redemption.
Section 1105 Deposit of Redemption Price.
At or prior to 11:00 a.m. (local time in New York City) on any Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption pursuant to Section 1104, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer or any Guarantor is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 1106 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, together with (unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 301) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon and from and after such date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price
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and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Additional Amounts with respect thereto to but excluding the Redemption Date; provided, however, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Registered Securities of such series, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid, or funds set aside for payment, on the Redemption Date, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security or, if no rate is prescribed therefor in the Security, at the rate of interest, if any, borne by such Security.
Section 1107 Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Issuer or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon Issuer Order, to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon Issuer Order, to the Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Issuer Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
Section 1201 Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.
Section 1202 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Issuer may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (i) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash
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shall have been released to the Issuer), and (ii) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 1202, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Issuer Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Issuer from time to time pay over and deliver to the Issuer any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Issuer to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Issuer having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Issuer.
Section 1203 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than seventy-five (75) days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, the basis for such credit and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officer’s Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Issuer shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than sixty (60) days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Issuer in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
Section 1301 Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 309, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Issuer, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a direction that such Securities be cancelled. If specified with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 301, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Issuer may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the applicable repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Issuer on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Issuer to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.
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Unless otherwise expressly stated in this Indenture or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Indenture to the repayment of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to include a reference to the repurchase of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Section 1401 Applicability of Article.
Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of such series and in accordance with the Depository’s procedures, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action, determination or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such distribution) as the Issuer may specify in a written notice to the Trustee.
Section 1402 Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated.
The Trustee shall segregate monies, funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder, if any, in one currency from any monies, funds or accounts in any other currencies, notwithstanding any provision herein which would otherwise permit the Trustee to commingle such accounts.
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF THE SECURITIES
Section 1501 Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.
A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.
Section 1502 Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.
(1) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place in the United States. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than twenty-one (21) nor more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
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(2) In case at any time the Issuer or any Guarantor (by or pursuant to a Board Resolution) or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have sent notice of or made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within twenty-one (21) days after receipt of such request (whichever shall be required pursuant to Section 106) or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the United States and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in clause (1) of this Section.
Section 1503 Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (i) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (ii) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Issuer, any Guarantor and their respective counsel.
Section 1504 Quorum; Action.
The Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting or duly reconvened meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of a supermajority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote the specified supermajority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than ten (10) days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1502(1), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five (5) days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.
Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a supermajority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly convened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid only by the affirmative vote of the Holders of the specified supermajority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, further, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such lesser specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series.
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Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series, whether or not such Holders were present or represented at the meeting.
Section 1505 Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.
(2) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(2), in which case the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.
(3) At any meeting, each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. If the Securities of such series are issuable in minimum denominations of less than $1,000, then a Holder of such a Security in a principal amount of less than $1,000 shall be entitled to a fraction of one vote which is equal to the fraction that the principal amount of such Security bears to $1,000. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.
(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 1506 Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in triplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the
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meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to each of the Issuer and any Guarantor, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
ARTICLE SIXTEEN
GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES
Section 1601 Note Guarantee.
(1) Each Person who may become a “Guarantor” with respect to any series of Securities to which this Article Sixteen is made applicable, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees (the “Note Guarantee”) to each Holder of a Security of such series authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Securities of such series or the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture, the Securities of such series and irrespective of restrictions of any kind on the Issuer’s performance of its obligations under the Securities, and waiving all rights of objections and defense arising from the Securities, that: (a) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series will be paid in full when due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise; (b) all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders of such series or the Trustee under this Indenture or the Securities of such series will be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series; and (c) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Securities of such series or any of such other obligations thereunder, they will be paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, each Guarantor shall be obligated to pay the same before failure so to pay becomes an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series. If the Issuer defaults in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of a series so guaranteed when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise, without the necessity of action by the Trustee or any Holder, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall be required to promptly make such payment in full. The obligations of all Guarantors under this Article Sixteen shall be joint and several.
(2) Each Guarantor agrees with respect to Securities of any series that its obligations with regard to this Note Guarantee shall be as principal and not merely as surety and shall be full, irrevocable and unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities of such series or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any delays in obtaining or realizing upon or failures to obtain or realize upon collateral, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or a guarantor. Each Guarantor with respect to Securities of any series hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or right to require the prior disposition of the assets of the Issuer to meet its obligations, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of all obligations contained in the Securities of such series and this Indenture as it relates to such series of Securities. Each Note Guarantee is a guaranty of payment and not of collection.
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(3) Any such Note Guarantee will be a guarantee of payment and not merely of collection, and it shall continue in full force and effect by way of continuing security until all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, (including any Additional Amounts required to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the series of Securities so guaranteed) have been paid in full and all other actual or contingent obligations of the Issuer in relation to the series of Securities so guaranteed or under this Indenture have been satisfied in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any payment received by any Holder is, on the subsequent bankruptcy or insolvency of the Issuer, avoided under any applicable laws, including, among others, laws relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, such payment will not be considered as having discharged or diminished the liability of any Guarantor and any such Note Guarantee will continue to apply as if such payment had at all times remained owing by the Issuer.
(4) If any Holder of Securities of a series or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to any of the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to Securities of that series, or any custodian, trustee, or similar official acting in relation to any of the Issuer or a Guarantor, any amount paid by any of the Issuer or a Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder with respect to Securities of that series, the Note Guarantee with respect to Securities of that series, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders of Securities of a series in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations of Securities of such series. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 502 for the purposes of a Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration as to the Issuer of the obligations so guaranteed, and (b) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of those obligations as provided in Section 502, those obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors with respect to Securities of a series for purposes of the Note Guarantee.
(5) Each Guarantor and by its acceptance of a Security issued hereunder each Holder hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee by each Guarantor set forth in Section 1601(1) not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purpose of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and all Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each of the Guarantors under the Note Guarantee set forth in Section 1601(1) shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor, and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or pursuant to the next succeeding sentence, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under such Note Guarantee not constituting such a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. Each Guarantor that makes any payment or distribution under Section 1601(1) shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor equal to its Pro Rata Portion of such payment or distribution. For purposes of the foregoing, the “Pro Rata Portion” of any Guarantor means the percentage of net assets of all Guarantors held by such Guarantor, determined in accordance with GAAP.
(6) It is the intention of the parties that the obligations of the Guarantors shall be in, but not in excess of, the maximum amount permitted by applicable law. Accordingly, if the obligations in respect of the Note Guarantee would be annulled, avoided or subordinated to the creditors of any Guarantor by a court of competent jurisdiction in a proceeding actually pending before such court as a result of a determination both that such Note Guarantee was made without fair consideration and, immediately after giving effect thereto, such Guarantor was insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature or left with an unreasonably small capital, then the obligations of such Guarantor under such Note Guarantee shall be reduced by such court if and to the extent such reduction would result in the avoidance of such annulment,
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avoidance or subordination; provided, however, that any reduction pursuant to this paragraph shall be made in the smallest amount as is strictly necessary to reach such result. For purposes of this paragraph, “fair consideration,” “insolvency,” “unable to pay its debts as they mature,” “unreasonably small capital” and the effective times of reductions, if any, required by this paragraph shall be determined in accordance with applicable law.
(7) If the obligations of any Guarantor are reduced pursuant to Section 1601(5) or 1601(6) above, such reduction shall be applied proportionately with respect to all Securities (of whatever series) guaranteed under Section 1601, in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amount of such Securities so guaranteed (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, the accreted value of such Securities) and being then due upon the acceleration of the payment of such Securities.
Section 1602 Future Guarantors.
Each Person providing a guarantee of any Security of a series pursuant to this Indenture shall execute and deliver a supplemental indenture making such Person a party to this Indenture for the purpose of becoming a Guarantor.
Section 1603 Delivery of Note Guarantee.
The delivery of any Security of a series by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in Section 1601 on behalf of each Guarantor for that series.
69
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
| VICI PROPERTIES L.P., | ||||
| as Issuer | ||||
| By: | VICI PROPERTIES GP LLC, its general partner | |||
| By: |
| |||
| Name: | ||||
| Title: | ||||
70
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
| UMB Bank, National Association, | ||
| as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
71
Exhibit 5.1
|
Hogan Lovells US LLP Columbia Square 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 T +1 202 637 5600 F +1 202 637 5910 www.hoganlovells.com |
April 18, 2022
Board of Directors
VICI Properties Inc.
VICI Properties GP LLC
VICI Properties L.P.
535 Madison Avenue
20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
To the addressees referred to above:
We are acting as counsel to VICI Properties Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “VICI REIT”), and VICI Properties L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“VICI LP”) and subsidiary of VICI REIT, in connection with their registration statement on Form S-3, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed public offering of an unlimited amount of one or more series of: (i) shares of common stock of VICI REIT, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) shares of preferred stock of VICI REIT, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (iii) stock purchase contracts for Common Stock and Preferred Stock (the “Purchase Contracts”), (iv) depositary shares representing Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”), (v) warrants to purchase Common Stock (the “Common Stock Warrants”), Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock Warrants”) or Depositary Shares (“Depositary Share Warrants” and, collectively with the Common Stock Warrants and the Preferred Stock Warrants, the “Warrants”), (vi) rights to purchase Common Stock (“Subscription Rights”) and (vii) units (the “Units”) comprised of two or more of any of the Securities and (viii) the debt securities of VICI LP (the “Debt Securities” and, items (i) through (viii) collectively, the “Securities”), all of which may be sold from time to time and on a delayed or continuous basis, as set forth in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement, and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the prospectus. This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of such agreements, instruments and documents as we have deemed an appropriate basis on which to render the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including pdfs). As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.
Hogan Lovells US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in the District of Columbia. “Hogan Lovells” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP, with offices in: Alicante Amsterdam Baltimore Beijing Birmingham Boston Brussels Colorado Springs Denver Dubai Dusseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Houston Johannesburg London Los Angeles Luxembourg Madrid Mexico City Miami Milan Minneapolis Monterrey Moscow Munich New York Northern Virginia Paris Perth Philadelphia Rome San Francisco São Paulo Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Sydney Tokyo Warsaw Washington, D.C. Associated Offices: Budapest Jakarta Riyadh Shanghai FTZ Ulaanbaatar. Business Service Centers: Johannesburg Louisville. Legal Services Center: Berlin. For more information see www.hoganlovells.com
| Board of Directors VICI Properties Inc. VICI Properties GP LLC VICI Properties L.P. |
2 | April 18, 2022 |
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that (i) the issuance, sale, amount and terms of any Securities of VICI REIT and/or VICI LP to be offered from time to time will have been duly authorized and established by proper action of the board of directors of VICI REIT (“Board of Directors”) either on behalf of VICI REIT for itself or in its capacity as the sole member of VICI Properties GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and general partner of VICI LP, or a duly authorized committee of such Board of Directors (“Board Action”) consistent with the procedures and terms described in the Registration Statement and in accordance with (a) VICI REIT’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, and applicable Maryland corporate law or (b) VICI LP’s Certificate of Limited Partnership, as amended, and Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, as amended, and applicable Delaware limited partnership law, in each case in a manner that does not violate any law, government or court-imposed order or restriction or agreement or instrument then binding on VICI REIT and/or VICI LP or otherwise impair the legal or binding nature of the obligations represented by the applicable Securities; (ii) at the time of the offer, issuance and sale of any Securities, the Registration Statement will have been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and no stop order suspending its effectiveness will have been issued and remain in effect; (iii) any Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements, each to be between VICI REIT and a financial institution identified therein as a warrant agent; (iv) prior to any issuance of Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares, appropriate articles supplementary shall be filed and accepted for record by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation; (v) any Depositary Shares will be issued under one or more deposit agreements by the financial institution identified therein as a depositary, each deposit agreement to be between VICI REIT and the financial institution identified therein as a depositary; (vi) any Purchase Contracts will be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements; (vii) any Units will be issued under one or more unit agreements, each to be between VICI REIT and a unit agent; (viii) any Subscription Rights will be issued under one or more subscription rights agreements, each to be between VICI REIT and a financial institution identified therein as a rights agent; (ix) any Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture for Debt Securities substantially in the form of such indenture filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement or any other indenture for Debt Securities filed in an amendment to the Registration Statement with a qualified trustee named therein; (x) the applicable indenture under which any Debt Securities are issued will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (xi) if being sold by the issuer thereof, the Securities will be delivered against payment of valid consideration therefor and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Board Action authorizing such sale and any applicable underwriting agreement or purchase agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable prospectus supplement; (xii) VICI REIT will remain a Maryland corporation; (xiii) VICI LP will remain a Delaware limited partnership. (xiv) the Securities will not be issued in violation of the ownership limit contained in VICI REIT’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement, as amended; and (xv) the laws of the State of New York will be the governing law under any indenture, deposit agreement, warrant agreement or rights agreement.
| Board of Directors VICI Properties Inc. VICI Properties GP LLC VICI Properties L.P. |
3 | April 18, 2022 |
To the extent that the obligations of VICI REIT and/or VICI LP with respect to the Securities may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the other party under any indenture for any Debt Securities, under any purchase contract agreements for any Purchase Contracts, under any deposit agreement for any Depositary Shares, under any warrant agreement for any Warrants, under any subscription rights agreement for any Subscription Rights, and under any unit agreement for any Units, namely, the trustee, the purchase contract agent, the depositary, the warrant agent, the rights agent, or the unit agent, respectively, is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that such other party is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by such indenture, purchase contract agreement, deposit agreement, warrant agreement, subscription rights agreement or unit agreement, as applicable; that such indenture, purchase contract agreement, deposit agreement, warrant agreement, subscription rights agreement or unit agreement, as applicable, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other party and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other party enforceable against the other party in accordance with its terms; that such other party is in compliance with respect to performance of its obligations under such indenture, purchase contract agreement, deposit agreement, warrant agreement, subscription rights agreement or unit agreement, as applicable, with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; and that such other party has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such indenture, purchase contract agreement, warrant agreement, deposit agreement, subscription rights agreement or unit agreement, as applicable.
This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on the applicable provisions of the following, as currently in effect: (i) the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended, (ii) the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended and (iii) as to the opinions given in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h), the laws of the State of New York (but not including any laws, statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules or regulations of any political subdivision below the state level). We express no opinion herein as to any other statutes, rules or regulations (and in particular, we express no opinion as to any effect that such other statutes, rules or regulations may have on the opinions expressed herein).
Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
(a) The Common Stock (including any Common Stock duly issued as part of a Unit or upon the exchange or conversion of Preferred Stock that are exchangeable for or convertible into Common Stock or upon the exercise of Common Stock Warrants or Subscription Rights and receipt by VICI REIT of any additional consideration payable upon such conversion, exchange or exercise), upon due execution and delivery on behalf of VICI REIT of certificates therefor, including global certificates, or the entry of the issuance thereof in the books and records of VICI REIT, as the case may be, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(b) The Preferred Stock (including any Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares or that are duly issued as part of a Unit or upon the exercise of Preferred Stock Warrants and receipt by VICI REIT of any additional consideration payable upon such exchange or conversion, upon due execution and delivery on behalf of VICI REIT of certificates therefor, including global certificates, or the entry of the issuance thereof in the books and records of VICI REIT, as the case may be, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
| Board of Directors VICI Properties Inc. VICI Properties GP LLC VICI Properties L.P. |
4 | April 18, 2022 |
(c) The Purchase Contracts, upon due execution and delivery of a purchase contract agreement relating thereto on behalf of VICI REIT and the purchase contract agent named therein, and upon due execution and delivery of the Purchase Contracts on behalf of VICI REIT, will constitute valid and binding obligations of VICI REIT.
(d) The depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares, upon due countersignature thereof and issuance against a deposit of duly authorized and validly issued Preferred Stock in accordance with the deposit agreement relating thereto, will be validly issued and entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such depositary receipts and deposit agreement.
(e) The Warrants, upon due execution and delivery of a warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of VICI REIT and the warrant agent named therein and due authentication of the Warrants by such warrant agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Warrants on behalf of VICI REIT, will constitute valid and binding obligations of VICI REIT.
(f) The Subscription Rights, upon due execution and delivery of a subscription rights agreement relating thereto on behalf of VICI REIT and the rights agent named therein and upon due execution and delivery of one or more certificates bearing such terms on behalf of VICI REIT, will constitute valid and binding obligations of VICI REIT.
(g) The Debt Securities, upon due execution and delivery of an indenture relating thereto on behalf of VICI LP and the applicable trustee named therein, and upon authentication by such trustee and due execution and delivery on behalf of VICI LP in accordance with the applicable indenture and any supplemental indenture relating thereto, will constitute valid and binding obligations of VICI LP.
(h) The Units, upon due execution and delivery of a unit agreement relating thereto on behalf of VICI REIT, and upon due execution and delivery of such Units and the underlying Securities, if applicable that are components of such Units in accordance with the applicable unit agreement, warrant agreement (in the case of underlying Warrants), deposit agreement (in the case of underlying Depositary Shares) or purchase contract agreement (in the case of underlying Purchase Contracts), and assuming that any underlying Securities not issued by VICI REIT that are components of such Units have been duly and properly authorized for issuance and constitute valid and binding obligations enforceable against the issuer thereof in accordance with their terms, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of VICI REIT.
The opinions expressed in Paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) above with respect to the valid and binding nature of obligations may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers) and by the exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity, good faith, fair dealing, reasonableness, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether the Securities are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
| Board of Directors VICI Properties Inc. VICI Properties GP LLC VICI Properties L.P. |
5 | April 18, 2022 |
This opinion letter has been prepared for use in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Act.
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Hogan Lovells US LLP |
| HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP |
Exhibit 8.1
|
Hogan Lovells US LLP Columbia Square 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 T +1 202 637 5600 F +1 202 637 5910 www.hoganlovells.com |
April 18, 2022
VICI Properties, Inc.
535 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10022
| Re: | REIT Qualification Opinion |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are acting as tax counsel to VICI Properties Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) and VICI Properties L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“VICI LP”) and subsidiary of the Company, in connection with their registration statement on Form S-3, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed public offering of an unlimited amount of one or more series of the following securities of (i) the Company’s: (a) shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), (b) shares of preferred stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (c) stock purchase contracts for Common Stock and Preferred Stock (the “Purchase Contracts”), (d) depositary shares representing Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”), (e) warrants to purchase Common Stock (the “Common Stock Warrants”), Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock Warrants”) or Depositary Shares (“Depositary Share Warrants” and, collectively with the Common Stock Warrants and the Preferred Stock Warrants, the “Warrants”), (f) rights to purchase Common Stock (“Subscription Rights”) and (g) units (the “Units”) comprised of two or more of any of the Securities and (ii) the debt securities of VICI LP (the “Debt Securities” and items (i) and (ii) collectively, the “Securities”), all of which may be sold from time to time and on a delayed or continuous basis, as set forth in the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) which forms a part of the Registration Statement, and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus. You have requested our opinion concerning certain federal income tax considerations relating to the Company, including with respect to the qualification of the Company as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under Section 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Bases for Opinions
The opinions set forth in this letter are based on relevant current provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (including proposed and temporary Treasury Regulations), and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, applicable legislative history, and the administrative rulings and practices of the United States Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling, all as of the date hereof. These provisions and interpretations are subject to change by the IRS, Congress and the courts (as applicable), which may or may not be retroactive in effect and which might result in material modifications of our opinions. Our opinions do not foreclose the possibility of a contrary determination by the IRS or a court of competent jurisdiction, or of a contrary position taken by the IRS or the United States Treasury Department in regulations or rulings issued in the future. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best professional judgment with respect to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, if such issue were to be litigated, but an opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position asserted by the IRS.
In rendering the following opinions, we have examined such statutes, regulations, records, agreements, certificates and other documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions, including, but not limited to (including all exhibits and schedules thereto) which we have, with your consent, relied upon (without any independent investigation or review thereof):
| 1. | the Registration Statement and Prospectus; |
| 2. | the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, which includes the audited financial statements of VICI LP, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2022; |
| 3. | the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. (“Caesars”), et. al., under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, dated January 13, 2017 (the “Plan of Reorganization”); |
| 4. | the documents that effectuate, or were entered into pursuant to, the Plan of Reorganization; |
| 5. | the documents that effectuate, or were entered into in connection with, the purchase and/or lease of properties by subsidiaries of the Company subsequent to the Company’s separation from Caesars; and |
| 6. | certain organizational documents of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (those documents referred to in clauses (1) through (6), the “Reviewed Documents”). |
The opinions set forth in this letter are premised on, among other things, the written representations of the Company contained in a certificate to us (including all exhibits and attachments thereto), dated as of the date hereof (the “Officer’s Certificate”).
Although we have discussed the Officer’s Certificate with the signatory thereto, for purposes of rendering our opinions, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate. We consequently have relied upon the representations and statements of the Company as described in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate, and assumed that the information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us is accurate and complete in all material respects.
In this regard, we have assumed with your consent the following:
| 1. | that (A) all of the representations and statements as to factual matters set forth in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate are true, correct, and complete as of the date hereof, (B) any representation or statement in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate made as a belief or made “to the knowledge of” or similarly qualified is true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the date hereof, without such qualification, (C) any representation or statement in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate as to the Company’s intent is assumed to be carried out in accordance with such intent, (D) each agreement described in the Reviewed Documents is valid and binding in accordance with its terms, (E) each of the obligations of the parties to the Reviewed Documents, and their subsidiaries, as described in the Reviewed Documents, has been or will be performed or satisfied in accordance with its terms (and no covenants or conditions described therein and affecting this opinion letter have been or will be waived or modified), and (F) there are no agreements, arrangements, or understandings among the parties that supplement or are inconsistent with the Reviewed Documents; |
| 2. | the genuineness of all signatures, the proper execution of all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity of the originals from which any copies were |
| 4. | that any documents as to which we have reviewed only a form were or will be duly executed without material changes from the form reviewed by us; |
| 5. | the Company’s separation from Caesars was consummated in accordance with the provisions of the Reviewed Documents and as described therein; |
| 6. | the Eldorado Transaction (as defined in the Prospectus) was consummated in a manner consistent with the Company’s representations included in the Officer’s Certificate; |
| 7. | the acquisition of the Venetian Resort (as defined in the Prospectus) was consummated in a manner consistent with the Company’s representations included in the Officer’s Certificate; |
| 8. | the MGP Transactions (as defined in the Prospectus) will be consummated in a manner consistent with the Company’s representations included in the Officer’s Certificate; and |
| 9. | that from and after the date of this letter, the Company, will comply with its representation contained in the Officer’s Certificate that the Company will utilize all appropriate “savings provisions” (including the provisions of Sections 856(c)(6), 856(c)(7), and 856(g) of the Code, and the provision included in Section 856(c)(4) of the Code (flush language) allowing for the disposal of assets within 30 days after the close of a calendar quarter, and all available deficiency dividend procedures) available to the Company under the Code in order to correct any violations of the applicable real estate investment trust (“REIT”) qualification requirements of Sections 856 and 857 of the Code to the full extent the remedies under such provisions are available. |
Any material variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the documents that we have reviewed and upon which we have relied (including, in particular, the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate) may adversely affect the conclusions stated herein. In addition, we note that the Company may engage in transactions in connection with which we have not provided tax advice and have not reviewed, and of which we may be unaware.
Opinions
Based upon and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, including, without limitation, the discussion in the next paragraph below, we are of the opinion that:
| 1. | commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2017, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and the Company’s current organization and current and proposed method of operation (as described in the Reviewed Documents and the Officer’s Certificate) will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2022, and future taxable years; and |
| 2. | the portions of the discussion in the Prospectus under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” that describe provisions of applicable U.S. federal income tax law are correct in all material respects as of the date hereof. |
Qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code depends upon the ability of the Company to meet on an ongoing basis (through actual quarterly and annual operating results, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership and otherwise) the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, and upon the Company utilizing any and all appropriate “savings provisions” (including the provisions of Sections 856(c)(6), 856(c)(7), and 856(g) of the Code and the provision included in Section 856(c)(4) of the Code (flush language) allowing for the disposal of assets within 30 days after the close of a calendar quarter, and all available deficiency dividend procedures) available to the Company under the Code to correct violations of specified REIT qualification requirements of Sections 856 and 857 of the Code. Our opinions set forth above do not foreclose the possibility that the Company may have to utilize one or more of these “savings provisions” in the future, which could require the Company to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be significant in amount) in order to maintain its REIT qualification. We have not undertaken and will not undertake to review the Company’s compliance with these requirements on a continuing basis, nor will we do so in the future. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations, the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, the level of its distributions to shareholders and the diversity of its share ownership for any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements under the Code for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
This opinion letter has been prepared solely for your use for filing as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation by reason of this opinion letter or otherwise to advise you of any changes in our opinion letter after the date hereof. Except as provided in the next paragraph, this opinion letter may not be distributed, quoted in whole or in part or otherwise reproduced in any document, or filed with any governmental agency without our express written consent.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Hogan Lovells US LLP in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, however, we do not admit thereby that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This opinion letter should not be relied upon by any person other than you or for any other purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Hogan Lovells US LLP
HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 23, 2022, relating to the financial statements of VICI Properties Inc., and the effectiveness of VICI Properties Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of VICI Properties Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2021. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
April 18, 2022
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated April 18, 2022, relating to the financial statements of VICI Properties L.P., appearing in the Current Report on Form 8-K dated on April 18, 2022. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
April 18, 2022
Exhibit 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 16, 2022 relating to the financial statements of MGM Growth Properties LLC and the effectiveness of MGM Growth Properties LLC’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing as Exhibit 99.1 in the Current Report on Form 8-K of VICI Properties Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2022. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 18, 2022
Exhibit 23.4
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 16, 2022 relating to the financial statements of MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP, appearing as Exhibit 99.1 in the Current Report on Form 8-K of VICI Properties Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2022. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 18, 2022
Exhibit 25.1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
44-0194180
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
| 1010 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri | 64106 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Teresa Donofrio, Vice President
120 South Sixth Street, Suite 1400, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 337-7005
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
VICI PROPERTIES L.P.,
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
| DELAWARE | 35-2576503 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. employer identification No.) | |
| 535 MADISON AVENUE | ||
| NEW YORK, NEW YORK | 10022 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
| Item 1. | General Information | |
| (a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which the Trustee is subject is as follows: | |
| The Comptroller of the Currency | ||
| Mid-Western District | ||
| 2345 Grand Avenue, Suite 700 | ||
| Kansas City, Missouri 64108 | ||
| Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City | ||
| Federal Reserve P.O. Station | ||
| Kansas City, Missouri 64198 | ||
| Supervising Examiner | ||
| Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation | ||
| 720 Olive Street, Suite 2909 | ||
| St. Louis, Missouri 63101 | ||
| (b) | The Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. | |
| Item 2. | Affiliations with obligor. The Obligor is not affiliated with the Trustee. | |
| Item 3. | Voting securities of the Trustee. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 4. | Trusteeships under other indentures. | |
| 3.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2025 | ||
| 3.750% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2027 | ||
| 4.125% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2030 | ||
| 4.250% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2026 | ||
| 4.625% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029 | ||
| Item 5. | Interlocking directorates and similar relationships with the obligor or underwriters. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 6. | Voting securities of the trustee owned by the obligor or its officials. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 7. | Voting securities of the trustee owned by underwriters or their officials. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 8. | Securities of the obligor owned or held by the trustee. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 9. | Securities of the underwriters owned or held by the trustee. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 10. | Ownership or holdings by the trustee of voting securities of certain affiliates or security holders of the obligor. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 11. | Ownership or holdings by the trustee of any securities of a person owning 50 percent or more of the voting securities of the obligor. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 12. | Indebtedness of the Obligor to the Trustee. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 13. | Defaults of the Obligor. | |
| NONE | ||
| Item 14. | Affiliations with the Underwriters. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 15. | Foreign Trustee. | |
| NOT APPLICABLE | ||
| Item 16. | List of Exhibits | |
| Listed below are all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of eligibility and qualification. | ||
| 1. |
Articles of Association of the Trustee, as now in effect (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-74008). | |
| 2. |
Certificate of Authority from the Comptroller of the Currency evidencing a change of the corporate title of the Association. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-74008). | |
| 3. |
Certificate from the Comptroller of the Currency evidencing authority to exercise corporate trust powers and a letter evidencing a change of the corporate title of the Association. (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-74008). | |
| 4. |
Bylaws, as amended of the Trustee (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-74008). | |
| 5. |
N/A | |
| 6. |
Consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (Exhibit 6 to Registration Statement No. 333-74008). | |
| 7. |
Report of Condition of the Trustee as of December 31, 2021. | |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee, UMB Bank, National Association, a national bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the city of Minneapolis, and State of Minnesota, on the 18 day of April, 2022.
| UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | ||
| BY: | /s/ Teresa Donofrio | |
| Teresa Donofrio, Vice President | ||
Date: April 18, 2022
T-1 EXHIBIT 7
| Umb Bank, National Association - FDIC Certificate Number: 8273 | Submitted to CDR on 01/28/2022 at 02:25 PM | |||
| Consolidated Report of Condition for Insured Banks and Savings Associations for December 31, 2021 |
FFIEC 031 Page 17 of 89 RC-1 | |||
All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, report the amount outstanding as of the last business day of the quarter.
Schedule RC—Balance Sheet
| Dollar Amounts in Thousands | RCFD | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule RC-A): |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin (1) |
0081 | 413,212 | 1.a. | |||||||||||||||||||
| b. Interest-bearing balances (2) |
0071 | 8,811,903 | 1.b. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| a. Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A) (3) |
JJ34 | 1,478,476 | 2.a. | |||||||||||||||||||
| b. Available-for-sale debt securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D) |
1773 | 11,976,466 | 2.b. | |||||||||||||||||||
| c. Equity securities with readily determinable fair values not held for trading (4) |
JA22 | 23,415 | 2.c. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 3. Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| a. Federal funds sold |
RCON | B987 | 0 | 3.a. | ||||||||||||||||||
| b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell (5,6) |
RCFD | B989 | 1,215,666 | 3.b. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4. Loans and lease financing receivables (from Schedule RC-C): |
RCFD | |||||||||||||||||||||
| a. Loans and leases held for sale |
5369 | 1,277 | 4.a. | |||||||||||||||||||
| b. Loans and leases held for investment |
B528 | 17,170,843 | 4.b. | |||||||||||||||||||
| c. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses (7) |
3123 | 194,771 | 4.c. | |||||||||||||||||||
| d. Loans and leases held for investment, net of allowance (item 4.b minus 4.c) |
B529 | 16,976,072 | 4.d. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5. Trading assets (from Schedule RC-D) |
3545 | 27,935 | 5. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6. Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) |
2145 | 214,844 | 6. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7. Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M) |
2150 | 0 | 7. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8. Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies |
2130 | 0 | 8. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 9. Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures |
3656 | 0 | 9. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 10. Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M) |
2143 | 148,154 | 10. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 11. Other assets (from Schedule RC-F) (6) |
2160 | 1,104,865 | 11. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 12. Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11) |
2170 | 42,392,285 | 12. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13. Deposits: |
RCON | |||||||||||||||||||||
| a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C from Schedule RC-E, Part I) |
2200 | 35,809,744 | 13.a. | |||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Noninterest-bearing (8) |
RCON | 6631 | 16,552,459 | 13.a.1. | ||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Interest-bearing |
RCON | 6636 | 19,257,285 | 13.a.2. | ||||||||||||||||||
| b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs |
RCFN | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (from Schedule RC-E, Part II) |
2200 | 0 | 13.b. | |||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Noninterest-bearing |
RCFN | 6631 | 0 | 13.b.1. | ||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Interest-bearing |
RCFN | 6636 | 0 | 13.b.2. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| a. Federal funds purchased in domestic offices (9) |
RCON | B993 | 12,597 | 14.a. | ||||||||||||||||||
| b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (10) |
RCFD | B995 | 3,225,838 | 14.b. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 15. Trading liabilities (from Schedule RC-D) |
RCFD | 3548 | 0 | 15. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 16. Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness) (from Schedule RC-M) |
RCFD | 3190 | 0 | 16. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits. |
| 2 | Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading. |
| 3 | Institutions that have adopted ASU 2016-13 should report in item 2.a amounts net of any applicable allowance for credit losses, and item 2.a should equal Schedule RC-B, item 8, column A, less Schedule RI-B, Part II, item 7, column B. |
| 4 | Item 2.c is to be completed by all institutions. See the instructions for this item and the Glossary entry for “Securities Activities” for further detail on accounting for investments in equity securities. |
| 5 | Includes all securities resale agreements, regardless of maturity. |
| 6 | Institutions that have adopted ASU 2016-13 should report in items 3.b and 11 amounts net of any applicable allowance for credit losses. |
| 7 | Institutions that have adopted ASU 2016-13 should report in item 4.c the allowance for credit losses on loans and leases. |
| 8 | Includes noninterest-bearing, demand, time, and savings deposits. |
| 9 | Report overnight Federal Home Loan Bank advances in Schedule RC, item 16, “Other borrowed money.” |
| 10 | Includes all securities repurchase agreements, regardless of maturity. |
| Reporting Period: December 31, 2021 | January 28, 2022 2:45 PM |
| Umb Bank, National Association - FDIC Certificate Number: 8273 | Submitted to CDR on 01/28/2022 at 02:25 PM | |||
| Schedule RC—Continued |
FFIEC 031 Page 18 of 89 RC-2 | |||
| Dollar Amounts in Thousands | RCFD | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities - continued |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17. and 18. Not applicable |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19. Subordinated notes and debentures (1) |
3200 | 0 | 19. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) |
2930 | 373,879 | 20. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20) |
2948 | 39,422,058 | 21. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 22. Not applicable |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Capital |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank Equity Capital |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus |
3838 | 0 | 23. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 24. Common stock |
3230 | 21,250 | 24. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 25. Surplus (excludes all surplus related to preferred stock) |
3839 | 849,822 | 25. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 26. a. Retained earnings |
3632 | 1,967,146 | 26.a. | |||||||||||||||||||
| b. Accumulated other comprehensive income (2) |
B530 | 132,009 | 26.b. | |||||||||||||||||||
| c. Other equity capital components (3) |
A130 | 0 | 26.c. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 27. a. Total bank equity capital (sum of items 23 through 26.c) |
3210 | 2,970,227 | 27.a. | |||||||||||||||||||
| b. Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries |
3000 | 0 | 27.b. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 28. Total equity capital (sum of items 27.a and 27.b) |
G105 | 2,970,227 | 28. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 29. Total liabilities and equity capital (sum of items 21 and 28) |
3300 | 42,392,285 | 29. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Memoranda |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| To be reported with the March Report of Condition. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| RCFD | Number | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the most comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external auditors as of any date during 2020 |
6724 | NR | M.1. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1a = | An integrated audit of the reporting institution’s financial statements and its internal control over financial reporting conducted in accordance with the standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) by an independent public accountant that submits a report on the institution |
| 1b = | An audit of the reporting institution’s financial statements only conducted in accordance with the auditing standards of the AICPA or the PCAOB by an independent public accountant that submits a report on the institution |
| 2a = | An integrated audit of the reporting institution’s parent holding company’s consolidated financial statements and its internal control over financial reporting conducted in accordance with the standards of the AICPA or the PCAOB by an independent public accountant that submits a report on the consolidated holding company (but not on the institution separately) |
| 2b = | An audit of the reporting institution’s parent holding company’s consolidated financial statements only conducted in accordance with the auditing standards of the AICPA or the PCAOB by an independent public accountant that submits a report on the consolidated holding company (but not on the institution separately) |
| 3 = | This number is not to be used |
| 4 = | Directors’ examination of the bank conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by state-chartering authority) |
| 5 = | Directors’ examination of the bank performed by other external auditors (may be required by state-chartering authority) |
| 6 = | Review of the bank’s financial statements by external auditors |
| 7 = | Compilation of the bank’s financial statements by external auditors |
| 8 = | Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work) |
| 9 = | No external audit work |
| To be reported with the March Report of Condition. |
RCON | Date | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Bank’s fiscal year-end date (report the date in MMDD format) |
8678 | NR | M.2. |
| 1 | Includes limited-life preferred stock and related surplus. |
| 2 | Includes, but is not limited to, net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, accumulated net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, and accumulated defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan adjustments. |
| 3 | Includes treasury stock and unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares. |
| Reporting Period: December 31, 2021 | January 28, 2022 2:45 PM |