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<P id=PARA3 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>UNITED STATES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA4 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA5 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA7 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><B>FORM 8-K</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA8 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA9 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA10 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA11 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA12 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA13 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 27, 2015</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA14 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA15 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Golden Entertainment, Inc.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA16 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA17 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>_____________________________________________</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA18 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA20 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA135 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">Minnesota</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 30%; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA136 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">000-24993</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 30%; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA137 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">41-1913991</P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 30%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA138 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 5%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 30%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA139 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Commission File Number)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 5%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 30%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA140 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(IRS Employer</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Identification No.)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA33 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA144 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">6595 S Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 40%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 20%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA145 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">89118</P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 40%; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA146 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">(Address of principal executive offices)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 40%; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 20%">
<P id=PARA147 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">(Zip Code)</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA162 style="MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; WIDTH: 40%; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0px" colSpan=3>Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code:&nbsp;&nbsp; (702) 893-7777</TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA37 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA40 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Not Applicable</FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">_________________________________________________</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA42 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA43 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA44 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA45 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA46 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA47 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA48 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA49 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA50 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><U style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid"></U></FONT>&nbsp;</P>
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<P id=PARA51 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 5.02&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA53 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><I>Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan</I></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA54 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA55 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">On August 27, 2015, the Board of Directors (the &#8220;<U>Board</U>&#8221;) of Golden Entertainment, Inc. (the &#8220;<U>Company</U>&#8221;) approved the Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan (the &#8220;<U>2015 Plan</U>&#8221;), subject to shareholder approval at the Company&#8217;s 2016 annual meeting of shareholders. The 2015 Plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, stock payment awards, stock appreciation rights, performance bonus awards and other incentive awards. The 2015 Plan also authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board (the &#8220;<U>Compensation Committee</U>&#8221;) to grant performance awards payable in the form of the Company&#8217;s common stock or cash, including equity awards and incentive cash bonuses that may qualify as &#8220;performance-based compensation&#8221; under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (&#8220;<U>Section 162(m)</U>&#8221;). The 2015 Plan authorizes the grant of awards to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA56 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA57 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The 2015 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which may delegate its duties and responsibilities to committees of directors and/or officers of the Company, subject to certain limitations that may be imposed under Section 162(m), Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or stock exchange rules, as applicable. The full Board will administer the 2015 Plan with respect to awards to non-employee directors.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA58 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA59 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The maximum number of shares of the Company&#8217;s common stock for which grants may be made under the 2015 Plan is 2,250,000 shares, plus an annual increase on each January 1 during the ten year term of the 2015 Plan equal to the lesser of 1,800,000 shares, 4% of the total shares of the Company&#8217;s common stock outstanding (on an as-converted basis) and such smaller amount as may be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. In addition, the following annual limitations apply: (i) the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be subject to awards granted to any one participant during a calendar year is 2,000,000 shares; and (ii) the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid to any one participant during any calendar year with respect to awards initially payable in cash is $10 million. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA60 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA61 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The 2015 Plan also contains provisions with respect to payment of exercise or purchase prices, vesting and expiration of awards, adjustments and treatment of awards upon certain corporate transactions, including stock splits, recapitalizations and mergers, and tax withholding requirements. In particular, the 2015 Plan provides that no stock option or stock appreciation right may be exercised prior to the earlier of August 1, 2018 or immediately prior to the consummation of a change in control of the Company that would result in an &#8220;ownership change&#8221; as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The 2015 Plan may be amended or terminated by the Board at any time, subject to certain limitations requiring shareholder consent or the consent of the participant.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA62 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA63 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><I>Issuance of Stock Options under the 2015 </I><I>Plan</I></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA64 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA65 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">On August 27, 2015, the Compensation Committee granted awards of stock options under the 2015 Plan, subject to shareholder approval of the 2015 Plan, to the following executive officers of the Company: Blake L. Sartini (440,000 options), Stephen A. Arcana (220,000 options) and Matthew W. Flandermeyer (220,000 options). The options have a ten-year term and an exercise price of $9.05 per share, which is equal to the fair market value of the Company&#8217;s common stock on the date of grant. Provided that the executives continue to render services to the Company through the applicable vesting date, the options vest as to 25% of the shares on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and vest as to the remaining shares in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter. The options are subject to the restrictions in the 2015 Plan regarding exercisability prior to August 1, 2018. If the 2015 Plan is not approved by the Company&#8217;s shareholders at the 2016 annual meeting, the foregoing stock option awards will be automatically cancelled and become null and void.</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA152.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA67 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The foregoing descriptions of the 2015 Plan and stock option awards granted thereunder do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the 2015 Plan and the form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement, which are filed, respectively, as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA69 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><I>Non-Employee Director Compensation Program</I></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA70 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA71 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">On August 27, 2015, the Board adopted a new cash and equity compensation program for non-employee directors. Lyle A. Berman and Timothy J. Cope, who prior to July 31, 2015 served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of the Company, both participate in the program in their current capacity as non-employee directors. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA72 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA73 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Under the new non-employee director compensation program, non-employee members of the Board are entitled to receive an annual cash retainer of $55,000 for their service on the Board, payable in arrears in quarterly installments. Members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board are entitled to receive additional annual cash retainers for such service in the following amounts, also payable in arrears in quarterly installments: $20,000 for the Chairman of the Audit Committee, $10,000 for each other member of the Audit Committee, $16,000 for the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, $8,000 for each other member of the Compensation Committee, $8,000 for the Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee and $4,000 for each other member of the Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, under the new non-employee director compensation program, non-employee members of the Board are entitled to receive an initial stock option award under the 2015 Plan of options to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company&#8217;s common stock upon their initial election or appointment to the Board (or, in the case of the Company&#8217;s existing non-employee directors, upon adoption of the program) and an annual stock option award under the 2015 Plan of options to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company&#8217;s common stock on the date of each annual meeting of shareholders (which annual award will be prorated for the first year if a non-employee director&#8217;s initial election or appointment did not occur at an annual meeting), in each case with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company&#8217;s common stock on the date of grant. Each such stock option will have a ten-year term. Each initial stock option award (for the purchase of 20,000 shares) will vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, and each subsequent stock option award (for the purchase of 10,000 shares) will vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. All such stock option awards will vest in full in the event of a change in control or the director&#8217;s termination of service due to death or disability, and will be subject to the restrictions in the 2015 Plan regarding exercisability prior to August 1, 2018. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA74 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA75 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pursuant to the new non-employee director compensation program, on August 27, 2015, the Board granted options to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company&#8217;s common stock under the 2015 Plan, subject to shareholder approval of the 2015 Plan, to each of the Company&#8217;s six non-employee directors, including Messrs. Berman and Cope. The options have an exercise price of $9.05 per share, which is equal to the fair market value of the Company&#8217;s common stock on the date of grant. If the 2015 Plan is not approved by the Company&#8217;s shareholders at the 2016 annual meeting, the foregoing stock option awards will be automatically cancelled and become null and void.</FONT></P>
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<DIV id=PGBK153  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR153  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM153  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR153  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA153.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA77 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA78 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<TABLE id=MTAB82  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 22pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 32pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Exhibits</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 22pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 32pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 22pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 32pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA83 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA84 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA85 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=MTAB87  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 22pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 32pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA88 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.2</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA89 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA90 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK154  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR154  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM154  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR154  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA154.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA91 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA92 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA93 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA94 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA95 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 50%">
<P id=PARA155 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; WIDTH: 50%; MARGIN-TOP: 0px">
<P id=PARA156 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; FONT-VARIANT: small-caps">GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA98 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Registrant)</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<P id=PARA157 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>
<P id=PARA158 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<P id=PARA159 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>
<P id=PARA160 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Date: September 2, 2015&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><U>/s/ Matthew W. Flandermeyer&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></FONT>
<P id=PARA161 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"></P>
<P id=PARA103 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Name: Matthew W. Flandermeyer</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA104 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Title: Chief Financial Officer</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA96 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK105  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR105  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM105  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR105  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA105.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA107 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA108 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL117  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA109 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA110 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA111 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA112 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA113 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid" colSpan=3>
<P id=PARA114 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit </B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Number</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA115 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA116 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; TEXT-ALIGN: right">10.1</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; TEXT-ALIGN: right">10.2</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 4%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 84%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement</TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA122 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></BODY></HTML>
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gden20150831_8k.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 27, 2015
Golden Entertainment, Inc.
_____________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota
000-24993
41-1913991
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(
Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
6595 S Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada
89118
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (702) 893-7777
Not Applicable
_________________________________________________
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02     Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan
On August 27, 2015, the Board of Directors (the "
Board
") of Golden Entertainment, Inc. (the "
Company
") approved the Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan (the "
2015 Plan
"), subject to shareholder approval at the Company's 2016 annual meeting of shareholders. The 2015 Plan authorizes the issuance of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, stock payment awards, stock appreciation rights, performance bonus awards and other incentive awards. The 2015 Plan also authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "
Compensation Committee
") to grant performance awards payable in the form of the Company's common stock or cash, including equity awards and incentive cash bonuses that may qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("
Section 162(m)
"). The 2015 Plan authorizes the grant of awards to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries.
The 2015 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which may delegate its duties and responsibilities to committees of directors and/or officers of the Company, subject to certain limitations that may be imposed under Section 162(m), Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or stock exchange rules, as applicable. The full Board will administer the 2015 Plan with respect to awards to non-employee directors.
The maximum number of shares of the Company's common stock for which grants may be made under the 2015 Plan is 2,250,000 shares, plus an annual increase on each January 1 during the ten year term of the 2015 Plan equal to the lesser of 1,800,000 shares, 4% of the total shares of the Company's common stock outstanding (on an as-converted basis) and such smaller amount as may be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. In addition, the following annual limitations apply: (i) the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be subject to awards granted to any one participant during a calendar year is 2,000,000 shares; and (ii) the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid to any one participant during any calendar year with respect to awards initially payable in cash is $10 million.
The 2015 Plan also contains provisions with respect to payment of exercise or purchase prices, vesting and expiration of awards, adjustments and treatment of awards upon certain corporate transactions, including stock splits, recapitalizations and mergers, and tax withholding requirements. In particular, the 2015 Plan provides that no stock option or stock appreciation right may be exercised prior to the earlier of August 1, 2018 or immediately prior to the consummation of a change in control of the Company that would result in an "ownership change" as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The 2015 Plan may be amended or terminated by the Board at any time, subject to certain limitations requiring shareholder consent or the consent of the participant.
Issuance of Stock Options under the 2015
Plan
On August 27, 2015, the Compensation Committee granted awards of stock options under the 2015 Plan, subject to shareholder approval of the 2015 Plan, to the following executive officers of the Company: Blake L. Sartini (440,000 options), Stephen A. Arcana (220,000 options) and Matthew W. Flandermeyer (220,000 options). The options have a ten-year term and an exercise price of $9.05 per share, which is equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Provided that the executives continue to render services to the Company through the applicable vesting date, the options vest as to 25% of the shares on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and vest as to the remaining shares in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter. The options are subject to the restrictions in the 2015 Plan regarding exercisability prior to August 1, 2018. If the 2015 Plan is not approved by the Company's shareholders at the 2016 annual meeting, the foregoing stock option awards will be automatically cancelled and become null and void.
The foregoing descriptions of the 2015 Plan and stock option awards granted thereunder do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the 2015 Plan and the form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement, which are filed, respectively, as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Program
On August 27, 2015, the Board adopted a new cash and equity compensation program for non-employee directors. Lyle A. Berman and Timothy J. Cope, who prior to July 31, 2015 served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of the Company, both participate in the program in their current capacity as non-employee directors.
Under the new non-employee director compensation program, non-employee members of the Board are entitled to receive an annual cash retainer of $55,000 for their service on the Board, payable in arrears in quarterly installments. Members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board are entitled to receive additional annual cash retainers for such service in the following amounts, also payable in arrears in quarterly installments: $20,000 for the Chairman of the Audit Committee, $10,000 for each other member of the Audit Committee, $16,000 for the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, $8,000 for each other member of the Compensation Committee, $8,000 for the Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee and $4,000 for each other member of the Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, under the new non-employee director compensation program, non-employee members of the Board are entitled to receive an initial stock option award under the 2015 Plan of options to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company's common stock upon their initial election or appointment to the Board (or, in the case of the Company's existing non-employee directors, upon adoption of the program) and an annual stock option award under the 2015 Plan of options to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company's common stock on the date of each annual meeting of shareholders (which annual award will be prorated for the first year if a non-employee director's initial election or appointment did not occur at an annual meeting), in each case with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Each such stock option will have a ten-year term. Each initial stock option award (for the purchase of 20,000 shares) will vest in substantially equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, and each subsequent stock option award (for the purchase of 10,000 shares) will vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. All such stock option awards will vest in full in the event of a change in control or the director's termination of service due to death or disability, and will be subject to the restrictions in the 2015 Plan regarding exercisability prior to August 1, 2018.
Pursuant to the new non-employee director compensation program, on August 27, 2015, the Board granted options to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company's common stock under the 2015 Plan, subject to shareholder approval of the 2015 Plan, to each of the Company's six non-employee directors, including Messrs. Berman and Cope. The options have an exercise price of $9.05 per share, which is equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. If the 2015 Plan is not approved by the Company's shareholders at the 2016 annual meeting, the foregoing stock option awards will be automatically cancelled and become null and void.
Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
10.1
Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan
10.2
Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
GOLDEN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: September 2, 2015
/s/ Matthew W. Flandermeyer
Name: Matthew W. Flandermeyer
Title: Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
10.1
Golden Entertainment, Inc. 2015 Incentive Award Plan
10.2
Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement