Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of business.  Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to “SHFL entertainment, Inc.,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company,” include SHFL entertainment, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company was previously known as Shuffle Master, Inc. and changed its name in the current year to SHFL entertainment, Inc.

We are a leading global gaming supplier committed to making gaming more fun for players and more profitable for operators through product innovation, and superior quality and service.  We operate in legalized gaming markets across the globe and provide state-of-the-art, value-add products in four distinct segments: Utility products, which include automatic card shufflers and roulette chip sorters; Proprietary Table Games (“PTG”), which include live table games, side bets and progressives as well as our newly introduced online gaming products, which feature online versions of our table games, social gaming and mobile applications; Electronic Table Systems (“ETS”), which include various e-Table game platforms; and Electronic Gaming Machines (“EGM”), which include video slot machines.  Each segment's activities include the design, development, acquisition, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, installation and servicing of a distinct product line.  Our products are manufactured at our headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada, at our Australian headquarters in Milperra, New South Wales, Australia, as well as outsourced, for certain sub-assemblies in the United States, Europe and Asia.

We lease, license and sell our products. When we lease or license our products, we generally negotiate a month-to-month fixed fee contract. When we sell our products, we offer our customers a choice between a sale, a longer-term sales-type lease or other long-term financing. We offer our products worldwide in regulated markets.

Utility. Our Utility segment develops products for licensed casino operators that enhance table game speed, productivity, profitability and security. Utility products include various models of automatic card shufflers to suit specific games, as well as deck checkers, and roulette chip sorters. This segment also includes our i-Shoe Auto card reading shoe that gathers data and enables casinos to track table game play and our i-Score baccarat viewer that displays current game results and trends. These products are intended to cost-effectively provide licensed casino operators and other users with data on table game play for security and marketing purposes, which in turn allows them to increase their profitability.

Proprietary Table Games. Our PTG segment consists of proprietary table games that enhance our casino customers' and other licensed operators' table game operations. Products in this segment include our internally developed and acquired proprietary table games, side bets, add-ons and progressives as well as our newly introduced online gaming products, which feature online versions of our table games, social gaming and mobile applications.  Our proprietary content and features are also added to public domain games such as poker, baccarat, pai gow poker, craps and blackjack table games and to electronic platforms such as Table Master, Vegas Star and i-Table.

Electronic Table Systems.  Our ETS segment consists of various products involving popular table game content using e-Table game platforms. Our primary ETS products are i-Table, Table Master, Vegas Star and Rapid Table Games.  Our i-Table platform combines an electronic betting interface with a live dealer and live cards or a live wheel that is designed to improve game speed and security while reducing many operating expenses associated with live tables.  Our Table Master and Vegas Star products feature a virtual dealer which enables us to offer table game content in both traditional gaming markets and in markets where live table games are not permitted, such as some racinos, video lottery and arcade markets. Like the i-Table, our Rapid Table Games product enables the automation of certain components of traditional table games such as data collection, placement of bets, collection of losing bets and payment of winning bets combined with live dealer and game outcomes. This automation provides benefits to both casino operators and players, including greater security and faster speed of play.  Unlike the i-Table, Rapid Table Games is not confined to a fixed number of seats and can have hundreds of terminals tied to one game outcome.

Electronic Gaming Machines.  Our EGM segment develops and delivers our video slot machines into markets including Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Mexico and parts of South America.  We offer a selection of video slot titles developed as stand-alone units or as linked progressive machines. In addition to selling the full EGM complement, we sell software conversion kits that allow existing EGM terminals to be converted to other games that operate on the current PC4 operating platform. Popular titles for our EGMs include Cats Hats & Bats, Eureka Gold Mine 2, 88 Fortunes, Emerald Fortunes and Mahajanga.  In addition, we continue to develop a popular range of games utilizing the Pink Panther brand, under license from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc.  In late fiscal 2012, we released a range of games incorporating features and bonus rounds based on the popular 1960’s animated television series, The FlintstonesTM & © Hanna-Barbera s12.

Principles of consolidation. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and include all adjustments necessary to fairly present our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows for each period presented.

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SHFL entertainment, Inc. and our wholly-owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. We have no unconsolidated subsidiaries.

Reclassification. The Company revised its October 31, 2011, consolidated balance sheet to appropriately classify amounts that were previously included within accounts receivable as current investment in sales-type leases and notes receivable. This revision resulted in a $3.2 million increase in the current investment in sales-type leases and notes receivable with a corresponding reduction to accounts receivable. The revision, which the Company determined was not material, had no impact on total current assets, results of operations or cash flows.

Use of estimates and assumptions. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to: (1) revenue recognition including the assessment of collectability and multiple element arrangements; (2) allowance for doubtful accounts; (3) asset impairments, including determination of the fair value of goodwill and indefinite lived trade names; (4) depreciable lives of assets; (5) useful lives and amortization of intangible assets; (6) income tax valuation allowances and uncertain tax positions; (7) fair value of stock options; and (8) the need for contingency and litigation reserves. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty; accordingly, our accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of credit risk. Our financial instruments that have potential concentrations of credit risk include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments in sales-type leases and notes receivable. We maintain cash balances that exceed federally insured limits; however, we have incurred no losses on such accounts. Accounts receivable, investments in sales-type leases and notes receivable have concentration of credit risk because they all relate to our customers in the gaming industry.  We generally grant customers credit terms for periods of 30 to 90 days or may grant extended credit terms, with interest at prevailing rates.  Notes receivable are generally collateralized by the related equipment sold, although the value of such equipment, if repossessed, may be less than the receivable balance outstanding and the ability to actually repossess the equipment may not always be undisputed or able to be effectively executed.

From time to time, we make significant sales to customers that exceed 10% of our then-outstanding accounts receivable balance. As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, no customer balance exceeded 10% of our net trade accounts receivable. As of October 31, 2012 one customer exceeded 10% of our net investment in sales-type lease and notes receivable.  As of October 31, 2011, no customer balance exceeded 10% of our net investment in sales-type lease and notes receivable. For the fiscal years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenue.

Inventories.  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in-first-out basis, or market.  Cost elements included in work-in-process and finished goods include raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. We regularly review inventory quantities and update estimates for the net realizable value of inventories. This process includes examining the carrying values of new and used gaming devices, parts and ancillary equipment in comparison to the current fair market values for such equipment (less costs to sell or dispose). Some of the factors involved in this analysis include the overall levels of our inventories, the current and projected sales levels for such products, the projected markets for such products, the costs required to sell the products, including refurbishment costs and importation costs for international shipments and the overall projected demand for products once the next generation of products are scheduled for release.

As a result of our ongoing analysis of inventory, we recognized inventory write-downs of approximately $0.02 million, $1.1 million and $1.0 million for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Additional valuation charges could occur in the future as a result of changes in the factors listed above.

Products leased and held for lease. Our products are primarily leased to customers pursuant to month-to-month fixed fee contracts and to a lesser extent through participation arrangements whereby casinos pay a fee to us based on a percentage of net win. Products leased and held for lease are stated at cost, net of depreciation. Depreciation on leased products is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of three to five years. We provide maintenance of our products on lease as part of our standard lease agreements.

Property and equipment. Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life or lease terms, if shorter, for leasehold improvements.  Depreciation attributable to manufacturing operations is included in cost of sales and service.  The remaining component of depreciation is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

We also review these assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable or warrant a revision to the estimated remaining useful life.  

Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets. We do not renew or extend the term of our intangible assets. We review our goodwill for impairment annually in October or when circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  The goodwill impairment analysis may start with an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  If, after assessing the qualitative factors, we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we do not perform a qualitative assessment, we will perform a two-part impairment test.  In the first step, we use a discounted cash flow model (income approach) and the Guideline Public Company Model (market approach) to assess the fair values of our reporting units, which are the same as our operating segments.  These two methodologies are weighted equally to determine the reportable segment fair value.  The fair value of the reporting unit is then compared to the book value of the reporting unit, including its goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired.  If the fair value is less than the book value, we perform a second step to compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its book value. The implied fair value of the goodwill is determined based on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit less the fair value of the reporting unit’s identifiable assets and liabilities. We record an impairment charge to the extent that the book value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value.

Our income approach analysis is based on the present value of two components: the sum of our five-year projected cash flows and a terminal value assuming a long-term growth rate. The cash flow estimates are prepared based on our business plans for each reporting unit, considering historical results and anticipated future performance based on our expectations regarding product introductions and market opportunities. The discount rates used to determine the present value of future cash flows are derived from the weighted average cost of capital of a group of comparable companies with consideration for the size and specific risks of each our reporting units.

As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, our goodwill totaled $85.0 million and $85.4 million, respectively. For the Utility, PTG and EGM reporting units our fiscal 2012 annual goodwill impairment analysis included an assessment of certain qualitative factors including, but not limited to, the results of the prior year fair value calculation, the movement of our share price and market capitalization, overall financial performance, and macro-economic and industry conditions.  We considered the qualitative factors and weighted the evidence obtained and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  In 2011 we adopted new accounting guidance and performed an assessment of qualitative factors similar to that described above and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.  In fiscal 2010 we performed the first step test required under previous guidance using an income approach and market approach and the results of that valuation indicated that each of these reporting units’ fair values were significantly higher than their carrying values.  We used a discount rate of 12.5% in the 2010 test and if we had increased the discount rate to 13.5% (all other assumptions held constant) the fair value of each reporting unit would have still exceeded its carrying value by at least 43%.

For the ETS reporting unit for fiscal 2012 we performed the two-part analysis described above.  We used a discount rate of 14% and if we had increased the discount rate to 15% (all other assumptions held constant) the fair value of the reporting unit would have still exceeded its carrying value by 13%.  In the Guideline Public Company Method we selected moderately lower multiples than the average of our peer companies and applied these multiples to our trailing twelve months revenue, projected 2013 revenue, and 2013 EBITDA.  We weighted these multiples according to our judgment regarding the importance of each multiple as an indicator of value.

Although we believe the qualitative factors considered in the impairment analysis are reasonable, significant changes in any one of our assumptions could produce a significantly different result.  If our quantitative assumptions do not prove correct or economic conditions affecting future operations change, our goodwill could become impaired and result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position. For fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, we did not have any goodwill impairment loss.

In the current year we adopted a new Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that allows for the indefinite lived intangible asset impairment analysis to start with an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of indefinite lived assets are less than their carrying amounts.  If, after assessing the qualitative factors, we determine that it is more likely than not that our indefinite lived intangible assets are less than their carrying amounts, then we perform an impairment test.  The impairment test consists of selecting the relief from royalty model (income approach) to assess the fair value of our indefinite lived intangibles.  If the carrying amount of the indefinite lived intangibles exceeds its fair value, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to that excess.

Our relief from royalty analysis is based on the projected revenue attributable to the asset, expected economic life of the asset, present value of the royalty rate (as a percentage of revenue) that would hypothetically be charged by a licensor of the asset to an unrelated licensee, and the discount rate that reflects the level of risk associated with receiving future cash flows attributable to the asset.  The model estimates are prepared based on our business plans for each trade name, considering historical results and anticipated future performance and market opportunities. The discount rates used to determine the present value of future cash flows would be derived from our weighted average cost of capital adjusted for asset specific premiums (if any).

As of October 31, 2012 and 2011, our indefinite lived intangible assets totaled $24.5 million and $25.5 million, respectively. Our fiscal 2012 annual indefinite lived intangible asset impairment analysis included an assessment of certain qualitative factors including, but not limited to, the results of the prior year fair value calculation, overall financial performance, and macro-economic and industry conditions.  We considered the qualitative factors and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite lived intangible assets are less than their carrying amounts. In the prior year we performed the quantitative test required under previous guidance using the relief from royalty method and the results of that valuation indicated that the fair values of our indefinite lived intangible assets were significantly higher than their carrying values.  The discount rate used for each trade name was 12.5% for our fiscal 2011.  The pre-tax royalty rate used for each trade name was 4.0% for fiscal 2011.  If we had increased the discount rate to 13.5% (all other assumptions held constant) the fair value of each trade name would have still exceeded its carrying value by at least 57%.

Although we believe the qualitative factors considered in the impairment analysis are reasonable, significant changes in any one of our assumptions could produce a significantly different result. If our assumptions do not prove correct or economic conditions affecting future operations change, our indefinite lived intangible assets could become impaired and result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.

For fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 we did not have any indefinite lived intangible asset impairment loss.

Other intangible assets. Other intangible assets include intellectual property for games, patents, trademarks, copyrights, licenses, developed technology, customer relationships and non-compete agreements that were purchased separately or acquired in connection with a business combination. All of our significant other intangible assets have finite useful lives and are amortized as the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed or otherwise used up. Amortization of customer relationships and non-compete agreements is included in selling, general and administrative expense and the remaining components of amortization are included in cost of sales and service and cost of leases and royalties.

Impairment of long-lived assets. We estimate the useful lives of our long-lived assets, excluding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets, based on historical experience, estimates of products' commercial lives, the likelihood of technological obsolescence and estimates of the duration of commercial viability for patents, licenses and games.

We review our long-lived assets, excluding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable or warrant a revision to the estimated remaining useful life.  Such events or circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant decrease in the fair value of the underlying business or market price of the long-lived asset, a significant adverse change in legal factors or business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset, or a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses.  We group long-lived assets for impairment analysis at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.

Recoverability of the carrying amount of long-lived assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount to the estimated future undiscounted net cash flows that the assets are expected to generate. Those cash flows include an estimated terminal value based on a hypothetical sale at the end of the assets' depreciation period. Estimating these cash flows and terminal values requires management to make judgments about the growth in demand for our products and sustainability of gross margins. If assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.   For fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, we did not have any such impairment loss.

Deferred revenue. Deferred revenue consists of amounts collected or billed in excess of recognizable revenue.

Revenue recognition. We recognize revenues when all of the following have been satisfied:

 
·
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;

 
·
the price to the customer is fixed and determinable;

 
·
delivery has occurred and any acceptance terms have been fulfilled; and

 
·
collection is reasonably assured.

Revenues are reported net of incentive rebates and discounts. Amounts billed prior to completing the earnings process are deferred until revenue recognition criteria are met. Our standard sales contracts do not contain right of return provisions and we have not experienced significant sales returns.  Therefore we have not recorded an allowance for sales returns.

Product lease and royalty revenue — Lease and royalty revenue is earned from the leasing of our tangible products and the licensing of our intangible products, such as our proprietary table games. When we lease or license our products, we generally negotiate month-to-month fixed fee contracts, or to a lesser extent, enter into participation arrangements whereby casinos pay a fee to us based on a percentage of net win.   Lease and royalty revenue commences upon the completed installation of the product. Lease terms are generally cancellable with 30 days’ notice.  We recognize revenue from our leases and licenses upon installation of our product on a month-to-month basis.

Product sales and service revenue — We generate sales revenue through the sale of equipment in each product segment, including sales revenue from sales-type leases and the sale of lifetime licenses for our proprietary table games. Our credit sales terms are primarily 30 to 90 days.  Financing for intangible property and sales-type leases for tangible property have payment terms ranging generally from 24 to 36 months and are usually interest-bearing at market interest rates. Revenue from the sale of equipment is recorded in accordance with the contractual shipping terms. Products placed with customers on a trial basis are not recognized as revenue until the trial period ends, the customer accepts the product and all other relevant criteria have been met. If a customer purchases existing leased equipment, revenue is recorded on the effective date of the purchase agreement. Revenue on service and warranty contracts is recognized as the services are provided over the term of the contracts. Revenue from the sale of lifetime licenses, under which we have no continuing obligation, is recorded on the effective date of the license agreement.

Multiple element arrangements — Some of our revenue arrangements contain multiple deliverables, such as a product sale combined with a service element or the delivery of a future product.  We allocate revenues among multiple deliverables in a multi-element arrangement, based on relative selling prices. In order of preference, relative selling prices will be estimated based on vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), third-party evidence (“TPE”), or management’s best estimate of selling price (“BESP”).

When VSOE or TPE is not available, BESP is the amount we would sell the product or service for individually. The determination of BESP is made based on our normal pricing and discounting practices, which consider multiple factors, such as market conditions, competitive landscape, internal costs and profit objectives.  Revenues allocated to future performance obligations elements are deferred and will be recognized upon delivery and customer acceptance.

Income taxes. We record deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, applying enacted tax rates expected to be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.  We reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Our provision for income taxes includes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. We only recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Share based compensation.  We measure and recognize all share-based compensation, including restricted shares and share-based awards to employees, under the fair value method.  We measure the fair value of share-based awards using the Black-Scholes model and restricted shares using the grant date fair value of the stock.

Compensation is attributed to the periods of associated service and such expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the awards. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant, with such estimate updated when the expected forfeiture rate changes.

In addition, the excess tax benefit from stock-option exercises—tax deductions in excess of compensation cost recognized—is classified as a financing activity.

Contingencies. We assess our exposures to loss contingencies and provide for an exposure if it is judged to be probable and reasonably estimable. If the actual loss from a contingency differs from our estimate, there could be a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. Operating expenses, including legal fees, associated with contingencies are expensed when incurred.

Advertising costs. We expense advertising and promotional costs as incurred, which totaled approximately $3.4 million, $3.0 million and $2.2 million, for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Research and development costs. We incur research and development costs to develop our new and next-generation products. Our products reach technological feasibility shortly before the products are released and therefore R&D costs are expensed as incurred. Employee related costs associated with product development are included in R&D costs.

Foreign currency translation. Our foreign subsidiaries' asset and liability accounts are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Foreign exchange translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Revenue and expense accounts are translated at the average monthly exchange rates.  Inter-company trade balances, which we anticipate to settle in the foreseeable future, result in foreign currency gains and losses which are included in other expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.  Transaction gains and losses are included in other expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

Earnings per common share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and issuable during the year. Diluted earnings per share is similar to basic, except that the weighted average number of shares outstanding is increased by the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, if applicable, during the year, using the treasury stock method. Restricted stock granted under our share-based award plans is included in the earnings per share calculation and it is considered a participating security because it carries non-forfeitable rights to dividends.

Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include short-term investments with maturities of three months or less from their date of purchase. We maintain cash balances that exceed federally insured limits; however, we have incurred no losses on such accounts. Cash and cash equivalents at our foreign subsidiaries were $22.5 million as of October 31, 2012 and $17.5 million as of October 31, 2011 for which we currently plan to reinvest.  We regularly evaluate our cash position in each territory and look for ways to efficiently deploy capital to markets where it is most needed.

Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts and credit quality of financing receivables. Accounts receivable is stated at face value less an allowance for doubtful accounts. We generally grant customers credit terms for periods of 30 to 90 days. Our investment in sales-type lease receivables is comprised of contracts. These contracts include extended payment terms granted to qualifying customers for periods from one to three years and are secured by the related products sold.

We evaluate the credit quality of the receivables and establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based primarily upon collection history, using a combination of factors including, but not limited to, customer collection experience, economic conditions, and the customer’s financial condition. In addition to specific account identification, we utilize historic collection experience, where applicable, to establish an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable. A specific reserve is allocated when collectability becomes uncertain due to events and circumstances, such as bankruptcy and tax or legal issues that cause an adverse change in a customer’s cash flows or financial condition. Accounts placed on reserve are evaluated for probability of collection, which is used to determine the amount of the specific reserve. All changes in the net carrying amount of our contracts are recorded as adjustments to bad debt expense. The allowance for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable as of October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 was $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts related to investment in sales-type leases and notes receivable as of October 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011 was approximately $0.01 million and $0.05 million, respectively.

Uncollectible contracts are written off when it is determined that there is minimal chance of any kind of recovery, such as a customer property closure, bankruptcy restructuring or finalization, or other conditions that severely impact a customer’s ability to repay amounts owed.

Fair value measurement. The Company applies fair value accounting for all financial instruments and non-financial instruments that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.   When determining the fair value measurements for financial instruments, which are required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which the Company would transact and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, such as risks inherent in valuation techniques, transfer restrictions and credit risk. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

 
Level 1:
Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
 
Level 2:
Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
 
Level 3:
Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

This hierarchy requires us to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. For some products or in certain market conditions, observable inputs may not be available.

In accordance with the fair value accounting requirements, companies may choose to measure eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The Company has not elected the fair value option for any eligible financial instruments.

See Note 2 for further discussions of the valuations of certain of our financial instruments.

Recently issued accounting standards or updates –adopted

Fair value measurement disclosure.  In the current year, we adopted an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) on how to measure fair value and on what disclosures to provide about fair value measurements, which expands disclosure requirements particularly for Level 3 inputs to include following:

·  
For fair value categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:

1.    
a quantitative disclosure of the unobservable inputs and assumptions used in the measurement,

2.    
a description of the valuation processes in place (e.g., how the entity decides its valuation policies and procedures, as well as changes in its analyses of fair value measurements, from period to period), and

3.    
a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value to changes in unobservable inputs and interrelationships between those inputs.

·  
The level in the fair value hierarchy of items that are not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position but whose fair value must be disclosed.

Accordingly we disclosed the information required by this ASU as it relates to the goodwill valuation analysis for the ETS segment in the Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets section above.  We also disclosed the level in the fair value hierarchy of items not measured at fair value but whose fair value is disclosed in Note 2 below.

Indefinite lived Intangible Asset impairment testing.  In the current year, we adopted an ASU to amend and simplify the rules related to testing indefinite lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment.  The revised guidance allows an entity to make an initial qualitative evaluation, based on the entity’s events and circumstances, to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite lived intangible asset is impaired. The results of this qualitative assessment determine whether it is necessary to perform the currently required annual impairment test.

In accordance with the ASU, we assessed our intangible assets with an indefinite life, consisting of the Stargames and CARD tradenames and determined that it is not more likely than not that these indefinite lived assets are impaired and it was not necessary to perform the annual impairment test.

Recently issued accounting standards or updates – not yet adopted

Comprehensive income. In June 2011, FASB issued an ASU on presentation of comprehensive income to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. This update changes the requirements for the presentation of other comprehensive income, eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders' equity, among other items. The guidance requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.

This ASU will be effective for our first quarter of fiscal 2013 and as the update only requires a change in presentation, we do not expect it to have a material impact on our financial statements.