UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K  

 

(Mark One)  

 

☒   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017

 

or

 

☐  TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from _____to _____

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 001-36689

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 47-1025534
   

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

250 West 57th Street, Suite 2223

New York, New York 10107

(646) 565-3861

 

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices

and telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

  Title of each class       Name of each exchange on which registered  
     
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐  No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐  No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of the chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

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. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 126-2 of the act): Yes  ☐  No  ☒

 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock, other than shares held by persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing sales price for the registrant’s common stock on March 31, 2017, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market, was approximately $44.3 million. For the purpose of this disclosure, executive officers, directors and holders of 10% or more of the registrant’s common stock are considered to be affiliates of the registrant.

 

As of November 29, 2017, there were 22,415,097 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s proxy statement relating to the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III. The proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the conclusion of the registrant’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page
  PART I    
ITEM 1. Business   4
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors     14
ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments     33
ITEM 2. Properties     33
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings     33
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures     34
       
  PART II    
ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities   34
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data   36
ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   37
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   58
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    59
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    59
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures    59
ITEM 9B. Other Information    61
       
  PART III    
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance   61
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation    61
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    61
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence    62
ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services    62
       
  PART IV    
ITEM 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules   62
ITEM 16. Form 10-K Summary    65
       
SIGNATURES   66
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements and other information set forth in this report, including in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere herein, may relate to future events and expectations, and as such constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our business strategy, plans and objectives and our expected or contemplated future operations, results, financial condition, beliefs and intentions. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations or predictions of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions on which such statements are expressly or implicitly based, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “can”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “potential”, “predict”, “project”, “scheduled”, “seek”, “should”, “would” and similar expressions, among others, and negatives expressions including such words, may identify forward-looking statements.

 

Our forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations about our future results, performance, liquidity, financial condition, prospects and opportunities, and are based upon information currently available to us, our interpretation of what we believe to be significant factors affecting our business and many assumptions regarding future events. Actual results, performance, liquidity, financial condition, prospects and opportunities could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements. This could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including the following:

 

our ability to compete effectively in our industries;

the effect of evolving technology on our business;

our ability to renew long-term contracts and retain customers, and secure new contracts and customers;

our ability to maintain relationships with suppliers;

our ability to protect our intellectual property;

government regulation of our industries;

the outcome of the UK Government’s ongoing triennial review of UK gaming regulation;

our ability to successfully grow by acquisition as well as organically;

our ability to attract and retain key members of our management team;

our need for working capital;

our ability to secure capital for growth and expansion;

changing consumer, technology and other trends in our industries;

our ability to successfully operate across multiple jurisdictions and markets around the world;

changes in local, regional and global economic and political conditions;

and other factors.

 

In light of these risks and uncertainties, and others discussed in this report, there can be no assurance that any matters covered by our forward-looking statements will develop as predicted, expected or implied. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason. We advise you to carefully review the reports and documents we file from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

 

Overview

 

We are a global business-to-business gaming technology company, supplying Virtual Sports and Server Based Gaming (“SBG”) products to regulated lottery, betting and gaming operators worldwide through an “omni-channel” distribution strategy. We provide end-to-end digital gaming solutions on our proprietary and secure network, which accommodates a wide range of devices, including land-based gaming machine terminals, mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets and online computer and social applications.

 

Our Virtual Sports business designs, develops, markets and distributes ultra-high-definition games that create an always-on sports wagering experience. We believe we have a strong position in the supply of Virtual Sports gaming products, with a wide product offering available. As of September 30, 2017, our Virtual Sports products were available in more than 40,000 retail venues and on more than 100 websites. Our products are installed in approximately 35 gaming jurisdictions worldwide, including the UK, Italy, Greece, the U.S. and China.

 

Our SBG business designs, develops, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of more traditional games through our digital network architecture. Our SBG products are offered through approximately 29,000 digital terminals in gaming and lottery venues around the world, with additional terminals contracted for deployment.

 

Our Virtual Sports products are typically offered to operators on a participation basis, whereby we receive a portion of the gaming revenues generated, plus an upfront software license fee. Our SBG products are typically offered directly to land-based and online casino gaming operators, either: (i) through product sales or (ii) on a participation basis. Because our SBG products are fully digital, they can interact with a central server and are provided on a “distributed” basis, which allows us to realize a number of benefits, including that we are able to access a wider geographic footprint through the internet and proprietary networks. We offer SBG products that operate with a single technology architecture compliant with each of UK (B2/B3), Italian (‘6B), G2S (Greek) and China Lottery (CAOS) technical regulations.

 

Our customer base includes regulated operators of lotteries, licensed sports bookmakers, gaming and bingo halls, casinos and regulated online operators. Some of our key customers include William Hill, SNAI, Sisal, Lottomatica, Betfred, Paddy Power Betfair, Ladbrokes Coral, Genting, Codere, Sky Vegas, Fortuna and the Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics S.A. (OPAP S.A.). Geographically, more than half of our revenues are derived from, and more than half of our non-current assets are attributed to, our UK operations, with the remainder of our revenues derived from, and non-current assets attributed to, Italy, Greece and the rest of the world. In the year ended September 30, 2017, we earned approximately 65% of our revenue in the UK, 13.5% in Italy, 10% in Greece and the remaining 11.5% across the rest of the world.

 

Unlike traditional suppliers to the gaming industry, we do not supply traditional slot machines or casino systems. All of our products are provided through multiple channels over a digital network. All of our products are designed to operate within applicable gaming and lottery regulations and all of our customers are regulated gaming or lottery operators.

 

We operate in a highly regulated industry. We and our products, as applicable, are licensed, authorized or certified, as applicable, in a number of major gaming and lottery jurisdictions. Our key licenses, authorizations and certifications include those from the Gambling Commission of Great Britain, the Italian gaming authorities and the Greek gaming authorities, as well as the Licensing Authority of Gibraltar, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and the State of New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement. We are a member of key industry associations, including the Gaming Standards Association, the World Lottery Association and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers.

 

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Our Products

 

We operate our business in two business segments – Virtual Sports and Server Based Gaming – representing our different products and services. We evaluate our business performance, resource allocation and capital spending on an operating segment level, where possible. We use the operating results and identified assets of each operating segment to make prospective operating decisions. Although our revenues and cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) are reported exclusively by segment, we include an unallocated column in our financial statements for certain expenses, including depreciation and amortization as well as selling, general and administrative expenses. Unallocated balance sheet line items include items that are a shared resource and therefore not allocated between operating segments. For information about our revenues, operating results, assets, liabilities and cash flows, see our consolidated financial statements and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this report.

 

Our products in the Virtual Sports and Server Based Gaming categories both offer innovative games, available through a variety of distribution channels, including digital SBG terminals, mobile gaming products, computer and online gaming products and services and electronic table games (“ETG”). We believe our omni-channel distribution is an important differentiator of our products in the market, allowing us to update our game and operating software remotely and keep pace with fast-evolving requirements in game play, security, technology and regulations.

 

Virtual Sports offers ultra-high-definition games that create an always-on sports wagering experience, while SBG offers more traditional casino games such as slots, roulette and other table games. Our Virtual Sports game portfolio includes branded titles such as Rush Football 2 ® , Rush Boxing ® featuring Mike Tyson, as well as horse racing, tennis, motor racing, cricket and other sports titles. We offer a comprehensive array of sports titles in Virtual Sports.

 

Our SBG game portfolio includes a broad selection of leading omni-channel slots titles including Centurion TM , Super Hot Fruits TM , and 2 Fat Cats TM . These games offer customers a wide range of volatilities, return-to-player and other special features. We also offer a range of more traditional casino games through its SBG network, such as roulette, blackjack and keno.

 

We generate revenues in two principal ways: on a participation basis and through product sales and software license fees. Participation revenues include a right to receive a share of revenue generated from (i) our Virtual Sports products placed with operators; (ii) our SBG terminals placed in gaming and lottery venues; (iii) licensing our game content and intellectual property to third parties; and (iv) our games on third-party online gaming platforms that are interoperable with our game servers. Under our participation agreements, payments made to us are calculated based upon a percentage of the net win, which is the amount of earnings generated from end-users playing the gaming machines, after adjusting for player winnings and relevant gaming taxes. Product sales include the sale of new SBG terminals and associated parts to gaming and betting operators. Software license revenues are principally related to our Virtual Sports product and to license sales of our SBG platform.

 

Virtual Sports

 

We believe we are one of the leading suppliers of Virtual Sports gaming products in the world. We offer a wide range of sports and numbers games to more than 40,000 retail venues and more than 100 websites. Our customers are many of the largest operators in lottery, gaming and betting worldwide. We also supply Virtual Sports and other digital games to mobile and online operators in the UK, the U.S. states of Nevada and New Jersey, Gibraltar and other regulated, EU markets. Virtual Sports can be adapted to function in sports betting, lottery, or gaming environments and is therefore available to a wide range of customers in both public and private implementations.

 

Our Virtual Sports product is comprised of a complex software and networking package that provides fixed odds wagering on an ultra-high definition computer rendering of a simulated sporting event, such as soccer or boxing. Players can bet on the simulated sporting event, in both a streaming and on-demand environment, overcoming the relative infrequency of live sporting events. We have developed this product using an award-winning TV and film graphics team with advanced motion capture techniques.

 

In addition to soccer and boxing, our virtual sports products also include tennis, speedway (track motorcycle racing), motorcar racing (single seater style and stock cars), velodrome cycle racing, greyhound and horse racing, basketball, boxing, darts and cricket, as well as various lottery ball draw and other numbers games. We have also licensed the use of images of certain sports figures in our games, including boxer Mike Tyson and basketball star Shaquille O’Neal.

 

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Our customers together offer Virtual Sports events to millions of their customers, through land-based, online and mobile platforms, many of them available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and often concurrently within the same location. In 2016 we launched a remote game server Virtual Sports product in 2016, which enables the provision of on-demand Virtual Sports events alongside the scheduled events Virtual Sports events that have so far predominated in our product offerings.

 

In addition to on-demand Virtual Sports, our Virgo RGS™ offers a wide range of premium slots from feature-rich bonus games to European-style casino free spins, and table games incorporating well-known first and third-party brands including 20p Roulette and Mike Tyson Blackjack. Inspired releases several new titles per month and new games can be seamlessly deployed to the full estate of operators via its Virgo RGS™. Inspired’s Virgo RGS™ is integrated with a number of leading casino brands, including William Hill, Ladbrokes Coral, Bet365, Bwin, Paddy Power, Betfair, LeoVegas and SkyBingo.

   

Server Based Gaming (SBG)

 

We supply SBG products, offering games through approximately 29,000 digital terminals located in gaming and lottery venues around the world, with additional terminals contracted for deployment. Because our SBG products are fully digital, they can interact with a central server and are provided on a “distributed” basis, which allows us to realize a number of benefits, including that we are able to access a wider geographic footprint through the internet and proprietary networks. We offer SBG products that operate with a single technology architecture compliant with each of UK (B2/B3), Italian (‘6B), G2S (Greek) and China Lottery (CAOS) technical regulations.

 

We have a strong market position in the UK, where our SBG terminals account for a material portion of all SBG terminal placements and we offer over 100 games. In addition, we currently have additional terminals contracted to be placed in the EU during fiscal year 2018. We offer SBG terminals such as the Flex4k curved screen, Eclipse, Inceptor, Optimus and Blaze, each offering a different size terminal, graphics, technology and price proposition.

 

We distribute games to devices via different Game Management Systems (“GMSs”), each tailored to a specific operator and market type. Our CORE TM system is designed for distributed street-gaming markets and uses Inspired or third-party cabinets in combination with Inspired Inside , and gaming content from a wide portfolio of independent game developers. CORE-CONNECT is our American Gaming Association G2S standard-based Video Lottery Terminal (“VLT”) platform, currently deployed in the Greek VLT market. CORE EDGE TM is the next iteration of our GMSs, and uses our Virgo remote gaming server (“RGS”), which is also used to power our web-based and mobile content delivery platform. This system, and the HTML5-based games that are deployed on it, mean that we can offer a genuine omni-channel game experience.

 

Our Strategy

 

We are focused on executing on key strategies to achieve long-term growth in revenues, profit and cash flow. Our strategic priorities are based on our experience in serving customers in multiple jurisdictions throughout the world, as well as on our expectations for the evolution of the gaming market. We believe the gaming industry will continue to migrate towards networked, distributed, omni-channel gaming. As a result, we have concentrated on developing products that could be distributed via our omni-channel strategy, using a common technology platform. This strategy allows us to update our games and operating software remotely, keeping pace with evolving requirements in game play, security, technology and regulations.

 

Our key strategic priorities are as follows:

 

Extend our strong positions in each of Virtual Sports and Server Based Gaming by developing new omni-channel products.

 

We continually invest in new product development in each of our Virtual Sports and Server Based Gaming business segments. We believe these investments benefit our existing and new customers by making new products available to them and bringing exciting entertainment experiences to their players. Our digital approach, which connects our content to a wide range of devices and is compatible with a wide range of protocols and regulatory standards, is a differentiator in our industry and creates a significant competitive advantage for us. We have continued to focus on channels where we believe there is considerable growth available – especially mobile, where we can deploy our RGS products. We believe our technological approach allows us to quickly adapt to changes in player preferences.

 

Continue to invest in games and technology in order to grow our existing customers’ revenues.

 

Over the last three years, a substantial portion of our annual revenue has been recurring and based on written contracts with customers. These contracts are in the participation-based portion of our business, where our revenues typically grow in line with the growth of our customers’ gaming revenues from our products. We work closely with our customers to assist in the optimization of their terminal operations so they can achieve growth in revenues, which we believe is to our benefit. Accordingly, we continually invest in new game and technology offerings that we believe will enable our customers to keep their offerings fresh and allow them to offer their players new forms of entertainment. We believe our game development is a key aspect of our strategy. We intend to continue this strategic priority in both our Virtual Sports and Server Based Gaming businesses.

 

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Add new customers by expanding into underpenetrated markets and newly-regulated jurisdictions.

 

We believe that our historical growth has been driven, in part, by our entry into new geographic markets, and we expect such geographic expansion to continue. We also intend to seek opportunities to enter new product markets where we believe that we may enjoy competitive advantages. We believe that there are major gaming markets in which we currently have limited participation, but where our products are well positioned, or can be positioned, for future success. For example, we have recently commenced the placement of our products in Nevada with William Hill, and have signed contracts with internet gaming platform providers for the placement of our products in New Jersey.

 

Pursue targeted mergers and acquisitions to expand our product portfolio and distribution footprint.

 

In addition to growing our business organically, we continue to pursue merger and acquisition opportunities that will help strengthen and scale our operations and take further advantage of our competitive position in digital gaming. Our management team shares a combination of operating, investing, financial and transactional experience that we believe will serve the Company well as it seeks to identify opportunities for value-adding acquisitions and negotiate and close on beneficial acquisition transactions.

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We intend to execute our strategy by leveraging the following competitive strengths:

 

Significant Base of Operations with Recurring Revenue from Long-Term Relationships

 

Over the last three years, a substantial portion of our annual revenue has been recurring and based on written contracts with customers. Our customers include major blue-chip lottery, sports betting and gaming operators (both land-based and online) within the regulated UK and European markets. Many of our customer relationships are long-standing and in excess of 10 years.

 

Strong Position in Virtual Sports

 

Our Virtual Sports products currently generate over $10 billion in player wagers per year. Inspired’s award-winning Virtual Sports products offer a wide range of betting markets and what we consider to be superior graphics. Our Virtual Sports revenue is fast growing and high margin, and complements our recurring-revenue base, which is itself growing.

 

History of Strong Content Development

 

We deploy over 100 new games per year across our GMSs. Many of our recent game launches, including Leaders of the Freespin World TM , 2 Fat Cats TM , and Super Hot Fruits TM (a consistent top performer in the Greek market) have been omni-channel, offering a premium player experience across multiple platforms.

 

Omni-Channel Digital Gaming Platform

 

Our proprietary digital gaming platform has been developed internally by development teams based in the UK and the EU. We offer SBG products that operate with a single technology architecture compliant with each of UK (B2/B3), Italian (‘6B), G2S (Greek) and China Lottery (CAOS) technical regulations. Our 100% digital, omni-channel platform is able to deliver our content and user experience to devices ranging from SBG terminals to mobile devices.

 

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Experienced Management Team

 

Our seasoned management team is led by founder, CEO and President Luke Alvarez and Executive Chairman Lorne Weil, whose past leadership includes growing a diversified global gaming technology company. Our management team has broad and deep experience in the gaming industry. In addition, our Executive Chairman and our Chief Strategy Officer have centered their careers on identifying and implementing value creation initiatives, often through acquisitions or other transactional means, and our President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other members of our management team are experienced with the acquisition and integration of businesses.

 

Industry Overview

 

We operate within the global gaming and lottery industry. Global gaming and lottery growth has been resilient in the face of economic cycles over the last decade. According to H2 Gambling Capital, the industry has grown at a 3.5% compounded annual growth rate from 2006 to 2016, driven by increased consumer spend and the introduction of new regulated markets.

 

During this period, digital online and mobile gaming and lottery have grown at a faster pace. According to H2 Gambling Capital, this portion of the industry has grown at a 10.0% compound annual growth rate, driven by rapid growth in the deployment of digital games and technologies, such as Virtual Sports and digital SBG terminals, into land-based venues in the primary markets in which we operate, where regulators have supported the transition to digital, online and retail channels.

 

We believe that the overall global gaming and lottery industry will continue to grow, with more robust growth in the digital gaming and lottery markets. We believe the industry is content driven and, much like music, videogames and motion pictures, will continue to be transformed by the propagation of digitally-networked technologies.

 

As a gaming and lottery business-to-business supplier focused on digital products and technologies, we believe we are well-positioned to benefit from these trends.

 

Influencers of Digital Adoption

 

We believe the digital segment of the global gaming and lottery industry will continue to grow, including as a result of the following factors:

 

Governments: Opening of new gaming territories . Many national and state governments operating in developed economies in Europe and the United States are suffering from structural funding deficits. The regulation and liberalization of gaming and lottery is frequently relied upon to raise new sources of revenue for these governments. In most cases, we believe such liberalization does not favor buildouts of large new destination resort casinos, but rather focuses on smaller “edge” venues with lottery, gaming and sports betting, combined with online or mobile gaming.

 

Digital Multi-Channel Offerings: Replacement of legacy analogue machines with larger volume of smart digital devices, including retail and mobile . In many established markets, as existing gaming terminals mature, governments and regulatory authorities have implemented regulations to upgrade the established terminal base to digital operation.

 

Smartphones and Mobile Devices: Rapid adoption of gaming and lottery applications on growing volume . In certain markets, mobile play on sports betting and gaming now exceeds such play on personal computers. According to H2 Gambling Capital, mobile gaming revenues in such markets exhibited a 55% compounded annual growth rate between 2008 and 2016. Mobile gaming and lottery is now expanding in other markets, and mobile play has recently been approved in other markets for gaming or lottery. Lottery authorities in certain Asian markets, a market with approximately 600 million smartphones, are currently considering licenses for mobile lottery.

 

In addition to the foregoing, we believe there are significant benefits for SBG operators in the adoption of digitally networked gaming and lottery. SBG allows operators to remotely manage their operations with minimal disruption to their businesses. The system centralization enabled by digital operations offers flexibility to rotate or change games, tailor game availability to time-of-day, target specific player demographics and take advantage of seasonal and themed marketing opportunities. New games can be phased in without the revenue dip often associated with replacing games on traditional slot machines. In addition, digital operations permit more games per terminal, enabling operators to test new games and new suppliers, seek to appeal to a broader base of players with minimal cost or risk, commission games from third-party party suppliers on an open game interface and reduce procurement risk. Moreover, digital operations significantly reduce the need for on-site repairs, improve terminal up-time and should extend terminal life cycles as well as the time period over which capital costs can be depreciated.

 

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Regulatory Framework

 

We conduct business in a number of different jurisdictions, of which Great Britain and Italy have historically contributed the most significant recurring revenues. The gaming regulator responsible for our activities in Great Britain is the Gambling Commission of Great Britain (the “UK Gambling Commission” or the “Gambling Commission”). In Italy, the operation of gaming machines and remote gaming is regulated by L’Agenzia delle dogane e dei Monopoli (“ADM”). In addition, we are licensed or certified (as applicable) by the Greek gaming authorities and in a number of other jurisdictions by regulators such as the Licensing Authority of Gibraltar, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and the State of New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement.

 

Great Britain

 

In the British market, we supply and distribute Category B2 gaming machines (also known as Fixed-Odd Betting Terminals, or FOBTs, with maximum betting stakes for players of £100), B3 gaming machines (with maximum betting stakes for players of £2) and ETG machines to third parties who are licensed to operate such machines in bricks-and-mortar premises. B2 gaming machines can include B3 content on them. We also supply virtual racing software to local retail venues and to online operators who are licensed to target the British market. We also supply our mobile RGS product to remote operators who are licensed to target the British market. The provision of our products and services in relation to the British market is authorized by a series of licenses issued by the UK Gambling Commission, namely remote and non-remote Gaming Machine Technical (Full) operating licenses, a remote casino operating license, a remote and non-remote gambling software license and a remote general betting standard (virtual events) license.

 

On October 31, 2017, the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport released a written consultation document, seeking written public responses to proposals it set forth in the document for changes to gaming machine regulations, including reductions in the maximum bets permitted on certain gaming machines in the UK. See the risk factor entitled “A determination by the UK Government to substantially reduce maximum permitted bets on certain gaming machines in the UK could have a material negative impact on our business” in Item 1A, below.

 

British Betting and Gaming Laws and Regulations. The Gambling Act 2005 (the “GA05”) is the principal legislation in Great Britain governing gambling (other than in relation to the National Lottery, which is governed by separate legislation). The GA05 applies to both land-based gambling (referred to as “non-remote” gambling) and online and mobile gambling (referred to as “remote” gambling).

 

The GA05 provides that it is an offense to make a gaming machine available for use without an appropriate operating license. There are a number of different categories of licensable gaming machines (the GA05 provides for category A to D machines, although no category A machines are currently in operation); each category is subject to different levels of maximum stakes and prize limits. In addition, there are limits on the numbers and types of gaming machines that can be operated from licensed premises: for example, a licensed betting office is permitted to house up to four category B2 to D machines, while a large casino may house up to 150 category B to D machines (subject to satisfying certain ratios of machines to gaming tables).

 

Gaming machine suppliers are required to hold an operating license in order to manufacture, supply, install, adapt, maintain or repair a gaming machine or part of a gaming machine. Gaming machine suppliers must also comply with the Gaming Machine Technical Standards published by the Gambling Commission in relation to each category of machine, and such machines must meet the appropriate testing requirements.

 

In relation to remote gambling, the GA05 (as amended by the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 provides that it is an offense to “provide facilities” for remote gambling either (a) using “remote gambling equipment” situated in Great Britain, or (b) which are used by players situated in Great Britain, in each case without a remote gambling operating license. It is also an offense to manufacture, supply, install or adapt gambling software in Great Britain without an appropriate gambling software license.

 

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A remote gambling operating license holder providing facilities for remote gambling to British players is required to use gambling software manufactured and supplied by the holder of a gambling software license (and to failure to do so is an offence). Where gambling software is used or supplied for use in relation to the British market, it must satisfy the Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards published by the Gambling Commission.

 

The holder of a British gambling operating license is subject to a variety of ongoing regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the following:

 

Shareholder disclosure: An entity holding a gambling license must notify the Gambling Commission of the identity of any shareholder holding 3% or more of the equity or voting rights in the entity (whether held or controlled either directly or indirectly).

 

Change of corporate control: Whenever a new person becomes a “controller” (as defined in section 422 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) of a company limited by shares that holds a gambling operating license, the licensed entity must apply to the Gambling Commission for permission to continue to rely on its operating license in light of the new controller. A new controller includes any person who holds or controls (directly or indirectly, including ultimate beneficial owners who hold their interest through a chain of ownership) 10% or more of the equity or voting rights in the licensed entity (or who is otherwise able to exercise “significant influence” over it). The Gambling Commission must be supplied with specified information regarding the new controller (which, in the case of an individual, includes detailed personal disclosure) and this information will be reviewed by the Gambling Commission to assess the suitability of the new controller to be associated with a licensed entity. If the Gambling Commission concludes that it would not have issued the operating license to the licensed entity had the new controller been a controller when the application for the operating license was made, the Gambling Commission is required to revoke the operating license. It is possible to apply for approval in advance from the Gambling Commission prior to becoming a new controller of a licensed entity.

 

Compliance with the License Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP): The LCCP is a suite of license conditions and code provisions which attach to operating licenses issued by the Gambling Commission. The provision of gambling facilities in breach of a license condition is an offense under the GA05. Certain specified “Social Responsibility” code provisions are accorded the same weight as license conditions in this regard (whereas breach of an “ordinary” code provision is not an offense in itself, but may be evidence of unsuitability to continue to hold a gambling license). The LCCP imposes numerous operational requirements on licensees, including compliance with the Gambling Commission’s Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards, segregation of customer funds, the implementation of a variety of social responsibility tools (such as self-exclusion), anti-money laundering measures, age verification of customers and a host of consumer protection measures. The Gambling Commission regularly reviews and revises the LCCP.

 

Regulatory returns and reporting of key events: The LCCP requires licensees to submit quarterly returns to the Gambling Commission detailing prescribed operational data. Licensees are also required to notify the Gambling Commission as soon as practicable and in any event within 5 working days of becoming aware of the occurrence of certain specified “key events” which, in summary, are events which could have a significant impact on the nature or structure of the licensee’s business. Licensees are also required to notify suspicion of offenses and suspicious gambling activity.

 

Personal licenses: Key management personnel are required to maintain personal licenses authorizing them to discharge certain responsibilities on behalf of the operator. These personal licenses are subject to renewal every five years. Personal licenses are subject to compliance with certain license conditions.

 

Italy

 

We operate two different gaming businesses in Italy. We supply video lottery terminals (“VLTs”), including the terminal machines themselves, the related online platforms and the games available on the machines, to brick-and-mortar gaming halls. We also supply Virtual Sports products, including online platforms and games, to betting shops and online platforms. Our businesses are operated through the Italian branches of certain of our UK subsidiaries. These branches hold police licenses and are enrolled in the Register of Gestori, as further described below. We supply our Italian VLTs and Virtual Sports products only to operators licensed under Italian gaming laws and regulations.

 

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Our VLT and Virtual Sports platforms must be connected over the internet to servers operated by the ADM. Information regarding gaming sessions and the amounts wagered and won is provided in real time through the ADM servers, in order to enable the ADM to monitor the operation of machines and games and to verify the amount of taxes due.

 

As further described below, the ADM has issued a decree requiring that VLT platforms, machines and games undergo a substantial technical upgrade by April 1, 2019. Our current expectation is that upgrading our VLT platforms, games and machines to comply with the decree would involve material expenditures on our part. We have not yet decided whether to incur such expenditures or otherwise modify our Italian business.

 

Italian Betting and Gaming Laws and Regulations. Operators of betting premises offering VLTs (including the entities managing the networks connecting such VLTs to ADM servers), and operators of betting premises or online platforms offering Virtual Sports products, must hold an Italian gaming license. No gaming license is required in order to supply VLTs or Virtual Sports products to such operators. Such VLT platforms, machines and games, and Virtual Sports platforms and games, must be certified and approved by SOGEI, an entity authorized to conduct such certifications, and approved by the Italian Ministry of Finance. Such certifications and approvals must be obtained by such operators, rather than the suppliers of such VLT platforms, machines and games, and Virtual Sports platforms and games.

 

Suppliers of gaming machines, including VLTs, must hold a police license (as prescribed by article 86, paragraph 3, of the Italian United Text of Public Security Law (TULPS) provided by the Royal Decree 18 June 1931, No. 773) and be enrolled in a registry prescribed by article 1, paragraph 82 of Law No. 220/2010 (known as the “Register of Gestori”). If a supplier of gaming machines is not enrolled in the Register of Gestori, any agreement it enters into regarding the supply of gaming machines is null and void. In addition, if the enrollment is not renewed, existing agreements regarding the supply of gaming machines become null and void. Enrollment in the Register of Gestori is subject to, among other things, a review of the suitability of the applicant business entity and its directors. In the event of a change of control of the entity enrolled in the Register of Gestori (but not of such entity’s direct or indirect parent entities), the details of such change must be notified to the ADM and suitability must be reconfirmed.

 

Suppliers of Virtual Sports products are not required to hold a police license, be enrolled in the Register of Gestori or otherwise be licensed or registered.

 

ADM Decree No. 37100, dated April 4, 2017, requires that VLT platforms, machines and games undergo a substantial technical upgrade by April 1, 2019. In absence of such an upgrade, a VLT supplier would be in breach of any agreements with its operators to remain in compliance with Italian gaming laws and regulations, and its platforms and machines would no longer be authorized to offer games.

 

Greece

 

In Greece, we supply VLTs, including the terminal machines themselves, the related online platforms and the games available on the machines, to brick-and-mortar gaming locations operated by OPAP, the country’s sole licensed operator of gaming machines. We supply such VLTs under a certification provided by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (the “HGC”). We also supply Virtual Sports products within retail venues operated by OPAP and via self-service betting terminals within OPAP venues.

 

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Greek Betting and Gaming Laws and Regulations. According to articles 25(b) and 44 par. 2 of Law 4002/2011 as in force, as well as according to HGC’s Decision No 225/2/25.10.2016, all suppliers of gaming machines in Greece must be certified by the HGC in order to legally supply, sell, lease, offer or distribute any VLT or virtual game or any other game of chance (i.e. games including wagers or bets and the result of which games depends, even partly, on the influence of luck). Suppliers are divided into two types, manufacturers and importers/distributors (according to articles 47 and 48 of the aforementioned HGC’s Decision). In order for a manufacturer to receive certification, it must satisfy the HGC as to its corporate and financial status and must not have been denied a gaming license or certification in any other country. In order for an importer/distributor to receive certification, it must satisfy the HGC as to its corporate and financial status, must not have been denied a gaming license or certification in any other country and must have the approval of the manufacturer to supply its products in the Greek market.

 

Gaming Regulation and Changes in Ownership

 

In all of the jurisdictions in which we are subject to gaming regulations, regulators require us to keep them informed as to our ownership structure and composition and, to varying extents and in various circumstances, require us to disclose certain information regarding the persons who directly or indirectly hold our shares. Depending on the regulator, we may need to provide such information not only when we first seek licenses or certifications, but also when material changes (measured at different levels) occur in the ownership of our shares. As a result, material changes in our shareholdings may be subject to special procedures in order to ensure the continuation of our gaming licenses and certifications.

 

Content Development

 

We continually invest in new product development in each of our Virtual Sports and Server Based Gaming business segments. Inspired has a full stack game development structure, combining its own leading technology frameworks together with some of the industry’s best math, art, creative and production personnel, along with a select few external development teams to deliver the best in omni-channel mobile and VLT games. We deploy over 100 new games per year across our SBG and mobile RGS network. Many of our recent game launches have been omni-channel, including Leaders of the Freespin World TM , 2 Fat Cats TM , and Super Hot Fruits TM , which has also launched to great success in the Greek VLT market. In Virtual Sports we combine graphical assets and software that controls those assets to schedule events and generate results via a random number generator, as well as supplying on demand versions of our content. We account for our development costs as software development costs and these are typically amortized over a two year period.

 

Suppliers

 

Our principal supply arrangements concern the supply of our SBG terminal components, content provision and outsourced labor. We work closely with our key suppliers to ensure a high level of quality of goods and services is obtained and have worked with many of these suppliers for many years. We have achieved significant cost savings through centralization of purchases.

 

Customers

 

Our customer base includes regulated operators of lotteries, licensed sports bookmakers, gaming and bingo halls, casinos and regulated online operators. Some of our key customers include William Hill, SNAI, Sisal, Lottomatica, Betfred, Paddy Power Betfair, Ladbrokes Coral, Genting, Codere, Sky Vegas, Fortuna and OPAP S.A. We typically implement design and content variations to customize their terminals and player experiences. Our license agreements with customers for the provision of SBG content and Virtual Sports products include provisions to protect our intellectual property rights in our games and other content.

 

Operations

 

Our operations include game production, platform and hardware design, production, testing, and distribution; the maintenance, management, and extension of our centralized network for product distribution and product monitoring; the delivery and, in certain circumstances, maintenance of SBG terminals; gaming machine engineering, assembly, repair and storage; parts supply; change and release management; remote operational services; problem management; business development; market account management; and general administration and management, including Finance, Legal, People (Human Resources), Investor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Quality, Compliance and Information Security.

 

Employees

 

We have over 760 full time employees, circa 95% of them are located in the United Kingdom, in six principal locations. Approximately 35 of our full-time employees are located in Italy. Six of our full-time employees are located in the United States. We also have 80 people located with nearshore and offshore partners throughout the world.

 

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We have over 250 full-time employees and 70 nearshore or offshore personnel dedicated to delivering our SBG and digital platforms. Approximately 100 of our full-time employees are assigned to the ongoing operation of our network, through which we supply and maintain our products. We have 150 full-time employees involved in UK field operations. Our management, sales and administration teams account for approximately 60 employees.

 

Intellectual Property

 

Our intellectual property consists principally of the propriety software we develop to operate our network and in the design and distribution of our games. We depend upon agreements relating to trade secrets and proprietary know-how to protect our rights in this intellectual property. We require all our employees, contractors and other collaborators to enter into agreements that prohibit the disclosure of our confidential information to other parties. In addition, it is our policy to require our employees, contractors and other collaborators who have access to proprietary and trade secret material to enter into agreements that require them to assign any and all intellectual property rights to us that arise as a result of their work on our behalf. We also require our employees to review and acknowledge our trade secret policies regarding how we handle trade secrets. These agreements, acknowledgements and policies may not provide adequate protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure in violation of these agreements, and may not be sufficient to secure for us the value in such developments that they are designed to secure.

 

We also hold certain patents, trademarks, design rights and other intellectual property rights in respect of our products, systems, web domains, and other intellectual property. We also rely on certain products and technologies that we license from third parties. Proprietary licenses typically limit our use of intellectual property to specific uses and for specific time periods.

 

Competition

 

We operate in a highly competitive industry, and in highly competitive business segments. We face competition from a number of worldwide businesses, many of which have substantially greater financial resources and operating scale than we do. Such competition could adversely affect our ability to win new contracts and sales and renew existing contracts. We operate in a period of intense price-based competition in some key markets, which could affect the profitability of the contracts and sales we do win. In certain markets, our businesses also face competition from suppliers, operators or licensees who offer products for internet gaming in illegal or unregulated markets, but are still able or permitted to supply products and compete with us in regulated markets. These competitors often have substantially greater financial resources and operating scale than we do. Our principal competitors include, among others, certain businesses that have vertically integrated gaming machine and retail betting operations and businesses that operate in both regulated and unregulated markets and thereby effectively subsidize their regulated operations with unregulated operations.

 

Seasonality

 

Our revenues are subject to a number of variations. Equipment sales and software license revenues usually reflect a limited number of large transactions, which may not recur on an annual basis. Consequently, revenues and operating results can vary substantially from period to period as a result of the timing of equipment sales and software licensing. In addition, revenues may vary depending on the timing of contract awards and renewals, changes in customer budgets and general economic conditions. However, our revenues are not subject to regular seasonal variations of the sort often related to seasonal consumer behavior, such as increased spending during holiday periods or changes related to vacations or school calendars. 

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

 

Our business is subject to a high degree of risk. You should carefully read and assess our discussion of the risk factors facing our business, below. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects, and cause the value of our common stock to decline, which could cause investors in our common stock to lose all or part of their investments.

 

Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry

 

We operate in a highly competitive industry and our success depends upon our ability to effectively compete with numerous worldwide businesses.

 

We face competition from a number of businesses, including worldwide businesses, many of which have substantially greater financial resources and operating scale than we do. Such competition could adversely affect our ability to win new contracts and sales and renew existing contracts. We operate in a period of intense price-based competition in some key markets, which could affect the profitability of the contracts and sales we do win.

 

In certain markets, our businesses also face competition from suppliers, operators or licensees who offer products for internet gaming in illegal or unregulated markets, but are still able or permitted to supply products and compete with us in regulated markets. These competitors often have substantially greater financial resources and operating scale than we do.

 

If we cannot successfully compete in our industry and business segments, our business, results, financial condition and prospects could suffer.

 

We are heavily dependent on our ability to renew our long-term contracts with our customers and we could lose substantial revenue if we are unable to renew certain of these contracts.

 

Generally, our Virtual Sports contracts are for initial terms of three to five years, with renewals at the customer’s option. Generally, our SBG terminal contracts are for terms of four to six years, but certain customers have options for early termination under certain circumstances, and we may face pressure to renew or upgrade terminals during the lives of these contracts, which could adversely affect revenues or our return on capital and leave us with surplus terminals. At any given time, we have multiple substantial customer contracts that have years to run and others that may be nearing expiration or renewal, which we may lose if we cannot compete effectively to retain their business.

 

There can be no assurance that our current contracts will be extended or that we will be awarded contract extensions or new contracts as a result of competitive bidding processes or otherwise. The termination, expiration or failure to renew one or more of our contracts could cause us to lose substantial revenue.

 

Changes in applicable gambling regulations or taxation regimes may affect the revenues or profits generated by the contracts we enter into with our customers. Many of the contracts have with our customers are on revenue-sharing terms, and therefore changes which adversely affect our customers may also adversely affect us. In addition, such changes may cause our customers to seek to renegotiate their contracts, may alter the terms on which such customers are prepared to renew their contracts and may affect their ability or willingness to renew their contracts.

 

We rely on a relatively small number of customers for a significant portion of our sales, and the loss of, or material reduction in, sales to any of our top customers could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

 

Certain key customers, including certain UK, Italian and Greek SBG terminal customers and certain Virtual Sports customers, make a significant contribution to our revenues and profitability. Our top ten customers generated 70% of total revenues in the year ended September 30, 2017. During the year ended September 30, 2017, there were two customers that represented at least 10% of our revenues, accounting for 26% and 10% of the Company’s revenues, respectively. We expect that these customers will continue to represent a significant portion of our sales in the future. However, the loss of any of our top customers, whether through contract expiry and non-renewal, breach of contract or other adverse factors could materially adversely affect our revenues or return on capital and leave us with surplus terminals. Moreover, if any of these customers experience reduced revenue, such reduction could adversely affect any revenue-sharing arrangements we have with those customers, reduce our own revenues and adversely affect our financial results.

 

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We are dependent on our relationships with key suppliers to obtain equipment and other supplies for our business on acceptable terms.

 

We have achieved significant cost savings through our centralization of equipment and non-equipment purchases. However, as a result, we are exposed to the credit and other risks of a group of key suppliers. While we make every effort to evaluate our counterparties prior to entering into long-term and other significant procurement contracts, we cannot predict the impact on our suppliers of the current economic environment and other developments in their respective businesses. Insolvency, financial difficulties or other factors may result in our suppliers not being able to fulfill the terms of their agreements with us. Further, such factors may render suppliers unwilling to extend contracts that provide favorable terms to us, or may force them to seek to renegotiate existing contracts with us. In addition, our business has signed a number of significant contracts whose performance depends upon third party suppliers delivering equipment on schedule for us to meet its contract commitments. Failure of the suppliers to meet their delivery commitments could result in us being in breach of and subsequently losing those contracts. Although we believe we have alternative sources of supply for the equipment and other supplies used in our business, concentration in the number of our suppliers could lead to delays in the delivery of products or components, and possible resultant breaches of contracts that we have entered into with our customers; increases in the prices we must pay for products or components; problems with product quality; and other concerns.

 

Our ability to bid on new contracts is dependent upon our ability to fund any required up-front capital expenditures through our cash from operations, the incurrence of indebtedness or the raising of additional equity capital.

 

Our SBG terminal contracts in the UK, Italy and Greece often require significant up-front capital expenditures for terminal assembly, software customization and implementation, systems and equipment installation and telecommunications configuration. Historically, we have funded these up-front costs through cash flows generated from operations and borrowings under our credit facilities. Our ability to continue to procure new contracts, including in new jurisdictions, will depend upon, among other things, our liquidity levels at the time or our ability to obtain additional debt or equity funding at commercially acceptable terms to finance the initial up-front costs. If we do not have adequate liquidity or are unable to obtain other funding for these up-front costs on favorable terms or at all, we may not be able to bid on certain contracts, which could restrict our ability to grow and have an adverse effect on our ability to retain existing contracts and therefore on future profitability.

 

Our business depends upon the protection of our intellectual property and proprietary information.

 

We believe that our success depends, in part, on protecting our intellectual property in the UK and in other countries. Our intellectual property includes certain patents and trademarks relating to our systems, as well as proprietary or confidential information that is not subject to patent or similar protection. Our intellectual property protects the integrity of our games, systems, products and services, which is a core value of the industries in which we operate. Protecting our intellectual property can be expensive and time-consuming, may not always be successful depending on local laws or other circumstances, and we also may choose not to pursue registrations in certain countries. Competitors may independently develop similar or superior products, software, systems or business models. In cases where our intellectual property is not protected by an enforceable patent, or other intellectual property protection, such independent development may result in a significant diminution in the value of its intellectual property.

 

There can be no assurance that we will be able to protect our intellectual property. We enter into confidentiality or license agreements with our employees, vendors, consultants and, to the extent legally permissible, our customers, and generally control access to, and the distribution of, our game designs, systems and other software documentation and other proprietary information, as well as the designs, systems and other software documentation and other information we license from others. Despite our effort to protect these proprietary rights, parties may try to copy our gaming products, business models or systems, use certain of our confidential information to develop competing products, or independently develop or otherwise obtain and use our gaming products or technology, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business. Policing unauthorized use of our technology is difficult and expensive, particularly because of the global nature of our operations. The laws of some countries may not adequately protect our intellectual property.

 

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There can be no assurance that our business activities, games, products and systems will not infringe upon, misappropriate of otherwise violate the proprietary rights of others, or that other parties will not assert infringement or misappropriation claims against us. Any such claim and any resulting litigation, should it occur, could subject us to significant liability for costs and damages and could result in invalidation of our proprietary rights, distract management, and/or require us to enter into costly and burdensome royalty and licensing agreements. Such royalty and licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or may not be available at all. In the future, we may also need to file lawsuits to defend the validity of our intellectual property rights and trade secrets, or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Such litigation, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources.

 

We also rely on certain products and technologies that we license from third parties. Proprietary licenses typically limit our use of intellectual property to specific uses and for specific time periods. There can be no assurance that these third-party licenses, or the support for such licenses, will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms. In the event that we cannot renew and/or expand existing licenses, we may be required to discontinue or limit our use of the products that include, incorporate, or rely on licensed intellectual property.

 

Our industry is subject to strict government regulations that could limit our existing operations and have a negative impact on our ability to grow.

 

In certain jurisdictions, forms of wagering, betting and lottery may be expressly authorized and governed by law and in other jurisdictions forms of wagering, betting and lottery may be expressly prohibited by law. If expressly authorized, such activities are typically subject to extensive and evolving governmental regulation. Gaming regulatory requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Therefore, we are subject to a wide range of complex gaming laws, rules and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we are licensed or may seek to be licensed. Most jurisdictions require that we are licensed or authorized, that our key personnel and certain of our security holders are found to be suitable or are licensed, and that our products are reviewed, tested and certified or approved before placement. If a license, approval, certification or finding of suitability is required by a regulatory or national authority and we fail to seek or do not receive the necessary approval, license, certification or finding of suitability, or if it is revoked, then we may be prohibited from distributing our products for use in the respective jurisdiction. Additionally, such prohibition could trigger reviews of our Company by regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions and adversely affect our ability to obtain or retain the required licenses and approvals in those jurisdictions.

 

The regulatory environment in any particular jurisdiction may change in the future, and any such change could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or business in general. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the operation of Server Based Gaming terminals, Video Lottery Terminals, Virtual Sports betting, lottery or other forms of wagering systems will be approved, certified or found suitable by additional jurisdictions or that those jurisdictions in which these activities are currently permitted will continue to permit such activities in their existing forms or at all. While we believe that we have the means to continue to develop procedures and policies designed to comply with and monitor the requirements of evolving laws, there can be no assurance that law enforcement agencies, governmental agencies or gaming regulatory authorities, whether in existing or new jurisdictions, will not seek to restrict our business or otherwise institute enforcement proceedings or other legal claims against the Company. Moreover, in addition to the risk of such enforcement actions or claims, we are also at risk from loss of business reputation in the event of any potential legal or regulatory investigation whether or not we are ultimately accused of or found to have committed any violations.

 

We supply our products to operators of gaming venues, platforms and websites who typically must themselves be licensed by gaming regulators. If any one of these operators fails to maintain its gaming licenses, or violates gaming laws or regulations, our business may suffer, due to our loss of a viable customer and, in instances where we have a revenue-sharing arrangement with the operator, due to our loss of our shares of the revenue generated by that operator’s business.

 

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We supply certain of our products to operators who operate gaming websites. Some of those operators may take bets from customers in markets where no gaming laws or regulations exist and where the provision of online gaming is effectively unregulated. Although the Company seeks to ensure that its customers only take bets in markets where online gaming is legal, if any of those operators is subjected to investigatory or enforcement action for acting otherwise, this could result in the operator suffering interventions ranging from special conditions being applied to its licenses, license suspension or license loss, or the operator otherwise withdrawing from or curtailing its activities in its market. Any such developments could adversely affect such operator’s revenues and in turn adversely affect our earnings from such operator . The Company may itself be subject to investigatory or enforcement action (if and to the extent that local laws or the laws of other jurisdictions in which the Company operates impose liability on suppliers for the activities of the customers that they supply or for receiving funds that are deemed to be illegal because of such activities). We seek to protect ourselves against any such liability for the activities of the operators that we supply, including by contractually requiring those operators not to operate in certain territories and only supplying operators who we have reviewed to determine whether they uphold the requisite standards of regulatory and legal compliance. Nonetheless, there is a risk that we may fail to undertake sufficient due diligence, fail to receive accurate information on which to conduct due diligence, or become subject to investigatory or enforcement action should we or any of our customers be accused of breaching any regulations or laws. Any such action may adversely affect our standing with gaming regulators and our ability to obtain and retain required licenses and other approvals in other jurisdictions.

 

We may be required to obtain and maintain licenses and certifications from various state and local jurisdictions in order to operate certain aspects of our business and we and our key personnel and certain security holders may be subject to extensive background investigations and suitability standards. We may also become subject to regulation in any other jurisdiction where our customers are permitted to operate in the future. Licenses and ongoing regulatory compliance can be costly. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain new licenses or renew any of our existing licenses, and the loss, denial or non-renewal of any of our licenses could have an adverse effect on our business. Generally, regulatory authorities have broad discretion when granting, renewing or revoking approvals and licenses. Our failure, or the failure of any of our key personnel, systems or machines, in obtaining or retaining a required license or approval in one jurisdiction could have a negative impact on our ability (or the ability of any of our key personnel, systems or gaming machines) to obtain or retain required licenses and approvals in other jurisdictions. The failure to obtain or retain a required license or approval in any jurisdiction would decrease the geographic area where we may operate and generate revenues, decrease our share in the gaming marketplace and put us at a disadvantage compared with our competitors. In addition, the levy of substantial fines or forfeiture of assets could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Some jurisdictions also require extensive personal and financial disclosure and background checks from persons and entities beneficially owning a specified percentage of equity securities of licensed or regulated businesses. The failure of beneficial owners of our common stock to submit to such background checks and provide required disclosure could jeopardize our business. In light of these regulations and the potential impact on our business, our second restated certificate of incorporation provides for the prohibition of stock ownership by persons or entities who fail to comply with informational or other regulatory requirements under applicable gaming law, who are found unsuitable to hold our stock by gaming authorities or whose stock ownership adversely affects our ability to obtain, maintain, renew or qualify for a license, contract, franchise or other regulatory approval from a gaming authority. The licensing procedures and background investigations of the authorities that regulate our businesses and the proposed amendment may inhibit potential investors from becoming significant stockholders or inhibit existing stockholders from retaining or increasing their ownership.

 

Our businesses are subject to a number of federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing data privacy and security, including with respect to the collection, storage, use, transmission and protection of personal information and other consumer data. In particular, the EU has adopted strict data privacy regulations. Following recent developments such as the European Court of Justice’s 2015 ruling that the transfer of personal data from the EU to the U.S. under the EU/U.S. Safe Harbor was an invalid mechanism of personal data transfer, the adoption of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield as a replacement for the Safe Harbor, and the upcoming effective date of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, data privacy and security compliance in the EU are increasingly complex and challenging. The scope of data privacy and security regulations continues to evolve, and we believe that the adoption of increasingly restrictive regulations in this area is likely within the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Compliance with data privacy and security restrictions could increase the cost of our operations and failure to comply with such restrictions could subject us to criminal and civil sanctions as well as other penalties.

 

We are subject to the provisions of the UK Bribery Act 2010, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws. The UK Bribery Act generally prohibits giving a financial or other advantage to another person with the intention of inducing that person to improperly perform a relevant function or activity. The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act generally prohibits U.S. persons and companies and their agents from offering, promising, authorizing or making improper payments to foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Certain of these anti-corruption laws also contain provisions that require accurate record keeping and further require companies to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. Although we have policies and controls in place that are designed to ensure compliance with these laws, if those controls are ineffective or an employee or intermediary fails to comply with the applicable regulations, we may be subject to criminal and civil sanctions as well as other penalties. Any such violation could disrupt our business and adversely affect our reputation, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

 

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We review and develop our internal compliance programs in an effort to ensure that we comply with legal requirements imposed in connection with our business activities. The compliance program is run on a day-to-day basis by our in-house legal department with compliance and technical advice provided by our compliance manager and outside professionals. There can be no assurance that such steps will prevent the violation of one or more laws or regulations, or that a violation by us or an employee will not result in the imposition of administrative, civil and even criminal sanctions, monetary fines or suspension or revocation of one or more of our licenses.

 

Our industry is subject to regulations that set parameters for levels of gaming or wagering duty, tax, stake, prize and return to player.

 

In most jurisdictions in which we operate or expect to seek to operate, the level of duty or taxation, the stake, prize and return to player of wagering, betting and lottery games and the speed at which players can participate in gaming are defined in government regulations which are subject to change. Those regulations may also affect the premises in which gaming activities may take place (i.e., by limiting the number of gaming machines which may be housed in a licensed gaming location, or by restricting the locations in which licensed gaming premises may be situated). Once authorized, such parameters are subject to extensive and evolving governmental regulation. Moreover, such gaming regulatory requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Therefore, we are subject to a wide range of complex gaming parameters in the jurisdictions in which we are licensed. If a key parameter is changed, such as the level of taxation or duty or the maximum stake or prize or return to player of a game, then it may be to the detriment of our business, financial condition, results and prospects or we may be unable to distribute our products profitably.

 

A determination by the UK Government to substantially reduce maximum permitted bets on certain gaming machines in the UK could have a material negative impact on our business.

 

On October 31, 2017, the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport released a written consultation document, seeking written public responses to proposals it set forth in the document for changes to gaming machine regulations and other related regulatory matters. Responses are due by January 23, 2018, after which the UK Government is expected to take action with respect to some or all of the proposals raised in the consultation document or in the responses it receives to the document. The consultation and any UK Government action that follows represent the expected culmination of the triennial review of gaming regulation commenced by the UK Government in October 2016.

 

The UK Government’s principal proposal in the consultation document is to reduce the maximum permitted betting stake for players of B2 gaming machines (also known as Fixed-Odd Betting Terminals, or FOBTs) from the current £100 to either £50, £30, £20 or £2. A reduction of the maximum permitted B2 betting stake could adversely affect players’ interest in and use of B2 gaming machines; the total stakes wagered on such machines; the earnings made by operators who offer such machines at their betting locations; the portion of operators’ revenues that we receive under total revenue-sharing contracts and SBG revenue-sharing contracts we have with such operators; and demand for the supply of such machines in the future. A significant portion of our SBG revenue is derived from our revenue-sharing arrangements with customers who operate our SBG terminals as B2 gaming machines. Therefore, if the maximum permitted B2 betting stake is reduced, and any of the foregoing potential adverse consequences were to result, there could be a material adverse effect on our SBG revenues and consequently on our overall business.

 

Because it is unknown when, after the end of the consultation response period on January 23, 2018, the UK Government may take action to reduce the maximum permitted B2 betting stake; what reduced level of maximum permitted betting stake may be imposed; and when such reduction would come into force, there can be no assurance as to the extent to which any such reduction would affect our earnings or our business generally. Although a reduction of the maximum permitted betting stake to £50 might not have a substantial adverse effect on our earnings, a reduction to £30 could reduce our earnings by a substantial fraction and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and a reduction to £2 would reduce our earnings significantly and would likely have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. In all events, we currently expect that we might not experience material effects to our operations from any betting stake reduction until our 2019 fiscal year, and that there would be a period of time between the UK Government’s announcement of a reduction and its imposition, during which we could begin taking measures intended to mitigate the effects of the reduction. For the foregoing reasons, although we currently expect that a reduction in the maximum B2 betting stake may have at least some degree of adverse effect on our business, there can be no assurance as to when any reduction of the maximum permitted betting stake will be imposed, how steep a reduction it may be, or when, how and to what extent such a reduction would affect our business.

 

  18

 

 

Our business is subject to evolving technology.

 

The markets for our products are affected by changing technology, new regulations and evolving industry standards. Our ability to anticipate or respond to such changes and to develop and introduce new and enhanced products and services on a timely basis will be a significant factor in our ability to expand, remain competitive, attract new customers and retain existing contracts. For example, some of our contracts with customers require that the technology being licensed by the customer remain compliant with applicable regulations. Because regulatory changes cannot always be foreseen, such contractual requirements can from time-to-time result in us having to incur unforeseen costs to adapt our technology to changes in regulation.

 

Generally, there can be no assurance that we will achieve the necessary technological advances, have the financial resources, introduce new products or services on a timely basis or otherwise have the ability to compete effectively on a technological basis in the markets we serve.

 

Our business competes on the basis of the stability, security and integrity of our software, networks, systems, games and products.

 

We believe that our success depends, in significant part, on providing secure products and systems to our vendors and customers with high levels of uptime, quality and availability. Attempts to penetrate security measures may come from various combinations of customers, retailers, vendors, players, employees and others. Our ability to monitor and ensure quality of our products is periodically reviewed and enhanced. There can be no assurance that our business might not be affected by a security breach, virus, Denial of Service attack, or technical error, failure or lapse which could have an adverse impact on our business.

 

Additionally, we maintain a large number of games and terminals and jackpot systems, which rely on algorithms and software designed to pay out winnings to players at certain ratios. Our systems, testing and processes to monitor and ensure the payout of games are periodically reviewed and enhanced, and are additionally reviewed and tested by third-party expert test houses. There can be no assurance that our business might not be affected by a malicious or unintentional breach or technical error, failure or lapse which could have an adverse impact on payout ratios which would consequently have an adverse effect on our business in the form of lost revenues or penalty payments to players or customers. Gaming regulators may take enforcement action against us (including the imposition of significant fines) where the payout ratios fall below the ratios advertised to customers, or our software, networks, systems, games and/or products otherwise suffer from technical error, failure or lapse.

 

We may be adversely affected by disruptions to our transaction gaming and lottery systems, as well as disruptions to our internal enterprise and information technology systems.

 

Our operations are dependent upon our transactional gaming, lottery and information technology systems. We rely upon such systems to manage customer systems on a timely basis, to coordinate our sales and installation activities across all of our locations and to manage invoicing. A substantial disruption in our transactional gaming, lottery and information technology systems for any prolonged time period (arising from, for example, system capacity limits from unexpected increases in our volume of business, outages, computer viruses, unauthorized access or delays in its service) could result in delays in serving our customers, which could adversely affect our reputation and customer relationships and could result in monetary penalties pursuant to the terms of customer contracts. Our systems might be damaged or interrupted by natural or man-made events or by computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, or similar disruptions affecting the Internet and our disaster recovery plan may be ineffective at mitigating the effects of these risks. Such delays, problems or costs could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

  19

 

 

Gaming opponents persist in their efforts to curtail legalized gaming, which, if successful, could limit our existing operations.

 

Legalized gaming is subject to opposition from gaming opponents, including in the UK, Italy and other markets where we are active. There can be no assurance that this opposition will not succeed in preventing the legalization of gaming in jurisdictions where these activities are presently prohibited or prohibiting or limiting the expansion or continuance of gaming where it is currently permitted, in either case to the detriment of our business, financial condition, results and prospects.

 

Our directors and key personnel are subject to the approval of certain regulatory authorities, which, if withheld, will require us to sever our relationship with non-approved individuals, which could adversely impact our operations.

 

Our members, managers, directors, officers and key employees must also be approved by certain government and state regulatory authorities. If such regulatory authorities were to find a person occupying any such position unsuitable, we would be required to sever our relationship with that person. We may thereby lose key personnel which would have a negative effect on our operations. Certain public and private issuances of securities and certain other transactions by us also require the approval of certain state regulatory authorities. Further, our gaming regulators can require us to disassociate ourselves from suppliers or business partners found unsuitable by the regulators. For a summary of some of the significant gaming regulations that affect our business, see “Regulatory Framework” in Item 1 above. The regulatory environment in any particular jurisdiction may change in the future and any such change could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, we are subject to various gaming taxes, which are subject to increase at any time.

 

Licensing and gaming authorities have significant control over our operations and ownership, and could cause us to redeem certain stockholders on potentially disadvantageous terms.

 

Regulatory authorities have broad powers to request detailed financial and other information, to limit, condition, suspend or revoke a registration, gaming license or related approval and to approve changes in our operations. Some jurisdictions also require extensive personal and financial disclosure and background checks from persons and entities beneficially owning a specified percentage of equity securities of licensed or regulated businesses. For example, in the UK, an entity holding a gambling license must notify the Gambling Commission of the identity of any shareholder holding, directly or indirectly, 3% or more of its equity or voting rights, and must apply for permission to continue to rely on its operating license whenever a new person acquires, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of its equity or voting rights. The failure of beneficial owners of our common stock to submit to such background checks and provide required disclosure could jeopardize our business. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, to the extent required by the gaming authority making the determination of unsuitability or to the extent the board of directors determines, in its sole discretion, that a person is likely to jeopardize the Company’s or any affiliate’s application for, receipt of, approval for, right to the use of, or entitlement to, any gaming license, shares of our capital stock that are owned or controlled by an unsuitable person or its affiliates are subject to mandatory redemption by us. The redemption price may be paid in cash, by promissory note, or both, as required, and pursuant to the terms established by, the applicable gaming authority and, if not, as we elect. Such a redemption could occur on terms or at a time that a stockholder believes to be disadvantageous.

 

Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with, or liabilities under, any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.

 

We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional, state and local governments, including non-U.S. governments. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have an adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, or liabilities thereunder, could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

  20

 

 

Certain of our executive officers and directors are affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those conducted by us and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business opportunity should be presented to us or to another entity.

 

Certain of our executive officers and directors are affiliated with entities that are engaged in businesses similar to the ones we operate. As a result, any of them may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and to other entities to which they owe certain fiduciary or contractual duties. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented — to us or to another entity. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential business opportunity may be presented to another entity prior to its presentation to us. Our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we renounce our interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our Company and such opportunity is one that we are legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for us to pursue.

 

We are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through our subsidiaries.

 

We are a holding company and derive all of our operating income from our subsidiaries. Other than any cash we retain, all of our assets are held by our direct and indirect subsidiaries. We rely on the earnings and cash flows of our subsidiaries, which are paid to us by our subsidiaries, if and only to the extent available, in the form of dividends and other payments or distributions, to meet our debt service obligations. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments or distributions to us will depend upon their respective operating results and may be restricted by, among other things, the laws of their jurisdiction of organization (which may limit the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends and other distributions to us), the terms of existing and future indebtedness and other agreements of our subsidiaries and the covenants of any future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur.

 

Our inability to complete future acquisitions of gaming and related businesses and integrate those businesses successfully could limit our future growth, if any.

 

We continue to pursue expansion and acquisition opportunities in gaming and related businesses and we could face significant challenges in managing and integrating the expanded or combined operations including acquired assets, operations and personnel. There can be no assurance that acquisition opportunities will be available on acceptable terms or at all or that we will be able to obtain necessary financing or regulatory approvals to complete potential acquisitions. Our ability to succeed in implementing our strategy will depend upon the ability of our management to identify, complete and successfully integrate commercially viable acquisitions. Acquisition transactions may disrupt our ongoing business and distract management from other responsibilities. Any future acquisition transactions involving the use of company stock would dilute our existing stockholders and earnings per share.

 

Our business may be affected by changes in general and local economic and political conditions.

 

The demand for our services is sensitive to general and local economic conditions over which we have no control, including changes in the levels of consumer disposable income and geographical exposure to macro-economic trends and taxation. In addition, the economic stability of certain Eurozone countries where we conduct or intend to conduct business may become affected by sovereign debt crises or other general and local economic and political conditions. Adverse changes in economic conditions may affect our business generally or may be more prevalent or concentrated in particular markets in which we operate. Any deterioration in economic conditions or the continuation of uncertain economic conditions could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Other economic risks which may adversely affect our performance include high interest rates, inflation and volatile foreign exchange markets, and effects arising from Great Britain’s exit from the European Union (“Brexit”).

 

The performance of our business may also be subject to political risks in certain jurisdictions where we operate, including change of government, political unrest, war or terrorism.

 

  21

 

 

Our revenues can vary substantially from period to period and you should not rely upon our periodic operating results as indications of future performance.

 

Our revenues are subject to variations. Wagering equipment sales and software license revenues usually reflect a limited number of large transactions, which may not recur on an annual basis. Consequently, revenues and operating results can vary substantially from period to period as a result of the timing of major equipment sales and software license revenue. In addition, revenues may vary depending on the timing of contract awards and renewals, changes in customer budgets and general economic conditions. Revenues may also vary based on adverse sequences of payouts of prizes, unusual jackpot wins, and other variations in game margin.

 

Our business could also be affected by natural or man-made disasters such as floods, storms or terrorist attacks. We have taken steps to have disaster recovery plans in place but there can be no assurance that such an event would not have a significant adverse impact on our business.

 

We have operations in a variety of countries, which subjects us to additional risks.

 

We are a global business and derived substantially all of our revenue outside the United States during the years ended September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively. In the year ended September 30, 2017, we earned approximately 65% of our revenue in the UK, 13.5% in Italy, 10% in Greece and the remaining 11.5% across the rest of the world. Our business in foreign markets subject us to risks customarily associated with such operations, including:

 

foreign withholding taxes on, or bank regulatory restrictions on expatriating, our subsidiaries’ earnings that could reduce cash flow available to meet our required debt service and other obligations;

 

the complexity of foreign laws, regulations and markets;

 

the impact of foreign labor laws and disputes;

 

potential risks relating to our ability to manage our foreign operations, monitor our customers’ activities or our partners’ activities which may subject us to risks involving such other entities’ financial condition or to inconsistent interests or goals;

 

the impact of price controls, capital controls or increased difficulties in collecting accounts receivables in Greece or other jurisdictions;

 

recent unexpected gaming tax increases in Italy;

 

other economic, tax and regulatory policies of foreign governments; and

 

the ability to attract and retain key personnel in foreign jurisdictions.

 

Our consolidated financial results are significantly affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Foreign currency exchange rate exposures arise from current transactions and anticipated transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. Dollars, and from the translation of foreign currency balance sheet accounts into GBP-denominated or U.S. Dollar-denominated balance sheet accounts. Exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations exists and will continue because a significant portion of our revenues are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, particularly GBP and the Euro. Exchange rate fluctuations have in the past adversely affected operating results and cash flows and may continue to adversely affect results of operations and cash flows and the value of assets.

 

As a result of the geographic concentration of our operations in the UK, Italy and Greece, our operating results and cash flow depend significantly on economic conditions and the other factors listed above in these market areas. There can be no assurance that we will be able to operate on a continuing successful basis in these markets or in any other foreign market.

 

Our business could be negatively affected by ownership changes and consolidation in the gaming industry.

 

Because a substantial part of our revenue is recurring in nature, our medium to long term results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be negatively affected if any of our customers were sold to or merged with other customers, or if consolidation in the gaming industry were otherwise effected. Consolidation among gaming operators could result in our customers using more products and services of our competitors or reducing their spending on our products, or could otherwise cause downward pricing pressures, any of which outcomes could negatively affect our business.

 

  22

 

 

We may not be able to capitalize on the expansion of interactive gaming or other trends and changes in the gaming and lottery industries, including due to laws and regulations governing these industries, and other factors.

 

We participate in new and evolving aspects of the interactive gaming and lottery industries. Part of our strategy is to take advantage of the liberalization of regulations covering these industries on a global basis. These industries involve significant risks and uncertainties, including legal, business and financial risks. The success of these industries and of our interactive gaming and lottery products and services may be affected by future developments in social networks (including Facebook) mobile platforms, gaming regulations, data privacy laws and other matters which we are unable to predict or control. The fast-changing environment in these industries can make it difficult to plan strategically and can provide opportunities for competitors to grow their businesses at our expense. Consequently, our future results of operations, cash flows and financial condition are difficult to predict and may not grow at the rates we expect.

 

Laws relating to internet gaming are evolving. To varying degrees, governments have taken steps to change the regulation of internet wagering through the implementation of new or revised licensing and taxation regimes, including the possible imposition of sanctions on unlicensed providers. We cannot predict the timing, scope or terms of the implementation or revision of any such state, federal or foreign laws or regulations, or the extent to which any such laws and regulations may facilitate or hinder our strategy.

 

In jurisdictions that authorize internet gaming, we cannot assure that we will be successful in offering our technology, content and services to internet gaming operators, because we expect to face intense competition from our traditional competitors in the gaming and lottery industries as well as a number of other domestic and foreign competitors (and, in some cases, the operators themselves), many of which have substantially greater financial resources or experience in this area than we do.

 

Know-your-customer and geo-location programs and technologies supplied by third parties are an important aspect of certain internet and mobile gaming products and services, because they can confirm certain information with respect to players and prospective players, such as age, identity and location. Payment processing programs and technologies, typically provided by third parties, are also a necessary feature of interactive wagering products and services. These programs and technologies are costly, and our use of them may have an adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Additionally, we cannot assure that products or services containing these programs and technologies will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, or that they will perform accurately or otherwise in accordance with required specifications.

 

Our business is capital intensive and our ability to retain customers may be influenced by our ability to deploy additional capital.

 

Customers of our server based gaming products frequently request us to incur capital expenditures to provide gaming terminals to support their land-based operations. While we seek to obtain what we believe to be satisfactory rates of return on such investments, these capital expenditures can be meaningful and may be concentrated within short periods of time. To the extent that we have insufficient access to capital or liquidity at the time that a customer, or prospective customer, makes such a request, we may be at a competitive disadvantage in retaining or attracting such customer. Such a circumstance could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

 

We may be subject to claims arising from the operations of our various businesses for periods prior to the dates we acquired them.

 

On December 23, 2016, the business combination that created the current Inspired Entertainment, Inc. was consummated (the “Business Combination” or the “Merger”). For a further description of the Business Combination, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Business Combination”. Since 2010 and prior to the Business Combination, we have consummated two acquisitions. We may be subject to claims or liabilities arising from the ownership or operation of acquired businesses for the periods prior to our acquisition of them, including environmental, employee-related and other liabilities and claims not covered by insurance.

 

  23

 

 

Our success depends upon our key personnel.

 

Our business results depend largely upon the continued contributions of our Executive Chairman, our President and Chief Executive Officer and other members of our management team, as well as certain key technical specialists, game designers, operational experts and other developers and operators of key intellectual property and processes. If we lose the services of one or more members of our management team or key employees, our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as the market price of our securities, could be adversely affected. Furthermore, some of our key employees do not have prior experience operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause us to have to expend time and resources training them and helping them become familiar with such requirements.

 

The long-term performance of our business relies on our ability to attract, develop and retain talented personnel and our labor force while controlling our labor costs.

 

To be successful, we must attract, develop and retain highly qualified and talented personnel who have the experience, knowledge and expertise to successfully implement our key business strategies. We also must attract, develop and retain our labor force while maintaining labor costs. We compete for employees, including sales people, regional management, executive officers and others, with a broad range of employers in many different industries, including large multinational firms, and we invest significant resources in recruiting, developing, motivating and retaining them. The failure to attract and retain key employees, or to develop effective succession planning to assure smooth transitions of those employees and the knowledge, customer relationships and expertise they possess, could negatively affect our competitive position and our operating results. Further, if we are unable to cost-effectively recruit, train and retain sufficient skilled personnel, we may not be able to adequately satisfy increased demand for our products and services, which could adversely affect our operating results.

 

Restrictions in our existing credit agreement, or any other indebtedness we may incur in the future, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations, and our ability to make distributions to stockholders and the value of our common stock.

 

Our existing credit agreement, or any future credit facility or other indebtedness we enter into, may limit our ability to, among other things:

 

  incur or guarantee additional debt;
     
  make distributions or dividends on or redeem or repurchase shares of common stock;
     
  make certain investments and acquisitions;
     
  make capital expenditures;
     
  incur certain liens or permit them to exist;
     
  enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates;
     
  acquire, merge or consolidate with another company; and
     
  transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets.

 

The provisions of our existing credit agreement or other debt instruments may affect our ability to obtain future financing and pursue attractive business opportunities and our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in business conditions. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of our credit agreement, any future credit facility or other debt instruments could result in a default or an event of default that could enable our lenders or other debt holders to declare the outstanding principal of that debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the payment of our debt is accelerated, our assets may be insufficient to repay such debt in full, and you could experience a partial or total loss of your investment.

 

  24

 

 

We may have future capital needs and may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

 

Economic and credit market conditions, the performance of the gaming industry and our financial performance, as well as other factors, may constrain our financing abilities. Our ability to secure additional financing, if available, and to satisfy our financial obligations under indebtedness outstanding from time to time will depend upon our future operating performance, the availability of credit, economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

 

We may require additional financing to fund our operations and growth. The failure to secure additional financing could have an adverse effect on our continued development or growth. None of our officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us.

 

We may be unable to develop sufficient new products and product lines and integrate them into our existing business, which may adversely affect our ability to compete; our expansion into new markets may present competitive and regulatory challenges that differ from current ones.

 

Our business depends in part on our ability to identify future products and product lines that complement existing products and product lines and that respond to our customers’ needs. We may not be able to compete effectively unless our product selection keeps up with trends in the markets in which it competes or trends in new products. In addition, our ability to integrate new products and product lines into our existing business could affect our ability to compete. Furthermore, the success of new products and product lines will depend upon market demand and there is a risk that new products and product lines will not deliver expected results, which could adversely affect our future sales and results of operations. Our expansion into new markets may present competitive, distribution and regulatory challenges that differ from current ones. We may be less familiar with new product categories and may face different or additional risks, as well as increased or unexpected costs, compared to existing operations.

 

Risks Relating to Our Status as a Public Company

 

We may not be able to effectively implement, on a continuing basis, controls and procedures required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Prior to the Business Combination, we were not subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Following the Business Combination, we are required to provide management’s attestation on internal controls, commencing with our annual report for the year ended September 30, 2017. The standards required for a public company under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are significantly more stringent than those previously required of Inspired Gaming Group when it was a privately held company. If we are not able to implement, on a continuing basis, the additional requirements of Section 404 with adequate compliance, we may not be able accurately to assess whether our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, which may subject us to adverse regulatory consequences and could harm investor confidence and the market price of our common stock.

 

The obligations associated with being a public company require significant resources and management attention.

 

We currently face legal, accounting, administrative and other costs and expenses applicable to a U.S. public company that Inspired Gaming Group did not incur as a private company. In addition, Inspired Gaming Group had been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other related resources and will need to add personnel in areas such as accounting, financial reporting, investor relations and legal that are needed in connection with our operations as a public company. We incurred incremental costs related to operations as a public company of approximately $4.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2017 (excluding stock-based compensation). We expect to incur incremental costs related to operating as a public company of approximately $5.0 million annually, excluding stock based compensation cost, although there can be no assurance that these costs will not be higher, particularly when we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company. Our company is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, which requires us to file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition and proxy and other information statements, and the rules and regulations implemented by the SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Act, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) and Nasdaq, each of which imposes additional reporting and other obligations on public companies. Our senior management may not be able to maintain programs and policies in an effective and timely manner that adequately respond to such increased legal, regulatory compliance and reporting requirements, including maintaining effective internal controls over financial reporting. Our compliance with existing and evolving regulatory requirements results in increased administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

  25

 

 

Material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting could result in a failure to prevent, or to detect or correct on a timely basis, material misstatements in the financial statements of the Company, and could have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

 

Certain material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting were identified in connection with the preparation of the audits of the consolidated financial statements of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), for the periods ended September 24, 2016, September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014. These weaknesses have been remediated. Nevertheless, we enter into transactions that are complex and whose accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP requires extensive knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting disclosure requirements. No assurance can be given that our internal control over financial reporting will be sufficient to prevent recurring or additional material weaknesses in future periods. If material weaknesses are discovered in the future, we may fail to meet our future reporting obligations in a timely and reliable manner and our financial statements could contain material misstatements. Any such failure could adversely affect business and the price of our common stock.

 

We may be required to recognize impairment charges related to goodwill, identified intangible assets and property and equipment or to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and stock price, which could have an adverse effect on your investment.

 

We are required to test goodwill and any other intangible asset with an indefinite life for possible impairment on the same date each year and on an interim basis if there are indicators of a possible impairment. We are also required to evaluate amortizable intangible assets and property and equipment for impairment if there are indicators of a possible impairment. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of a potential impairment of goodwill, identified intangible assets and property and equipment. If, as a result of a general economic slowdown, deterioration in one or more of the markets in which we operate or impairment in our financial performance and/or future outlook, the estimated fair value of our long-lived assets decreases, we may determine that one or more of our long-lived assets is impaired. An impairment charge would be determined based on the estimated fair value of the assets and any such impairment charge could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Even though these charges may be non-cash items and would not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about the Company or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to be unable to obtain future financing on favorable terms or at all.

 

An active trading market for our securities may never develop, or if developed, may not continue, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.

 

An active trading market for our securities may never develop, or if developed, it may not be sustained. In addition, the price of our securities can vary due to general economic conditions and forecasts, our general business condition and the release of our financial reports. Depending on the number of shares you hold and other factors, you may not be able to sell your shares at the times you prefer at desirable market prices.

 

Our warrants transitioned from NASDAQ to the over-the-counter markets operated by OTC Markets Group in April 2017, as a result of the Company having less than 400 round-lot warrant holders. The lack of a stock exchange listing may limit investors’ ability to effect transactions in our public warrants.

 

  26

 

 

In September 2017, we received confirmation from NASDAQ that we were in compliance as to the minimum 300 round-lot shareholder requirement for our common stock. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain compliance with this or any other listing qualifications in the future.

 

Our warrants could expire worthless, the terms could be amended and we may redeem our warrants at a time that is disadvantageous to you .

 

The exercise price for our warrants is $5.75 per one-half of one share ($11.50 per whole share), subject to adjustment. Warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of shares of our common stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. There is no guarantee that the warrants will be in the money when warrant holders choose to exercise their warrants and they may expire worthless.

 

In addition, the warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders. Accordingly, we may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding warrants approve of such amendment. Examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the warrants, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of shares of our common stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.

 

We have the ability to redeem the warrants any time prior to their expiration at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that (i) the last reported sale price of our common stock equals or exceeds $24.00 per share for any 20 trading days within the 30 trading-day period ending on the third business day before we send the notice of such redemption and (ii) on the date we give notice of redemption and during the entire period thereafter until the time the warrants are redeemed, there is an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the public warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available unless warrants are exercised on a cashless basis. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force holders:

 

  to exercise their warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for them to do so;
     
  to sell their warrants at the then-current market price when they might otherwise wish to hold their warrants; or
     
  to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of their warrants.

 

The private placement warrants are not redeemable by us so long as they are held by their initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.

 

Concentration of ownership of the Company may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control.

 

Our largest stockholder, Landgame S.à.r.l, holds approximately 45% of the outstanding common stock of the Company, and as a result has the ability to strongly influence the outcome of corporate actions of the Company requiring stockholder approval. In addition, Landgame S.à.r.l. is party to a stockholders agreement that provides it with the right to nominate up to three of the seven members of our board of directors. As a result, this stockholder has the ability to exert influence over our business and may make decisions with which other stockholders may disagree. In addition, under the same stockholders agreement, another one of our stockholders, Hydra Industries Sponsor LLC (the “Hydra Sponsor”), has the right to nominate one director, and affiliates of Macquarie Group Limited have the right, jointly with the Hydra Sponsor, to nominate two directors. Each of the foregoing stockholders also have rights to appoint more directors if the size of our board of directors is increased. As a result, each of these stockholders has the ability to exert influence over our business and may support or make decisions with which other stockholders may disagree. Moreover, the concentrations of ownership described above may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control and might adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

  27

 

 

Pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we are an “emerging growth company.”

 

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and generally requires in the same report a report by our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The Company will be required to provide management’s attestation on internal controls effectiveness with respect to the year ended September 30, 2017. However, under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” We could be an “emerging growth company” until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following October 29, 2019, the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering (“IPO”), (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our prior second fiscal quarter, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. An “emerging growth company” can therefore delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have chosen not to “opt out” of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

 

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend upon appreciation in the price of our common stock.

 

We do not currently expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock. Any future dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other things, our results of operations, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, financial condition, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, business opportunities, anticipated cash needs, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend upon appreciation in the price of our common stock.

 

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and you could lose part or all of your investment.

 

The price of our securities may fluctuate significantly due to general market and economic conditions. In addition, the price of our securities can vary due to general economic conditions and forecasts, our general business condition and the release of our financial reports. If our results do not meet the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the market price of our securities may decline. In addition, fluctuations in the price of our securities could contribute to the loss of all or part of your investment. Any of the factors listed below could have an adverse effect on your investment in our securities and our securities may trade at prices significantly below the price you paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of our securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.

 

Factors affecting the trading price of the Company’s securities may include:

 

  market conditions affecting the gaming industry;

 

  28

 

 

  quarterly variations in our results of operations;
     
  changes in government regulations;
     
  the announcement of acquisitions by us or our competitors;
     
  changes in general economic and political conditions;
     
  volatility in the financial markets;
     
  results of our operations and the operations of others in our industry;
     
  changes in interest rates;
     
  threatened or actual litigation and government investigations;
     
  the outcome of the UK Government’s ongoing triennial review of UK gaming regulation;
     
  the addition or departure of key personnel;
     
  actions taken by our stockholders, including the sale or disposition of their shares of our common stock; and
     
  differences between our actual financial and operating results and those expected by investors and analysts and changes in analysts’ recommendations or projections.

 

Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our securities irrespective of our operating performance. The stock market in general, and NASDAQ in particular, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks, and of our securities, may not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for retail stocks or the stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to the Company could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of our securities also could adversely affect our ability to issue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future. 

 

Our business and stock price may suffer as a result of our lack of public company operating experience and if securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about the Company, our business, or our market, or if they change their recommendations regarding our common stock adversely, the price and trading volume of our common stock could decline.

 

The Company’s lack of public company operating experience may make it difficult to forecast and evaluate our future prospects. If the Company is unable to execute its business strategy, either as a result of its inability to manage effectively its business in a public company environment or for any other reason, the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition and operating results may be harmed.

 

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about us, our business, our market, or our competitors. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of the Company, our stock price and trading volume would likely be negatively affected. If any of the analysts who may cover the Company change their recommendation regarding our stock adversely, or provide more favorable relative recommendations about our competitors, the price of our common stock would likely decline. If any analyst who may cover the Company were to cease coverage of the Company or fail to regularly publish reports on the Company, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

 

  29

 

 

If substantial numbers of shares of our common stock are sold by our stockholders in a short period of time, the market price of our common stock may decline.

 

If our existing stockholders sell substantial amounts of their shares of our common stock in the public market, the market price of our common stock could decrease significantly. The perception in the public market that our existing stockholders might sell shares of common stock could also depress our market price. We filed a registration statement that became effective in July 2017 covering the resale of 16,686,335 shares of our outstanding common stock held by certain stockholders and the shares underlying our warrants and, as a result, such shares may be sold in the public market, subject to applicable securities laws. A decline in the price of shares of our common stock might impede our ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional shares or other equity securities. In addition, up to 2,500,000 additional shares of our common stock may be issued as earnout consideration pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination, which may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

We may issue a significant number of shares of our common stock or other securities from time to time.

 

We may issue shares of our common stock or other securities from time to time as consideration for, or to finance, future acquisitions and investments or for other capital needs. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our shares or the effect, if any, that future sales and issuances of shares would have on the market price of our common stock. If any such acquisition or investment is significant, the number of shares of common stock or the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of other securities that we may issue may in turn be substantial and may result in additional dilution to our stockholders. We may also grant registration rights covering shares of our common stock or other securities that we may issue in connection with any such acquisitions and investments.

 

Anti-takeover provisions contained in our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.

 

The Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control or changes in our management without the consent of our board of directors. These provisions include:

 

  no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;
     
  the exclusive right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or the resignation, death, or removal of a director with or without cause by stockholders, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors;
     
  the ability of our board of directors to determine whether to issue shares of our preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer;
     
  limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors and officers;
     
  the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for adjudication of disputes;
     
  controlling the procedures for the conduct and scheduling of stockholder meetings; and
     
  advance notice procedures that stockholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to our board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company.

 

These provisions, alone or together, could delay hostile takeovers and changes in control of the Company or changes in our board of directors and management.

 

As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), which prevents some stockholders holding more than 15% of our outstanding common stock from engaging in certain business combinations without approval of the holders of substantially all of our outstanding common stock. In addition, effective August 13, 2017, we have adopted a shareholder rights plan in the form of a Rights Agreement, which could have the effect of making it uneconomical for a third party to acquire us on a hostile basis. If the Rights Agreement is not approved at the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, the Rights will expire at the close of business on August 12, 2018. Any provision of our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, the Stockholders’ Rights Agreement or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.

 

  30

 

 

Risks Relating to Global Economic and Political Conditions

 

Volatility or disruption in the financial markets could materially adversely affect our business and the trading price of our common stock.

 

Our business relies on stable and efficient financial markets. Any disruption in the credit and capital markets could adversely impact our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms. Volatility in the financial markets could also result in difficulties for financial institutions and other parties that we do business with, which could potentially affect the ability to access financing under existing arrangements. We are exposed to the impact of any global or domestic economic disruption, including any potential impact of the decision by the United Kingdom to exit the European Union and the sovereign debt crises in certain Eurozone countries where we do business. Our ability to continue to fund operating expenses, capital expenditures and other cash requirements over the long term may require access to additional sources of funds, including equity and debt capital markets, and market volatility and general economic conditions may adversely affect our ability to access capital markets. In addition, the inability of our vendors to access capital and liquidity with which to maintain their inventory, production levels and product quality and to operate their businesses, or the insolvency of our vendors, could lead to their failure to deliver merchandise. If we are unable to purchase products when needed, our sales could be materially adversely affected. Accordingly, volatility or disruption in the financial markets could impair our ability to execute our growth strategy and could have an adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.

 

Currency exchange rate fluctuations could result in lower revenues, higher costs and decreased margins and earnings.

 

We conduct purchase and sale transactions in various currencies, which increases our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates globally. Additionally, there has been, and may continue to be, volatility in currency exchange rates as a result of the United Kingdom’s June 23, 2016 referendum in which voters approved the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union ( “Brexit”). It is possible that sovereign debt crises in certain Eurozone countries could lead to the abandonment of the Euro and the reintroduction of national currencies in those countries. International revenues and expenses generally are derived from sales and operations in various foreign currencies, and these revenues and expenses could be affected by currency fluctuations, specifically amounts recorded in foreign currencies and translated into U.S. Dollars for consolidated financial reporting, as weakening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar will adversely affect the U.S. Dollar value of the Company’s foreign currency-denominated sales and earnings. Currency exchange rate fluctuations could also disrupt the business of the independent manufacturers that produce our products by making their purchases of raw materials more expensive and more difficult to finance. Foreign currency fluctuations could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

We may hedge certain foreign currency exposures to lessen and delay, but not to completely eliminate, the effects of foreign currency fluctuations on our financial results. Since the hedging activities are designed to lessen volatility, they not only reduce the negative impact of a stronger U.S. Dollar or other trading currency, but they also reduce the positive impact of a weaker U.S. Dollar or other trading currency. Our future financial results could be significantly affected by the value of the U.S. Dollar in relation to the foreign currencies in which we conduct business. The degree to which our financial results are affected for any given time period will depend in part upon our hedging activities, and there can be no assurance that our hedging activities will be effective.

 

Global economic conditions could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The uncertain state of the global economy continues to affect businesses around the world, most acutely in emerging markets and developing economies. If global economic and financial market conditions do not improve or deteriorate, the following factors could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition:

 

  Slower consumer spending may result in reduced demand for our products, reduced orders from retailers for our products, order cancellations, lower revenues, higher discounts, increased inventories and lower gross margins;

 

  31

 

 

  In the future, we may be unable to access financing in the credit and capital markets at reasonable rates in the event we find it desirable to do so;
     
  We conduct transactions in various currencies, which increases our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. Dollar. Continued volatility in the markets and exchange rates for foreign currencies and contracts in foreign currencies could have a significant impact on our reported operating results and financial condition;
     
  Continued volatility in the availability and prices for commodities and raw materials we use in our products and in our supply chain could have an adverse effect on our costs, gross margins and profitability;
     
  If operators or distributors of our products experience declining revenues or experience difficulty obtaining financing in the capital and credit markets to purchase our products, this could result in reduced orders for our products, order cancellations, late retailer payments, extended payment terms, higher accounts receivable, reduced cash flows, greater expense associated with collection efforts and increased bad debt expense;
     
  If operators or distributors of our products experience severe financial difficulty, some may become insolvent and cease business operations, which could negatively affect the sale of our products to consumers; and
     
  If contract manufacturers of our products or other participants in our supply chain experience difficulty obtaining financing in the capital and credit markets to purchase raw materials or to finance capital equipment and other general working capital needs, it may result in delays or non-delivery of shipments of our products.

 

International hostilities, terrorist or cyber-terrorist activities, natural disasters, pandemics, and infrastructure disruptions could prevent us from effectively serving our customers and thus adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Acts of terrorist violence, cyber-terrorism, political unrest, armed regional and international hostilities and international responses to these hostilities, natural disasters, including hurricanes or floods, global health risks or pandemics or the threat of or perceived potential for these events could have a negative impact on us. These events could adversely affect our customers’ levels of business activity and precipitate sudden significant changes in regional and global economic conditions and cycles. These events also pose significant risks to our employees and our physical facilities and operations around the world, whether the facilities are ours or those of our third-party service providers or customers. By disrupting communications and travel and increasing the difficulty of obtaining and retaining highly skilled and qualified personnel, these events could make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver products and services to our customers. Extended disruptions of electricity, other public utilities or network services at our facilities, as well as system failures at our facilities or otherwise, could also adversely affect our ability to serve our customers. We may be unable to protect our employees, facilities and systems against all such occurrences. We generally do not have insurance for losses and interruptions caused by terrorist attacks, conflicts and wars. If these disruptions prevent us from effectively serving our customers, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

We face risks arising from the results of the public referendum held in United Kingdom and its membership in the European Union.

 

The ongoing developments following from the United Kingdom’s public referendum vote to exit from the European Union (“Brexit”) could cause disruptions to and create uncertainty surrounding our business, including affecting our relationships with existing and potential customers, suppliers and employees. Negotiations have commenced to determine the terms of the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union, including the terms of trade between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The effects of Brexit will depend upon any agreements the United Kingdom makes to retain access to European Union markets either during a transitional period or more permanently. The measures could potentially disrupt some of our markets and jurisdictions in which we operate, and adversely change tax benefits or liabilities in these or other jurisdictions. In addition, Brexit could lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as the United Kingdom determines which European Union laws to replace or replicate. In addition, the announcement of Brexit has caused significant volatility in global stock markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations, including the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against some foreign currencies, and the Brexit negotiations may continue to cause significant volatility. The progress and outcomes of Brexit negotiations also may create global economic uncertainty, which may cause customers and potential customers to monitor their costs and reduce their budgets for products and services. Any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could materially adversely affect the business, business opportunities, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of our Company.

 

  32

 

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

 

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

 

The Company occupies approximately 90,500 square feet of leased space in the United Kingdom, 11,900 square feet of leased space elsewhere in Europe and a small office in New York:

 

  We lease approximately 8,000 square feet of office space on one floor in Birmingham, West Midlands.

 

  We lease approximately 11,000 square feet of office space on one floor in Burton-on-Trent, East Midlands.

 

  We lease approximately 6,500 square feet of office space on two floors in London.

 

  We lease approximately 10,500 square feet of office space on two floors in Manchester.

 

  We lease approximately 50,000 square feet of administrative offices, workshop and warehousing in Wolverhampton, West Midlands.

 

  We occupy, out of lease, approximately 4,500 square feet of office space on one floor in Bangor, North Wales.

 

  We lease approximately 9,500 square feet of administrative offices, workshop and warehousing in Cologno Monzese, northern Italy.

 

  We lease approximately 2,000 square feet of offices on one floor in Rome, Italy.

 

  We lease approximately 400 square feet of office space on one floor in Gibraltar.

 

  We occupy unleased space in the offices of Hydra Management, LLC, at 250 West 57th Street, Suite 2223, New York, NY 10107. Discussions on leasing by the Company are ongoing.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

From time to time, the Company is involved in legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business. While the Company believes that such matters are currently not material, there can be no assurance that matters arising in the ordinary course of business for which the Company is, or could be, involved in litigation, will not have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

In June 2017, we settled a claim which had been filed in the High Court in London, on December 22, 2015, by the Performing Rights Society relating to the alleged infringement of copyrighted material of the Performing Rights Society’s members in certain games on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in UK Licensed Betting Offices. In June, the Performing Rights Society and the UK bookmaker defendants (who had formed a joint defense group) reached a settlement of these claims; the cost to the Company in excess of the insured amount was £250 ($321).

 

  33

 

 

On June 30, 2017, Martin E. Schloss, the former Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, naming as defendants the Company and A. Lorne Weil, alleging a breach by Mr. Weil of a purported oral contract to name Mr. Schloss as general counsel of the entity surviving any initial business combination effected by the Company, and asserting unjust enrichment claims against Mr. Weil and the Company and quantum meruit claims against the Company to receive additional compensation for Mr. Schloss’s past services to the Company prior to its initial business combination, seeking unspecified damages in an amount allegedly expected by the plaintiff to be no less than $1 million. The Company believes that any damages if Mr. Schloss were to prevail would not be material to the Company, and is contesting the matter vigorously.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “INSE”. Until December 2016, our common stock, warrants and units were traded under the symbols “HDRA,” “HDRAW,” and “HDRAU,” respectively. Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, we separated our units into their component securities and the units ceased public trading. In April 2017, our public warrants transitioned from NASDAQ to the over-the-counter markets operated by OTC Markets Group, where they trade under the symbol “INSEW”.

 

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock and warrants for the fiscal periods indicated as reported by the Nasdaq Capital Market and over-the-counter markets, as applicable.

 

    Common Stock     Public Warrants  
    Low     High     Low     High  
Year Ended September 30, 2017                                
First Quarter   $ 7.50     $ 10.50     $ 0.40     $ 0.72  
Second Quarter   $ 7.27     $ 11.35     $ 0.50     $ 1.17  
Third Quarter   $ 8.76     $ 13.75     $ 0.50     $ 1.40  
Fourth Quarter   $ 9.35     $ 13.90     $ 0.54     $ 1.25  
                                 
Year Ended September 24, 2016                                
First Quarter   $ 9.65     $ 10.00     $ 0.24     $ 0.36  
Second Quarter   $ 9.62     $ 9.90     $ 0.14     $ 0.25  
Third Quarter   $ 9.81     $ 9.92     $ 0.16     $ 0.25  
Fourth Quarter   $ 9.86     $ 10.28     $ 0.14     $ 0.44  

 

On November 29, 2017, the reported closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $9.65, and the reported closing price of our public warrants on the over-the-counter markets was $0.50.

 

  34

 

 

Holders

 

As of November 29, 2017, there were approximately 90 holders of record of our common stock and approximately 11 holders of record of our public warrants.

 

Dividends

 

We have not declared any cash dividends on our common stock to date and we do not anticipate declaring any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

None.

 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

 

None.

 

  35

 

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

The following selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the twelve months ended September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included elsewhere in this report. The following selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the twelve months ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014 have been derived from audited financial statements of the Company not included in this report but previously publicly disclosed. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected in the future. You should read the following selected historical consolidated financial data in conjunction with the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in report.

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
    September 26,
2015
    September 27,
2014
 
     $ ‘000     $ ‘000     $ ‘000     $ ‘000  

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

                               
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents     20,028       1,486       4,060       19,252  
Accounts receivable, net     20,469       16,446       25,740       32,861  
Property and equipment, net     43,485       49,231       75,786       73,006  
Software development costs, net     46,433       36,960       30,463       21,771  
Goodwill and intangibles     56,316       57,939       71,561       80,733  
Total assets     219,269       189,870       239,940       251,818  
                                 
Senior bank debt     122,765       114,161       114,751       115,899  
Long-term debt     1,094       298,623       307,765       290,081  
Total liabilities     221,598       485,941       516,780       479,920  
Total stockholders’ deficit     (2,329 )     (296,071 )     (276,840 )     (228,102 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit     219,269       189,870       239,940       251,818  

 

 

    For the period ended  
    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
    September 26,
2015
    September 27,
2014
   
    $ ‘000     $ ‘000     $ ‘000     $ ‘000    
   

(except per

share data)

   

(except per

share data)

   

(except per

share data)

   

(except per

share data)

   

Selected Consolidated Statement of Operations Data

                                 
                                   
Total revenue     122,544       119,773       127,573       146,798    
Net operating (loss)/profit     (11,897 )     (1,283 )     (1,269 )     (12,748 )  
Net income (loss) from continuing operations     (49,114 )     (59,877 )     (59,847 )     (67,811 )  
Earnings (loss) per common share     (2.68 )     (5.11 )     (5.23 )     (5.92)    
Weighted average common shares outstanding     18,296,480       11,722,595       11,447,372       11,447,372    

 

 

  36

 

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Item 6, “Selected Financial Data”, and the financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual future results could differ materially from the historical results discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this report.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are a global business-to-business gaming technology company, supplying Virtual Sports and Server Based Gaming (“SBG”) products to regulated lottery, betting and gaming operators worldwide through an “omni-channel” distribution strategy. Our strategic priorities are to:

 

Extend our strong positions in each of Virtual Sports and Server Based Gaming (“SBG”) by developing new omni-channel products;

 

Continue to invest in games and technology in order to grow our existing customers’ revenues;

 

Add new customers by expanding into underpenetrated markets and newly-regulated jurisdictions; and

 

Pursue targeted mergers and acquisitions to expand our product portfolio and distribution footprint.

 

Business Segments

 

We report our operations in two business segments, Virtual Sports and SBG, representing our different products and services. We evaluate our business performance, resource allocation and capital spending on an operating segment level, where possible. We use our operating results and identified assets of each of our operating segments in order to make prospective operating decisions. Although our revenues and cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) are reported exclusively by segment, we do include unallocated items in our financial statements for certain expenses including depreciation and amortization as well as selling, general and administrative expenses. Unallocated balance sheet line items include items that are a shared resource and therefore not allocated between operating segments.

 

Our Virtual Sports business segment designs, develops, markets and distributes ultra-high-definition games that create an always-on sports wagering experience. Our Virtual Sports customers include virtual sports retail and digital operators.

 

Our SBG business segment designs, develops, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of games through our digital network architecture. Our SBG customers include UK licensed betting offices (“LBOs”), casinos, gaming hall operators, bingo operators and regulated operators of lotteries, as well as government-affiliated operators.

 

Geographic Range

 

Geographically, more than half of our revenues are derived from, and more than half of our non-current assets are attributed to, our UK operations, with the remainder of our revenues derived from, and non-current assets attributed to, Italy, Greece and the rest of the world. In the year ended September 30, 2017, we earned approximately 65% of our revenue in the UK, 13.5% in Italy, 10% in Greece and the remaining 11.5% across the rest of the world. In the year ended September 24, 2016, we earned approximately 73% of our revenue in the UK, 18% in Italy and the remaining 9% across the rest of the world.

 

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Foreign Exchange

 

Our results are affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of the translation of foreign functional currencies into our reporting currency and the re-measurement of foreign currency transactions and balances. The impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations represents the difference between current rates and prior-period rates applied to current activity. The largest geographic region in which we operate is the United Kingdom, and the British pound (“GBP”) is considered to be our functional currency. Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”). Our results are translated from our functional currency of GBP into the reporting currency of USD using average rates for profit and loss transactions and applicable spot rates for period-end balances. The effect of translating our functional currency into our reporting currency, as well as translating the results of foreign subsidiaries that have a different functional currency into our functional currency, is reported separately in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.

 

In the twelve months ending September 30, 2017, we derived approximately 35% of our revenue from sales to customers outside of the UK, compared to 27% in the twelve months ending September 24, 2016 and 25% in the twelve months ending September 26, 2015.

 

In the section “Results of Operations” below, currency impacts shown have been calculated as the current-period average GBP: USD rate less the equivalent average rate in the prior period, multiplied by the current period amount in our functional currency (GBP). The remaining difference, referred to as constant currency, is calculated as the difference in our functional currency, multiplied by the prior-period average GBP: USD rate, as a proxy for constant currency movement. This is not a U.S. GAAP measure, but is one which management believes gives a clearer indication of results. In the tables below, variances in particular line items from period to period exclude currency translation movements, and currency translation impacts are shown independently.

 

Business Combination

 

We were formed in Delaware on May 30, 2014 under the name Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. (“Hydra”) as a “blank check company” for the purpose of acquiring, through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar business transaction, one or more operating businesses or assets. On December 23, 2016, we consummated our business combination by acquiring Inspired Gaming Group, pursuant to the share sale agreement, dated as of July 13, 2016 (the “Sale Agreement”), by and among Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. and those persons identified on Schedule 1 thereto (the “Vendors”), including DMWSL 633 Limited, the parent of Inspired Gaming Group. Pursuant to the Sale Agreement, we acquired all of the outstanding equity and shareholder loan notes of the Inspired Gaming Group. We refer to such acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the Sale Agreement collectively as the “Business Combination” or the “Merger”. We changed our name from Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. to Inspired Entertainment, Inc. upon consummation of the Business Combination and changed our fiscal-year end to September 30.

 

The Business Combination has been accounted for as a “reverse merger” in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Hydra was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. This determination was principally based on Inspired Gaming Group comprising the ongoing operations of the combined entity, Inspired Gaming Group’s senior management comprising the majority of the senior management of the combined entity and former shareholders of Inspired Gaming Group having a majority of the voting power of the combined entity. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Inspired Gaming Group issuing stock for the net assets of Hydra, accompanied by a recapitalization. Operations prior to the Business Combination that are reflected in the historical financial information presented are those of Inspired Gaming Group. The net assets of Hydra are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

We use certain financial measures that are not compliant with U.S. GAAP (“non-GAAP financial measures”), including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, to analyze our operating performance. In this discussion and analysis, we present certain non-GAAP financial measures, define and explain these measures and provide reconciliations to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this Item 7.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations is divided into separate sections, addressing, in the following order:

 

our results of operations for the 12 months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the similar period in 2016;

 

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our results of operations for the 12 months ended September 24, 2016 compared to the similar period in 2015;

 

the results of operations for our Server Based Gaming business segment for the same periods, including a Key Performance Indicator (“KPI”) analysis; and

 

the results of operations for our Virtual Sports business segment for the same periods, including a KPI analysis.

 

The twelve-month financial periods presented consist of a 371-day period for 2017, 364-day periods for each of 2016 and 2015. Each of these periods is intended to approximate a twelve-month period, and they are often referred to twelve-month periods or years. The balance sheet date for fiscal year 2017 is September 30, for fiscal year 2016 is September 24 and for fiscal year 2015 is September 26.

 

Our results are affected by changes in exchange rates over the three years, primarily between our functional currency (GBP) and our reporting currency (USD). In the years ending September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 the average rate was 1.28, 1.44 and 1.55 respectively.

 

In the discussion below, certain data may vary from the amounts presented in our consolidated financial statements due to rounding.

 

Twelve Months ended September 30, 2017 compared to Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016

 

    For the Twelve-Month Period ended                                
    Sept 30,     Sept 24,     $ Variance     $ Variance  
(In thousands)   2017     2016     2017 vs 2016     Constant Currency     Currency Movement  
                                           
Revenue:                                                        
Service   $ 107,496     $ 112,200     $ ( 4,704 )     (4.2 )%   $ 9,993       8.9 %   $ ( 14,697 )
Hardware   $ 15,048     $ 7,573     $ 7,475       98.7 %   $ 9,374       123.8 %   $ ( 1,899 )
Total revenue     122,544       119,773       2,771       2.3 %     19,367       16.2 %     (16,596 )
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:                                                        
Cost of service     (15,845 )     (16,625 )     780       4.7 %     (1,355 )     (8.2 )%     2,135  
Cost of hardware     (10,839 )     (3,789 )     (7,050 )     (186.1 )%     (8,503 )     (224.4 )%     1,453  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (58,301 )     (60,673 )     2,372       3.9 %     (5,609 )     (9.2 )%     7,982  
Stock-based compensation     (4,235 )           (4,235 )     N/A       (4,772 )     N/A       537  
Acquisition related transaction expenses     (11,411 )     (4,959 )     (6,452 )     (130.1 )%     (8,266 )     (166.7 )%     1,814  
Depreciation and amortization     (33,810 )     (35,010 )     1,200       3.4 %     (3,385 )     (9.7 )%     4,586  
Net operating income     (11,897 )     (1,283 )     (10,614 )     (827.1 )%     (12,524 )     (976.0 )%     1,910  
Other income (expense)                                                        
Interest income     55       287       (232 )     80.8 %     (226 )     78.9 %     (6 )
Interest expense     (29,358 )     (58,327 )     28,969       49.7 %     24,667       42.3 %     4,302  
Change in fair value of earnout liability     (7,127 )           (7,127 )     N/A       (7,863 )     N/A       736  
Change in fair value of derivative liability     (385 )           (385 )     N/A       (431 )     N/A       46  
Other finance income (costs)     (218 )     (247 )     29       11.7 %     65       26.3 %     (36 )
Total other income (expense), net     (37,033 )     (58,287 )     21,254       36.5 %     16,212       27.8 %     5,042  
Net loss from continuing operations before income taxes     (48,930 )     (59,570 )     10,640       17.9 %     3,688       6.2 %     6,952  
Income tax expense     (184 )     (307 )     123       40.1 %     100       32.7 %     23  
                                                         
Net loss   $ ( 49,114 )   $ (59,877 )   $ 10,763       18.0 %   $ 3,789       6.3 %   $ 6,974  
                                                         
Exchange Rate - $ to £     1.28       1.44                                          

 

Revenue

 

From 2016 to 2017, total revenue increased by $2.8 million, or 2.3%, to $122.5 million. Adverse currency movements reduced the variance by $16.6 million, leaving a constant currency increase of $19.4 million, or 16.2%.

 

SBG revenue, which is included in total revenue, above, increased by $14.6 million, or 16.9%, comprised mostly of growth in hardware sales of $9.4 million and service revenue of $5.3 million.

 

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Hardware revenue growth was driven by SBG terminal sales in the Greek, UK and Colombian markets of $6.1 million, $2.5 million and $3.7 million, respectively. This was offset by reductions in Italy of $1.7 million and reductions in sales of Electronic Table Games (“ETG”) of $1.2 million.

 

SBG service revenue increased by $5.3 million, or 6.7%, as a result of the roll out of terminals in Greece, growth in Gross Win per unit per day incomes for UK LBOs, increased volume for non-UK LBOs and a software license sale into the Greek market. (“Gross Win per unit per day” is defined as stake less amounts returned to the player in prize, before gaming tax deductions.) These increases were partially offset by changes in contract terms for two key UK customers in conjunction with extensions to the end dates of those contracts without the need to make further capital investments.

 

Virtual Sports revenue increased by $4.7 million, or 14.2%, driven mainly by a new customer in Greece, along with new customers in Italy, Poland and the UK, and an increase in revenue from existing customers.

 

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization, which includes machine cost of sales, consumables, content royalties and connectivity costs, increased by $6.3 million, to $26.7 million. Favorable currency movements reduced the variance by $3.6 million, leaving a constant currency increase of $9.9 million.

 

Cost of hardware increased by $8.5m due to a number of nil margin sales in the year. See “Non GAAP Measures” below for further details. These were at a lower gross margin percentage than the prior year as a result of nil margin sales (see non-GAAP measures below). Cost of service increased by $1.4 million due to higher content and machine consumable costs.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include staff compensation costs (including outsourced costs), travel, professional services fees and technology expenses (including hosting fees, data centers and similar charges).

 

Constant currency SG&A expenses were offset by a favorable currency impact of $8.0 million. This resulted in a decrease in reported SG&A expenses of $2.4 million, from $60.7 million to $58.3 million.

 

On a constant currency basis, SG&A expenses increased by $5.6 million, driven by:

 

additional Incremental Costs since Closing of the Business Combination (as defined below) of $4.2 million;

group restructuring costs of $2.4 million compared to $0.8 million in the prior year; and

a deferred consideration credit of $1.4 million in the prior year.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

In connection with the Business Combination, on December 22, 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the Inspired Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2016 Incentive Plan”).

 

As of September 30, 2017, there were 2,778,818 shares authorized for issuance under the 2016 Incentive Plan and 10,042 shares not yet subject to outstanding awards. Awards are fair-valued at the time of issuance, with the value being spread over the vesting period. In the current period, the Company recorded an expense of $4.1 million in respect of outstanding awards. There was no corresponding charge in the prior year.

 

The Company established an Employee Share Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) during the year and the charge in the year in respect of the ESPP amounted to $0.1 million. There was no corresponding charge in the prior year.

 

Acquisition related transaction expenses

 

Acquisition related transaction expenses increased by $6.5 million in the current year, to $11.4 million. Favorable currency movements reduced the variance by $1.8 million, leaving a constant currency increase of $8.3 million.

 

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All but $0.1 million of the current year expenses related to the Business Combination, with the balance relating to ongoing work in respect of potential acquisitions. All costs in the prior year related to the Business Combination. We believe that all Business Combination-related transaction expenses have now been incurred.

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization decreased by $1.2 million to $33.8 million on a reported basis. Favorable currency movements increased the variance by $4.6 million, leaving a constant currency increase of $3.4 million. The change from year to year was driven by a $3.2 million increase in 2017 in intangible amortization due to new projects going live, and increased SBG machine depreciation in 2017 of $0.8 million, relating to the rollout of SBG products and services in Greece.

 

Impairments in the year amounted to $1.3 million. These were partially offset by a $1.6 million decrease in machine-related depreciation due to certain terminals in the UK and Italy becoming fully depreciated.

 

Net Operating loss

 

Reported net operating loss declined from a loss of $1.3 million to a loss of $11.9 million, due primarily to increases in stock-based compensation and transaction expenses related to the Business Combination.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense decreased by $29.0 million, or 49.7%, to $29.4 million. Favorable currency movements increased the variance by $4.3 million, leaving a constant currency decrease of $24.7 million. The decrease was primarily due to a $28.0 million reduction in PIK loan note interest, as a result of the outstanding amount of PIK loan notes being reduced in connection with the closing of the Business Combination on December 23, 2016. The decrease was partially offset by $2.5 million in increased PIK loan note interest due to rate margin increases and by a $0.9 million increase in senior debt cash interest due to compounding.

 

Change in fair value of earnout liability

 

Change in fair value of earnout liability relates to the potential earnout payment that may be made to the former owners of DMWSL 633 Limited, which is dependent upon the financial performance of Inspired’s businesses in six specific countries (China, Colombia, Greece, Norway, Spain and Ukraine) (collectively, the “Earnout Jurisdictions”), as measured by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the twelve months ending September 30, 2018 (the “Earnout Period”). As a result of changes in expectations of the Earnout Jurisdictions and share-price movements, the expense that accrued in the period from change in fair value of earnout liability was $7.1 million. There was no corresponding figure in the prior period.

 

Net Loss from Operations

 

Net loss for the year from continuing operations improved from $59.9 million to $49.1 million, principally reflecting a reduction in interest expense and an offsetting increase in earnout liability pursuant to the Merger.

 

Income tax expense

 

We recorded a $0.2 million income tax expense for the period ended September 30, 2017 and a $0.3 million expense for the period ended September 24, 2016. Our effective tax rate for the period ending September 30, 2017 was (0.4)%, and our effective tax rate for the period ending September 24, 2016 was (0.5)%.

 

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Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016 compared to Twelve Months ended September 26, 2015

 

    For the Twelve-Month Period ended                                
    Sept 24,     Sept 26,     $ Variance     $ Variance  
(In thousands)   2016     2015     2016 vs 2015     Constant Currency     Currency Movement  
                                           
Revenue:                                                        
Service   $ 112,200     $ 115,325     $ (3,125 )     (2.7 )%   $ 5,110       4.4 %   $ (8,235 )
Hardware   $ 7,573     $ 12,248     $ (4,675 )     (38.2 )%   $ (4,118 )     (33.6 )%   $ (556 )
Total revenue     119,773       127,573       (7,800 )     (6.1 )%     992       0.8 %     (8,792 )
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:                                                        
Cost of service     (16,625 )     (16,481 )     (144 )     (0.9 )%     (1,375 )     (8.3 )%     1,231  
Cost of hardware     (3,789 )     (7,746 )     3,957       51.1 %     3,689       47.6 %     268  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (60,673 )     (64,705 )     4,032       6.2 %     1,047       1.6 %     2,985  
Stock-based compensation                       N/A       0       N/A       0  
Acquisition related transaction expenses     (4,959 )     (524 )     (4,435 )     (846.4 )%     (6,267 )     (1196.1 )%     1,832  
Depreciation and amortization     (35,010 )     (39,386 )     4,376       11.1 %     1,806       4.6 %     2,570  
Net operating income     (1,283 )     (1,269 )     (14 )     (1.1 )%     (109 )     (8.6 )%     95  
Other income (expense)                                                        
Interest income     287       646       (359 )     55.6 %     (337 )     52.2 %     (22 )
Interest expense     (58,327 )     (58,100 )     (227 )     (0.4 )%     (4,508 )     (7.8 )%     4,281  
Other finance costs     (247 )     (153 )     (94 )     (61.4 )%     (112 )     (73.3 )%     18  
Loss from equity method investee           (340 )     340       100.0 %     340       100.0 %     0  
Total other income (expense), net     (58,287 )     (57,947 )     (340 )     (0.6 )%     (4,617 )     (8.0 )%     4,277  
Net loss from continuing operations before income taxes     (59,570 )     (59,216 )     (354 )     (0.6 )%     (4,727 )     (8.0 )%     4,372  
Income tax expense     (307 )     (631 )     324       51.3 %     301       47.8 %     23  
                                                         
Net loss   $ (59,877 )   $ (59,847 )   $ (30 )     (0.1 )%   $ (4,425 )     (7.4 )%   $ 4,395  
                                                         
Exchange Rate - $ to £     1.44       1.55                                          

  

Revenue

 

From 2015 to 2016, total revenue decreased by $7.8 million to $119.8 million. Adverse currency movements reduced the variance by $8.8 million, leaving a constant currency increase of $1.0 million, or 0.8%. 

 

Virtual Sports revenue increased $8.5 million, driven by growth from both existing customers and new customers and increased activity in respect of Virgo, our remote gaming server (“RGS”). The Virtual Sports increase was in part offset by declines in SBG revenue of $7.6 million. The main contributor to the SBG decrease was a fall in hardware sales of $4.1 million, including ETG $2.1 million, UK $1.9 million and Greece $1.9 million, offset by an increase in Italy of $1.8 million. In addition, our final analogue contract ended early in the year resulting in a reduction of $3.9 million.

 

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization, decreased by $3.8 million to $20.4 million. Favorable currency movements increased the variance by $1.5 million, leaving a constant currency decrease of $2.3 million.

 

Cost of hardware decreased by $3.7 million, with cost of service increasing by $1.4 million.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

SG&A expenses decreased $4.0 million to $60.7 million. Favorable currency movements increased the variance by $3.0 million, leaving a constant currency decrease of $1.0 million. 

 

The decrease was driven by cost items that increased by $2.4 million (excluding currency impacts) for the period, including increased labor costs resulting from a higher staff headcount and higher London facility costs.

 

Acquisition related transaction expenses 

 

Acquisition related transaction expenses increased by $4.4 million to $5.0 million. Favorable currency movements reduced the variance by $1.8 million, leaving a constant currency increase of $6.3 million, all of which related to the Business Combination.

 

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Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization decreased by $4.4 million, or 11.1%, to $35.0 million. Favorable currency movements increased the variance by $2.6 million, leaving a constant currency decrease of $1.8 million. The change was driven by reduced depreciation from Italian assets that had reached residual value, as well as goodwill impairment of $1.0 million. 

 

Interest expense  

 

Interest expense increased by $0.2 million to $58.3 million. Favorable currency movements reduced the variance by $4.3 million, leaving a constant currency increase of $4.5 million. This was primarily due to an increase in PIK loan note interest, due to compounding.  

 

Income tax expense

 

We recorded an income tax expense of $0.3 million for the period ending September 24, 2016, compared to $0.6 million for the period ending September 26, 2015. Our effective tax rates for the periods were (0.5%) and (1%), respectively, including reductions in UK and mainland European tax payable. 

 

Server Based Gaming Segment 

 

We generate revenue from our SBG business segment through product sales (both hardware and software) and long-term participation agreements, which include access to our SBG platform and the selection of game titles over a term of, usually, three to five years. Our participation contracts are typically structured to pay us a percentage of net win (defined as net revenue to our operator customers, after deducting player winnings and any relevant regulatory levies) from SBG terminals placed in our customers’ facilities, which include retail outlets, casinos and other gaming operations, or from SBG gaming software used by customers’ players through mobile or online devices. Typically, we recognize revenue from these arrangements on a daily basis over the term of the contract. 

 

Revenue growth for our SBG business is principally driven by the number of operator customers we have, the number of SBG machines in operation, the net win performance of the machines and the net win percentage that we receive pursuant to our contracts with our customers. 

 

SBG segment, Key Performance Indicators 

 

    For the Twelve-Month Period ended     Variance     Variance  
    Sept 30,     Sept 24,     Sept 26     2017 vs 2016     2016 vs 2015  
  2017     2016     2015           %           %  
                                           
End of period installed base (# of terminals)     28,715       26,590       26,374       2,125       8.0 %     216       0.8 %
Average installed base (# of terminals)     27,666       26,334       25,917       1,333       5.1 %     417       1.6 %
Customer Gross Win per unit per day (1)   £ 116.83     £ 116.13   £ 111.74     £ 0.70       0.6 %   £ 4.39       3.9 %
Customer Net Win per unit per day (1)   £ 84.18     £ 84.31     £ 83.20     £ (0.13 )     (0.2 )%   £ 1.12       1.3 %
Inspired Blended Participation Rate     6.0 %     6.2 %     6.4 %     (0.2 )%             (0.1 )%        

 

(1) Includes all SBG terminals in which the company takes a participation revenue share across all territories

 

Certain KPI measures presented previously, in our financial statements for the years ended September 24, 2016, and September 26, 2015 included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 30, 2016, have been restated in this report to allow, in management’s view, closer comparisons between those measures and the measures presented in this report for the year ended September 30, 2017. None of these changes are material.

 

In the table above: 

 

“End of Period Installed Base” is equal to the number of deployed SBG terminals at the end of each period that have been placed on a participation basis. SBG participation revenue, which comprises the majority of SBG service revenue, is directly related to the terminal installed base. This is the medium by which customers generate revenue and distribute a revenue share to the Company. To the extent all other KPIs remain constant, the larger the installed base, the higher the Company’s revenue will be for that period. Management gives careful consideration to this KPI in terms of driving growth across the segment.

 

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Revenues are derived from the performance of the installed base as described by the Gross and Net Win KPIs.

 

If the End of Period Installed Base is materially different from the Average Installed Base (described below), we believe this gives an indication as to potential future performance. The End of Period Installed Base is particularly useful for assessing new customers or markets, to indicate the progress being made with respect to entering new territories or jurisdictions.  

 

“Average Installed Base” is the average number of deployed SBG terminals during the period . Therefore, it is more closely aligned to revenue in the period. This measure is particularly useful for assessing existing customers or markets to provide comparisons of historical size and performance. 

 

Customer Gross Win (defined as stake less amounts returned to player in prize, before gaming tax deductions) per unit per day is a KPI used by our internal decision makers to (i) assess impact on the Company’s revenue, (ii) determine changes in the strength of the overall market and (iii) evaluate the impacts of regulatory change and our new content releases on our customers . Customer Gross Win per unit per day is the average per unit cash generated across all SBG terminals in which the Company takes a participation revenue share across all territories in the period, defined as the difference between the amounts staked less winnings to players divided by the Average Installed Base in the period, then divided by the number of days in the period.

 

SBG revenue share income accrued in the period is derived from Customer Gross Win accrued in the period after deducting gaming taxes (defined as a regulatory levy paid by the Customer to government bodies) and applying the Company’s contractual revenue share percentage. 

 

Our internal decision makers believe Customer Gross Win measures are meaningful because they represent a view of customer operating performance that is unaffected by our revenue share percentage and allow management to (1) readily view operating trends, (2) perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between customers and (3) identify strategies to improve operating performance in the different markets in which we operate.

 

“Customer Net Win per unit per day” is Customer Gross Win per unit per day after giving effect to the deduction of gaming taxes. 

 

“Inspired Blended Participation Rate” is the Company’s average revenue share percentage across all terminals where revenue is earned on a participation basis, weighted by Customer Net Win per unit per day. 

 

Our overall SBG revenue from terminals placed on a participation basis can therefore be described as the product of the Average Installed Base, the Customer Net Win per unit per day, the number of days in the period, and the Inspired Blended Participation Rate, to give “participation revenue”. 

 

SBG segment, key events that affected results for the Twelve Months ended September 30, 2017

 

Our SBG rollout into the Greek market commenced during this period, with nearly 1,900 terminals installed as of September 30, 2017. These machines represented the first portion of the expected full deployment of at least 5,300 SBG terminals in the Greek market by early calendar 2018. The performance of our Greek terminals has been strong against our competitors in the period. In addition, we had a software license sale into the Greek market.

 

Our UK SBG terminals in LBOs generated Gross Win per unit per growth of 3.5% year-over-year. 

During the period, an additional 1,250 Self Service Betting Terminals (“SSBTs”) were sold and deployed in the UK market. These terminals increased our hardware margin as compared to 2016, and are expected to provide recurring service revenue in coming years.

 

In Colombia, just over 1,000 SBG terminals were sold in the quarter ending September 30, 2017. 

 

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Customer Gross Win per unit per day (in our functional currency, GBP) increased by 0.6%, driven by an increase in Customer Gross Win in the UK (including the non-LBO sector) of 1.9%, in Italy of 13.6% and in Colombia of 3.1%. This was mostly offset by the impact of our SBG installations in Greece; our Greek machines return a lower daily Customer Gross Win compared with our UK machines. 

 

Customer Net Win per unit per day (in GBP) declined by 0.2%, despite an increase in Customer Gross Win per unit per day, as a result of an increase in the tax rate in Italy from 6.3% to 6.8%, which became effective on April 25, 2017. 

 

SBG segment, key events that affected results for the Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016  

 

Our UK SBG terminals in LBOs generated Customer Gross Win growth of 6.3% year-on-year, against a backdrop of increased gaming taxes for approximately half of the period, which reduced Customer Net Win growth. Average volumes across our total UK installations grew 3.6% over the period to over 20,300 terminals. 

 

Our Italian SBG terminals generated Customer Gross Win growth of 10% year-on-year, due to the release of new titles, including Diamond Goddess and Regina delle Nevi (“Snow Queen”). In Italy, we also completed contract extensions with Lottomatica and Sisal.

 

Our Average Installed Base increased 1.6%, to 26,334, as reductions in Italy were offset by increases in the UK. Customer Gross Win per unit per day increased 3.9% year-on-year, driven by an increase in the UK (including the non-LBO sector) Customer Gross Win per unit per day of 2.3%, to £134, and Italian Customer Gross Win per unit per day of 6.4%, on a constant currency basis, rising to €85. Due to increases in gaming levies, including in the UK where machine game duty increased from 20% to 25% in March of 2015, Customer Net Win per unit per day increased by only 1.3%. Our Blended Participation Rate decreased from 6.4% to 6.2%, as a higher proportion of our terminals were located in the UK, where participation rates are typically lower but Customer Net Win is higher. 

 

SBG segment, key events that affected results for the Twelve Months ended September 24, 2015  

 

In April of 2015, the UK Code of Conduct was implemented, which required significant changes throughout the UK gaming market, resulting in the changes to player’s experience and increasing player protection. This required significant modification of our existing platform and gaming applications which were successfully implemented. 

 

In addition, in the UK we completed the finalization of the upgrade of the SBG Terminal estate to our new “Eclipse” terminal – bringing the total build and installed base to over 16,000 in less than two years. 

 

On December 23, 2014, we acquired 50% of Merkur Inspired Ltd, now renamed Inspired Gaming (Italy) Ltd, a joint venture with Merkur Gaming GmbH in which we previously owned 50%. The acquisition of this interest, for consideration of £1, gave us 100% of the equity.

 

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SBG segment, Twelve Months ended September 30, 2017 compared to Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016

 

Server Based Gaming   For the Twelve-Month Period ended                                
    Sept 30,     Sept 24,     $ Variance     $ Variance  
(In thousands)   2017     2016     2017 vs 2016     Constant Currency     Currency Movement  
                                           
Revenue:                                                        
Service   $ 74,072     $ 78,912     $ (4,840 )     (6.1 )%   $ 5,271       6.7 %     (10,111 )
Hardware   $ 15,048     $ 7,573     $ 7,475       98.7 %   $ 9,374       123.8 %     (1,899 )
Total revenue     89,120       86,485       2,635       3.0 %     14,645       16.9 %     (12,010 )
                                                         
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:                                                        
Cost of service     (11,688 )     (12,317 )     629       5.1 %     (974 )     (7.9 )%     1,603  
Cost of hardware     (10,839 )     (3,789 )     (7,050 )     (186.1 )%     (8,503 )     (224.4 )%     1,453  
Total cost of sales     (22,527 )     (16,106 )     (6,421 )     (39.9 )%     (9,477 )     (58.8 )%     3,056  
                                                         
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (15,569 )     (19,128 )     3,559       18.6 %     1,427       7.5 %     2,132  
                                                         
Stock-based compensation     (231 )           (231 )     N/A       (260 )     N/A       29  
                                                         
Depreciation and amortization     (26,367 )     (26,678 )     311       1.2 %     (3,265 )     (12.2 )%     3,576  
                                                         
Net operating profit   $ 24,426     $ 24,574     $ (148 )     (0.6 )%   $ 3,070       12.5 %     (3,217 )
                                                         
Exchange Rate - $ to £     1.28       1.44                                          

 

 

SBG segment revenue. In 2017, total SBG revenue increased $2.6 million on a reported basis to $89.1 million, including adverse currency movements of $12.0 million. On a constant currency basis, SBG revenue increased by $14.6 million, or 16.9%. 

 

SBG hardware revenue increased by $7.5 million, or 98.7%, on a reported basis, including adverse currency movements of $1.9 million. On a constant currency basis, SBG hardware revenue increased by $9.4 million, or 123.8%, to $15.0 million, principally due to additional terminal sales in Greece, the UK and Colombia of $6.1 million, $2.5 million and $3.7 million, respectively. This increase was partly offset by a high volume of 2016 SBG hardware sales in the ETG and Italian markets, resulting in revenue reductions of $1.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively.  

 

SBG service revenue decreased by $4.8 million, or 6.1%, on a reported basis, including adverse currency movements of $10.1 million. On a constant currency basis, SBG service revenue increased by $5.3 million, or 6.7%, to $74.1 million, primarily due to the rollout of terminals into Greece. This rollout drove additional participation revenue of $1.1 million and other ongoing revenue of $0.8 million. In addition, in 2017 we completed a software license sale into the Greek market, generating revenue of $1.7 million.

 

UK LBO Customer Gross Win per unit per day grew by 3.5%, resulting in increased revenue of $1.9 million. An increased number of days in the period also increased revenue $1.2 million. These gains were offset by revised terms agreed in SBG contract extensions with two customers within our UK LBO and UK Casino and Bingo markets, representing revenue declines of $1.8 million and $1.5 million respectively. These contract extensions nevertheless allowed us to continue to generate revenue without the need to make further capital investments.

 

Overall, the size of our Average Installed Base increased 5.1%, to 27,666, due to our continued terminal rollout in Greece and continued market growth in the UK and Colombia.  

 

SBG segment operating profit. In 2017, total SBG operating profit reduced $0.1 million to $24.4 million. On a constant currency basis, operating profit increased by $3.1 million, or 12.5%, to $24.4 million.

 

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) increased by $6.4 million to $22.5 million on a reported basis. On a constant currency basis the increase was $9.5 million, primarily due to growth in hardware sales, which resulted in additional costs of $8.5 million. Service costs reduced $0.6 million on a reported basis but increased year-on-year by $1.0 million on a constant currency basis, due to higher content and machine consumable costs. 

 

SG&A expenses declined by $3.6 million on a reported basis and $1.4 million, or 7.5%, on a constant currency basis to $15.6 million, due mainly to a reduction in staff and associated costs. 

 

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Depreciation and amortization reduced $0.3 million on a reported basis. On a constant currency basis it increased by $3.3 million, to $26.4 million, driven by a $2.8 million increase in intangible amortization due to new projects going live in the Greek and UK markets, and an increased machine-related depreciation of $0.8 million, driven by the continued terminal rollout in the Greek market. 

 

Impairments of $1.3 million occurred during the year due to uncertainties over revenue streams in relation to previously made investments. These were partially offset by savings of $1.6 million from fully depreciated terminals in the UK and Italian markets.  

 

SBG segment, Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016 compared to Twelve Months ended September 26, 2015

 

Server Based Gaming   For the Twelve-Month Period ended                                
    Sept 24,     Sept 26,     $ Variance     $ Variance
(In thousands)   2016     2015     2016 vs 2015     Constant Currency     Currency Movement  
                                           
Revenue:                                                        
Service   $ 78,912     $ 88,139     $ (9,227 )     (10.5 )%   $ (3,433 )     (3.9 )%   $ (5,794 )
Hardware   $ 7,573     $ 12,248     $ (4,675 )     (38.2 )%   $ (4,118 )     (33.6 )%   $ (556 )
Total revenue     86,485       100,387       (13,902 )     (13.8 )%     (7,551 )     (7.5 )%     (6,351 )
                                                         
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:                                                        
Cost of service     (12,317 )     (11,895 )     (422 )     (3.5 )%     (1,326 )     (11.2 )%     904  
Cost of hardware     (3,789 )     (7,746 )     3,957       51.1 %     3,679       47.5 %     278  
Total cost of sales     (16,106 )     (19,641 )     3,535       18.0 %     2,352       12.0 %     1,183  
                                                         
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (19,128 )     (22,017 )     2,889       13.1 %     1,485       6.7 %     1,405  
                                                         
Depreciation and amortization     (26,678 )     (33,415 )     6,737       20.2 %     4,778       14.3 %     1,959  
                                                         
Net operating profit   $ 24,574     $ 25,314     $ (740 )     (2.9 )%   $ 1,064       4.2 %   $ (1,804 )
                                                         
Exchange Rate - $ to £     1.44       1.55                                          

  

SBG segment revenue. In 2016, total SBG revenue decreased on a reported basis by $13.9 million and on a constant currency basis by $7.6 million to $86.4 million. 

 

SBG hardware revenue declined by $4.1 million, following a high level of hardware revenue in 2015. Reductions included ETG $2.1 million, UK $1.9 million and Greece $1.9 million, offset by an increase in Italy of $1.8 million. 

 

SBG service revenue declined $3.4 million, due to the end of our final analogue contract in the UK, which resulted in a reduction in service revenue of $3.9 million. 

 

SBG segment operating profit. In 2016, total SBG operating profit reduced on a reported basis by $0.7 million, but increased by $1.1 million, or 4.2%, on a constant currency basis to $24.6 million. 

 

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased by $3.5 million on a reported basis. On a constant currency basis it reduced by $2.4 million to $16.1 million, primarily due to a decrease in hardware sales that resulted in reduced costs of $3.7 million. Service costs increased year-on-year by $0.4 million on a reported basis and $1.3 million on a constant currency basis, due to higher content and machine consumable costs. 

 

SG&A expenses reduced by $2.9 million on a reported basis and $1.5 million, or 6.7%, on a constant currency basis to $19.1 million, due to savings in UK operations due to lower headcount and logistics costs. 

 

Depreciation and amortization decreased by $6.7 million on a reported basis and $4.8 million on a constant currency basis to $26.7 million. This was due to UK Casino and Bingo and Italian assets having reached their residual values.  

 

Virtual Sports Segment

 

Our Virtual Sports products create a form of simulated sports betting in both a streaming and on-demand environment, overcoming the relative infrequency of live sporting events on which players can wager. We generate revenue from our Virtual Sports segment by licensing to our operator customers the software related to our Virtual Sports products, which consists of a complex graphics and networking software package that provides fixed-odds wagering on an ultra-high definition computer rendering of a virtual sporting event, such as soccer or boxing. Our customers pay us for the use of this software through either a fixed license fee per period, or on a participation basis based on the volume of customer net win. We also generate revenue by providing upfront services to our customers. Revenue growth for our Virtual Sports segment is driven by the number of our customers, the number of player end-points and the customer net win attributable to our products.

 

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Our customers for Virtual Sports include regulated betting operators, lotteries, casinos, online operators and other gaming and lottery operators in the UK, continental Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Virtual Sports can be adapted to function in a sports betting, lottery, or gaming environment and is therefore available to a wide range of customers in both public and private implementations.

 

Virtual Sports segment, Key Performance Indicators 

                                           
                Variance     Variance  
    For the Twelve-Month Period ended                
    Sept 30,     Sept 24,     Sept 26     2017 vs 2016     2016 vs 2015  
Virtuals     2017       2016       2015               %               %  
No. of Live Customers at the end of the period     85       77       64       8       10.4 %     13       20.3 %
Average No. of Live Customers     81       73       63       8       11.5 %     10       15.5 %
Total Revenue (£’000)   £ 26,312     £ 23,043     £ 17,532     £ 3,269       14.2 %   £ 5,511       31.4 %
Total Revenue £’000 - Retail   £ 16,357     £ 14,803       N/A     £ 1,554       10.5 %     N/A       N/A  
Total Revenue £’000 - Online   £ 9,955     £ 8,240       N/A     £ 1,715       20.8 %     N/A       N/A  
Average Revenue Per Customer per day (£)   £ 875     £ 870     £ 765     £ 5       0.5 %   £ 106       13.8 %

 

Certain KPI measures presented previously, in our financial statements for the years ended September 24, 2016, and September 26, 2015 included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 30, 2016, have been restated in this report to allow, in management’s view, closer comparisons between those measures and the measures presented in this report for the year ended September 30, 2017. None of these changes are material.

 

In the table above: 

 

“No. of Live Customers at the end of the period” and “Average No. of Live Customers” represent the number of customers from which there is Virtual Sports revenue at the end of the period and the average number of customers from which there is Virtual Sports revenue during the period, respectively.

 

 

“Total Revenue (£000)” represents total revenue for the Virtual Sports segment, including recurring and upfront service revenue. Total revenue is also divided between “Total Revenue (£000) – Retail”, which consists of revenue earned through players wagering at Virtual Sports venues, and “Total Revenue (£000) – Online”, which consists of revenue earned through players wagering online, including through our Mobile RGS product. 

 

“Average Revenue per Customer per day” represents total revenue for the Virtual Sports segment in the period, divided by the Average No. of Live Customers, divided by the number of days in the period.  

 

Virtual Sports segment, key events that affected results for the Twelve Months ended September 30, 2017 

 

During 2017, our Virtual Sports products went live in Greece, through OPAP. As of September 30, 2017, OPAP offered our Virtual Sports product in over 4,000 retail venues. The rollout initially focused on Virtual Football (soccer) with other sports planned to follow. 

 

During 2017, our Virtual Sports products also went live in Poland, through the retail venues of Fortuna, Central Europe’s largest betting operator, with online soon to follow. Under an agreement that extends to 2019, Fortuna customers in Poland are able to play Virtual Football (soccer), Virtual Horses, Virtual Greyhounds, Virtual Speedway and Virtual Motor Racing. 

 

During the period, it was announced that we had been selected as Virtual Sports supplier to the Finnish national betting agency, Veikkaus. 

 

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By the end of the period, our Mobile RGS business was live with ten customers, having launched five new customers during the period, including Ladbrokes and NYX. The average number of Virtual Sports live customers increased by eight, from 77 to 85, in 2017, including new RGS customers. Average Revenue per Customer per Day for the year increased by £5, or 0.5%, from £870 to £875.

 

Virtual Sports segment, key events that affected results for the Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016

 

During 2016, we signed a number of new Virtual Sports contracts with customers that included Greentube, SNAI and Novomatic in Italy, Decart in Bulgaria and OPAP in Greece. In addition, we launched new implementations with existing customers that included Betfair, the Bookmakers Technology Consortium in the UK and ATG in Sweden. We also launched a new soccer title, Rush Football 2, which features lifelike, ultra-high definition graphics and over 30 betting markets; Rush Football Live and Rush Golf Live, which feature on-demand and in-play options; and Virtuals Connect, a fully-managed turnkey solution. We expanded our geographical reach by signing our first contracts for Virtual Sports in the US, with William Hill, Resorts World Digital and Golden Nugget. For our mobile RGS, we signed contracts with a number of new customers, as well as providing new RGS integrations for existing customers, including Bet365 and Betfred, and adding new game titles to our portfolio.

 

Virtual Sports segment, key events that affected results for the Twelve Months ended September 26, 2015

 

We launched a new mobile RGS product, Virgo, and contracted with four tier one operators, three of which were operational prior to the end of the period.

 

Virtual Sports segment, Twelve Months ended September 30, 2017 compared to Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016

 

Virtual Sports   For the Twelve-Month Period ended                                
    Sept 30,     Sept 24,     $ Variance     $ Variance  
(In thousands)   2017     2016     2017 vs 2016     Constant Currency     Currency Movement  
                                           
Service Revenue   $ 33,424     $ 33,288     $ 136       0.4 %   $ 4,722       14.2 %   $ (4,586 )
                                                         
Cost of Service     (4,157 )     (4,308 )     151       3.5 %     (381 )     (8.8 )%     532  
                                                         
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (6,168 )     (7,050 )     882       12.5 %     37       0.5 %     844  
                                                         
Stock-based compensation     (261 )           (261 )     N/A       (294 )     N/A       33  
                                                         
Depreciation and amortization     (5,587 )     (6,402 )     815       12.7 %     57       0.9 %     758  
                                                         
Net operating profit   $ 17,251     $ 15,528     $ 1,723       11.1 %   $ 4,142       26.7 %   $ (2,419 )
                                                         
Exchange Rate - $ to £     1.28       1.44                                          

 

Virtual Sports segment revenue. In 2017, total Virtual Sports revenue was virtually unchanged on a reported basis due to negative currency movement of $4.6 million, and on a constant currency basis total Virtual Sports revenue increased by $4.7 million, or 14.2%, to $33.4 million.

 

This increase was principally the result of recurring revenue growth of $3.7 million in Virtual Sports land-based and online customers, due to the acquisition of Greece’s OPAP as a new customer and new customers in Italy, Poland and the UK, as well as increased revenue from existing customers. The remainder of the increase arose from further RGS penetration into the mobile market, where the number of our customers increased from five to ten, and new game launches, resulting in an increase of $1.0 million.

 

Virtual Sports segment operating profit. In 2017, total Virtual Sports operating profit increased by $1.7 million, or 11.1%, on a reported basis and $4.1 million, or 26.7%, on a constant currency basis to $17.3 million.

 

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Cost of service decreased by $0.2 million on a reported basis but increased by $0.4 million on a constant currency basis to $4.2 million, due to additional third-party royalties payable on new recurring contracts.

 

SG&A expenses and depreciation and amortization reduced $0.9 million and $0.8 million respectively on a reported basis but remained broadly in line with the prior year on a constant currency basis.

 

Virtual Sports segment, Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016 compared to Twelve Months September 26, 2015

 

Virtual Sports   For the Twelve-Month Period ended                                
    Sept 24,     Sept 26,     $ Variance     $ Variance  
(In thousands)   2016     2015     2016 vs 2015     Constant Currency     Currency Movement  
                                           
Service Revenue   $ 33,288     $ 27,186     $ 6,102       22.4 %   $ 8,546       31.4 %   $ (2,444 )
                                                         
Cost of Service     (4,308 )     (4,586 )     278       6.1 %     (38 )     (0.8 )%     316  
                                                         
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (7,050 )     (6,691 )     (359 )     (5.4 )%     (876 )     (13.1 )%     518  
                                                         
Stock-based compensation                       N/A             N/A        
                                                         
Depreciation and amortization     (6,402 )     (3,952 )     (2,450 )     (62.0 )%     (2,920 )     (73.9 )%     470  
                                                         
Net operating profit   $ 15,528     $ 11,957     $ 3,571       29.9 %   $ 4,712       39.4 %   $ (1,140 )
                                                         
Exchange Rate - $ to £     1.44       1.55                                          

 

Virtual Sports segment revenue. In 2016, total Virtual Sports revenue increased by $6.1 million on a reported basis and $8.5 million, or 31.4%, on a constant currency basis to $33.3 million.

 

The increase was principally due to the annualization of customers that we acquired during the course of the prior year, as well as growth in our existing customer base. We also went live with several new accounts globally, including in the UK and Sweden.

 

Virtual Sports segment operating profit. In 2016, total Virtual Sports operating profit increased by $3.6 million on a reported basis and $4.7 million, or 39.4%, on a constant currency basis to $15.5 million.

 

Cost of service was broadly in line with the prior year.

 

SG&A expenses increased by $0.4 million on a reported basis and $0.9 million on a constant currency basis, to $7.1 million. This reflected increased labor costs in sales, product development and operations due to increased investment. This increase was in part offset by a $1.4 million reduction in a deferred consideration creditor, relating to a social gaming asset.

 

Depreciation and amortization increased by $2.5 million on a reported basis and $2.9 million on a constant currency basis to $6.4 million, due to an increased amortization of software development from new game releases, as well as a $1.2 million impairment of a social gaming asset.

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

We use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, to analyze our operating performance. We use these financial measures to manage our business on a day-to-day basis. We believe that these measures are also commonly used in our industry to measure performance. For these reasons, we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide expanded insight into our business, in addition to standard U.S. GAAP financial measures. There are no specific rules or regulations for defining and using non-GAAP financial measures, and as a result the measures we use may not be comparable to measures used by other companies, even if they have similar labels. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. You should consider our non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with our U.S. GAAP financial measures.

 

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We define our non-GAAP financial measures as follows:

 

EBITDA is defined as net loss excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income and income tax expense.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net loss excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income and income tax expense, and other additional exclusions and adjustments . Such additional excluded amounts include stock-based compensation U.S. GAAP charges where the associated liability is expected to be settled in stock, and changes in the value of earnout liabilities and income and expenditure in relation to legacy portions of the business (being those portions where trading no longer occurs) including closed defined benefit pension schemes. Additional adjustments are made for items considered outside the normal course of business, including (1) restructuring costs, which include charges attributable to employee severance, management changes, restructuring and integration (2) merger and acquisition costs and (3) gains or losses not in the ordinary course of business.

 

We believe Adjusted EBITDA, when considered along with other performance measures, is a particularly useful performance measure, because it focuses on certain operating drivers of the business, including sales growth, operating costs, selling and administrative expense and other operating income and expense. We believe Adjusted EBITDA can provide a more complete understanding of our operating results and the trends to which we are subject, and an enhanced overall understanding of our financial performance and prospects for the future. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of liquidity or cash flows from operations or a measure comparable to net income or loss, because it does not take into account certain aspects of our operating performance (for example, it excludes non-recurring gains and losses which are not deemed to be a normal part of underlying business activities) . Our use of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to the use by other companies of similarly termed measures. Management compensates for these limitations by using Adjusted EBITDA as only one of several measures for evaluating our operating performance. In addition, capital expenditures, which affect depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income tax benefit (expense), are evaluated separately by management.

 

Adjusted Revenue (Revenue Excluding Nil Margin Hardware Sales) is defined as revenue excluding hardware sales that are sold at nil margin with the intention of securing longer term recurring revenue streams. For the years ending September 24, 2016 and earlier, this measure also removed analogue sales, on the basis that such sales were no longer considered part of our core business.

 

Constant Currency measures. Currency impacts shown have been calculated as the current-period average GBP: USD rate less the equivalent average rate in the prior period, multiplied by the current period amount in our functional currency (GBP). The remaining difference, referred to as constant currency, is calculated as the difference in our functional currency, multiplied by the prior-period average GBP: USD rate, as a proxy for constant currency movement.

 

Incremental Costs since Closing of the Business Combination is defined as the incremental costs incurred as a result of becoming a public company, shown to allow comparability to the prior periods when we were not a public company. These costs include costs associated with the public company’s Board of Directors and its committees and advisors, the remuneration of those who became employed or received increases as a result of the Business Combination, SEC counsel costs and costs associated with PCAOB audit compliance.

 

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Reconciliations from net loss, as shown in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss included elsewhere in this report, to Adjusted EBITDA are shown below.

 

    For the Twelve-Month Period ended
(In thousands)   Sept 30, 2017   Sept 24, 2016   Sept 26, 2015
             
Net loss   $ (49,114 )   $ (59,877 )   $ (59,847 )
                         
Items Relating to Legacy Activities:                        
Profit attributable to discontinued analogue activities     0       (69 )     (3,374 )
Pension charges     631       865       1,222  
(Credit)/Costs relating to former operations     (65 )     43       243  
Recognition of asset related obligations                 (88 )
                         
Items outside the normal course of business:                        
Costs of group restructure     2,447       799       3,363  
Italian tax related costs     220       964       1,025  
Transaction fees     11,411       6,282        
Deferred consideration write back           (1,351 )      
PRS legal dispute     (107 )     368        
                         
Stock-based compensation expense     4,235              
                         
Depreciation and amortization     33,810       35,010       39,386  
Total other expense, net     37,033       58,287       57,608  
Income tax     184       307       631  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 40,686     $ 41,629     $ 40,169  
                         
Adjusted EBITDA   £ 31,875     £ 28,816     £ 25,904  
                         
Attributable to:                        
Operating company   £ 35,163     £ 28,816     £ 25,904  
Incremental costs since closing of business combination   £ (3,288 )            
                         
Exchange Rate - $ to £     1.28       1.44       1.55  

 

Items Relating to Legacy Activities

 

“Profit attributable to discontinued analogue activities” consists of the direct results of our old analogue-related contracts, which are no longer considered a core part of our business and so are removed to show a more meaningful comparison. This affects Server Based Gaming results.

 

“Pension charges” are profit and loss charges included within selling, general and admin expenses, relating to a defined benefit scheme which was closed to new entrants in 1999 and to future accruals in 2010. As well as the amortization of net loss, the figure also includes charges relating to the Pension Protection Fund (which were historically borne by the pension scheme) and a small amount of associated professional services expenses. These costs are included within Central Functions.

 

“(Credit)/Costs relating to former operations” refers to gains and losses from our Mexican SBG division, which ceased trading prior to the years shown in the consolidated financial statements included in this report. This affects Server Based Gaming results.

 

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“Recognition of asset related obligations” relates to a small gain from a legacy part of the SBG business, in the year ended September 26, 2015.

 

Items outside the normal course of business

 

“Costs of group restructure” include redundancy costs, Payments In Lieu of Notice Costs (“PILON”) and any associated employer taxes. To qualify as being an adjusting item, costs must be part of a large restructuring project, the primary objective of which is to save future costs.

 

“Italian tax related costs” relate to Stability Law costs imposed on our SBG segment or VAT charges relating to prior years imposed on our Virtual Sports segment following changes in interpretation of legislation.

 

“Deferred consideration write back” was a benefit in the year ended September 24, 2016, relating to the reduction in a liability relating to social gaming, within Virtual Sports.

 

“PRS legal dispute” relates to the costs borne by the business in relation to a legal dispute with the Performing Rights Society, as described in Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. A credit balance relates to a reduction in expected exposure. This affects Server Based Gaming results.

 

Other Adjustments

 

Transaction fees, Stock-based compensation expense, Depreciation and amortization, Total other expense, net and Income tax are as described in the Results of Operations sections.

 

We believe that accounting for nil margin hardware sales in conformance with U.S. GAAP results in a distorted presentation of our revenue and growth. Therefore, we use Revenue Excluding Nil Margin Sales, or Adjusted Revenue, to internally analyze our operating performance. A reconciliation from revenue, as shown in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss included elsewhere in this report, to Adjusted Revenue is shown below.

 

    For the Twelve-Month Period ended
(In thousands)   Sept 30, 2017   Sept 24, 2016   Sept 26, 2015
             
Net revenues per Financial Statements   $ 122,544     $ 119,773     $ 127,573  
Less Nil Margin Sales     (5,320 )     37       (2,224 )
Less Analogue Revenues           (69 )     (3,995 )
Adjusted Revenue   $ 117,224     $ 119,741     $ 121,354  
                         
Adjusted Revenue   £ 91,840     £ 82,887     £ 78,259  
                         
Exchange Rate - $ to £     1.28       1.44       1.55  

  

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Twelve Months ended September 30, 2017 compared to Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016

 

    Period Ended   Variance
(in thousands)   September 30, 2017   September 24, 2016   2017 to 2016
Net loss   $ (49,114 )   $ (59,877 )   $ 10,763  
Non-cash interest expense     17,213       45,873       (28,660 )
Other net cash provided by operating activities     50,152       32,651       17,501  
Net cash provided by operating activities     18,251       18,647       (396 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities     (35,385 )     (31,902 )     (3,483 )
Net cash provided by financing activities     34,555       11,050       23,505  
Effect of exchange rates on cash     1,121       (369 )     1,490  
Net increase/(decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   $ 18,542     $ (2,574 )   $ 21,116  

 

Net cash provided by operating activities. In 2017, net cash inflow provided by operating activities was $18.3 million, compared to an inflow of $18.6 million in the prior period, representing a $0.4 million decrease in cash generation.

 

Non-cash interest expense decreased by $28.7 million, from $45.9 million to $17.2 million, as a consequence of the acquisition of DMWSL 633 Limited by Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. to form Inspired Entertainment, Inc. As part of that transaction, outstanding PIK loan notes became internally owned, and the related non-cash interest expense ceased to be an external charge.

 

Other net cash provided by operating activities increased by $17.5 million, from $32.7 million to $50.2 million, principally as a result of our commencement of trading in Greece, which has driven an increase in deferred revenue creditors ($10.8 million), trade payable ($9.7 million), earnout liabilities ($7.1 million) and stock-based compensation expense ($4.2 million), partly offset by increased levels of trade receivables ($11.3 million) due to increased levels of trade, particularly in Greece, increases in Virtual Sports business and the timing of invoices and receipts.

 

Net cash used in investing activities. In 2017, net cash used in investing activities increased by approximately $3.5 million, from $31.9 million to $35.4 million. The increase was attributable to higher spending on property, plant and equipment related to the commencement of Greek SBG operations.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities. In 2017, net cash from financing activities increased by $23.5 million, from $11.1 million to $34.6 million. This was due to a cash injection of $16.7 million received following the acquisition of DMWSL 633 Limited by Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. to form Inspired Entertainment, Inc., and $21.6 million proceeds received from a private placement of common stock. These items were partly offset by changes in the amounts borrowed under our revolving credit facility. During 2017, we paid $3.2 million to reduce the outstanding balance under the facility, and during 2016 we borrowed $11.2 million under the facility.

 

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Twelve Months ended September 24, 2016 compared to Twelve Months ended September 24, 2015

 

    Period Ended   Variance
(in thousands)   September 24, 2016   September 26, 2015   2016 to 2015
Net loss   $ (59,877 )   $ (59,847 )   $ (30 )
Non-cash interest expense     45,873       44,417       1,456  
Other net cash provided by operating activities     32,651       40,681       (8,030 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     18,647       25,251       (6,604 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities     (31,902 )     (39,203 )     7,301  
Net cash provided by financing activities     11,050       (123 )     11,173  
Effect of exchange rates on cash     (369 )     (1,117 )     748  
Net increase/(decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   $ (2,574 )   $ (15,192 )   $ 12,618  

 

Net cash provided by operating activities. In 2016, net cash flow from operating activities decreased by $6.6 million during the period. Net loss excluding non-cash interest expense remained flat year-on-year. Other net cash provided by operating activities decreased $8.0 million, primarily driven by a reduction in the level of deferred revenue creditors.

 

Net cash used in investing activities. In 2016, net cash used in investing activities decreased by $7.3 million during the period, to $31.9 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower spending on property, plant and equipment purchases compared to higher spending in the prior period, which included expansionary expenditure on machines for rollout into the Greek market and the purchase of Italian slant-top machines in association with the acquisition of the remaining 50% of Merkur Inspired Ltd.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities. In 2016, net cash from financing activities increased by $11.2 million, from $0.1 million used in financing activities to $11.1 million provided by financing activities. In 2016, net cash from financing activities included a short-term draw of $11.2 million on our revolving credit facility with $0.1 million of cash used in the payment of finance leases. The period ended September 26, 2015 also saw $0.1 million of cash used in the payment of finance leases.

 

Funding Needs and Sources

 

To fund its obligations, we have historically relied on a combination of cash flows provided by operations and the incurrence of additional debt or the refinancing of existing debt. As of September 30, 2017, we had liquidity of $20.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $1.5 million at the end of the prior year. We had a working capital inflow of $3.8 million in 2017, compared to a $2.4 million outflow in 2016. The level of our working capital surplus or deficit varies with the level of machine production we are undertaking and our capitalization. In periods where significant levels of machines are being produced, the levels of inventory and creditors are higher than average and there is a natural timing difference between converting the stock into sellable or capitalized plant and settling payments to suppliers. These factors, and movements in trading activity levels, can result in significant working capital volatility. In periods of low activity, our working capital volatility is reduced. Working capital is reviewed and managed with the aim of ensuring that current liabilities are covered by the level of cash held and the expected level of short-term receipts.

 

Management believes that, currently, the Company’s cash balances on hand; cash flows expected to be generated from operations; ability to control and defer capital projects; and borrowings available under the Company’s credit facilities will be sufficient to fund the Company’s net cash requirements through fiscal year 2018. If the Company were to undertake any acquisitions, it may be required to finance them, in whole or in part, by issuing additional equity or debt securities or increasing its borrowing levels.

 

Long-term and Other Debt

 

Our long-term debt consists of senior bank debt and a revolving credit facility. As of September 24, 2016, our long-term debt also included loan notes payable to the owners of our Ordinary A shares (which notes we refer to as Payment in Kind, or PIK, Loan Notes). As part of the acquisition of DMWSL 633 Limited by Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. to form Inspired Entertainment, Inc., the PIK Loan Notes became Additional Paid In Capital (APIC), and as of May 31, 2017 all payments under the PIK Loan Notes were waived. The total outstanding PIK Loan Note balance as of September 24, 2016 was $298.2 million.

 

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The Company has bank facilities of £90.0 million (equivalent to approximately $120 million), consisting of a senior term loan facility of £72.5 million (equivalent to approximately $97 million) and a revolving credit facility of £17.5 million (equivalent to approximately $23 million). As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the Company had aggregate borrowings under the term loan facility of £72.5 million (equivalent to $97.1 million) and £72.5 million (equivalent to $94.3 million), respectively. The term loan facility imposes a cash interest rate on outstanding borrowings equal to the base rate margin of 7.00% per annum, plus the higher of 3.00% and LIBOR. The current rate at which cash interest accrues is 10.00% per annum. In addition, the term loan facility imposes PIK interest at a rate of 7.00% per annum on the outstanding borrowings, which amount is added to the total principal outstanding. The term loan facility is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2019.

 

As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the Company had aggregate borrowings under the revolving credit facility of £5.5 million (equivalent to $7.4 million) and £7.8 million (equivalent to $10.1 million), respectively. The revolving credit facility imposes a cash interest rate on outstanding borrowings equal to the base rate margin of 5.00% per annum, plus LIBOR. The current rate at which cash interest accrues is 5.24% per annum. In addition, a commitment fee is payable with respect to unutilized borrowing capacity at a rate of 2.00% per annum. The revolving credit facility is scheduled to mature on June 30, 2019. In addition to the revolving credit facility borrowings described above, further amounts under the facility have been used for the Company’s VAT Duty Deferment guarantee and the Company’s credit card program. The amounts so used as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 were $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

 

Debt issuance fees were capitalized at the time the debt was issued. As at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the amount of debt issuance fees capitalized was $0 and $1.2 million, respectively.

 

Debt Covenants

 

Under our debt facilities, we are subject to covenant testing at quarterly intervals. The covenant testing is set at the level of DMWSL 631 Limited, an intermediate holding company above all trading companies, and consists of tests on Leverage (Net Debt/EBITDA), Interest Cover (EBITDA/Interest Costs) and Super Senior Leverage (Net Debt + Revolver/EBITDA). These are measured under UK GAAP. In addition to the quarterly tests, there is an annual requirement that no more than £3 million be spent on non-machine capital additions, excluding labor capitalization.

 

All of our operations are included within the DMWSL 631 Limited group, except for certain overhead and director fees and expenses, non-recurring costs relating to the Business Combination and the movement in stock-based compensation expense and fair values on earnout and derivative liabilities. The costs of these items in the twelve months ending September 30, 2017 were $3.8 million, $4.6 million and $8.1 million, respectively, and in the twelve months ended September 24, 2016 were $0.3 million, $0 million and $0 million, respectively

There have been no breaches of the debt covenants during the twelve months ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015.

 

Liens and Encumbrances

 

Our senior bank debt is secured by the imposition of a fixed and floating charge in favor of the lender over all the assets of the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2017, our contractual obligations were as follows:

 

        Less than           More than
Contractual Obligations (in thousands)   Total   1 yr   1-3 years   3-5 years   5 yrs
Operating activities                                        
Interest on long term debt   $ 28,736     $ 10,642     $ 18,094     $ 0     $ 0  
                                         
Financing activities                                        
Revolver repayment     7,369       7,369       0       0       0  
Senior bank debt - principal repayment     97,143       0       97,143       0       0  
Senior bank debt - compounded PIK debt interest     36,197       0       36,197       0       0  
Finance lease payments     1,093       561       532       0       0  
Interest on non-utilisation fees     928       464       464       0       0  
    $ 171,466     $ 19,036     $ 152,430     $ 0     $ 0  

  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of September 30, 2017, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which require management to use its judgment in applying sound accounting policies and making estimates and assumptions in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods covered by the financial statements and related disclosures in the financial statements and related footnotes. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1, Nature of Operations, Management’s Plans and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. We consider the following accounting policies to be “critical,” because they require management’s highest degree of judgment in respect of the application of accounting policies and the making of estimates and assumptions:

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We evaluate the recognition of revenue based on the criteria set forth in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”) and ASC 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria are met:

 

1. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists

2. The price to the customer is fixed or determinable

3. Delivery has occurred, title has been transferred, and any acceptance terms have been fulfilled; and

4. Collectability is probable

 

For our multiple-deliverable arrangements which include hardware containing software that functions together with the hardware to deliver its essential functionality and undelivered non-software services, deliverables are separated into more than one unit of accounting when: (i) the delivered element(s) have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis and (ii) delivery of the undelivered element(s) is probable and substantially in the control of the Company. When the final undelivered element(s) are non-software services and non-hardware, those deliverables are recognized on a ratable basis over the remaining term of the arrangement.

 

We determine the relative selling price for deliverables in the scope of ASC 605 based on the following selling price hierarchy:

 

1. Vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), (i.e., the price we charge when the product or service is sold separately) if available,

 

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2. Third-party evidence (“TPE”) of fair value (i.e., the price charged by others for similar products and services) if VSOE is not available,

3. or our best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.

 

Our multiple-deliverable arrangements may also contain one or more software deliverables in the scope of ASC 985-605. The revenue for these multiple-deliverable arrangements is allocated to the software deliverables and the non-software deliverables based on the relative selling prices of all of the deliverables in the arrangement using the fair value hierarchy outlined above. In circumstances where the Company cannot determine VSOE or TPE of the selling price for any of the deliverables in the arrangement, BESP is used for the purpose of allocating the arrangement consideration between software and non-software deliverable.

 

Revenue is allocated to the software deliverables based on the relative fair value of each element, and fair value is determined using VSOE. Where VSOE does not exist for the undelivered software element, revenue is deferred until either the undelivered element is delivered or VSOE is established, whichever occurs first. When the final undelivered software element is services, the related revenue is recognized on a ratable basis over the remaining service period. When VSOE of a delivered element has not been established, but VSOE exists for the undelivered elements, the Company uses the residual method to recognize revenue when the fair value of all undelivered elements is determinable. Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the arrangement consideration is allocated to the delivered elements and is recognized as revenue.

 

For more information regarding our revenue recognition policies, see Note 1, Nature of Operations, Management’s Plans and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. 

 

Management periodically re-evaluates its judgments, estimates and assumptions and modifies its approached approach when circumstances indicate that modifications are necessary. Although management believes that its judgments, estimates and assumptions are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the results will be accurate, and actual results and outcomes may differ significantly from those anticipated based on management’s estimates and assumptions.

 

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (ASC 606), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which was subsequently modified in August 2015 by ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2014-09”). As a result, ASU No. 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. The core principle of ASU No. 2014-09 is that companies should recognize revenue when the transfer of promised goods or services to customers occurs in an amount that reflects what the company expects to receive. It requires additional disclosures to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. In 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued additional ASUs that clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations (ASU 2016-08), on identifying performance obligations and licensing (ASU 2016-10), and on narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients (ASU 2016-12), as well as on the revenue recognition criteria and other technical corrections (ASU 2016-20 and ASU 2017-13). The Company will adopt the standard on October 1, 2019, which may result in a cumulative-effect adjustment for deferred revenue to the opening balance sheet for 2017 and the restatement of the financial statements for all prior periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

For a discussion of other recently issued accounting standards, and assessments as to their impacts on the Company, see Nature of Operations, Management’s Plans and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

Our principal market risks are exposures to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

 

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Interest Rate Risk

 

We have credit facilities that are subject to the risk of higher interest charges associated with increases in interest rates. As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, we had £72.5 million ($97.1 million) and £72.5 million ($94.3 million), respectively, of senior bank debt and £13.6 million ($18.3 million) and £8.4 million ($11.0 million), respectively, of capitalized PIK debt interest that is subject to a floating interest rate charge that can vary with the LIBOR rate if this rate increases over a level of 3%. Due to the current rates of LIBOR, if floating interest rates increased by 1%, there would be no impact on the interest expense. If the floating interest rates increased by 5%, the additional interest charge would be approximately $2.4 million and $2.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 and the fiscal year ended September 24, 2016, respectively.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

Our operations are conducted in various countries around the world and we receive revenue and pay expenses from these operations in a number of different currencies. As such, our earnings are subject to movements in foreign currency exchange rates when transactions are denominated in (i) currencies other than GBP, which is our functional currency, or (ii) the functional currency of our subsidiaries, which is not necessarily GBP. Excluding intercompany balances, our Euro functional currency net assets total approximately $3.0 million and $4.4 million, and our U.S. Dollar functional currency net liabilities total approximately $18.7 million as of September 30, 2017 and net assets totaled approximately $0.6 million as of September 24, 2016. We use a sensitivity analysis model to measure the impact of a 10% adverse movement of foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. Dollar. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of the Euro and the U.S. Dollar relative to GBP as of September 30, 2017 would result in translation adjustments of approximately $0.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, and a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of the Euro and the U.S. Dollar relative to GBP as of September 24, 2016 would result in translation adjustments of approximately $0.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended September 24, 2016, in each case recorded in other comprehensive loss.

 

Included within our trading results are earnings outside of our functional currency. Retained earnings earned in Euros and in U.S. Dollars in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 were €0.4 million and $5.8 million, respectively, and in the fiscal year ended September 24, 2016 were €1.2 million and $0.0 million, respectively. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of the Euro and the U.S. Dollar relative to GBP as of September 30, 2017 would result in translation adjustments of approximately $0.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of the Euro and the U.S. Dollar relative to GBP as of September 24, 2016 would result in translation adjustments of approximately $0.1 million and $0.0 million, respectively, in each case recorded in trading operations.

 

The majority of the group’s trading is in GBP, the functional currency, although the reporting currency of the group is the U.S. Dollar. As such, changes in the GBP: USD exchange rate have an effect on the group’s results. A 10% weakening of GBP against the U.S. Dollar would change the trading operational results by approximately $3.7 million and would result in translation adjustments of approximately $1.8 million, recorded in other comprehensive loss.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA.

 

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The financial statements and other information required by this item are presented in this report beginning on page F-1.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS.

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer (together, the “Certifying Officers”), or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Certifying Officers, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on the foregoing, our Certifying Officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at September 30, 2017, the end of the period covered by this report.

 

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

As required by the SEC rules and regulations for the implementation of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of our Company;

 

(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

 

(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of any unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect errors or misstatements in our consolidated financial statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at September 30, 2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at September 30, 2017.

 

As an emerging growth company, the Company is not required to include in this report a report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, other than as described below.

 

As previously disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 30, 2016 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended December 31, 2016, March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017, we identified material weaknesses in a lack of internal knowledge relative to U.S. GAAP within the finance team of Inspired for each of the annual periods ended September 24, 2016, September 26, 2015, and September 27, 2014. Although this was not indicative of wider controls limitations around accounting knowledge, given Inspired had been a private UK company for a number of years and therefore had not needed U.S. GAAP knowledge previously, we have remediated the weaknesses. 

 

  60

 

 

We recognize the importance of the control environment, as it sets the overall tone for the organization and is the foundation for all other components of internal control. Consequently, we designed and implemented remediation measures to address the material weakness and enhance our internal control over U.S. GAAP knowledge within the finance team and have completed our assessment of the effectiveness of the remediation measures during the quarter ended September 30, 2017. We believe the following actions have assisted us in remediating the material weaknesses:

 

We engaged a third-party CPA to assist with the production of consolidated U.S. accounts and to be the initial point of contact for technical accounting and reporting queries.

 

Key finance team members received specific, external training on U.S. GAAP and the differences to UK GAAP and IFRS (being the accounting standards in respect of which team members were previously qualified).

 

Senior finance team members attended external training courses on SEC reporting.

 

We ensured that senior finance hires in the year, including our new Group Financial Controller, have a sound knowledge of U.S. GAAP.

 

We review non-routine transactions with external advisors early in the process of analyzing and recording the transactions.

 

We underwent a detailed U.S. GAAP conversion as part of the Business Combination, as well as U.S. GAAS and PCAOB audits over a four-year period, which has increased our knowledge of U.S. GAAP across the finance team.

  

We are committed to a strong internal control environment and will continue to review the effectiveness of our internal controls and may determine additional measures are also appropriate.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

Not applicable.

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

 

The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement relating to our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed on or before January 29, 2018, the information called for by this item will be filed as part of an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K on or before such date.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

 

The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement relating to our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed on or before January 29, 2018, the information called for by this item will be filed as part of an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K on or before such date.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

 

The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement relating to our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed on or before January 29, 2018, the information called for by this item will be filed as part of an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K on or before such date.

 

  61

 

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

 

The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement relating to our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed on or before January 29, 2018, the information called for by this item will be filed as part of an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K on or before such date.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

 

The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement relating to our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the SEC. If such proxy statement is not filed on or before January 29, 2018, the information called for by this item will be filed as part of an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K on or before such date.

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

 

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:

 

(1) Financial Statements. The required consolidated financial statements and notes thereto are presented starting on page F-1 of this report.

 

(2) Financial Statement Schedules. All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the amounts are immaterial and not required, or the required information is presented in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented starting on page F-1 of this report.

 

(b)          Exhibits. We hereby file as part of this report the exhibits listed below. Exhibits which are incorporated herein by reference can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates, or on the SEC website at www.sec.gov .

 

Exhibit
Number
  Description
2.1 Share Sale Agreement, dated July 13, 2016, by and among Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp., the Vendors, Target Parent, DMWSL 632 Limited and Gaming Acquisitions Limited, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on July 19, 2016.
   
2.2 Completion Arrangements Agreement, dated December 23, 2016, between Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. and the Vendors listed in schedule 1 to the Share Sale Agreement, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016
   
3.1 Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Inspired Entertainment, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016.
   
3.2 Bylaws of Inspired Entertainment, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 Company, filed with the SEC on August 19, 2014.
   
3.3 Certificate of Designation of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company, dated August 14, 2017, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2017.

 

  62

 

 

     
4.1 Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 24, 2014, between Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. and certain security holders, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on October 29, 2014.
   
4.2 Warrant Agreement, dated October 24, 2014, between Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on October 29, 2014.
   
4.3 Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 23, 2016, by and among Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. and the Vendors, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016.
   
4.4 Stockholders Agreement, dated December 23, 2016, by and among the Company, Hydra Industries Sponsor LLC, Macquarie Sponsor and the Vendors, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016.
   
4.5 Rights Agreement, dated as of August 13, 2017, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent (which includes the Form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B thereto), incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2017.
   
10.1 Form of Director and Officer Indemnity Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016.
   
10.2† Senior Term and Revolving Facilities Agreement, dated March 18, 2014, by and among DMSWL 631 Limited, the Original Borrowers thereunder, the Original Guarantors thereunder, Ares Management Limited and Lloyds Bank plc, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2017.
   
10.3#* Inspired Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
   
10.4# Inspired Entertainment, Inc. Second Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016.
   
10.5# Form of Grant Agreements under the Inspired Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan and Second Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016.
   
10.6# Amendment, dated March 23, 2017, to the Service Agreement, dated April 1, 2015, by and between Inspired Gaming (Gibraltar) Limited and Luke Alvarez, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017.
   
10.7# Director Services Agreement, dated March 23, 2017 by and between DMWSL 633 Limited and Luke Alvarez, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017.
   
10.8# Service Agreement, dated April 1, 2015, by and between Inspired Gaming (Gibraltar) Limited and Luke Alvarez, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QT of the Company, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2017.
   
10.9# Employment Agreement, dated January 16, 2017 by and between Inspired Entertainment, Inc. and Lorne Weil, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017.
   
10.10# Employee Agreement, dated December 14, 2016, between Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. and Daniel B. Silvers, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016.

 

  63

 

 

     
10.11# Service Agreement, dated March 18, 2009, by and between Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and Steven Rogers, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QT of the Company, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2017.
   
10.12# Amendment, dated April 29, 2010, to the Service Agreement, dated March 18, 2009, by and between Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and Steven Rogers, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 on Form S-1 of the Company, filed with the SEC on July 3, 2017.
   
10.13# Employment Agreement, dated March 23, 2017, by and between Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and Stewart Baker, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017.
   
10.14#* Amendment, dated October 25, 2017, to Service Agreement dated March 23, 2017, by and between Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and Stewart Baker.
   
10.15# Service Agreement, dated October 1, 2008, by and between Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and Lee Gregory, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017.
   
10.16# Amendment, dated July 6, 2010, to Service Agreement dated October 1, 2008, by and between Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and Lee Gregory, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017.
   
10.17# Letter, dated March 16, 2017 by and between Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and Lee Gregory, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017.
   
10.18# Service Agreement, dated October 1, 2008, by and between Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and David Wilson, as amended, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QT of the Company, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2017.
   
10.19#* Settlement Agreement, dated September 21, 2017, by and between Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and David Wilson.
   
10.20# Service Agreement, dated July 6, 2010, by and between Inspired Gaming UK Limited and Steven Holmes, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017.
   
10.21# Letter, dated April 5, 2017, by and between Inspired Gaming UK Limited and Steven Holmes, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2017.
   
10.22#* Settlement Agreement, dated September 21, 2017, by and between Inspired Gaming UK Limited and Steven Holmes.
   
10.23# Inspired Entertainment, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of the Company, filed with the SEC on July 14, 2017.
   
10.24# Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (adopted May 2017, as supplemented), incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company, filed with the SEC on August 7, 2017.
   
10.25 Promissory Note, dated March 16, 2016, by and between Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. and Hydra Industries Sponsors LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2016.
   
10.26 Promissory Note, dated March 16, 2016, by and between Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. and MIHI LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2016.

 

  64

 

 

10.27† Letter Agreement, dated as of June 21, 2016, by and among Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. and Macquarie Capital (USA), Inc., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A of the Company, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2017.

 

21.1* Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

23.1* Consent of Marcum LLP.

 

31.1* Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer.

 

31.2* Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer.

 

32.1* Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer.

 

32.2* Section 906 Certification of Principal Financial Officer.

 

101.INS* XBRL Instance Document

 

101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Schema

 

101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase

 

101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase

 

101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase

 

101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase

 

# Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

Registrant has omitted portions of the relevant exhibit and filed such exhibit separately with the SEC pursuant to a grant of confidential treatment under Rule 406 under the Securities Act.

 

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.

 

None.

 

  65

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

  INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
     
Date: December 4, 2017 By: /s/ Luke L. Alvarez
    Luke L. Alvarez
   

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Dated: December 4, 2017   /s/ A. Lorne Weil
    A. Lorne Weil, Executive Chairman
     
Dated: December 4, 2017   /s/ Luke L. Alvarez
   

Luke L. Alvarez,

President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

     
Dated: December 4, 2017   /s/ Stewart F.B. Baker
   

Stewart F.B. Baker, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

     
Dated: December 4, 2017   /s/ Nicholas Hagen
    Nicholas Hagen, Director
     
Dated: December 4, 2017   /s/ M. Alexander Hoye
    M. Alexander Hoye, Director
     
Dated: December 4, 2017   /s/ Ira H. Raphaelson
    Ira H. Raphaelson, Director
     
Dated: December 4, 2017   /s/ John M. Vandemore
    John M. Vandemore, Director
     
Dated: December 4, 2017   /s/ Roger D. Withers
    Roger D. Withers, Director

 

  66

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2016, AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015.

 

  Page
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-1
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets F-2
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss F-3
   
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit F-4
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-5
   
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-6

 

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (formerly known as DMWSL 633 Limited) and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (formerly known as DMWSL 633 Limited) and Subsidiaries, as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Marcum llp

Melville, NY
December 4, 2017

 

F- 1  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

   

September 30,

2017

   

September 24,

2016

 
Assets                
Current assets                
Cash   $ 20,028     $ 1,486  
Accounts receivable, net     20,469       16,446  
Inventory, net     5,011       7,684  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     17,692       19,124  
Total current assets     63,200       44,740  
                 
Property and equipment, net     43,485       49,231  
Software development costs, net     46,433       36,960  
Other acquired intangible assets subject to amortization, net     9,240       12,234  
Goodwill     47,076       45,705  
Other assets     9,589       1,000  
Total assets   $ 219,023     $ 189,870  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit                
Current liabilities                
Accounts payable   $ 20,407     $ 13,662  
Accrued expenses     18,119       17,478  
Corporate tax and other current taxes payable     3,134       4,665  
Deferred revenue, current     7,209       9,593  
Other current liabilities     4,420       3,115  
Current portion of long-term debt     7,369       10,082  
Current portion of capital lease obligations     562       210  
Total current liabilities     61,220       58,805  
                 
Long-term debt     115,396       402,327  
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion     532       165  
Deferred revenue, net of current portion     20,144       12,282  
Earnout liability     16,728        
Derivative liability     964        
Other long-term liabilities     6,368       12,362  
Total liabilities     221,352       485,941  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 22)                
                 
Stockholders’ deficit                
Preferred stock; $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized            
Series A Junior Participating Preferred stock; $0.0001 par value; 49,000 shares designated; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016                
Common stock; $0.0001 par value; 49,000,000 shares authorized; 20,402,602 shares and 11,801,369 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively     2       1  
Additional paid in capital     323,429       614  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     53,145       33,105  
Accumulated deficit     (378,905 )     (329,791 )
Total stockholders’ deficit     (2,329 )     (296,071 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit   $ 219,023     $ 189,870  

 

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 2  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    For the period ended  
    September 30,     September 24,     September 26,  
    2017     2016     2015  
                   
Revenue:                        
Service   $ 107,496     $ 112,200     $ 115,325  
Hardware     15,048       7,573       12,248  
Total revenue     122,544       119,773       127,573  
                         
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:                        
Cost of service     (15,845 )     (16,625 )     (16,481 )
Cost of hardware     (10,839 )     (3,789 )     (7,746 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (58,301 )     (60,673 )     (64,705 )
Stock-based compensation expense     (4,235 )            
Acquisition related transaction expenses     (11,411 )     (4,959 )     (524 )
Depreciation and amortization     (33,810 )     (35,010 )     (39,386 )
Net operating loss     (11,897 )     (1,283 )     (1,269 )
                         
Other income (expense)                        
Interest income     55       287       646  
Interest expense     (29,358 )     (58,327 )     (58,100 )
Change in fair value of earnout liability     (7,127 )            
Change in fair value of derivative liability     (385 )            
Other finance costs     (218 )     (247 )     (153 )
Loss from equity method investee                 (340 )
Total other expense, net     (37,033 )     (58,287 )     (57,947 )
                         
Net loss before income taxes     (48,930 )     (59,570 )     (59,216 )
Income tax expense     (184 )     (307 )     (631 )
Net loss     (49,114 )     (59,877 )     (59,847 )
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss):                        
Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)     18,697       47,368       15,059  
Actuarial gains/(losses) on pension plan     1,343       (6,722 )     (3,950 )
Other comprehensive income/(loss)     20,040       40,646       11,109  
                         
Comprehensive loss   $ (29,074 )   $ (19,231 )   $ (48,738 )
                         
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted   $ (2.68 )   $ (5.11 )   $ (5.23 )
                         
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period – basic and diluted     18,296,480       11,722,595       11,447,372  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 3  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(in thousands, except share data)

 

    Common stock    

Additional

paid in

   

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

    Accumulated    

Total

stockholders’

 
    Shares     Amount     capital     income     deficit     Deficit  
                                     
Balance as of September 27, 2014     11,447,372     $ 1     $ 614     $ (18,650 )   $ (210,067 )   $ (228,102 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments                       15,059             15,059  
Actuarial losses on pension plan                       (3,950 )           (3,950 )
Net loss                             (59,847 )     (59,847 )
Balance as of September 26, 2015     11, 447,372     $ 1     $ 614     $ (7,541 )   $ (269,914 )   $ (276,840 )
Issuance of Class B non-voting shares     353,997                                
Foreign currency translation adjustments                       47,368             47,368  
Actuarial losses on pension plan                       (6,722 )           (6,722 )
Net loss                             (59,877 )     (59,877 )
Balance as of September 24, 2016     11,801,369     $ 1     $ 614     $ 33,105     $ (329,791 )   $ (296,071 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments                       18,697             18,697  
Actuarial gains on pension plan                       1,343             1,343  
Shares issued in Merger     8,412,097       1       326,237                   326,238  
Earnout liability related to Merger (see Note 13)                 (9,575 )                 (9,575 )
Sale of common stock     164,536             1,645                   1,645  
Stock-based compensation expense     24,600             4,508                   4,508  
Net loss                             (49,114 )     (49,114 )
Balance as of September 30, 2017     20,402,602     $ 2     $ 323,429     $ 53,145     $ (378,905 )   $ (2,329 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 4  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

    For the period ended  
    September 30,     September 24,     September 26,  
    2017     2016     2015  
                   
Cash flows from operating activities                        
Net loss   $ (49,114 )   $ (59,877 )   $ (59,847 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:                        
Depreciation and amortization     33,810       35,010       39,386  
Stock-based compensation expense     4,235              
Change in fair value of derivative liability     385              
Change in fair value of earnout liability     7,127              

Initial classification of fair value of derivative liability 

    845              
Non-cash interest expense relating to PIK loan notes     9,179       39,212       40,486  
Non-cash interest expense relating to Senior Debt     6,846       5,333       2,506  
Non-cash interest expense relating to Financing Fee Amortization     1,188       1,328       1,425  
Changes in assets and liabilities:                        
Accounts receivable     (4,566 )     6,696       1,626  
Inventory     2,737       (607 )     (1,938 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets     (5,952 )     607       (7,540 )
Corporate tax and other current taxes payable     (1,809 )     (840 )     (1,667 )
Accounts payable     10,497       700       (3,066 )
Other current liabilities     61       (290 )     487  
Deferred revenues and customer prepayment     6,831       (3,997 )     112  
Accrued expenses     (611 )     (657 )     12,251  
Other long-term liabilities     (3,438 )     (3,971 )     1,030  
Net cash provided by operating activities     18,251       18,647       25,251  
Cash flows from investing activities                        
Purchases of property and equipment     (15,117 )     (9,479 )     (22,083 )
Purchases of capital software     (20,268 )     (22,423 )     (18,092 )
Cash from joint venture                 972  
Net cash used in investing activities     (35,385 )     (31,902 )     (39,203 )
Cash flows from financing activities                        
Proceeds from issuance of revolver and long-term debt           11,196        
Repayments of finance leases     (557 )            
Repayments of long-term debt     (3,197 )     (146 )     (123 )
Cash received in connection with Merger     36,664              
Proceeds from sale of common stock     1,645              
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities     34,555       11,050       (123 )
                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     1,121       (369 )     (1,117 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash     18,542       (2,574 )     (15,192 )
Cash, beginning of period     1,486       4,060       19,252  
Cash, end of period   $ 20,028     $ 1,486     $ 4,060  
                         
Supplemental cash flow disclosures                        
Cash paid during the period for interest   $ 10,503     $ 12,200     $ 11,515  
Cash paid during the period for income taxes   $ 356     $ 95     $ 135  
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities                        
Fair value adjustment of PIK shareholder loans   $ 174,990     $     $  
Property and equipment acquired through capital lease   $ 1,208     $     $ 6,361  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 5  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

1. Nature of Operations, Management’s Plans and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Company Description and Nature of Operations

 

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (f/k/a Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company,” the “Group,” “we,” “our,” and “us”) is a global gaming technology company, supplying Virtual Sports, Mobile and Server Based Gaming (“SBG”) systems to regulated lottery, betting and gaming operators worldwide. Our strategic focus is the development and sale of software systems and digital terminals.

 

The Company was originally incorporated in Delaware on May 30, 2014 as a special purpose acquisition company, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. On December 23, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), the Company consummated its business combination with DMWSL 633 Limited (“Inspired”) pursuant to the Share Sale Agreement (the “Merger”), dated as of July 13, 2016, by and among the Company, the previous owners, Inspired, DMWSL 632 Limited and Gaming Acquisitions Limited (the “Sale Agreement”). In connection with the closing of the Merger, the Company changed its name from Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp. to Inspired Entertainment, Inc. Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company” refers to the combined company and its subsidiaries following the Merger, “Hydra” refers to the Company prior to the closing of the Merger and “Inspired” refers to Inspired prior to the Merger. See Note 2 for further discussion of the Merger.

 

Management Liquidity Plans

 

As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s cash on hand was $20,028 and the Company had working capital of $1,980. The Company recorded net losses of $49,114, $59,877 and $59,847 for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively. The net losses arose primarily due to acquisition related expenses, interest on shareholder loan notes, which are no longer a liability of the Company following the Merger as detailed in Note 2, and non-cash items, including stock-based compensation and the fair value of earnout liability. The Company historically has had positive cash flows from operating activities and has relied on a combination of cash flows provided by operations and the incurrence of additional debt and/or the refinancing of existing debt to fund its obligations. Management believes that the Company’s cash balances on hand, cash flows expected to be generated from operations, ability to control and defer capital projects and borrowings available under the Company’s credit facilities will be sufficient to fund the Company’s net cash requirements through December 2018.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

The Merger has been accounted for as a reverse merger in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This determination was principally based on Inspired’s business comprising the ongoing operations of the Company following the Merger, Inspired’s senior management comprising the senior management of the Company and Inspired’s stockholders having a majority of the voting power of the Company. For accounting purposes, Hydra is considered the “acquired” company and Inspired is considered the “acquirer.” Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Merger is treated as the equivalent of Inspired issuing stock for the net assets of Hydra, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Hydra are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. The consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations prior to the Closing Date of the Merger are those of Inspired, and Hydra’s assets, liabilities and results of operations are consolidated with Inspired beginning on the Closing Date. The shares and corresponding capital amounts and earnings per share available to common stockholders, pre-merger, have been retroactively restated as shares reflecting the exchange ratio in the Merger. The historical financial information and operating results of Hydra prior to the Merger have not been separately presented in these consolidated financial statements as they were not significant or meaningful.

 

F- 6  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The Company changed its reporting year end from a 52-week period ending on the last Saturday in September to a September 30 year end, commencing with the year ending September 30, 2017. Accordingly, the period ended September 30, 2017 includes the results of operations for the Company for the period from September 25, 2016 through September 30, 2017. Additionally, the period ended September 24, 2016 includes the results of operations for the Company for the period from September 27, 2015 through September 24, 2016 and the period ended September 26, 2015 includes the results of operations for the Company for the period from September 28, 2014 through September 26, 2015.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

All monetary values set forth in these consolidated financial statements are in U.S. Dollars (“USD”) unless otherwise stated herein. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

For most of our operations, GBP is our functional currency. Our reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar. We also have operations where the local currency is the functional currency, including our operations in mainland Europe and South America. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at period-end rates of exchange, equity is translated at historical rates of exchange and results of operations are translated at the average rates of exchange for the period. Gains or losses resulting from translating the foreign currency financial statements are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ deficit. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in other (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

Reclassification

 

Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the financial position or results of operations reported as of and for the period ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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 period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates these estimates, including those related to the revenue recognition for contracts involving software and non-software elements, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserve for net realizable value, goodwill and intangible assets, useful lives of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, valuation allowances on deferred taxes, earnout liability, derivative liabilities, commitments and contingencies and litigation, among others. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. We regularly evaluate these significant factors and make adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Cash

 

We deposit cash with financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. At September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the Company had not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such account.

 

F- 7  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our existing accounts receivable. Changes in circumstances relating to the collectability of accounts receivable may result in the need to increase or decrease our allowance for doubtful accounts in the future. We determine the allowance based on historical experience, current market trends, and our customers’ financial condition. We continually review our allowance for doubtful accounts. Past due balances and other higher risk amounts are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged against the allowance after all collection efforts have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

 

Under certain contracts, the timing of our invoices does not coincide with revenue recognized under the contract. We have unbilled accounts receivable which represent revenue recorded in excess of amounts invoiced under the contract and generally become billable at contractually specified dates. These amounts consist primarily of revenue from our share of net winnings earned on a daily basis where the billing period does not fall on the last day of the period. We had $9,542 and $10,446, of unbilled accounts receivable as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively.

 

Our standard credit terms are net 30 to 60 days. From time to time, we allow for certain digital customers to pay on an enhanced revenue share basis for the software license whereby the customer pays an incremental revenue share percentage over a specific period of time. We consider these types of arrangements to be extended payment terms as the full consideration for the arrangement may not be received until several years after the date of the sale depending on the net winnings from the game or application.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories consist primarily of component parts and related parts used in gaming terminals. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using the weighted average cost method. We determine the lower of cost or net realizable value of our inventory based on estimates of potentially excess and obsolete inventories after considering historical and forecasted demand and average selling prices. Demand for gaming terminals and parts inventory is also subject to technological obsolescence. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, and when placed into service, depreciated and amortized to their residual values using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

 

Short-term leasehold property   Shorter of the useful life or the life of the lease
Server based gaming terminals   4 – 6 years
Motor Vehicles   3 – 5 years
Plant and machinery and fixtures and fittings   4 – 8 years
Computer equipment   3 – 5 years

 

Our policy is to periodically review the estimated useful lives of our fixed assets. We also assess the recoverability of long-lived assets (or asset groups) whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such an asset (or asset groups) may not be recoverable.

 

F- 8  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed and the related accumulated depreciation are written off and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income.

 

Software Development Costs

 

We classify software development costs as either internal use software or external use software. We account for costs incurred to develop internal use software in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC 350-40, Internal Use Software. Consequently, any costs incurred during preliminary project stages are expensed; direct costs incurred during the application development stages are capitalized; and costs incurred during the post-implementation/operation stages are expensed. Once the software is placed in operation, we amortize the capitalized internal use software cost over its estimated economic useful life, which range from two to five years.

 

We purchase, license and incur costs to develop external use software to be used in the products we sell or provide to customers. Such costs are capitalized under ASC 985-20, Costs of Software to Be Sold Leased or Marketed. Costs incurred in creating software are expensed when incurred as Selling, General and Administrative Expenses until technological feasibility has been established, after which costs are capitalized up to the date the software is available for general release to customers. We capitalize the payments made for software that we purchase or license for use in our products that has previously met the technological feasibility criteria prior to our purchase or license. Annual amortization of capitalized external use software development costs is recorded over the estimated economic life, which is two to five years.

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development related primarily to software product development costs is expensed until technological feasibility has been established. Research and development costs amounting to $5,237, $3,415, and $3,849 were expensed during the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively. Employee related costs associated with related product development are included in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible Assets

 

Our principal acquired intangible assets relate to goodwill, trademarks and customer relationships. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. Trademarks and customer relationships were originally recorded at their fair values in connection with business combinations.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over three to ten years to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment. Factors considered when assigning useful lives include legal, regulatory and contractual provisions, product obsolescence, demand, competition and other economic factors.

 

Impairment of Goodwill and Long Lived Assets

 

We test for goodwill impairment at least annually on the last day of our fiscal period (September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016), and whenever other facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For goodwill impairment evaluations, we first make a qualitative assessment to determine if goodwill is likely to be impaired. If it is more-likely-than-not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, we then compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its respective carrying amount. Goodwill is carried, and therefore tested, at the reporting unit level. We have two segments, Server Based Gaming and Virtual Sports, as detailed in Note 24. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the amount of the impairment loss, if any, will be measured by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount and would be charged to operations as an impairment loss. A qualitative test was carried out as of September 30, 2017 and a quantitative test was carried out as of September 24, 2016 and no impairment was required at either date.

 

F- 9  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

We assess the recoverability of long-lived assets and intangible assets with finite useful lives whenever events arise or circumstances change that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets (or asset groups) to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) to the expected net future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by that asset (or asset group) or, for identifiable intangibles with finite useful lives, by determining whether the amortization of the intangible asset balance over its remaining life can be recovered through expected net future undiscounted cash flows. The amount of impairment of other long-lived assets and intangible assets with finite lives is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair market value of the asset.

 

Deferred Revenue and Deferred Cost of Sales, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

Deferred revenue arises from the timing differences between the shipment or installation of gaming terminals and systems products and the satisfaction of all revenue recognition criteria consistent with our revenue recognition policy, as well as prepayment of contracts which are recognized ratably over a service period, such as maintenance or licensing fees. Deferred cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization, recorded as prepaid expenses and other assets, consists of the direct costs associated with the manufacture of gaming equipment and systems products for which revenue has been deferred. Amounts expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as deferred revenue in current liabilities. Amounts not expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as deferred revenue, net of current portion.

 

Value Added Tax

 

The Company is subject to Value Added Tax (“VAT”) in some locations. The amount of VAT liability is determined by applying the applicable tax rate to the invoiced amount of goods and services sold less VAT paid on purchases made with the relevant supporting invoices. VAT is collected from customers by the Company on behalf of the tax authorities and is therefore not charged to the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Common Stock Purchase Warrants and Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company reviews any common stock purchase warrants and other freestanding derivative financial instruments at each balance sheet date and classifies them on the consolidated balance sheet as:

 

  a) Equity if they (i) require physical settlement or net-share settlement, or (ii) gives the Company a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in its own shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement), or
  b) Assets or liabilities if they (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the Company’s control), or (ii) give the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement).

 

 

The Company assesses classification of its common stock purchase warrants and other freestanding derivatives at each reporting date to determine whether a change in classification between assets and liabilities is required. The Company determined that its outstanding common stock purchase warrants satisfied the criteria for classification as equity instruments at September 30, 2017. The Company also determined that its obligation to settle certain management bonuses in either cash or stock satisfied the criteria for classification as a derivative financial instrument at September 30, 2017 (see Note 14).

 

From time to time we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the risk associated with cash payments required to be made in non-functional currencies or to mitigate the risk associated with cash to be received in non-functional currencies. We record the derivative financial instruments on the balance sheets at their respective fair market values. We do not apply hedge accounting and make related effectiveness assessments. As a result, changes in fair value in the associated derivative are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the amounts were not considered to be significant.

 

F- 10  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We derive revenue principally from the sale and rental of our SBG terminals and related services, including content provision and servicing, to regulated retail betting outlets, casinos and other gaming operators, and licensing of our Virtual Sports gaming software and related services to regulated virtual sports retail, mobile and online operators. We evaluate the recognition of revenue based on the criteria set forth in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”) and ASC 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria are met:

 

1. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists

2. The price to the customer is fixed or determinable

3. Delivery has occurred, title has been transferred, and any acceptance terms have been fulfilled; and

4. Collectability is probable

 

For our multiple-deliverable arrangements which include hardware containing software that functions together with the hardware to deliver its essential functionality and undelivered non-software services, deliverables are separated into more than one unit of accounting when: (i) the delivered element(s) have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis and (ii) delivery of the undelivered element(s) is probable and substantially in the control of the Company. When the final undelivered element(s) are non-software services and non-hardware, those deliverables are recognized on a ratable basis over the remaining term of the arrangement.

 

We determine the relative selling price for deliverables in the scope of ASC 605 based on the following selling price hierarchy:

 

1. Vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), (i.e., the price we charge when the product or service is sold separately) if available,
2. Third-party evidence (“TPE”) of fair value (i.e., the price charged by others for similar products and services) if VSOE is not available,
3. or our best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.

 

Our multiple-deliverable arrangements may also contain one or more software deliverables in the scope of ASC 985-605. The revenue for these multiple-deliverable arrangements is allocated to the software deliverables and the non-software deliverables based on the relative selling prices of all of the deliverables in the arrangement using the fair value hierarchy outlined above. In circumstances where the Company cannot determine VSOE or TPE of the selling price for any of the deliverables in the arrangement, BESP is used for the purpose of allocating the arrangement consideration between software and non-software deliverable.

 

Revenue is allocated to the software deliverables based on the relative fair value of each element, and fair value is determined using VSOE. Where VSOE does not exist for the undelivered software element, revenue is deferred until either the undelivered element is delivered or VSOE is established, whichever occurs first. When the final undelivered software element is services, the related revenue is recognized on a ratable basis over the remaining service period. When VSOE of a delivered element has not been established, but VSOE exists for the undelivered elements, the Company uses the residual method to recognize revenue when the fair value of all undelivered elements is determinable. Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the arrangement consideration is allocated to the delivered elements and is recognized as revenue.

 

In addition to the general policies, the following are the specific revenue recognition policies for our revenue streams.

 

F- 11  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Server Based Gaming

 

Revenue from SBG terminals, access to our content and SBG platform, including electronic table gaming products is recognized in accordance with the criteria set forth in ASC 605 and is usually based upon a contracted percentage of the operator’s net winnings from the terminals’ daily use. Where this is not the case, revenue is based upon a fixed daily or weekly rental fee. We recognize revenue from these arrangements on a daily basis over the term of the arrangement, or when not specified over the expected customer relationship period. Performance obligations under these arrangements may include the delivery and installation of our SBG terminals for use over a term, as well as service obligations related to hardware repairs and server based content and maintenance.

 

We sometimes bill for SBG arrangements up front in order to help fund our working capital and development requirements, or at the request of a customer. Upfront fees on SBG arrangements are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the arrangement or when not specified over the expected customer relationship period. In the case where we receive upfront fees pursuant to which there are no further obligations and no undelivered elements, we will recognize the upfront fees upon delivery. Hardware sales take the form of a transfer of ownership of our developed gaming terminals, and are recognized upon delivery as they have value to our customers on a stand-alone basis.

 

Virtual Sports

 

Revenue from licensing of our gaming software is recognized in accordance with the criteria set forth in ASC 985-605. Virtual sports retail revenue, which includes the provision of virtual sports content and services to retail betting outlets, and virtual sports online and mobile revenue, which includes the provision of virtual sports content and services to mobile and online operators, is based upon a contracted percentage of the operator’s net winnings or a fixed rental fee. We recognize revenue for these fees on a daily or weekly basis over the term of the arrangement. These arrangements typically include a perpetual license billed up front, granted to the customer for access to our gaming platform and content. As we do not have VSOE for the undelivered elements in virtual sports arrangements, revenue from the licensing of perpetual licenses is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the arrangement, or when not specified, over the expected customer relationship period.

 

Revenue from the development of bespoke games licensed on a perpetual basis to mobile and online operators is recognized on delivery and acceptance by the customer. We have no ongoing service obligations subsequent to customer acceptance of our bespoke games.

 

Customer Concentration

 

During the period ended September 30, 2017, there were two customers that represented at least 10% of revenues, accounting for approximately 26% and 10% of the Company’s revenues, respectively. During the period ended September 24, 2016, two customers accounted for approximately 29% and 11% of the Company’s revenues, respectively. During the period ended September 26, 2015, two customers accounted for approximately 29% and 11% of the Company’s revenues, respectively.

 

At September 30, 2017, two customers accounted for 26% and 13% of the Company’s accounts receivable, respectively. At September 24, 2016, there were no customers that represented at least 10% of accounts receivable.

 

Shipping and Handling Costs

 

Shipping and handling costs for products sales and hardware related to subscription services are included in cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization for all periods presented.

 

F- 12  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Share-Based Payment Arrangements

 

The Company accounts for stock based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires generally that all equity awards be accounted for at their “fair value.” This fair value is measured on the grant date for stock-settled awards, and at subsequent exercise or settlement for cash-settled awards. Fair value is equal to the underlying value of the stock for “full-value” awards such as restricted stock and restricted stock units that have time vesting conditions, and stock options and performance shares that have market conditions are valued using an option-pricing model with traditional inputs for “appreciation” awards.

 

Costs equal to these fair values are recognized ratably over the requisite service period based on the number of awards that are expected to vest, or in the period of grant for awards that vest immediately and have no future service condition. For awards that vest over time, previously recognized compensation cost is reversed if the service or performance conditions are not satisfied and the award is forfeited.

 

Subsequent modifications to outstanding awards result in incremental cost if the fair value is increased as a result of the modification.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Our provision for income taxes is principally based on current period income (loss), changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in estimates with regard to uncertain tax positions. We estimate current tax expense and assess temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items for tax and accounting purposes using enacted tax rates in effect for each taxing jurisdiction in which we operate for the period in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Our total deferred tax assets are principally comprised of depreciation and net operating loss carry forwards.

 

Significant management judgment is required to assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. In assessing the realizability of these deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. Management makes this assessment on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis considering the historical trend of taxable losses, projected future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities. As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, we had a valuation allowance of $48,832 and $33,552, respectively, against net deferred tax assets due to uncertainty of realization of these deferred tax assets.

 

We evaluate income tax uncertainties, assess the probability of the ultimate settlement with the applicable taxing authority and records an amount based on that assessment. Interest and penalties, if any, associated with uncertain tax positions are included in income tax expense.

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

We include and separately classify in comprehensive loss unrealized gains and losses from our foreign currency translation adjustments, gains or losses associated with pension or other post-retirement benefits, prior service costs or credits associated with pension or other post-retirement benefits and transition assets or obligations associated with pension or other post-retirement benefits.

 

Leases

 

We lease our office facilities under operating leases. We account for certain operating leases that contain rent escalation provisions, rent abatements and/or lease incentives by recognizing rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The difference between the rent paid and the straight-line rent is recorded as a deferred liability.

 

Assets acquired under capital leases are amortized over a lease term which coincides with the estimated useful life of the leased assets. For the purpose of recognizing the above-mentioned lease incentives on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, we use the date of initial possession to begin amortization. Lease renewal periods are considered in the determination of the lease term.

 

F- 13  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (ASC 606),  “Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which was subsequently modified in August 2015 by ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2014-09”). As a result, ASU No. 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. The core principle of ASU No. 2014-09 is that companies should recognize revenue when the transfer of promised goods or services to customers occurs in an amount that reflects what the company expects to receive. It requires additional disclosures to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. In 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued additional ASUs that clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations (ASU 2016-08), on identifying performance obligations and licensing (ASU 2016-10), and on narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients (ASU 2016-12), as well as on the revenue recognition criteria and other technical corrections (ASU 2016-20 and ASU 2017-13). The Company will adopt the standard on October 1, 2019, which may result in a cumulative-effect adjustment for deferred revenue to the opening balance sheet for 2017 and the restatement of the financial statements for all prior periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”), In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-13,  “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842)”, which provides additional implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU 2016-02. ASU 2016-02 increases transparency and comparability among organizations by reporting lease assets and lease liabilities, both finance (capital) and operating leases, on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. For non-public companies, the updated guidance is effective for the financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020). Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 was issued as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative and affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The amendments in this update cover such areas as the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, an accounting policy election for forfeitures, the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This guidance can be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or using a modified retrospective transition method, depending on the area covered in this update. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the methodologies prescribed by ASU 2014-15 as of October 1, 2016. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Clarification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”), which eliminates the diversity in practice related to the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows, by adding or clarifying guidance on eight specific cash flow issues: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies); distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2016-15 provides for retrospective application for all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 14  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740)” (“ASU 2016-16”), which reduces the complexity in the accounting standards by allowing the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted using a modified retrospective transition approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) Clarifying the Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”). The amendments in ASU 2017-01 is to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 along with amending other parts of the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value with the loss not exceeding the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods therein with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. At adoption, this update will require a prospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Compensation — Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (“ASU 2017-07”). The new guidance requires companies with sponsored defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefit plans to present the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other compensation costs. The other components of net periodic benefit cost will be presented separately and not included in operating income. In addition, only service costs are eligible to be capitalized as an asset. ASU 2017-07 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and the guidance will generally be applied retroactively, whereas the capitalization of the service cost component will be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted with all of the amendments adopted in the same period. If an entity early adopts the guidance in an interim period, any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting” “(“ASU 2017-09”). ASU 2017-09 provides clarity and reduces both (i) diversity in practice and (ii) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 is effective for all annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 15  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11, “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features; (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception” (“ASU 2017-11”). ASU 2017-11 allows companies to exclude a down round feature when determining whether a financial instrument (or embedded conversion feature) is considered indexed to the entity’s own stock. As a result, financial instruments (or embedded conversion features) with down round features may no longer be required to be accounted for as derivative liabilities. A company will recognize the value of a down round feature only when it is triggered and the strike price has been adjusted downward. For equity-classified freestanding financial instruments, an entity will treat the value of the effect of the down round as a dividend and a reduction of income available to common shareholders in computing basic earnings per share. For convertible instruments with embedded conversion features containing down round provisions, entities will recognize the value of the down round as a beneficial conversion discount to be amortized to earnings. ASU 2017-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance in ASU 2017-11 can be applied using a full or modified retrospective approach. The adoption of ASU 2017-11 is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

In August 2017, the FASB” issued ASU 2017-12, ”Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (“ASU 2017-12”) to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance and improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. In addition, ASU 2017-12 requires an entity to present the earnings effect of the hedging instrument in the same income statement line item in which the earnings effect of the hedged item is reported. The transition guidance provides companies with the option of early adopting the new standard using a modified retrospective transition method in any interim period after issuance of the update, or alternatively requires adoption for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. This adoption method requires companies to recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year that an entity adopts the update. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

2. Merger

 

On the Closing Date, Hydra and Inspired consummated the Merger contemplated by the Sale Agreement which provided for, among other things, the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity and shareholder loan notes of Inspired by Hydra pursuant to the Merger. In connection with the Merger, Hydra issued 11,815,435 shares of common stock to the prior owners of Inspired.

 

Immediately following the Merger, there were 20,213,466 shares of common stock outstanding and warrants to purchase 9,539,615 shares of common stock.

 

The shares and corresponding equity amounts and net loss per share, pre-Merger, have been retroactively restated as shares reflecting the exchange ratio in the Merger.

 

Warrants

 

As of the Closing Date, the Company had 19,079,230 outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 9,539,615 shares of the Company’s common stock, which includes 8,000,000 warrants originally issued as part of the initial public offering (the “IPO”) (the “Public Warrants”) and 11,079,230 warrants issued in private placements in connection with the IPO and the Merger (the “Private Placement Warrants”). Each warrant entitles its holder to purchase one-half of one share of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per whole share and will expire on December 23, 2021. The warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of shares of common stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. The warrants became exercisable 30 days after the Closing Date. The Company may redeem the Public Warrants at a price of $0.01 per warrant if the last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $24.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period. The Company may not redeem the Private Placement Warrants so long as they are held by the initial purchaser or such purchasers’ permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or such purchasers’ permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

 

F- 16  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

3. Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable consist of the following:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Trade receivables   $ 25,527     $ 16,698  
Less: long term receivable recorded in other assets     (3,235 )      
Other receivables     135       88  
Allowance for doubtful accounts     (1,958 )     (340 )
Total accounts receivable, net   $ 20,469     $ 16,446  

 

Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Beginning balance   $ (340 )   $ (958 )
Provision for doubtful accounts     (1,597 )      
Recoveries            
Write offs           541  
Foreign currency translation adjustments     (21 )     77  
Ending balance   $ (1,958 )   $ (340 )

 

4. Inventory

 

Inventory consists of the following:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Component parts   $ 4,100       6,175  
Finished goods     911       1,509  
Total inventories   $ 5,011       7,684  

 

Component parts include parts for gaming terminals. Included in component parts are reserves for excess and slow-moving inventory of $419 and $469 for the periods ended September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively. Our finished goods inventory primarily consists of gaming terminals which are ready for sale.

 

5. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   $ 8,150       8,678  
Unbilled accounts receivable     9,542       10,446  
Total prepaid expenses and other assets   $ 17,692       19,124  

 

F- 17  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

6. Property and Equipment

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Short-term leasehold property   $ 371     $ 360  
Video lottery terminals     105,525       104,176  
Computer equipment     8,428       7,242  
Plant and machinery     3,358       3,215  
      117,682       114,993  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization     (74,197 )     (65,762 )
    $ 43,485     $ 49,231  

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 was $18,378, $22,396 and $27,297, respectively. Cost of equipment associated with specific contracts and internal use software projects are recorded as assets in the course of construction (a subsection of video lottery terminals) and not depreciated until placed in service. When the equipment is placed into service, the related costs are transferred from assets in the course of construction to video lottery terminals, and we commence depreciation. Depreciation expense is separately included within depreciation and amortization expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

7. Software Development Costs, net

 

Software development costs, net consisted of the following:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Software development costs   $ 89,468     $ 67,289  
Less: accumulated amortization     (43,035 )     (30,329 )
    $ 46,433     $ 36,960  

 

During the periods ended September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the Company capitalized $20,103 and $22,423, respectively, of software development costs. Amounts above in the table include $2,676 and $1,797 of internal use software at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively.

 

The total amount of software costs amortized was $10,876, $7,832 and $7,195 for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively. The total amount of software costs written down to net realizable value was $1,327, $1,159 and $65 for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively. The weighted average amortization period was 3.2 years for the periods ended September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016.

 

The estimated software amortization expense for the periods ending September 30 are as follows:

 

Fiscal period ending September 30,        
2018     $ 15,123  
2019       14,026  
2020       9,907  
2021       5,043  
2022       2,073  
Thereafter     261  
Total     $ 46,433  

 

F- 18  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

8. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

 

The following tables present certain information regarding our intangible assets. Amortizable intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of ten years with no estimated residual values, which materially approximates the expected pattern of use.

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Trademarks   $ 18,119     $ 17,592  
Customer relationships     15,485       15,035  
      33,604       32,627  
Less: accumulated amortization     (24,364 )     (20,393 )
    $ 9,240     $ 12,234  

 

The aggregate intangible asset amortization expense for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 amounted to $3,183, $3,623 and $3,889, respectively.

 

The estimated intangible asset amortization expense for the periods ending September 30 are as follows:

 

Fiscal period ending September 30,        
2018     $ 3,339  
2019       3,339  
2020       2,562  
Total     $ 9,240  

 

Goodwill

 

The difference in the carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 (amounting to $1,371), as reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets is attributable to foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

9. Accrued Expenses

 

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Direct costs of sales   $ 6,038     $ 7,530  
Interest payable - cash     4,116       2,679  
Accrued corporate cost expenses     2,257       1,914  
Interest payable – payment in kind     664       381  
Asset retirement obligations     40        
Other creditors     5,004       4,974  
    $ 18,119     $ 17,478  

 

F- 19  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

10. Other Liabilities

 

Other liabilities consist of the following:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Customer prepayments and deposits   $ 4,346     $ 3,115  
Foreign exchange contract liabilities     74        
Total other liabilities, current     4,420       3,115  
Other payables, net of current portion     2,079       3,454  
Asset retirement obligations     866       921  
Foreign exchange contract liabilities           12  
Pension liability     3,423       7,975  
Total other liabilities, long-term     6,368       12,362  
    $ 10,788     $ 15,477  

 

11. Long Term and Other Debt

 

Outstanding Debt and Capital Leases

 

The following reflects outstanding debt and capital leases as of the dates indicated below:

 

    Principal    

Unamortized

 

deferred

 

financing

 

charge

 

   

Book value,

 

September 30,

 

2017

 

 
Senior bank debt   $ 122,765     $     $ 122,765  
Capital leases and hire purchase contract     1,094             1,094  
Total long-term debt outstanding     123,859           $ 123,859  
Less: current portion of long-term debt     (7,931 )           (7,931 )
Long-term debt, excluding current portion   $ 115,928     $     $ 115,928  

 

    Principal    

Unamortized

deferred

 

financing

 

charge

   

Book value,

September 24,

 

2016

 
Senior bank debt   $ 115,379     $ (1,218 )   $ 114,161  
PIK shareholder loan notes     298,248             298,248  
Capital leases and hire purchase contract     375             375  
Total long-term debt outstanding     414,002       (1,218 )     412,784  
Less: current portion of long-term debt     (10,292 )           (10,292 )
Long-term debt, excluding current portion   $ 403,710     $ (1,218 )   $ 402,492  

 

At September 30, 2017, debt consists of senior bank debt. At September 24, 2016, debt consisted of senior bank debt and loan notes payable to the former owners of Ordinary A shares (referred to as Payment in Kind (“PIK”) shareholder loan notes). Security over the debt consists of a fixed and floating charge over all assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries.

 

The senior bank facility has a cash interest rate on outstanding borrowings for this line of credit being the Bank of England’s bank’s base rate plus the base rate margin or LIBOR rate plus the bank’s LIBOR rate margin. The loan agreement includes a PIK interest rate on the outstanding borrowings that can be paid for or added to the outstanding debt. Due to foreign currency translation, these figures are then revised at each balance sheet date. The new senior bank debt is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2019.

 

F- 20  

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

The senior bank debt also includes a revolving facility commitment for $23,448 (£17,500). The revolver facility has an interest rate on used amounts of 5% plus LIBOR and on unused borrowings of 2%. The line of credit is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2019. At September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, $7,369 and $10,082 of this facility had been drawn.

 

In connection with the Merger, the value of PIK shareholder loan notes was reduced from $290,154 to $115,254. Accordingly, the Company recorded $174,990 as a capital contribution in the accompanying consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity representing the reduction in the value of the PIK shareholder loan notes. The shareholders transferred their rights to the remaining loan balance of $115,254 to Hydra in connection with the Merger, and therefore the $115,254 was eliminated in consolidation. The $115,254 was also accounted for as a capital contribution by the stockholders. These amounts are recorded in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity in shares issued in Merger. On May 31, 2017, the PIK shareholder loan notes were cancelled and are therefore no longer outstanding.

 

The Company is in compliance with all relevant covenants and the long-term debt portion is correctly classified as such in line with the underlying agreements.

 

Long term debt for the years ending September 30 matures as follows:

 

Fiscal period    

Senior bank

 

debt

 

   

Capital leases

and hire

purchase

contract

 

    Total  
2018     $ 7,369     $ 562     $ 7,931  
2019       115,396       461       115,857  
2020             71       71  
Total     $ 122,765     $ 1,094     $ 123,859  

 

12. Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset and liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We estimate the fair value of our assets and liabilities using an established three-level hierarchy. The hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date as follows:

 

  Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
  Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets), or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated with observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs also include non-binding market consensus prices that can be corroborated with observable market data, as well as quoted prices that were adjusted for security-specific restrictions.
  Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs also include non-binding market consensus prices or non-binding broker quotes that are unable to be corroborated with observable market data.

 

The fair value of our financial assets and liabilities is determined by reference to market data and other valuation techniques as appropriate. We believe the fair value of our financial instruments, which are principally cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and other long term liabilities, approximates their recorded values.

 

 F- 21

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

For each period, derivative financial instrument assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are included in the financial statements as per the table below.

 

          September 30,     September 24,  
    Level     2017     2016  
Earnout liability (see Note 13)     3     $ 16,728     $  
Derivative liability (see Note 14)     2     $ 964     $  
Long term receivable (included in other assets)     2     $ 3,235     $  
Foreign exchange contract liability (included in other current liabilities)     2     $ 74     $ 12  

 

Level 3 liabilities are valued using unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the derivative liabilities. For fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, who reports to the Chief Executive Officer, determines its valuation policies and procedures. The development and determination of the unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements and fair value calculations are the responsibility of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and is approved by the Chief Executive Officer.

 

Level 3 financial liabilities consist of the earnout liability for which there is no current market for these securities such that the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation. Changes in fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are analyzed each period based on changes in estimates or assumptions and recorded as appropriate (see Note 13).

 

At September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3 from other levels in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Throughout the period we enter into contracts to buy and sell foreign currency. These contracts are recorded on the balance sheets at each period end at fair value. These contracts are typically short term in nature with maturities of six months to a year. We entered into forward contracts to sell Euros and to purchase USD and the change in fair value of the derivative is recorded within interest income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. For the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, we realized interest income or expense of $62, $291 and ($488), respectively, from changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument.

 

13. Earnout Liability

 

Pursuant to the Sale Agreement discussed in Note 2, an earnout payment of up to 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain customary anti-dilution adjustments (the “Earnout Consideration”) shall be paid to the previous owners of Inspired (the “Selling Group”) and will be determined based on the financial performance of Inspired’s businesses in six specific countries, China, Colombia, Greece, Norway, Spain and Ukraine (collectively, the “Earnout Jurisdictions”), as measured by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the twelve months ending September 30, 2018 (the “Earnout Period”). If such EBITDA is equal to or greater than £15,000 ($20,099), the Selling Group will receive an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of common stock. If such EBITDA is less than £15,000 ($20,099), the Selling Group will receive the number of shares equal to the product of (x) 2,500,000 and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is such EBITDA and the denominator of which is £15,000 ($20,099).

 

 F- 22

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

In accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”), the earnout shares are not considered indexed to the Company’s own stock and therefore are accounted for as a liability with fair value changes being recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The fair value of the Earnout Consideration is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the variance and relative risk of achieving future EBITDA during the Earnout Period in the Earnout Jurisdictions. This model is a discrete-time model that allows for sources of uncertainty, simulates the movements of the underlying metric and calculates the resulting derivative value for each trial. Such simulations are performed for a number of trials and the average value across all trials is determined in order to arrive at the concluded value of such derivative. The Earnout Consideration was valued at $9,575 at the date of the Merger and $16,728 at September 30, 2017.

 

The key assumptions in applying the Monte Carlo simulation include the Earnout Period EBITDA in the Earnout Jurisdictions for the twelve months ending September 30, 2018, a risk-adjusted discount rate of 12.3% as of September 30, 2017, a standard deviation of 48.8% as of September 30, 2017 (based on the expected standard deviation of the Earnout Period EBITDA), a normal distribution of Earnout Period EIBTDA and a Monte Carlo simulation run 100,000 times.

Significant increases or decreases to any of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower liability, with a higher liability capped by the contractual maximum Earnout Consideration obligation. Ultimately, the liability will be equivalent to the amount paid, and the difference between the fair value estimate and amount paid will be recorded in earnings. 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the earnout liability measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

 

 

Balance – September 24, 2016   $  
Initial value of earnout liability     9,575  
Change in fair value of earnout liability     7,127  
Foreign currency translation     26  
Balance – September 30, 2017   $ 16,728  

 

14. Derivative Liability

 

On December 22, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the Inspired Entertainment, Inc. Second Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Second Plan”). The Second Plan was adopted principally to provide a mechanism through which certain management bonuses due in cash to certain members of management of Inspired upon consummation of the Merger could be paid partially in stock in order to preserve liquidity in the Company. Under such arrangement, certain members of management entitled to such cash bonuses agreed to accept 50% of the bonuses due in cash at closing and 50% in restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the Second Plan, subject to the approval of the Second Plan by the Company’s stockholders, which has not been obtained as of September 30, 2017. The maximum number of RSUs that can be granted under the Second Plan is 200,000. The Board of Directors approved grants totaling 107,914 RSUs under the Second Plan, of which 72,746 RSUs are issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and scheduled to be settled on the three-year anniversary of the Merger (e.g., December 23, 2019).

 

If the Second Plan is not approved by stockholders prior to December 23, 2019, the scheduled settlement date, participants will be entitled to immediately receive a cash payment based on the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock over the 30 trading days prior to December 23, 2019. The obligation to settle the 50% balance due to management was deemed to be a derivative liability due to the potential cash settlement provision which is not within the Company’s control and, as a result, the obligation is accounted for as a derivative liability with fair value changes being recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The fair value of the liability is calculated based on the value of the underlying common stock. Until stockholder approval is obtained, awards under the Second Plan are not considered issued and outstanding. 

 

 F- 23

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

During the period ended September 30, 2017, awards under the Second Plan totaling 35,168 RSUs held by two participants were cancelled upon termination of their employment in consideration of the Company agreeing to settle their awards for payment in cash. Since the derivative liability associated with the potential issuance of RSUs to these participants was settled, the Company reclassified the fair value of the derivative liability amounting to $468. The settlement amount to be paid in cash, which was approximately $380, was recorded to accrued expenses and the difference between the fair value of the derivative liability at the settlement date and the amount to be paid in cash was recorded as an adjustment to additional paid in capital.

 

15. Stockholders’ Deficit

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share in one or more series. The Company’s Board of Directors is authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. At September 30, 2017, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

 

Series A Preferred Stock

 

On August 13, 2017, in connection with the “stockholder rights plan” discussed below, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, which designates the rights, preferences and privileges of 49,000 shares of a series of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The Certificate of Designation was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and became effective on August 14, 2017.

 

Each share of Series A Preferred Stock, if issued, will not be redeemable, will entitle the holder thereof to cumulative quarterly dividend payments equal to the greater of (1) $1.00 or (2) 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, plus 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of common stock of the Company. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. The Series A Preferred Stock will entitle the holder thereof to receive $1,000 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, upon liquidation and, if shares of common stock are exchanged via merger, consolidation or a similar transaction, will entitle the holder thereof to a per share payment equal to $1,000 per share.

 

The Series A Preferred Stock will rank junior to all other series of preferred stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, whether or not upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.

 

Stockholder Rights Plan

 

On August 13, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a stockholder rights plan and declared a distribution of one right (“Right”) for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 25, 2017 (the “Record Date”). Each Right entitles its holder, under the circumstances described below, to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $45.00 per Right, subject to adjustment. The terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of August 13, 2017 (the “Rights Agreement”), by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent.

 

The Rights are transferable with and only with the underlying shares of common stock. New Rights will attach to any shares of common stock that become outstanding after the Record Date and prior to the earlier of the distribution time and the expiration time.

 

 F- 24

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the Rights become exercisable and trade separately from the common stock only upon the “distribution time,” which occurs upon the earlier of:

 

  the close of business on the tenth day after the first date (the “stock acquisition date”) of public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons has acquired, or obtained the right or obligation to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock, including in the form of synthetic ownership through derivative positions (any such person or group of affiliated or associated persons being referred to herein as an “acquiring person”) or
  the close of business on the tenth business day (or later date if determined by the Company’s Board of Directors prior to such time as any person or group becomes an acquiring person) following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in a person or group becoming an acquiring person.

 

The Rights are not exercisable until the distribution time.

 

Unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company as described below, the Rights will expire at either the close of business on August 12, 2020 or, if the Rights Agreement is not approved at the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, the close of business on August 12, 2018.

 

In the event that a person or group becomes an acquiring person (a “flip-in event”), each holder of a Right (other than any acquiring person and certain related parties, whose Rights automatically become null and void) will have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. If an insufficient number of shares of common stock is available for issuance, then the Company’s board of directors would be required to substitute cash, property or other securities of the Company for common stock. The Rights may not be exercised following a flip-in event while the Company has the ability to cause the Rights to be redeemed.

 

In general, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Right (subject to adjustment and payable in cash, common stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Company’s Board of Directors) at any time until ten days following the stock acquisition date. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors authorizing any redemption, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price.

 

At any time after there is an acquiring person and prior to the acquisition by the acquiring person of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock, the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by the acquiring person which will have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock, or one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).

 

Until a Right is exercised, its holder will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

 

Common Stock

 

The Company is authorized to issue 49,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each common share.

 

On December 29, 2016, the Company sold 164,536 shares of common stock to certain members of management in private transactions for an aggregate sales price of $1,645, or $10.00 per share.

 

 F- 25

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

 

16. Stock-Based Compensation

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

On July 14, 2017, the Company’s stockholders approved the Inspired Entertainment Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which provides for the purchase of up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of common stock by employees pursuant to the terms of the ESPP. The ESPP permits employees of the Company and designated subsidiaries to purchase common stock through payroll deductions during offerings periods under the plan. Six-month offering periods are anticipated to occur each January 1 and July 1 that allow participants to purchase shares based on a percentage of their base salary (from 1% to 10%) not to exceed 500 shares per period or a market value of $25,000 per year. The purchase price for offering periods is anticipated to be equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market values of the stock as of the beginning and the end of the offering period.

 

The ESPP is administered by the Compensation Committee which has discretion to designate different terms. The Committee approved an initial offering period with non-recurring terms from August 16, 2017 to September 4, 2017 that allowed participants to purchase up to 500 shares at a purchase price equal to 85% for U.S. participants and 80% for non-U.S. participants of the lower of the fair market values of the stock as of the beginning and end of the period. A total of 24,600 shares were purchased on September 4, 2017.

 

As of September 30, 2017, there were 24,600 shares of common stock issued pursuant to the ESPP and 475,400 shares remain available for purchase under the ESPP. The Company recognized $88 of compensation expense related to the ESPP during the period ended September 30, 2017.

 

2016 Incentive Plan

 

The Inspired Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2016 Incentive Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders in connection with the Merger and became effective as of the Closing Date. The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan to employees, officers, directors and other service providers of the Company and its affiliates and to determine the number and types of such awards and the terms, conditions, vesting and other limitations applicable to awards. The 2016 Incentive Plan authorizes a total of 2,778,818 shares to be issued for awards and, as of September 30, 2017, there were 2,768,776 shares subject to outstanding awards and 10,042 shares remaining available for future awards. Awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan have comprised restricted stock and RSUs.

 

On December 29, 2016, the Company granted 936,173 shares of restricted stock and 722,466 RSUs under the 2016 Incentive Plan to certain members of management that contain both market and service conditions. The weighted average fair value of the awards on the date of grant was $5.63 per share. The grant date fair value of the awards is being recognized as compensation expense over a vesting period ending December 23, 2019, the third anniversary of the Merger. The aggregate grant date fair value of the RSUs amounted to $4,067, of which the Company recorded $1,028 as compensation expense during the period ended September 30, 2017. The aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock amounted to $5,271, of which the Company recorded $1,332 as compensation expense during the period ended September 30, 2017.

 

On January 3, 2017, the Company granted 1,076,272 shares of restricted stock under the 2016 Incentive Plan to certain members of management that contain both market and service conditions. The weighted average fair value of the common stock on the date of grant was $5.51 per share. The aggregate grant date fair value of the awards amounted to $5,927, which is being recognized as compensation expense over a vesting period ending December 23, 2019. The Company recorded $1,482 of compensation expense during the period ended September 30, 2017.

 

On May 9, 2017, the Company granted 10,000 RSUs under the 2016 Incentive Plan to two employees which contain both market and service conditions. The weighted average fair value of the awards on the date of grant was $5.51 per share. The grant date fair value of the awards is being recognized as compensation expense over a vesting period ending December 23, 2019. The aggregate grant date fair value of the RSUs amounted to $55, of which the Company recorded $9 as compensation expense during the period ended September 30, 2017.

 

 F- 26

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

During May 2017, the Company granted 23,865 RSUs under the 2016 Incentive Plan to members of the Company’s Board of Directors. One-half of the RSUs vested on the date of grant, with the remaining RSUs vesting July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2017. The weighted average fair value of the awards on the dates of grant were $10.25 and $12.25 per share, respectively. The grant date fair value of the awards is being recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. The aggregate grant date fair value of the RSUs amounted to $249, of which the Company recorded $249 as compensation expense during the period ended September 30, 2017.

 

A summary of the restricted stock award activity is as follows:

 

      Number of
Shares
 
         
Unvested Outstanding at September 24, 2016        
Granted       2,041,067  
Forfeited       (28,622 )
Vested        
Unvested Outstanding at September 30, 2017       2,012,445  

 

The 28,622 shares shown above as forfeited reflect the reduction by 14,311 shares to each of the awards granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and to the Company’s Executive Chairman on December 29, 2016 and January 3, 2017, respectively, in order to administratively correct an error in the calculation of such awards.

 

A summary of the RSUs activity is as follows:

 

      Number of
Shares
 
         
Unvested Outstanding at September 24, 2016        
Granted       756,331  
Forfeited        
Vested       (17,477 )
Unvested Outstanding at September 30, 2017       738,854  

 

Stock-based compensation is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The Company recorded non-cash compensation expense of $4,099 for the period ended September 30, 2017.

 

Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock awards and unvested RSUs at September 30, 2017 amounts to $11,470 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

 

17. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Income)

 

The accumulated balances for each classification of comprehensive loss (income) are presented below:

 

    Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
    Unrecognized
pension
benefit costs
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss (Income)
 
Balance at September 27, 2014   $ 2,456     $ 16,194     $ 18,650  
Change during the period     (15,059 )     3,950       (11,109 )
Balance at September 26, 2015     (12,603 )     20,144       7,541  
Change during the period     (47,368 )     6,722       (40,646 )
Balance at September 24, 2016     (59,971 )     26,866       (33,105 )
Change during the period     (18,697 )     (1,343 )     (20,040 )
Balance at September 30, 2017   $ (78,668 )   $ 25,523     $ (53,145 )

 

 F- 27

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

 

18. Net Loss per Share

 

Basic loss per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding the effects of any potentially dilutive securities. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, including stock options, restricted stock and warrants, using the treasury stock method, and convertible debt or convertible preferred stock, using the if-converted method. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential of shares of common stock if their effect is anti-dilutive.

 

The computation of diluted EPS excludes the common stock equivalents of the following potentially dilutive securities because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive:

 

   

Period Ended

 

 
    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Restricted Stock Units     756,331        
Unvested Restricted Stock     2,012,445        
Stock Warrants     9,539,615        
      12,308,391        

 

19. Income Taxes

 

The following comprises the loss before income taxes:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
    September 26,
2015
 
UK   $ (38,720 )   $ (59,760 )   $ (56,895 )
Mainland Europe     (5,450 )     854       (1,610 )
North America     (5,906 )     (19 )      
South America     1,146       (645 )     (711 )
Total loss before income taxes   $ (48,930 )   $ (59,570 )   $ (59,216 )

 

The income tax expense consisted of the following for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
    September 26,
2015
 
Income tax expense:                        
Current                        
UK   $ 7     $     $ 163  
Mainland Europe     130       290       395  
South America     47       17       73  
Total current taxes   $ 184     $ 307     $ 631  

 

 F- 28

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

The net deferred tax assets and liabilities arising from temporary differences at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 are as follows:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Depreciation   $ 35,915     $ 30,443  
Net operating losses     13,002       5,964  
Other temporary differences     1,485        
Total deferred tax assets     50,402       36,407  
Valuation allowance balance     (48,832 )     (33,552 )
Net deferred tax assets     1,570       2,855  
Deferred tax liabilities                
Intangible assets     (1,570 )     (2,079 )
Other temporary differences           (776 )
Net deferred tax liabilities   $     $  

 

The differences between the UK statutory tax rate and our effective rate for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015 are reflected in the following table:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
    September 26,
2015
 
Statutory income tax     34.0 %     20.0 %     20.5 %
State taxes (net of federal)     1.9 %            
Tax effect of permanent differences     2.8 %     (4.0 )%     (2.2 )%
ATCA interest disallowed     (3.3 )%     (13.2 )%     (14.7 )%
Movement in provisions           0.1 %     0.1  
Effect of foreign taxes     (15.1 )%     (0.5 )%     (0.9 )%
Rate change           0.2 %      
Transfer pricing adjustments           (0.2 )%      
Valuation allowance     (20.7 )%     (2.9 )%     (3.8 )%
Effective income tax rate     (0.4 )%     (0.5 )%     (1.0 )%

 

As described herein, the Inspired Group was previously owned by a UK company, however, as of December 22, 2016, the Inspired Group is owned by a US entity. As such, for purposes of the effective tax rate, the statutory rate shown in the above table refers to the US statutory rate for the period ended September 30, 2017, and the UK statutory rate for the periods ended September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015. 

 

The valuation allowance on deferred tax assets has been determined by considering all available evidence, both positive and negative, in order to ascertain whether it is more likely than not that carried forward deferred tax assets will be realized. The Group has a total potential deferred tax asset carried forward of $6,207 at September 30, 2017.

 

On consideration of the cumulative net losses in Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited and Gaming Acquisitions Limited over the three periods ending September 30, 2017, the Group has recorded a full valuation allowance of $48,832.

 

Currently, there are no U.S. federal, state or foreign jurisdiction tax audits pending. The Company’s corporate U.S. federal and state tax returns from 2014 to 2016 remain subject to examination by tax authorities and the Company’s foreign tax returns from 2012 to 2016 remain subject to examination by tax authorities.

 

In addition to in the UK, the Group is subject to taxation in the US, and in certain foreign jurisdictions (primarily in Europe), where the total of non-UK taxes payable for the period ended September 30, 2017 is $177.

 

A provision of $46 was included within current taxes as at September 26, 2015 to reflect an uncertain tax position relating to interest deductions. There are no similar tax provisions included as at September 30, 2017 or September 24, 2016.

 

A reduction in the UK corporation tax rate to 17% (effective April 1, 2020) was enacted on September 15, 2016. This will reduce the Group’s future tax charge accordingly. A previous reduction from 20% to 19% (effective April 1, 2017) was enacted on November 18, 2015.

 

The Group has not recognized deferred tax liabilities in respect of unremitted earnings that are considered indefinitely reinvested in foreign subsidiaries.

 

 F- 29

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

The utilization of the Company’s pre-Merger net operating losses may be subject to a substantial limitation due to the “change of ownership provisions” under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. The Company has contemplated the impact of Section 382 and analyzed its effect. While the pre-acquisition losses are subject to an annual limitation, such losses may be able to be used during the carryforward period. Accordingly, there is no impact on the financial statements due to Section 382.

 

20. Related Parties

 

 

We have agreements with service companies with respect to which two prior board members of Inspired had a direct or indirect ownership interest at the time of the transaction, and, in some cases, also served as a director of such other entities. We also paid expenses with respect to space leased by a company affiliated with our Executive Chairman.

 

        September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
    September 26,
2015
 
Transactions                            
OpenBet Retail Limited   Total revenue   $ 1,853     $ 1,961     $ 2,436  
NYX Gaming Group Limited   Total revenue   $ 89              
Loxley Strategic Consulting Limited   Selling, general and administrative expenses   $ (328 )   $ (256 )   $ (223 )
Hydra Management LLC   Selling, general and administrative expenses   $ (162 )            
                             
Balances                            
OpenBet Retail Limited   Accounts receivable   $ 633     $ 151     $ 189  

 

21. Operating Leases

 

At September 30, 2017, we were obligated under operating leases covering office and warehouse space and transportation equipment expiring at various dates. Future minimum lease payments required under our operating leases at September 30, 2017 were approximately as follows:

 

Fiscal period ending September 30,        
2018     $ 2,272  
2019       1,872  
2020       1,249  
2021       373  
2022       70  
Total     $ 5,836  

 

Rent expense under all operating leases was $1,642, $2,057 and $1,440 for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively.

 

Some of our operating leases contain provisions for future rent increases, rent-free periods or periods in which rent payments are reduced. The total amount of rental payments due over the lease term is being charged to rent expense on the straight-line method over the term of the lease. The difference between rent expense recorded and the amount paid is credited or charged to deferred rent obligation, which is included in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. 

 F- 30

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

22. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Employment Agreements

 

We are party to employment agreements with our executive officers and other employees of the Company and our subsidiaries which contain, among other terms, provisions relating to severance and notice requirements. In addition, we are party to severance agreements with former executive officers of the Company.

 

Separation Agreements

 

In September 2017, the Company entered into separation agreements with two of its executive officers, its Chief Operating Officer, David G. Wilson, and its Chief Legal Officer, Steven Holmes.

 

Under the terms of Mr. Wilson’s separation, consistent with his employment agreement, and applicable UK employment laws, he will receive 12 months’ salary and car allowance in the lump sum aggregate amount of £280,000 (approximately $375,000), as well as certain redundancy-related amounts totaling £50,500 (approximately $68,000) and certain benefits extensions. In addition, in lieu of receiving a bonus under the Company’s management bonus program for the Company’s fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, he will receive a payment of £191,000 (approximately $256,000) and he will receive the amount of £180,000 (approximately $241,000) over a six-month period in consideration for the cancellation of an award of RSUs he previously received upon the completion of the Merger.

 

Under the terms of Mr. Holmes’ separation, consistent with his employment agreement, and applicable UK employment laws, he will receive 12 months’ salary and car allowance in the lump sum aggregate amount of £176,500 (approximately $237,000), as well as certain redundancy-related amounts totaling £54,600 (approximately $73,000) and certain benefits extensions. In addition, in lieu of receiving a bonus under the Company’s management bonus program for the Company’s fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, he will receive a payment of £121,800 (approximately $163,000) and he will receive the amount of £100,000 (approximately $134,000) over a six-month period in consideration for the cancellation of an award of RSUs he previously received upon the completion of the Merger.

 

Legal Matters

 

From time to time, the Company is involved in legal matters arising in the ordinary course of business. While the Company believes that such matters are currently not material, there can be no assurance that matters arising in the ordinary course of business for which the Company is, or could be, involved in litigation, will not have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

We settled a claim in June 2017 which had been filed in the High Court in London, on December 22, 2015, by the Performing Rights Society relating to the alleged infringement of copyrighted material of the Performing Rights Society’s members in certain games on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in UK Licensed Betting Offices. In June, the Performing Rights Society and the UK bookmaker defendants (who had formed a joint defense group) reached a settlement of these claims; the cost to the Company in excess of the insured amount was £250 ($321).

 

On June 30, 2017, Martin E. Schloss, the former Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, naming as defendants the Company and A. Lorne Weil, alleging a breach by Mr. Weil of a purported oral contract to name Mr. Schloss as general counsel of the entity surviving any initial business combination effected by the Company, and asserting unjust enrichment claims against Mr. Weil and the Company and quantum meruit claims against the Company to receive additional compensation for Mr. Schloss’s past services to the Company prior to its initial business combination, seeking unspecified damages in an amount allegedly expected by the plaintiff to be no less than $1 million. The Company believes that any damages if Mr. Schloss were to prevail would not be material to the Company, and is contesting the matter vigorously. 

 

 

23. Pension Plan

 

We operate a combined scheme which comprises of a defined benefit section and a defined contribution section.

 

The defined contribution scheme assets are held separately from those of the Group in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Group and amounted to $1,788, $1,478 and $1,549 for the periods ending September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively. Contributions totaling $517 and $438 were payable to the fund as at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively.

 

The defined benefit section has been closed to new entrant since April 1, 1999 and closed to future accruals for services rendered to the Company for the entire financial statement periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. Retirement benefits are generally based on a portion of an employee’s pensionable earnings during years prior to 2010. Our policy is to make contributions according to schedules agreed with the trustee every 3 years after completion of the triennial valuation undertaken by the scheme’s actuaries. We estimate that $3,276 will be contributed to the pension plan in the period ending September 30, 2018. The latest actuarial valuation of the scheme as at March 31, 2015 revealed a funding shortfall and a recovery plan consisting of additional contributions payable to the scheme has been put into place.

 

The trustee has made an allowance for the pension scheme liability profile when deciding the investment strategy of the pension scheme. Since the pension scheme is closed to new entrants and ceased future accrual with effect from March 31, 2010, it has continued to mature gradually. Therefore, the trustee reviews the investment strategy regularly to check whether any changes are needed. When considering the investment strategy, the trustee has taken into account the effect of any possible increases in the deficit reduction contributions on the financial position of the Company, and the extent to which the Company will be able to bear these changes.

 

 F- 31

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

The plan investment policy is to maximize long-term financial return commensurate with security and minimizing risk. This is achieved by holding a portfolio of marketable investments that avoids over-concentration of investment and spreads assets both over industries and geographies. In setting investment strategy, the trustees considered the lowest risk strategy that they could adopt in relation to the plan’s liabilities and designed an asset allocation to achieve a higher return while maintaining a cautious approach to meeting the plan’s liabilities. The trustees undertook a review of investment strategy and took advice from their investment advisors. They considered a full range of asset classes, the risks and rewards of a range of alternative asset allocation strategies, the suitability of each asset class and the need for appropriate diversification. The pension scheme has implemented a new investment strategy over the year to reduce risk without adversely affecting return. The current strategy is to hold 22% in a diversified growth fund, 12% in absolute return bonds, 15% in equity-linked bonds, 6% in a liability-driven investment fund and 45% in a buy-in policy.

 

Our pension benefit costs are calculated using various actuarial assumptions and methodologies. These assumptions include discount rates, inflation, expected returns on plan assets, mortality rates and other factors. The assumptions used in recording the obligations under our plans represent our best estimates, and we believe that they are reasonable, based on information as to historical experience and performance as well as other factors that might cause future expectations to differ from past trends. Differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect our pension obligations and future expense. The principal factors contributing to actuarial gains and losses each year are (1) changes in the discount rate used to value pension benefit obligations as of the measurement date and (2) differences between the expected and the actual return on plan assets.

 

Our valuation methodologies used for pension assets measured at fair value are as follows. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016.

 

The diversified fund is valued at fair value by using the net asset value (“NAV”) of shares held by the plan at the year end. The NAV of the diversified fund is not publicly quoted. The majority of the underlying securities have observable Level 1 or 2 pricing inputs, including quoted prices for similar assets in active or non-active markets. ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, allows NAV per share to serve as a practical expedient to estimate the fair value of the diversified fund. ASC 820 also states that where NAV is allowed to be used as an estimate of fair value, if the reporting entity has the ability to redeem its investment at NAV as of the measurement date, that investment shall be categorized as a Level II fair value measurement. If the investment cannot be redeemed at the measurement date, but may be redeemable in the future, but at an uncertain date, the investment shall be categorized as a Level 3 fair value measurement.

 

As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the diversified fund was redeemable at NAV as of the measurement dates and, therefore, classified as Level 2.

 

With respect to the buy-in contract, it was agreed during the year ended September 27, 2014, that 281 pensioners of the plan would be insured by means of a pensioner buy-in. The liabilities and assets in respect of insured pensioners are assumed to match for the purposes of ASC 715, Pensions - Retirement Benefits, disclosures (i.e. the full benefits have been insured). The approach adopted has therefore been to include within the total value of assets, an amount equal to the calculated total liability value of the insured pensioners on the actuarial assumptions adopted for ASC 715 purposes. The buy-in contract is, therefore, classified as Level 3.

 

 F- 32

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

The following table sets forth the combined funded status of the pension plans and their reconciliation to the related amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements at our September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 measurement dates:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Change in benefit obligation:                
Benefit obligation at beginning of period   $ 104,667     $ 98,482  
Interest cost     2,559       3,401  
Actuarial (gain)/loss     300       19,658  
Benefits paid     (4,827 )     (2,617 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments     3,178       (14,257 )
Benefit obligation at end of period   $ 105,877     $ 104,667  
Change in plan assets:                
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period   $ 96,692     $ 93,605  
Actual gain on plan assets     3,596       15,840  
Employer contributions     3,280       3,415  
Benefits paid     (4,827 )     (2,617 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments     3,713       (13,551 )
Fair value of assets at end of period   $ 102,454     $ 96,692  
Amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:                
Unfunded status (non-current)   $ (3,423 )   $ (7,975 )
Net amount recognized   $ (3,423 )   $ (7,975 )

 

The following table presents the components of our net periodic pension benefit cost:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
    September 26,
2015
 
Components of net periodic pension benefit cost:                        
Interest cost   $ 2,559     $ 3,401     $ 3,879  
Expected return on plan assets     (2,402 )     (3,178 )     (3,728 )
Amortization of net loss     448       274       193  
Net periodic cost   $ 605     $ 497     $ 344  

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $105,877 and $104,667 as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively. The underfunded status of our defined benefit pension plans recorded as a liability in our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 was $3,423 and $7,975, respectively.

 

The estimated net loss, net transition asset (obligation) and prior service credit for the plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost over the next fiscal year are $421, $0 and $0, respectively.

 

The fair value of the plan assets at September 30, 2017 by asset category is presented below:

 

    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Diversified fund   $     $ 60,977     $     $ 60,977  
Buy-in contract                 40,452       40,452  
Cash     1,025                   1,025  
Total   $ 1,025     $ 60,977     $ 40,452     $ 102,454  

 

The fair value of the plan assets at September 24, 2016 by asset category is presented below:

 

    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Diversified fund   $     $ 56,166     $     $ 56,166  
Buy-in contract                 39,901       39,901  
Cash     625                   625  
Total   $ 625     $ 56,166     $ 39,901     $ 96,692  

 

 F- 33

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

The change in fair value of the pension assets during the periods ended September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is presented below: 

 

Balance at September 27, 2015   $ 41,570  
Unrealized loss on asset still held at September 24, 2016     (1,669 )
Balance at September 24, 2016     39,901  
Unrealized gain on asset still held at September 30, 2017     551  
Balance at September 30, 2017   $ 40,452  

 

The table below presents the weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net periodic benefit cost for the Plan.

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
    September 26,
2015
 
Discount rate     2.80 %     2.60 %     4.10 %
Expected return on assets     3.60 %     2.60 %     3.95 %
RPI inflation     3.40 %     3.10 %     3.30 %
CPI inflation     2.40 %     2.10 %     2.30 %
Pension increases – pre-2006 service     3.30 %     3.00 %     3.20 %
Pension increases – post-2006 service     2.20 %     2.20 %     2.20 %

 

The following benefit payments are expected to be paid: 

 

2018     $ 2,337  
2019     $ 2,536  
2020     $ 2,481  
2021     $ 2,720  
2022     $ 2,925  
Thereafter (5 years from September 2022)     $ 17,985  

 

 

24. Segmental Reporting and Geographic Information

 

Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise for which separate and discrete financial information is available and is used by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s chief decision-maker is the Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Company’s chief decision-maker reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenue and operating profit by operating unit. This information is used for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance.

 

The Company operates its business along two operating segments, which are segregated based on the basis of revenue stream: Service Based Gaming and Virtual Sports. The Company believes this method of segment reporting reflects both the way its business segments are managed and the way the performance of each segment is evaluated.

 

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

 

The following tables present revenue, cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization, selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense and acquisition related transaction expenses, operating profit/(loss), total assets and total capital expenditures for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively, by business segment. Certain unallocated corporate function costs have not been allocated to the Company’s reportable operating segments because these costs are not allocable and to do so would not be practical. Corporate function costs consist principally of selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, capital expenditures, cash, prepaid expenses and property and equipment and software development costs relating to corporate/shared functions.

 

 F- 34

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

Segment Information

 

Period ended September 30, 2017

 

    Server Based
Gaming
    Virtual
Sports
    Corporate
Functions
    Total  
Revenue:                                
Service   $ 74,072     $ 33,424     $     $ 107,496  
Hardware     15,048                   15,048  
Total revenue     89,120       33,424             122,544  
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:                                
Cost of service     (11,688 )     (4,157 )           (15,845 )
Cost of hardware     (10,839 )                 (10,839 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (15,569 )     (6,168 )     (36,564 )     (58,301 )
Stock-based compensation expense     (231 )     (261 )     (3,743 )     (4,235 )
Acquisition related transaction expenses                 (11,411 )     (11,411 )
Depreciation and amortization     (26,367 )     (5,587 )     (1,856 )     (33,810 )
Segment operating income (loss)     24,426       17,251       (53,574 )     (11,897 )
                                 
Net operating loss                           $ (11,897 )
                                 
Revenue from major customers:                                
Customer 1   $ 31,110     $ 1,142     $     $ 32,252  
Customer 2     12,273       525             12,798  
Total revenue from major customers   $ 43,383     $ 1,667     $     $ 45,050  
                                 
Total assets at September 30, 2017   $ 113,692     $ 75,975     $ 29,356     $ 219,023  
                                 
Total goodwill at September 30, 2017   $     $ 47,076     $     $ 47,076  
                                 
Total capital expenditures for the period ended September 30, 2017   $ 22,921     $ 7,039     $ 2,768     $ 32,728  

 

 F- 35

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

Period ended September 24, 2016

 

    Server Based
Gaming
    Virtual
Sports
    Corporate
Functions
    Total  
Revenue:                                
Service   $ 78,912     $ 33,288     $     $ 112,200  
Hardware     7,573                   7,573  
Total revenue     86,485       33,288             119,773  
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:                                
Cost of service     (12,317 )     (4,308 )           (16,625 )
Cost of hardware     (3,789 )                 (3,789 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (19,128 )     (7,050 )     (34,495 )     (60,673 )
Acquisition related transaction expenses                 (4,959 )     (4,959 )
Depreciation and amortization     (26,678 )     (6,402 )     (1,930 )     (35,010 )
Segment operating income (loss)     24,573       15,528       (41,384 )     (1,283 )
                                 
Net operating loss                           $ (1,283 )
                                 
Revenue from major customers:                                
Customer 1   $ 33,681     $ 971     $     $ 34,652  
Customer 2     12,876       192             13,068  
Total revenue from major customers   $ 46,557     $ 1,163     $     $ 47,720  
                                 
Total assets at September 24, 2016   $ 104,117     $ 77,282     $ 8,471     $ 189,870  
                                 
Total goodwill at September 24, 2016   $     $ 45,705     $     $ 45,705  
                                 
Total capital expenditures for the period ended September 24, 2016   $ 15,811     $ 7,158     $ 2,703     $ 25,672  

  

Period ended September 26, 2015

 

    Server Based
Gaming
    Virtual
Sports
    Corporate
Functions
    Total  
Revenue:                                
Service   $ 88,139     $ 27,186     $     $ 115,325  
Hardware     12,248                   12,248  
Total revenue     100,387       27,186             127,573  
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:                                
Cost of service     (11,895 )     (4,586 )           (16,481 )
Cost of hardware     (7,746 )                 (7,746 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (22,017 )     (6,691 )     (35,997 )     (64,705 )
Acquisition related transaction expenses                 (524 )     (524 )
Depreciation and amortization     (33,415 )     (3,952 )     (2,019 )     (39,386 )
Segment operating income (loss)     25,314       11,957       (38,540 )     (1,269 )
                                 
Net operating loss                           $ (1,269 )
                                 
Revenue from major customers:                                
Customer 1   $ 36,302     $ 1,070     $     $ 37,372  
Customer 2     13,296       110             13,406  
Total revenue from major customers   $ 49,598     $ 1,180     $     $ 50,778  
                                 
Total assets at September 26, 2015   $ 135,841     $ 94,017     $ 10,082     $ 239,940  
                                 
Total goodwill at September 26, 2015   $     $ 53,442     $     $ 53,442  
                                 
Total capital expenditures for the period ended September 26, 2015   $ 44,731     $ 5,923     $ 1,751     $ 52,405  

 

 F- 36

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

Geographic Information

 

Geographic information for revenue is set forth below:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
    September 26,
2015
 
Total revenue                        
UK   $ 79,991     $ 87,885     $ 95,760  
Italy     16,598       21,260       20,674  
Greece     11,668             1,861  
Rest of world     14,287       10,628       9,278  
Total   $ 122,544     $ 119,773     $ 127,573  

 

Geographic information of our non-current assets excluding goodwill is set forth below:

 

    September 30,
2017
    September 24,
2016
 
Total non-current assets, excluding goodwill                
UK   $ 68,069     $ 73,033  
Italy     5,761       7,737  
Greece     20,728       9,653  
Rest of world     14,189       9,002  
Total   $ 108,747     $ 99,425  

 

Software development costs are included as attributable to the market in which they are used.

 

25. Selected Quarterly Financial Data, Unaudited

 

    Quarter Ended  
    December 31,
2016
    March 31,
2017
    June 30,
2017
    September 30,
2017
 
Total revenue   $ 27,037     $ 28,060     $ 32,311     $ 35,136  
Total cost of sales (1)     (4,909 )     (5,683 )     (9,074 )     (7,018 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (13,731 )     (14,404 )     (13,786 )     (16,380 )
Stock-based compensation expense     (36 )     (1,291 )     (1,377 )     (1,531 )
Acquisition related transaction expenses     (10,460 )     (813 )     (74 )     (64 )
Depreciation and amortization     (7,168 )     (8,004 )     (8,705 )     (9,933 )
Operating income (loss)     (9,267 )     (2,135 )     (705 )     210  
Other expense, net     (13,065 )     (6,953 )     (7,714 )     (9,301 )
Income tax (expense) benefit     (51 )     (32 )     86       (187 )
Net loss   $ (22,383 )   $ (9,120 )   $ (8,333 )   $ (9,278 )
                                 
Basic and diluted net loss per share   $ (1.79 )   $ (0.45 )   $ (0.41 )   $ (0.46 )
                                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods – basic and diluted     12,490,280       20,378,002       20,378,002       20,384,954  

 

(1) Exclusive of depreciation and amortization

 

 F- 37

 

 

INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED  

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
(in thousands, except share and per share data)  

 

    Quarter Ended  
    December 31,
2015
    March 31,
2016
    June 30,
2016
    September 24,
2016
 
Total revenue   $ 30,815     $ 30,440     $ 29,408     $ 29,110  
Total cost of sales (1)     (4,705 )     (4,628 )     (4,737 )     (6,344 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (16,176 )     (14,595 )     (14,199 )     (15,703 )
Acquisition related transaction expenses     (1,278 )     (389 )     (690 )     (2,602 )
Depreciation and amortization     (9,272 )     (9,172 )     (9,131 )     (7,435 )
Operating income (loss)     (616 )     1,656       651       (2,974 )
Other expense, net     (16,172 )     (14,968 )     (14,211 )     (12,936 )
Income tax (expense) benefit     (86 )     (203 )     (58 )     40  
Net loss   $ (16,874 )   $ (13,515 )   $ (13,618 )   $ (15,870 )
                                 
Basic and diluted net loss per share   $ (1.47 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (1.34 )
                                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods – basic and diluted     11,502,684       11,801,369       11,801,369       11,801,369  

 

(1) Exclusive of depreciation and amortization

 

26. Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluates subsequent events and transactions that occur after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were issued. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 F- 38

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

Inspired Entertainment, Inc.
2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan 1

 

1.     Purpose.

 

The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company in attracting, retaining, motivating, and rewarding certain employees, officers, directors, and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates and promoting the creation of long-term value for stockholders of the Company by closely aligning the interests of such individuals with those of such stockholders. The Plan authorizes the award of Stock- based and cash-based incentives to Eligible Persons to encourage such Eligible Persons to expend maximum effort in the creation of stockholder value.

 

2.     Definitions.

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

(a)   Affiliate ” means, with respect to a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.

 

(b)    Award ” means any Option, award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock-based or cash-based Performance Award, or other Stock-based award granted under the Plan.

 

(c)    Award Agreement ” means an Option Agreement, a Restricted Stock Agreement, an RSU Agreement, a SAR Agreement, a Performance Award Agreement, or an agreement governing the grant of any other Stock-based Award granted under the Plan.

 

(d)   Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(e)   “Cause ” shall have the meaning set forth in the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, provided that if the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement does not contain such a definition, “ Cause ” shall mean, (1) the Participant’s plea of nolo contendere to, conviction of or indictment for, any crime (whether or not involving the Company or its Affiliates) (i) constituting a felony or (ii) that has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, an adverse impact on the performance of the Participant’s duties to the Service Recipient, or otherwise has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, an adverse impact on the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates, (2) conduct of the Participant, in connection with his or her employment or service, that has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to result, in material injury to the business or reputation of the Company or its Affiliates, (3) any material violation of the Award Agreement, the Participation Agreement, or any policies of the Service Recipient, including, but not limited to, those relating to sexual harassment or the disclosure or misuse of confidential information, or those set forth in the manuals or statements of policy of the Service Recipient; (4) the Participant’s act(s) of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the course of his or her employment or service with the Service Recipient; (5) misappropriation by the Participant of any assets or business opportunities of the Company or its Affiliates; (6) embezzlement or fraud committed by the Participant, at the Participant’s direction, or with the Participant’s prior actual knowledge; or (7) willful neglect in the performance of the Participant’s duties for the Service Recipient or willful or repeated failure or refusal to perform such duties. If, subsequent to the Termination of a Participant for any reason other than by the Service Recipient for Cause, it is discovered that the Participant’s employment or service could have been terminated for Cause, such Participant’s employment or service shall, at the discretion of the Committee, be deemed to have been terminated by the Service Recipient for Cause for all purposes under the Plan, and the Participant shall be required to repay to the Company all amounts received by him or her in respect of any Award following such Termination that would have been forfeited under the Plan had such Termination been by the Service Recipient for Cause. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that there is an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement defining Cause, “ Cause ” shall have the meaning provided in such agreement rather than the definition included herein, and a Termination by the Service Recipient for Cause hereunder shall not be deemed to have occurred unless all applicable notice and cure periods in such Award Agreement or Participant Agreement are complied with.

 

(f)    Change in Control ” shall have the meaning set forth in the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, provided that if the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement does not contain such a definition, “ Change in Control ” shall mean:

 

(1)   a change in ownership or control of the Company effected through a transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or similar non-U.S. regulatory agency or pursuant to a Non-Control Transaction) whereby any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a) (9) of the Exchange Act) or any two or more persons deemed to be one “person” (as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or any of its Affiliates, an employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates (or its related trust), or any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, directly or indirectly acquire “beneficial ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities eligible to vote in the election of the Board (the “ Company Voting Securities ”);

 

 

1 Annotated to reflect information available upon the consummation of the Business Combination (as defined herein) on December 23, 2016.

 

 

 

 

  

(2)   the date, within any consecutive twenty-four (24) month period commencing on or after the Effective Date, upon which individuals who constitute the Board as of the Effective Date (the “ Incumbent Board ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided , however, that any individual who becomes a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then constituting the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such individual is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation) with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board;

 

(3)   the consummation of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its Affiliates that requires the approval of the Company’s stockholders (whether for such transaction, the issuance of securities in the transaction or otherwise) (a “ Reorganization ”), unless immediately following such Reorganization (i) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of (A) the corporation resulting from such Reorganization (the “ Surviving Company ”) or (B) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that has, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of one hundred percent (100%) of the voting securities of the Surviving Company (the “ Parent Company ”), is represented by Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Reorganization), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among holders thereof immediately prior to such Reorganization, (ii) no person, other than an employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company (or its related trust), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Company, or if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Company, or if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company, following the consummation of such Reorganization are members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Reorganization (any Reorganization which satisfies all of the criteria specified in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) above shall be a “ Non-Control Transaction ”); or

 

(4)   the sale or disposition, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act) or to any two or more persons deemed to be one “person” (as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company’s Affiliates.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company Voting Securities as a result of an acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company that reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided that if after such acquisition by the Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increase the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control shall then be deemed to occur, and (y) with respect to the payment of any amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code payable upon a Change in Control, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred, unless the Change in Control constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that there is an Award Agreement or Participant Agreement defining Change in Control, “ Change in Control ” shall have the meaning provided in such agreement rather than the definition included herein.

 

(g)   Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any successor provisions, rules and regulations thereto.

 

(h)   Committee ” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or a subcommittee thereof, or such other committee designated by the Board, in each case, consisting of two or more members of the Board, each of whom is intended to be (i) a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, (ii) an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and (iii) “independent” within the meaning of the rules of the principal stock exchange on which the Stock is then traded.

 

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(i)    Company ” means Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (known prior to the consummation of the Business Combination as Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp.), and its successors by operation of law.

 

(j)     Corporate Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) hereof.

 

(k)    Data ” has the meaning set forth in Section 21(f) hereof.

 

(l)    Disability ” shall have the meaning set forth in the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, provided that if the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement does not contain such a definition, “ Disability ” shall mean, the permanent and total disability of such Participant within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

(m)  Disqualifying Disposition ” means any disposition (including, without limitation, any sale) of Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within the period that ends either (1) two years after the date on which the Participant was granted the Incentive Stock Option or (2) one year after the date upon which the Participant acquired the Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option.

 

(n)   Effective Date ” means November 17, 2016, which is the date on which the Plan was approved by the Board.

 

(o)   Eligible Person ” means such officers, other employees, non-employee directors, consultants, independent contractors, agents and individuals expected to become officers, other employees, non-employee directors, consultants, independent contractors and agents of the Company and any of its Affiliates as the Committee in its sole discretion may select from time to time; provided that any such prospective service providers may not receive any payment or exercise any right relating to an Award until such Person has commenced employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates; provided further, that (i) with respect to any Award that is intended to qualify as a “stock right” that does not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the term “Affiliate” as used in this Section 2(o) shall include only those corporations or other entities in the unbroken chain of corporations or other entities beginning with the Company where each of the corporations or other entities in the unbroken chain other than the last corporation or other entity owns stock possessing at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations or other entities in the chain, and (ii) with respect to any Award that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, the term “Affiliate” as used in this Section 2(o) shall include only those entities that qualify as a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. An employee on an approved leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.

 

(p)   Exchange Act ” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any successor provisions, rules and regulations thereto.

 

(q)   Expiration Date ” means, with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the date on which the term of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right expires, as determined under Section 5(b) or 8(b) hereof, as applicable.

 

(r)    Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date when the Stock is listed on one or more national securities exchanges, the closing price reported on the principal national securities exchange on which such Stock is listed and traded on the date of determination or, if the closing price is not reported on such date of determination, the closing price reported on the most recent date prior to the date of determination. If the Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, “ Fair Market Value ” shall mean the amount determined by the Board in good faith, and in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, to be the fair market value per share of Stock.

 

(s)    GAAP ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(f)(3) hereof.

 

(t)    Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision, and that is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision.

 

(u)   “Nonqualified Stock Option ” means an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(v)   Option ” means a conditional right, granted to a Participant under Section 5 hereof, to purchase Stock at a specified price during a specified time period.

 

(w)  Option Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option Award.

 

3  

 

 

(x)    Participant ” means an Eligible Person who has been granted an Award under the Plan or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an Award.

 

(y)     Participant Agreement ” means an employment or other services agreement between a Participant and the Service Recipient that describes the terms and conditions of such Participant’s employment or service with the Service Recipient and is in effect as of the date the Committee approves the grant of the applicable Award to the Participant.

 

(z)     Performance Award ” means an Award granted to a Participant under Section 9 hereof, which Award is subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives during a Performance Period. A Performance Award shall be designated as a Performance Share, a Performance Unit or a Performance Cash Award at the time of grant.

 

(aa)   Performance Award Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Performance Award.

 

(bb) Performance Cash Award ” means a Performance Award which is a cash award (for a dollar value not in excess of that set forth in Section 4(c)(1) hereof), the payment of which is subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives during a Performance Period. A Performance Cash Award may also require the completion of a specified period of employment or service.

 

(cc)  Performance Objectives ” means the performance objectives established pursuant to the Plan for Participants who have received Performance Awards.

 

(dd) Performance Period ” means the period of time designated by the Committee over which the achievement of one or more Performance Objectives will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of an Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Committee.

 

(ee)   Performance Share ” means a Performance Award denominated in shares of Stock (for the number of shares not in excess of that set forth in Section 4(c)(1) hereof) which is subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives during a Performance Period. An Award of Performance Shares may also require the completion of a specified period of employment or service.

 

(ff)   Performance Unit ” means a Performance Award denominated as a notional unit representing the right to receive one share of Stock (for the number of shares not in excess of that set forth in Section 4(c)(1) hereof) or the cash value of one share of Stock, if so determined by the Committee and specified in the Award Agreement, (for a dollar value not in excess of that set forth in Section 4(c)(1) hereof) which is subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives during a Performance Period. An Award of Performance Units may also require the completion of a specified period of employment or service.

 

(gg)   Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or other entity.

 

(hh)  “ Plan ” means the Inspired Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

(ii)   Qualified Performance-Based Award ” means an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Performance Award that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(jj)    Restricted Stock ” means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 6 hereof that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

 

(kk)  Restricted Stock Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Restricted Stock Award.

 

(ll)    Restricted Stock Unit ” means a notional unit representing the right to receive one share of Stock (or the cash value of one share of Stock, if so determined by the Committee at the time of grant) on a specified settlement date.

 

(mm)  RSU Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award of Restricted Stock Units.

 

(nn) SAR Agreement ” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award of Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(oo)   Securities Act ” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder and any successor provisions, rules and regulations thereto.

 

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(pp) Service Recipient ” means, with respect to a Participant holding an Award, either the Company or an Affiliate of the Company by which the original recipient of such Award is, or following a Termination was most recently, principally employed or to which such original recipient provides, or following a Termination was most recently providing, services, as applicable.

 

(qq) Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, and such other securities as may be substituted for such stock pursuant to Section 11 hereof.

 

(rr)  Stock Appreciation Right ” means a conditional right to receive an amount equal to the value of the appreciation in the Stock over a specified period. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be settled in Stock or, to the extent provided in the Award Agreement, cash or a combination thereof.

 

(ss)  Substitute Award ” shall mean an award granted under the Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, including, without limitation, a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an Award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

 

(tt)   Termination ” means the termination of a Participant’s employment or service, as applicable, with the Service Recipient; provided, however, that, if so determined by the Committee at the time of any change in status in relation to the Service Recipient ( e.g. , a Participant ceases to be an employee and begins providing services as a consultant, or vice versa), such change in status will not be deemed a Termination hereunder. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event that the Service Recipient ceases to be an Affiliate of the Company (by reason of sale, divestiture, spin-off, or other similar transaction), unless a Participant’s employment or service is transferred to another entity that would constitute the Service Recipient immediately following such transaction, such Participant shall be deemed to have suffered a Termination hereunder as of the date of the consummation of such transaction. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Participant’s change in status in relation to the Service Recipient (for example, a change from employee to consultant) shall not be deemed a Termination hereunder with respect to any Awards constituting “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code that are payable upon a Termination unless such change in status constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any payments in respect of an Award constituting nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code that are payable upon a Termination shall be delayed for such period as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. On the first business day following the expiration of such period, the Participant shall be paid, in a single lump sum without interest, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule applicable to such Award.

 

3.     Administration.

 

(a)   Authority of the Committee . Except as otherwise provided below, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have full and final authority, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to (1) select Eligible Persons to become Participants, (2) grant Awards, (3) determine the type, number of shares of Stock subject to, other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards, (4) prescribe Award Agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant) and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, (5) construe and interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and correct defects, supply omissions, and reconcile inconsistencies therein, (6) subject to applicable law, suspend the right to exercise Awards during any period that the Committee deems appropriate to comply with applicable securities laws, and thereafter extend the exercise period of an Award by an equivalent period of time or such shorter period required by, or necessary to comply with, applicable law, (7) accelerate the vesting of any outstanding Award at any time and for any reason (including, without limitation, by taking action such that (A) any or all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become exercisable in part or in full, (B) all or a portion of any period of restriction applicable to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units shall lapse, (C) all or a portion of the Performance Period applicable to any outstanding Awards shall lapse, or (D) the Performance Objectives (if any) applicable to any outstanding Award shall be deemed to be satisfied at the target or any other level), and (8) make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Any action taken by the Committee in good faith shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all Persons, including, without limitation, the Company, its stockholders and Affiliates, Eligible Persons, Participants, and beneficiaries of Participants. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall have the authority to take all actions under the Plan that the Committee is permitted to take.

 

(b)   Delegation . To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may delegate to the Board, a member of the Board or an executive officer of the Company, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions under the Plan, as the Committee may determine to be appropriate; provided, however, that (i) the Committee may not delegate its power and authority to the Board or any executive officer of the Company with regard to the grant of an Award to any Person who is a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code or who, in the Committee’s judgment, is likely to be a covered employee at any time during the period an Award hereunder to such Person would be outstanding, and (ii) the Committee may not delegate its power and authority to a member of the Board or any executive officer of the Company with regard to the selection for participation in this Plan of an officer, director or other Person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or decisions concerning the timing, pricing or amount of an Award to such an officer, director or other Person. The Committee may appoint agents, including employees, to assist it in administering the Plan. Any actions taken in accordance with delegated authority pursuant to this Section 3(b) within the scope of such delegation shall, for all purposes under the Plan, be deemed to be an action taken by the Committee.

 

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(c)    Section 409A; Section 457A . The Committee shall take into account compliance with Sections 409A and 457A of the Code in connection with any grant of an Award under the Plan, to the extent applicable. While the Awards granted hereunder are intended to be structured in a manner to avoid the imposition of any penalty taxes under Sections 409A and 457A of the Code, in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on a Participant as a result of Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code or any similar state or local laws (other than for withholding obligations or other obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A or Section 457A of the Code).

 

(d)   Section 162(m) . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with regard to any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, any action or determination by the Committee shall be permitted only to the extent such action or determination would be permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Plan has been adopted by the Board, with respect to Awards intended to be “performance-based” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan shall be limited, construed and interpreted in a manner so as to comply therewith.

 

(e)   Certain Limitations . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Appreciation Rights, or other Stock-based Award, under the Plan (other than any Award to a non-employee director) shall include conditions to the vesting of such Award or the delivery of Stock thereunder that are no more favorable to the Participant than those set forth on Annex A hereto.

 

4.     Shares Available Under the Plan; Other Limitations.

 

(a)    Number of Shares Available for Delivery . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 hereof, the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan shall equal 1 the lesser of (x) 3,250,000 shares of Stock or (y) 12% of the shares of Stock issued and outstanding upon consummation of the acquisition and other transactions contemplated by the Share Sale Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2016, as it may be amended, by and among the Company and, inter alia , those persons identified on Schedule I thereto (the “ Business Combination ”) and after giving effect to the issuance of shares under the Plan (but not the issuance of any Earn-out shares in connection with the Business Combination or shares issuable pursuant to outstanding warrants). Shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares or previously issued shares of Stock reacquired by the Company on the open market or by private purchase.

 

(b)   Share Counting Rules . The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double-counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem awards) and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award. To the extent that an Award expires or is canceled, forfeited, settled in cash, or otherwise terminated without delivery to the Participant of the full number of shares of Stock to which the Award related, the undelivered shares of Stock will again be available for grant. Shares of Stock subject to an Award under the Plan shall not again be available for issuance under the Plan if such shares are (i) shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the withholding taxes for Awards, (ii) shares that were subject to an Option or a Stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right and were not issued or delivered upon the net settlement or net exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right (including, without limitation, any shares withheld to pay the purchase price of or withholding taxes for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right), (iii) shares delivered to the Company to pay the purchase price related to an outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right or (iv) shares repurchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds of an option exercise. The number of shares of Stock available for awards under the Plan shall not be reduced by the number of shares of Stock subject to Substitute Awards. Shares of Stock to be delivered under the Plan shall be made available from authorized and unissued shares of Stock, or authorized and issued shares of Stock reacquired and held as treasury shares or otherwise or a combination thereof.

 

 

1 Number of shares available for delivery is: 2,778,818, representing 12% of outstanding common stock under Section 4(a) calculation.

 

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(c)    162(m) Limitation; Director Limits; Incentive Stock Options .

 

(1)   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at all times when the Company is subject to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, (i) the maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to which any combination of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Performance Awards, in each case and to the extent the Award is intended to be a Qualified Performance-Based Award, may be granted to any individual in any one calendar year shall not exceed 1,000,000 shares of Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 hereof) and (ii) the maximum value of the aggregate payment that any individual may receive with respect to a Qualified Performance-Based Award that is valued in dollars in respect of any annual Performance Period is $2,000,000 .

 

(2)   The maximum value of the aggregate cash compensation that may be paid to any non-employee director of the Company and the grant date Fair Market Value of shares of Stock that may be granted to any non-employee director of the Company (whether in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or other Stock-Based Award) during any one calendar year shall not exceed $250,000.

 

(3)   No more than 3,250,000 2 shares of Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 hereof) reserved for issuance hereunder may be issued or transferred upon exercise or settlement of Incentive Stock Options.

 

(d)   Shares Available Under Acquired Plans . Additionally, to the extent permitted by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c) or other applicable stock exchange rules, subject to applicable law, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio of formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards could have been made under the terms of such pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

5.     Options.

 

(a)    General . Certain Options granted under the Plan may be intended to be Incentive Stock Options; however, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted hereunder following the 10 th anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board and (ii) the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan. Options may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company or an Affiliate (as such definition is limited pursuant to Section 2(o) hereof) of the Company. The provisions of separate Options shall be set forth in separate Option Agreements, which agreements need not be identical. No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on Options.

 

(b)    Term . The term of each Option shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable after, and each Option shall expire, ten (10) years from the date it was granted (or five years in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a 10% stockholder).

 

(c)    Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Stock for each Option shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant, subject to Section 5(g) hereof in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a 10% stockholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of Stock for such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant; provided, that such exercise price is determined in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

(d)   Payment for Stock . Payment for shares of Stock acquired pursuant to an Option granted hereunder shall be made in full upon exercise of the Option in a manner approved by the Committee and set forth in the Option Agreement, which may include any of the following payment methods: (1) in immediately available funds in U.S. dollars, or by certified or bank cashier’s check, (2) by delivery of shares of Stock having a value equal to the exercise price, (3) by a broker-assisted cashless exercise in accordance with procedures approved by the Committee, whereby payment of the Option exercise price or tax withholding obligations may be satisfied, in whole or in part, with shares of Stock subject to the Option by delivery of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker (on a form prescribed by the Committee) to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate exercise price and, if applicable, the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s withholding obligations, or (4) by any other means approved by the Committee (including, without limitation, by delivery of a notice of “net exercise” to the Company, pursuant to which the Participant shall receive the number of shares of Stock underlying the Option so exercised reduced by the number of shares of Stock equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option divided by the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Committee determines that any form of payment available hereunder would be in violation of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, such form of payment shall not be available.

 

 

2 Maximum is 2,778,818 (as determined under Section 4(a) above).

 

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(e)   Vesting . Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Option at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee or in the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, the vesting of an Option shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason. If an Option is exercisable in installments, such installments or portions thereof that become exercisable shall remain exercisable until the Option expires, is canceled or otherwise terminates.

 

(f)     Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in an Option Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise:

 

(1)   In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date for any reason other than (i) by the Service Recipient for Cause, or (ii) by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability, (A) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Options outstanding shall cease, (B) all of such Participant’s unvested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (C) all of such Participant’s vested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date and (y) the date that is ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination.

 

(2)   In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability, (i) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Options outstanding shall cease, (ii) all of such Participant’s unvested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (iii) all of such Participant’s vested Options outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date and (y) the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such Termination. In the event of a Participant’s death, such Participant’s Options shall remain exercisable by the Person or Persons to whom such Participant’s rights under the Options pass by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution for such time as the Options would have remained exercisable had the Participant been alive, but only to the extent that the Options were vested at the time of such Termination.

 

(3)   In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by the Service Recipient for Cause, all of such Participant’s Options outstanding (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of such Termination.

 

(g)    Special Provisions Applicable to Incentive Stock Options .

 

(1)   No Incentive Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Person who, at the time the Option is granted, owns directly, or indirectly within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code, stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary thereof (a “ 10% stockholder ”), unless such Incentive Stock Option (i) has an exercise price of at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of the grant of such Option and (ii) cannot be exercised more than five (5) years after the date it is granted.

 

(2)   To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of Stock for which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit specified in the Code), such excess Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.

 

(3)   Each Participant who receives an Incentive Stock Option must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Participant makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option.

 

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6.     Restricted Stock.

 

(a)   General . Restricted Stock may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Awards of Restricted Stock shall be set forth in separate Restricted Stock Agreements, which agreements need not be identical. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6(b) hereof, and except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement, the Participant shall generally have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise set forth in a Participant’s Restricted Stock Agreement, cash dividends and stock dividends, if any, with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and shall be subject to forfeiture to the same degree as the shares of Restricted Stock to which such dividends relate; provided, however, notwithstanding anything in the Restricted Stock Agreement to the contrary, dividends with respect to shares of Stock that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions, shall be deposited with the Company and shall be subject to the same restrictions as the shares of Stock with respect to which such distribution was made. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no interest will accrue or be paid on the amount of any cash dividends withheld.

 

(b)   Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer . Restricted Stock shall vest in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Award of Restricted Stock at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee or set forth in the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, the vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason. In addition to any other restrictions set forth in a Participant’s Restricted Stock Agreement, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, or otherwise encumber the Restricted Stock prior to the time the Restricted Stock has vested pursuant to the terms of the Restricted Stock Agreement.

 

(c)   Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in a Restricted Stock Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, in the event of a Participant’s Termination for any reason prior to the time that such Participant’s Restricted Stock has vested, (1) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Restricted Stock outstanding shall cease, and (2) as soon as practicable following such Termination, the Company shall repurchase from the Participant, and the Participant shall sell, all of such Participant’s unvested shares of Restricted Stock at a purchase price equal to the lesser of the (x) Fair Market Value of the Restricted Stock as of the date of Termination or (y) the original purchase price paid for the Restricted Stock; provided that, if the original purchase price paid for the Restricted Stock is equal to zero dollars ($0), such unvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited to the Company by the Participant for no consideration as of the date of such Termination.

 

7.     Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a)   General . Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Restricted Stock Units shall be set forth in separate RSU Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.

 

(b)   Vesting . Restricted Stock Units shall vest in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in an RSU Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Restricted Stock Unit at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee or in the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason.

 

(c)    Settlement . Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in Stock, cash, or other property, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, on the date or dates determined by the Committee and set forth in an RSU Agreement. Unless otherwise set forth in a Participant’s RSU Agreement, a Participant shall not be entitled to dividends, if any, or dividend equivalents with respect to Restricted Stock Units prior to settlement; provided, however, notwithstanding anything in the RSU Agreement to the contrary, any dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to RSUs that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions shall be subject to the same restrictions as such RSUs.

 

(d)   Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in an RSU Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, in the event of a Participant’s Termination for any reason prior to the time that such Participant’s Restricted Stock Units have been settled, (1) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Restricted Stock Units outstanding shall cease, (2) all of such Participant’s unvested Restricted Stock Units outstanding shall be forfeited for no consideration as of such Termination, and (3) any shares remaining undelivered with respect to vested Restricted Stock Units then held by such Participant shall be delivered in accordance with the RSU Agreement.

 

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8.     Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a)   General . Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Stock Appreciation Rights shall be set forth in separate SAR Agreements, which agreements need not be identical. No dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(b)   Term . The term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder shall be exercisable after, and each Stock Appreciation Right shall expire, ten (10) years from the date it was granted.

 

(c)    Base Price . The base price per share of Stock for each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Committee at the time of grant and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the base price per share of Stock for such Stock Appreciation Right may be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant; provided, that such base price is determined in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(d)   Vesting . Stock Appreciation Rights shall vest and become exercisable in such manner, on such date or dates, or upon the achievement of performance or other conditions, in each case as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in a SAR Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any such vesting dates, the Committee may in its sole discretion accelerate the vesting of any Stock Appreciation Right at any time and for any reason. Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Committee or in the applicable Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, the vesting of a Stock Appreciation Right shall occur only while the Participant is employed by or rendering services to the Service Recipient, and all vesting shall cease upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason. If a Stock Appreciation Right is exercisable in installments, such installments or portions thereof that become exercisable shall remain exercisable until the Stock Appreciation Right expires, is canceled or otherwise terminates.

 

(e)   Payment upon Exercise . Payment upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right may be made in cash, Stock, or other property as specified in the SAR Agreement, in each case having a value in respect of each share of Stock underlying the portion of the Stock Appreciation Right so exercised, equal to the difference between the base price of such Stock Appreciation Right and the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the exercise date. For purposes of clarity, each share of Stock to be issued in settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right is deemed to have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the exercise date. In no event shall fractional shares be issuable upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, and in the event that fractional shares would otherwise be issuable, the number of shares issuable will be rounded down to the next lower whole number of shares, and the Participant shall not be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the value of such fractional share.

 

(f)    Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in a SAR Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise:

 

(1)   In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date for any reason other than (i) by the Service Recipient for Cause, or (ii) by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability, (A) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall cease, (B) all of such Participant’s unvested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (C) all of such Participant’s vested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date and (y) the date that is ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination.

 

(2)   In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability, (i) all vesting with respect to such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall cease, (ii) all of such Participant’s unvested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of the date of such Termination, and (iii) all of such Participant’s vested Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding shall terminate and be forfeited for no consideration on the earlier of (x) the applicable Expiration Date and (y) the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such Termination. In the event of a Participant’s death, such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights shall remain exercisable by the Person or Persons to whom such Participant’s rights under the Stock Appreciation Rights pass by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution for such time as the Stock Appreciation Rights would have remained exercisable had the Participant been alive, but only to the extent that the Stock Appreciation Rights were vested at the time of such Termination.

 

(3)   In the event of a Participant’s Termination prior to the applicable Expiration Date by the Service Recipient for Cause, all of such Participant’s Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and be forfeited for no consideration as of such Termination.

 

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9.     Performance Awards.

 

(a)    General . Performance Awards may be granted to Eligible Persons in such form and having such terms and conditions as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate Performance Awards, including, without limitation, the determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payout of Performance Awards, shall be set forth in separate Performance Award Agreements, which agreements need not be identical. Cash dividends and stock dividends, if any, with respect to the Performance Shares shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and shall be subject to forfeiture to the same degree as the Performance Shares to which such dividends relate and a Participant shall not be entitled to dividends, if any, or dividend equivalents with respect to Performance Units that are not earned and vested. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no interest will accrue or be paid on the amount of any cash dividends withheld.

 

(b)    Value of Performance Awards . Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each Performance Share shall represent a share of Stock as of the date of grant. Each Performance Award Agreement in respect of any Performance Cash Award shall specify the dollar amount payable under the Performance Cash Award. In addition to any other non-performance terms included in the Performance Award Agreement, the Committee shall set the applicable Performance Objectives in its discretion, which objectives, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the value and number of Performance Units or Performance Shares, or the value of a Performance Cash Award, as the case may be, that will be paid out to the Participant.

 

(c)    Earning of Performance Awards . Upon the expiration of the applicable Performance Period or other non-performance-based vesting period, if longer, the holder of a Performance Award shall be entitled to receive the following payouts: (1) if the holder holds Performance Units or Performance Shares, payout on the value and number of the applicable Performance Units or Performance Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, or (2) if the holder holds a Performance Cash Award, payout on the value of the Performance Cash Award earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, in any case, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Objectives have been achieved and any other non-performance-based terms met.

 

(d)    Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Awards . Payment of earned Performance Awards shall be as determined by the Committee and as evidenced in the Performance Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Performance Award Agreement shall specify whether the earned Performance Units and Performance Shares may be paid in the form of cash, Stock, or other Awards (or in any combination thereof) equal to the value of the earned Performance Units or Performance Shares, as the case may be, at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable after the end of the Performance Period. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, earned Performance Cash Awards shall be paid in cash. Any cash, Stock, or other Awards issued in connection with a Performance Award may be issued subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee.

 

(e)     Termination of Employment or Service . Except as provided by the Committee in a Performance Award Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, if, prior to the end of an applicable Performance Period, a Participant undergoes a Termination for any reason, all of such Participant’s Performance Awards shall be forfeited by the Participant to the Company for no consideration, and any shares remaining undelivered with respect to the Participant’s vested Performance Awards will be delivered in accordance with the Award Agreement.

 

(f)     Performance Objectives .

 

(1)   Each Performance Award shall specify the Performance Objectives that must be achieved before such Performance Award shall become earned. The Company may also specify a minimum acceptable level of achievement below which no payment will be made and may set forth a formula for determining the amount of any payment to be made if performance is at or above such minimum acceptable level but falls short of the maximum achievement of the specified Performance Objectives.

 

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(2)   With respect to Qualified Performance-Based Awards and to the extent required to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, Performance Objectives shall be based on specified levels of or increases in one or more of the following business criteria (alone or in combination with any other criterion, whether gross or net, before or after taxes, and/or before or after other adjustments, as determined by the Committee in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code): (i) earnings, including, without limitation, net earnings, total earnings, operating earnings, earnings growth, operating income, earnings before or after taxes, earnings before or after interest, depreciation, amortization, book value per share, tangible book value or growth in book value per share; (ii) pre-tax income or after tax income; (iii) earnings per share (basic or diluted); (iv) operating profit; (v) revenue, revenue growth, or rate of revenue growth; (vi) return on assets (gross or net), return on investment, return on capital, return on equity, or internal rates of return; (vii) returns on sales or revenues; (viii) operating expenses; (ix) stock price appreciation; (x) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations or cash flow in excess of cost of capital, working capital turnover; (xii) economic value created; (xiii) cumulative earnings per share growth; (xiv) operating margin, profit margin, or gross margin; (xv) stock price or total stockholder return; (xvi) cost or expense targets, reductions and savings, productivity and efficiencies; (xvii) sales or sales growth; (xviii) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration, market share, geographic business expansion, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, human resources management, supervision of litigation, information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions, divestitures or joint ventures; and (xix) to the extent that an Award is not intended to be a Qualified Performance-Based Award, other measures of performance selected by the Committee. Performance Objectives may be established on a Company-wide basis, project or geographical basis or, as the context permits, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, lines of business or business segments, subsidiaries, products, or other operational units or administrative departments of the Company (or any combination thereof) or may be related to the performance of an individual Participant and may be expressed in absolute terms, or relative or comparative to (A) current internal targets or budgets, (B) the past performance of the Company (including, without limitation, the performance of one or more subsidiaries, divisions, or operating units), (C) the performance of one or more similarly situated companies, (D) the performance of an index covering multiple companies, or (E) other external measures of the selected performance criteria. Performance Objectives may be in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies.

 

(3)   The business criteria mentioned above (i) may be combined with cost of capital, assets, invested capital and/or stockholders’ equity to form an appropriate measure of performance and (ii) shall have any reasonable definitions that the Committee may specify in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. Unless specified otherwise by the Committee (i) in the Performance Award Agreement at the time the Performance Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Objectives at the time the Performance Objectives are established, the Committee, in its sole discretion, will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Objectives for a Performance Period to provide for objectively determinable adjustments, modifications or amendments, as determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“ GAAP ”), to any one or more of the business criteria described above for one or more of the following items of gain, loss, profit or expense: (A) determined to be extraordinary, unusual infrequently occurring, or non-recurring in nature; (B) related to changes in accounting principles under GAAP or tax laws; (C) related to currency fluctuations; (D) related to financing activities ( e.g. , effect on earnings per share of issuing convertible debt securities); (E) related to restructuring, divestitures, productivity initiatives or new business initiatives; (F) related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of business under GAAP; (G) attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the fiscal year; (H) non-operating items; and (I) acquisition or divestiture expenses.

 

(g)   Section 162(m) Compliance . Unless otherwise permitted in compliance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to a Performance Award intended to be a Qualified Performance-Based Award, the Committee will establish the Performance Objectives applicable to, and the formula for calculating the amount payable under, the Performance Award no later than the earlier of (a) the date ninety (90) days after the commencement of the applicable Performance Period, and (b) the date on which twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, and in any event at a time when the achievement of the applicable Performance Objectives remains substantially uncertain. Prior to the payment of any compensation under a Performance Award intended to be a Qualified Performance-Based Award, the Committee will certify the extent to which any Performance Objectives and any other material terms under such Performance Award have been satisfied (other than in cases where such Performance Objectives relate solely to the increase in the value of the Stock).

 

10.   Other Stock or Cash-Based Awards.

 

The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based upon or related to Stock or cash (including annual or long-term performance Awards payable in cash), as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. The Committee may also grant Stock as a bonus (whether or not subject to any vesting requirements or other restrictions on transfer), and may grant other Awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or an Affiliate to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Committee. The terms and conditions applicable to such Awards shall be determined by the Committee and evidenced by Award Agreements, which agreements need not be identical.

 

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11.   Adjustment for Recapitalization, Merger, etc.

 

(a)    Capitalization Adjustments . The aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be delivered in connection with Awards (as set forth in Section 4 hereof), the numerical share limits in Section 4 hereof, the number of shares of Stock covered by each outstanding Award, and the price per share of Stock underlying each such Award shall be equitably and proportionally adjusted or substituted by the Committee as to the number, price, or kind of a share of Stock or other consideration subject to such Awards in the event of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, or any successor or replacement accounting standard) that causes the per share value of Stock to change, such as stock dividends, recapitalizations through extraordinary cash dividends, stock splits, and reverse stock splits, occurring after the date of grant of any such Award; provided, however, that any such adjustments to be made in the case of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be made without an increase in the aggregate purchase price or base price and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, including, without limitation, a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or partial or complete liquidation of the Company, such equitable adjustments described in the previous sentence may be made as determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights of Participants. The decision of the Committee regarding any such adjustments shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

(b)   Corporate Events . Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, Participant Agreement or otherwise, in connection with a Change in Control or the reorganization, dissolution or liquidation of the Company (each, a “ Corporate Event ”), the Committee may, in its discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

 

(1)   The assumption or substitution of any or all Awards in connection with such Corporate Event, in which case the Awards shall be subject to the adjustment set forth in subsection (a) above, and to the extent that such Awards are Performance Awards or other Awards that vest subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives or similar performance criteria, such Performance Objectives or similar performance criteria shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect the Corporate Event;

 

(2)   The acceleration of vesting of any or all Awards not assumed or substituted in connection with such Corporate Event, subject to the consummation of such Corporate Event; provided that any Performance Awards or other Awards that vest subject to the achievement of Performance Objectives or similar performance criteria will be deemed earned based on actual performance through the date of the Corporate Event or (ii) at the target level (or if no target is specified, the maximum level), in the event actual performance cannot be measured through the date of the Corporate Event, in each case, with respect to any unexpired Performance Periods or Performance Periods for which satisfaction of the Performance Objectives or other material terms for the applicable Performance Period has not been certified by the Committee prior to the date of the Corporate Event;

 

(3)   The cancellation of any or all Awards (whether vested or unvested) as of the consummation of such Corporate Event, together with the payment to the Participants holding Awards (whether vested or unvested) so canceled of an amount in respect of cancellation equal to the amount payable pursuant to any Performance Cash Award or, with respect to other Awards, an amount based upon the per-share consideration being paid for the Stock in connection with such Corporate Event, less, in the case of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards subject to exercise, the applicable exercise, base or purchase price; provided, however, that holders of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards subject to exercise shall be entitled to consideration in respect of cancellation of such Awards only if the per-share consideration less the applicable exercise, base or purchase price is greater than zero dollars ($0), and to the extent that the per-share consideration is less than or equal to the applicable exercise, base or purchase price, such Awards shall be canceled for no consideration;

 

(4)   The cancellation of any or all Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards subject to exercise (whether vested or unvested) as of the consummation of such Corporate Event; provided that all Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards to be so canceled pursuant to this paragraph (4) shall first become exercisable for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to such Corporate Event (whether vested or unvested), with any exercise during such period of any unvested Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or other Awards to be (A) contingent upon and subject to the occurrence of the Corporate Event, and (B) effectuated by such means as are approved by the Committee; and

 

(5)   The replacement of any or all Awards (other than Awards that are intended to qualify as “stock rights” that do not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) with a cash incentive program that preserves the economic value of the Awards so replaced (determined as of the consummation of the Corporate Event), with subsequent payment of cash incentives subject to the same vesting conditions and payment terms as applicable to the Awards so replaced.

 

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Payments to holders pursuant to paragraph (3) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, and to the extent applicable, in the form of such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or a combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the transaction if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such transaction, the holder of the number of shares of Stock covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable exercise or base price). In addition, in connection with any Corporate Event, prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this subsection (b), the Committee may require a Participant to (A) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to his or her Awards, (B) bear such Participant’s pro-rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Stock, and (C) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee. The Committee need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Committee may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of an Award.

 

(c)   Fractional Shares . Any adjustment provided under this Section 11 may, in the Committee’s discretion, provide for the elimination of any fractional share that might otherwise become subject to an Award. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares so eliminated.

 

12.   Use of Proceeds.

 

The proceeds received from the sale of Stock pursuant to the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.

 

13.   Rights and Privileges as a Stockholder.

 

Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan, no Person shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of Stock ownership in respect of shares of Stock that are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued to that Person.

 

14.   Transferability of Awards.

 

Awards may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and to the extent subject to exercise, Awards may not be exercised during the lifetime of the grantee other than by the grantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to Incentive Stock Options, Awards and a Participant’s rights under the Plan shall be transferable for no value to the extent provided in an Award Agreement or otherwise determined at any time by the Committee and to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

15.   Employment or Service Rights.

 

No individual shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for the grant of any other Award. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any individual any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company. Except as provided otherwise in an Award Agreement, for purposes of the Plan, references to employment by the Company shall also mean employment by an Affiliate of the Company, and references to employment shall include service as a non-employee director, consultant, independent contractor or agent.

 

16.   Compliance with Laws.

 

The obligation of the Company to deliver Stock upon issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement of any Award shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act (or with a similar non-U.S. regulatory agency pursuant to a similar law or regulation) or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale or resale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan or any shares of Stock to be issued upon exercise or settlement of Awards. If the shares of Stock offered for sale or sold under the Plan are offered or sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, the Company may restrict the transfer of such shares and may legend the Stock certificates representing such shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.

 

14  

 

 

17.   Withholding Obligations.

 

As a condition to the issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement of any Award (or upon the making of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code), the Committee may require that a Participant satisfy, through deduction or withholding from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant, or through such other arrangements as are satisfactory to the Committee, the minimum amount of all federal, state, and local income and other taxes of any kind required or permitted to be withheld in connection with such issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement (or election). The Committee, in its discretion, may permit shares of Stock to be used to satisfy tax withholding requirements, and such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the issuance, vesting, exercise, or settlement date of the Award, as applicable; provided, however, that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the number of shares of Stock that may be used to satisfy tax withholding requirements may not exceed the minimum statutorily required withholding amount with respect to such Award (unless the Committee determines, in its discretion, that a greater number of shares of Stock may be used to satisfy tax withholding requirements without resulting in adverse accounting treatment under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor pronouncement thereto)).

 

18.   Amendment of the Plan or Awards.

 

(a)    Amendment of Plan . The Board or the Committee may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time.

 

(b)   Amendment of Awards . The Board or the Committee may amend the terms of any one or more Awards at any time and from time to time.

 

(c)    Stockholder Approval; No Material Impairment . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment to the Plan or any Award shall be effective without stockholder approval to the extent that such approval is required pursuant to applicable law or the applicable rules of each national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed. Additionally, no amendment to any Award shall materially impair a Participant’s rights under any outstanding Award unless the Participant consents in writing (it being understood that no action taken by the Board or the Committee that is expressly permitted under the Plan, including, without limitation, any actions described in Section 11 hereof, shall constitute an amendment to the Plan or an Award for such purpose). Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, and without an affected Participant’s consent, the Board or the Committee may amend the terms of the Plan or any one or more Awards from time to time as necessary to bring such Awards into compliance with applicable law, including, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code.

 

(d)    No Repricing of Awards Without Stockholder Approval . Notwithstanding subsection (a) or (b) above, or any other provision of the Plan, the repricing of Awards shall not be permitted without stockholder approval. For this purpose, a “ repricing ” means any of the following (or any other action that has the same effect as any of the following): (1) changing the terms of an Award to lower its exercise or base price (other than on account of capital adjustments resulting from share splits, etc., as described in Section 11(a) hereof), (2) any other action that is treated as a repricing under GAAP or applicable stock exchange rules, and (3) repurchasing for cash or canceling an Award in exchange for another Award at a time when its exercise or base price is greater than the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock, unless the cancellation and exchange occurs in connection with an event set forth in Section 11(b) hereof.

 

19.   Termination or Suspension of the Plan.

 

The Board or the Committee may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated; provided, however, that following any suspension or termination of the Plan, the Plan shall remain in effect for the purpose of governing all Awards then outstanding hereunder until such time as all Awards under the Plan have been terminated, forfeited, or otherwise canceled, or earned, exercised, settled, or otherwise paid out, in accordance with their terms.

 

20.   Effective Date of the Plan.

 

The Plan is effective as of the Effective Date, subject to (a) stockholder approval of the Plan 3 and (b) consummation of the Business Combination 4 .

 

21.   Miscellaneous.

 

(a)    Certificates . Stock acquired pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that (1) such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Stock, (2) the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and (3) the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, that the Stock shall be held in book-entry form rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of any applicable restrictions.

 

 

3 Stockholder approval obtained December 22, 2016. 

4 Business Combination was consummated December 23, 2016.

   

15  

 

 

(b)   Other Benefits . No Award granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefits under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.

 

(c)    Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards . Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records ( e . g ., Committee consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms ( e .g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares of Stock) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement as a result of a clerical error in connection with the preparation of the Award Agreement, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement.

 

(d)   Awards Subject to Clawback . Except to the extent prohibited by law, the Awards granted under this Plan and any cash payment or Shares delivered pursuant to an Award are subject to forfeiture, recovery by the Company or other action pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement, Participant Agreement or any clawback or recoupment policy which the Company may adopt from time to time, including, without limitation, any such policy which the Company may be required to adopt under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and implementing rules and regulations thereunder, or as otherwise required by law; provided, however, except as otherwise required by applicable law, the applicable clawback or recoupment policy with respect to an Award shall be the policy that was in effect on the date of grant with respect to such Award.

 

(e)    Non-Exempt Employees . If an Option is granted to an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates in the United States who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option will not be first exercisable for any shares of Stock until at least six (6) months following the date of grant of the Option (although the Option may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (1) if such employee dies or suffers a Disability, (2) upon a Corporate Event in which such Option is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (3) upon a Change in Control, or (4) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the applicable Award Agreement or a Participant Agreement, or, if no such definition exists, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options held by such employee may be exercised earlier than six (6) months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Award will be exempt from such employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 21(e) will apply to all Awards.

 

(f)     Data Privacy . As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use, and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 21(f) by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, and managing the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. In furtherance of such implementation, administration, and management, the Company and its Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), information regarding any securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and details of all Awards (the “ Data ”). In addition to transferring the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan, the Company and its Affiliates may each transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. Recipients of the Data may be located in the Participant’s country or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country and any given recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Stock. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant, or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Company may cancel the Participant’s eligibility to participate in the Plan, and in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.

 

16  

 

 

(g)   Participants Outside of the United States . The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan made to or held by a Participant who is then a resident, or is primarily employed or providing services, outside of the United States in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that such Award shall conform to laws, regulations, and customs of the country in which the Participant is then a resident or primarily employed or providing services, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by non–U.S. tax laws and other restrictions applicable as a result of the Participant’s residence, employment, or providing services abroad, shall be comparable to the value of such Award to a Participant who is a resident, or is primarily employed or providing services, in the United States. An Award may be modified under this Section 21(g) in a manner that is inconsistent with the express terms of the Plan, so long as such modifications will not contravene any applicable law or regulation or result in actual liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act for the Participant whose Award is modified. Additionally, the Committee may adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Eligible Persons who are non–U.S. nationals or are primarily employed or providing services outside the United States.

 

(h)   Change in Time Commitment . In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company or any of its Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an employee of the Company and the employee has a change in status from a full-time employee to a part-time employee) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Committee has the right in its sole discretion to (i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares of Stock subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction and to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.

 

(i)     No Liability of Committee Members, etc . Neither any member of the Committee nor any of the Committee’s permitted delegates shall be liable personally by reason of any contract or other instrument executed by such member or on his or her behalf in his or her capacity as a member of the Committee or a delegate or for any mistake of judgment made in good faith, and the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee and each other employee, officer, or director of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan may be allocated or delegated, against all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, counsel fees) and liabilities (including, without limitation, sums paid in settlement of a claim) arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan, unless arising out of such Person’s own fraud or willful misconduct; provided, however, that approval of the Board shall be required for the payment of any amount in settlement of a claim against any such Person. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such Persons may be entitled under the Company’s certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws, each as may be amended from time to time, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

(j)     Payments Following Accidents or Illness . If the Committee shall find that any Person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his or her affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such Person or his or her estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his or her spouse, child, or other relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such Person, or any other Person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such Person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

 

(k)    Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

(l)     Electronic Delivery . Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document or “writing” will include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled or authorized by the Company to which the Participant has access) to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

(m)   Funding . No provision of the Plan shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company be required to maintain separate bank accounts, books, records, or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees and service providers under general law.

 

(n)    Reliance on Reports . Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in relying, acting, or failing to act, and shall not be liable for having so relied, acted, or failed to act in good faith, upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company and its Affiliates and upon any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any Person or Persons other than such member.

 

17  

 

 

(o)   Titles and Headings . The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

 

* * *

 

18  

 

 

ANNEX A

 

Vesting Dates and Conditions; Acceleration

Vesting.  Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will be subject to the following vesting conditions (in each case, subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service on each applicable vesting date except as otherwise provided below in respect of certain accelerated vesting):

 

 

One third (1/3rd) of the award will vest on the First Anniversary (as defined below) (the “ First Tranche ”), provided that a period of at least thirty (30) consecutive trading days has elapsed during which period the average of the closing prices for the Company’s common stock was equal to or greater than the First Tranche Price Threshold (as defined below). If the foregoing condition is not satisfied on such anniversary date, then the First Tranche will vest immediately on the first date thereafter such condition is satisfied.

 

 

An additional one-third (1/3rd) of the award will vest on the Second Anniversary (as defined below) (the “ Second Tranche ”), provided that a period of at least thirty (30) consecutive trading days has elapsed during which period the average of the closing prices for the Company’s common stock was equal to or greater than the Second Tranche Price Threshold (as defined below). (For the avoidance of doubt, and for illustration purposes, if the Second Tranche Price Threshold is achieved within the first 90 days after the Closing Date, the Second Tranche will not vest until the actual date of the Second Anniversary.) If the foregoing condition is not satisfied on such anniversary date, then the Second Tranche will vest immediately on the first date thereafter such condition is satisfied.

 

 

The final one-third (1/3rd) of the award will vest on the Third Anniversary (as defined below) (the “ Third Tranche ”), provided that a period of at least thirty (30) consecutive trading days has elapsed during which period the average of the closing prices for the Company’s common stock was equal to or greater than the Third Tranche Price Threshold (as defined below). (For the avoidance of doubt, and for illustration purposes, if the Third Tranche Price Threshold is achieved within the first 180 days after the Closing Date, the Third Tranche will not vest until the actual date of the Third Anniversary.) If the foregoing condition is not satisfied on such anniversary date, then the Third Tranche will vest immediately on the first date thereafter such condition is satisfied.

 

 

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, any tranche that has not vested as of the fifth anniversary after the Closing Date will be immediately forfeited.

 

  Consultants . Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Consultant’s consulting contract with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) terminates due to the expiration of the consulting term, provided that the Consultant has not breached such consulting contract and has not been terminated for cause, the tranche (if any) that is eligible to vest on the immediately succeeding anniversary of the Closing Date will remain eligible to vest on such anniversary date if the applicable tranche price threshold is satisfied by such anniversary date. This provision shall only apply to a Consultant who has completed at least 60 billing days during the 12-month period preceding and ending on such anniversary date, and shall not apply to awards with respect to any more than 50,000 shares in the aggregate.
   
 

Accelerated Vesting on Change in Control . Upon a Change in Control, each then outstanding and unvested tranche will fully vest immediately prior to such change in control, provided that the Change in Control consideration per share is not less than the applicable tranche price threshold. For purposes of determining the Change in Control consideration per share amount, all earnout, escrowed and/or heldback amounts not paid at the consummation of such Change in Control shall be taken into account.

 

Certain Accelerated Vesting Upon Termination . The applicable Award Agreement may provide that in the event of a Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) by:

 

(1) reason of death or disability; 

(2) termination by the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates) without Cause; or 

(3) termination by the Participant for Good Reason,

 

the unvested portion of any outstanding award will not be forfeited but will remain eligible to vest on the occurrence of the vesting dates described above (including on a Change in Control), in each case, subject to achievement of the applicable tranche price threshold(s), as if the Participant’s employment or service had not been terminated.

 

Applicable

Definitions

 

Closing Date ” means the date of consummation of the Business Combination.

 

First Anniversary ” means the date that is the first anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

First Tranche Price Threshold ” means $12.50 per share.

 

Second Anniversary ” means the date that is the second anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

Second Tranche Price Threshold ” means $15.00 per share.

 

Third Anniversary ” means the date that is the third anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

Third Tranche Price Threshold ” means $17.50 per share.

 

19

 

 

Exhibit 10.14

  

  (INSPIRED LOGO)

 

RE: LA/CL/16041

 

25th October 2017

 

Private & Confidential

Mr S Baker

 

 

Dear Stewart

 

Further to recent discussions, I am writing to confirm that with effect from the 1 st October 2017, your salary will increase to £230,000 per annum.

 

From 1 st October 2017, your pension contributions and bonus calculations will be based on an annual salary of £230,000.

 

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged. Please sign both copies of this letter to accept the above changes and return one copy to the HR Department for inclusion on your personnel file.

 

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for all your hard work and commitment and wish you continued success in your career with Inspired.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

/s/ Luke Alvarez  

 

Luke Alvarez

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

I accept the above changes to my terms and conditions of employment.

 

Signed Date
   
/s/ Stewart Baker October 25, 2017
   

 

 

Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited, Registered in England Number: 03565640

Registered Office: 3, The Maltings, Wetmore Road, Burton-On-Trent

Staffordshire

DE14 1SE

Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited is part of Inspired Gaming Group Limited

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.19

 

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

 

Dated 21 September 2017

 

Inspired Gaming (UK) Ltd

 

- and -

 

David G Wilson

 

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT 

 

  1

 

 

This AGREEMENT is made on 21 September 2017

 

BETWEEN:-

 

(1) Inspired Gaming (UK) Ltd whose registered office is at 3 The Maltings, Wetmore Road, Burton on Trent, Staffs DE14 1SE (the Company) ; and

  

(2) David G Wilson (the Employee)

 

Following discussions regarding the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company, the Company and the Employee have agreed as follows: 

 

1. The Employee’s employment with the Company terminated by reason of redundancy on 21 September 2017, at which time the Employee ceased serving as an officer or director of the Company or any affiliated company (the “Termination Date”).

  

2. The Company will, on the date 14 days from the Termination Date and receipt of the signed Adviser Certificate:

 

2.1 pay to the Employee £280,000, representative of 12 months’ annual salary in lieu of contractual notice and car allowance; and

  

2.2 pay to the Employee an enhanced redundancy payment, as per Inspired policy, of £12,500, which will be free of tax and national insurance; and

  

2.3 pay to the employee the sum of £191,000, in lieu of a bonus payment under the management program for fiscal year 2017; and

  

2.4 make a payment to the Employees’ pension scheme of £20,500; and

  

2.5 pay to the employee an ex-gratia sum of £17,500 which shall be free of tax and national insurance; and

 

 

 

 

2.6 pay salary and ensure that the Employee receives all contractual benefits up to 30 September 2017 (the “Accrual Date”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Company will also provide you and your spouse with health care via the Company’s BUPA scheme as is in place at the relevant time up until the Accrual Date and thereafter for a period of 12 months from the Accrual Date. The Company will also provide you with life insurance until the Accrual Date and thereafter for a period of 12 months from the Accrual Date based on the Company’s Group life assurance policy managed by Punter Southall, subject to: (a) the cover being £1,015,000, subject always to this level of cover being permitted by the life assurance policy provider and if lower, the maximum amount that the life assurance policy provider will permit; (b) the cover being limited to £1,015,000; (b) any exclusions applied by the underwriter of the insurance policy; (c) your compliance with the rules and requirements of the scheme, including but not limited to any requirement to undertake medical examinations; (d) the ongoing ability of the Company to provide such a benefit; and (e) the annual cost to the Company for such cover being no more than £1827.84 failing which the Company shall immediately pay to the Employee the amount of £1827.84 in total. Should the underwriter under the existing Group scheme refuse or be unable to provide a policy then the Company shall be under no obligation to seek an alternative provider or underwriter of life assurance. In addition, in the event that the annual cost to the Company is greater than as set out in point (e) above you will be given the opportunity to pay the difference within 15 days of the date of the provision of such notice otherwise the Company shall be entitled to terminate the benefit forthwith. You will be responsible for the payment of any tax or benefit in kind arising or due as a result of the provision of the BUPA and life insurance benefits set out above, which the Company may deduct at source; and

  

2.7 reimburse the Employee in respect of any properly authorised and approved expenses claims incurred up to the Accrual Date in accordance with the Company’s policies and the Employee warrants that he has notified the Company in writing of all unclaimed expenses incurred prior to the date of this Agreement; and

  

2.8 pay direct to the Employee’s legal/tax advisers, provided the Company receives within 14 days of the date of this Agreement an invoice from them (addressed to the Employee and marked as payable by the Company), their reasonable legal/accountancy fees incurred solely in connection with advising the Employee on the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company, up to a maximum of £2,000 (exclusive of VAT).

  

3  

 

 

3. With respect to the 118,736 Restricted Stock Units (the “First Plan RSUs”) awarded to the Employee under the Inspired Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (a copy of which is set forth in Annex C to the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 23, 2016) and subject to the terms of an Award Agreement between the Employee and the Company dated December 29, 2016, this confirms that the First Plan RSUs will continue to remain assigned to the Employee under the rules of the scheme as set forth in the Award Agreement for a good leaver termination (i.e., termination without “cause” by service recipient) and, accordingly, Employee shall be afforded the exact same treatment at the same time and in the same form, without any additional cost or expense, as any and all other management participants as regards (without limitation) eligibility for vesting, stock registration and access to brokerage services, such that the Employee is not disadvantaged in comparison to other management participants. The Company may not amend the terms of the First Plan RSUs without the Employee’s prior written agreement.

 

With respect to the 22,608 Restricted Stock Units (the “Second Plan RSUs”) awarded to the Employee under the Inspired Entertainment, Inc. Second Long-Term Incentive Plan (set forth as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016) and subject to the terms of the Award Agreement between Employee and the Company dated December 29, 2016, as to which such Units were not eligible to vest until December 23, 2019, the parties hereto mutually agree that all of Employee’s Second Plan RSUs shall be fully cancelled immediately upon the Termination Date, and, in lieu thereof, Employee shall receive payment (subject to applicable withholding taxes) of £180,000 in six equal monthly instalments commencing on 1 October 2017. The Second Plan RSUs and the Award Agreement relating thereto shall be deemed fully terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and Employee further acknowledges that under no circumstances shall he be eligible to receive any other payments or benefits relating to the Second Plan RSUs. If any one of the monthly instalments is not paid by the due date then the entire balance shall become payable immediately. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Employee from any and all withholdings, taxes, charges, gross ups, costs (including but not limited to legal costs), interest, penalties and expenses whatsoever that may arise from the Company’s cancellation or failure to cancel the 2nd Plan RSU, or failure to pay sums due in respect of the same or otherwise howsoever occurring.  

 

4. In consideration of the above:

  

4.1 the Employee accepts the terms of this Agreement in full and final settlement of:

 

4.1.1 the complaints and/or claims listed at Schedule 2 and any other statutory claim and/or complaint; and

 

4.1.2 any contractual claim; and

 

4  

 

 

4.1.3 any other claims

 

which the Employee has or may have now or in the future against the Company or any Group Company or its or their current or former officers, (or any of their employees or workers), employees or workers arising out of or in connection with the Employee’s employment or its termination (whether or not the Employee or the Company could have contemplated such a claim at the date of this Agreement) but excluding any claim in respect of any accrued pension rights or any breach of the Settlement Agreement or personal injury claims of which the Employee is currently unaware which the Employee may have relating to his employment with the Company. The Company confirms that, as at the date of this Agreement, it is not aware of any circumstances relating to the Employee’s employment with the Company and/or directorship(s) that would give rise to any claim by the Company against the Employee and accordingly it has no intention as at the date of this Agreement to make any such claim against the Employee; 

 

4.2 the Employee confirms that he will continue to be bound by:

  

4.2.1 the Employee’s obligations owed to the Company or any other Group Company relating to confidential information; and

 

4.2.2 the Employee’s obligations owed to the Company or any other Group company relating to restrictive covenants save that clause 18.2 of the Employee’s Service Contract dated 1 October 2008 (the Service Contract ), with effect from the date of this Agreement shall only apply in respect of SG Gaming, IGT, Novomatic AG, Gauselmann, Playtech, Betradar, Synot and their Subsidiaries and Affiliates. Affiliate means, in relation to a company, any Subsidiary or Holding Company of that company, and any Subsidiary of a Holding Company of that company, in each case from time to time and Subsidiary and Holding Company shall have the meanings given to them in Section 1159 of the UK Companies Act 2006 (except that for the purposes of the membership requirement in s1159(1)(b) and s1159(1)(c) a company shall be treated as a member of another company even if its shares in that other company are registered (i) in the name of its nominee, or (ii) in the name of a person (or the nominee of that person) who is holding the shares as security);

 

5  

 

 

4.3 the Employee shall not, save as required by law, at any time disclose the terms of this Agreement (other than to the Employee’s immediate family, professional advisers or HM Revenue & Customs) or the circumstances surrounding the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company including details regarding the negotiations leading to this Agreement. The Employee may disclose the reason for the termination of his employment. In addition, the Company shall not disclose the terms of this agreement except as required by HM Revenue & Customs, its legal advisors or otherwise as required by law or necessary business practice or is required because of the public disclosure requirements of any jurisdiction in which the Company is a public reporting or listed company (and any announcement required in this regard shall be shared with the Employee prior to publication);

  

4.4 the Employee undertakes that at any time following the date hereof he will not make and shall use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the making of any disparaging or derogatory statements whether or not the statement is true, whether in writing or otherwise concerning the Company or any Group Company or its or their officers or employees or consultants;

 

4.5 [Intentionally deleted];

  

4.6 except as otherwise set out in clauses 2 and 3 of this Agreement, the Employee acknowledges that, except as set out in this Agreement, there are no sums owed to him by the Company or any Group Company including any payments under any bonus, incentive, commission, share option or similar scheme and that neither the Company nor any Group Company nor the trustees of any such scheme is or shall be liable to make any payment or provide him with shares (not including the First Plan RSUs referred to in paragraph 3) or other benefits under any such scheme;

  

4.7 the Employee undertakes that he will return to Carys Damon at the Company’s London office on 13 October 2017 all property of the Company in his possession or control, including all credit, charge and expense cards, notes, correspondence, keys, security passes, papers, drawings, designs, documents, records, computer disks, computer hardware, computer software and mobile telephones. The Employee shall be entitled to retain his phone number and the Company and the Employee shall work together to ensure that this is takes place within 28 days from the Accrual Date.

  

6  

 

 

5. The Employee warrants that:

  

5.1 to the extent that he has any of the complaints or the claims listed in Schedule 2 these have been asserted by him or by his legal adviser on his behalf to the Company prior to the date of this Agreement;

  

5.2 except for those complaints asserted as indicated in clause 5.1 above, the Employee has no other complaints or claims of any nature against the Company or any Group Company or its or their current or former officers, (or any of their employees or workers), employees or workers, under the Equality Act 2010, the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Working Time Regulations 1998, or any other statutory claim and/or complaint; and

  

5.3 he has taken independent legal advice as to the full nature, terms and effect of this Agreement and in particular its effect on the Employee’s ability to pursue rights before an employment tribunal and will forthwith provide to the Company a letter in the form set out in Schedule 1 to this Agreement from the Employee’s legal adviser duly signed by the Employee’s legal adviser.

  

6. the Employer undertakes that at any time following the date hereof it will not make and shall use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the making of any disparaging or derogatory statements whether in writing or otherwise concerning the Employee.

  

7. The adviser was and is Daniel Wise of Osbourne & Wise 160 Fleet Street, London, EC4 2DQ, a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales whose firm holds a contract of insurance in force or an indemnity provided for members of a professional body covering the risk of a claim by the Employee in respect of loss arising in consequence of the advice.

  

7  

 

 

8. The conditions regulating settlement agreements under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Working Time Regulations 1998, the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Equal Pay Act 1970, and the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 are satisfied.

  

9. The Employee accepts that the Company (for itself and on behalf of the Group Companies) is entering into this Agreement in reliance upon the warranties provided by the Employee in paragraphs 3.5, 3.7 and 4 of this Agreement.

  

10. In this Agreement “Group Company” shall mean any undertaking (other than the Company) which from time to time is the Company’s subsidiary or its ultimate holding company or is a subsidiary of the Company’s ultimate holding company. In this clause the words “subsidiary” and “holding company” shall have the meanings attributed to them by the Companies Act 2006 and ultimate holding company shall mean a holding company which is not also a subsidiary.

 

11. The Employee acknowledges that his obligations under this Agreement constitute severable undertakings given for the benefit of the Company and any Group Company and may be enforced by the Company on behalf of any of them.

  

12. The Employee has not been induced to enter into this agreement in reliance on, nor has he been given, any warranty, representation, statement, agreement or undertaking of any nature whatsoever other than as are expressly set out in this Agreement.

 

13. This Agreement is made without admission of liability on the part of the Company or any Group Company.

 

14. Any Group Company, officer, employee, worker or shareholder or consultant may enforce and take the benefit of those clauses of this Agreement in which reference is expressly made to such Group Companies, officers, employees, workers or consultants subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. No consent of any such Group Company, director, officer, employee or shareholder or consultant will be required for the variation or rescission of this Agreement. Except as provided in this clause, a person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Agreement but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from under that Act.

 

8  

 

 

15. No failure or delay by the Company or any Group Company in exercising any remedy or right under or in relation to this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of the same nor shall any single or partial exercise of any remedy or right preclude any further exercise of the same remedy or right or the exercise of any other remedy or right.

 

16. If any provision of this Agreement shall be, or become, void or unenforceable for any reason within any jurisdiction, this shall not affect the validity of that provision within any other jurisdiction or any of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

 

17. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England.

 

18. In the event of any claim, dispute or difference arising out of or in connection with this Agreement the parties irrevocably agree and submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England.

 

19 . The Company agrees with the Employee to provide upon request a written reference in the form agreed at schedule 3 to this agreement.

  

9  

 

 

This Agreement is marked “without prejudice” and “subject to contract” but, once signed by both parties, shall have effect as, and can be relied on as evidence of, a binding agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement shall not be binding unless and until it is signed by both parties.

 

Signed:  /s/ David G Wilson  
By: David G Wilson  
Date: 21 September 2017  
     
Signed:  /s/ Stewart Baker  
By: Stewart Baker, for and on behalf of the Company  
Date: 21 September 2017  

 

10  

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

[ON LEGAL ADVISER’S LETTERHEAD]

 

[ Date ]

 

Dear Sirs 

 

We confirm that:

 

1. [ insert name ] of this firm, a solicitor holding a current practising certificate, who has not acted in this matter for Inspired Gaming (UK) Ltd or any associated employer, has advised David G Wilson as to the terms of the attached Agreement and in particular as to its effect on his ability to pursue his rights before an employment tribunal.

  

2. This firm holds a current contract of insurance or an indemnity provided for members of a professional body covering the risk of a claim by David G Wilson in respect of loss arising in consequence of the above advice.

  

3. The conditions regulating settlement agreements under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Working Time Regulations 1998, are satisfied.

  

Yours faithfully

 

11  

 

 

SCHEDULE 2

 

List of claims/complaints  

 

any complaint of or claim for compensation for unfair dismissal;

 

any claim for a redundancy payment;

 

any claim for arrears of wages, salary or bonus (other than as provided for in this Agreement) and any complaint that an unlawful deduction has been made from her wages contrary to the Employment Rights Act 1996;

 

any claim for unlawful detriment under s.48 of the Employment Rights Act 1996;

 

any other claim or complaint under the Employment Rights Act 1996 in relation to his/her employment with the Employer and/or the termination thereof;

 

any claim arising from s.146 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992;

 

any other claim or complaint under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992;

 

any complaint of or claim for compensation for wrongful dismissal, breach of contract (including a complaint that less notice has been given than that required by the Employee’s contract) or for pay in lieu of notice;

 

any claim for discrimination, direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of or related to sex, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity (including discrimination under Section 18 of the Equality Act 2010) or gender reassignment (including discrimination under Section 16 of the Equality Act 2010) under the Equality Act 2010 and/or direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation on grounds of or related to sex, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975;

 

12  

 

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of or related to race under the Equality Act 2010 and/or direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation on grounds of or related to colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin under the Race Relations Act 1976;

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of or related to disability, discrimination arising from disability, or failure to make adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 and/or direct discrimination, disability-related discrimination, harassment or victimisation on grounds of or related to disability or failure to make adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995;

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of, on grounds of or related to religion or belief, under the Equality Act 2010 and/or under regulation 28 of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003;

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of, on grounds of or related to sexual orientation, under the Equality Act 2010 and/or under regulation 28 of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003;

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of, on grounds of or related to age, under the Equality Act 2010 and/or under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006;

 

any claim in relation to the duty to consider working beyond retirement, under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006;

 

any claim related to a breach of an equality clause or rule or of a non-discrimination rule under the Equality Act 2010 and/or any claim for equal pay under the Equal Pay Act 1970;

 

any complaint that the Employer has contravened the Working Time Regulations 1998 or the Working Time Directive, including any complaint that the Employer has failed to provide adequate weekly and daily rests or adequate rest breaks or has failed to permit or to pay for paid holiday entitlement;

 

13  

 

 

any claim related to a breach of an equality clause or rule or of a non – discrimination rule under the Equality Act 2010 and/or any claim for equal pay under the Equal Pay Act 1970;

 

any claim under section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997;

 

any claim under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 or regulations made thereunder;

 

any claim alleging a contravention of the Part – Time workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000; and

 

any claim alleging a contravention of the Fixed – Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment Regulations) 2002;

 

14  

 

 

Schedule 3

 

Agreed reference

 

21 September 2017 

 

To Whom It May Concern 

 

David G Wilson has worked for Inspired Gaming since 06 June 2005, in the position of Chief Operating Officer. 

 

David was employed as COO of Inspired for 12 years and has been an exceptional executive in all respects who has made a huge contribution to the growth and international expansion of this high growth technology gaming company. I have no hesitation in recommending him in the highest terms.

 

David left Inspired Gaming on 21 September 2017 as a result of redundancy. 

 

We wish David success in your employ and we are sure you will find that he performs his duties with diligence and professionalism at all times. 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Luke Alvarez  

President & CEO

 

15  

 

 

Exhibit 10.22

  

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

 

Dated 21 September 2017

 

Inspired Gaming (UK) Ltd

 

- and -

 

Steven J Holmes

 

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

 

1

 

 

This AGREEMENT is made on 21 September 2017

 

BETWEEN:-

 

(1) Inspired Gaming (UK) Ltd whose registered office is at 3 The Maltings, Wetmore Road, Burton on Trent, Staffs DE14 1SE (the Company) ; and

 

(2) Steven John Holmes (the Employee)

 

Following discussions regarding the termination of the Employee’ s employment with the Company, the Company and the Employee have agreed as follows:

 

1. The Employee’s employment with the Company terminated by reason of redundancy on 21 September 2017, at which time the Employee ceased serving as an officer or director of the Company or any affiliated company (the “Termination Date”).

 

2. The Company will on the date 14 days from the Termination Date and receipt of the signed Agreement and signed Adviser Certificate:

 

2.1 pay to the Employee £176,500, representative of 12 months’ annual salary in lieu of contractual notice and car allowance; and

 

2.2 pay to the Employee an enhanced redundancy payment, as per Inspired policy, of £9,000, which will be free of tax and national insurance; and

 

2.3 pay to the Employee the sum of £6,246.20 which is an amount equal to days accrued but untaken holiday as at 30 September 2017 (the “Accrual Date”), such payment has been calculated on the basis of 1/260 th of the fixed annual salary payable to the Employee per day (subject to deductions for PAYE income tax and employee national insurance contributions in the normal way); and

 

2.4 pay to the employee an ex-gratia sum of £21,000 which shall be free of tax and national insurance; and

 

2.5 pay to the employee the sum of £122,000, in lieu of a bonus payment under the management program for fiscal year 2017; and

 

2.6 make a payment to the Employees’ pension scheme of £24,360 representative of 15% of annual salary excluding car allowance; and

 

2

 

 

2.7 pay salary and ensure that the Employee receives all contractual benefits (including but not limited to the Employee’s monthly train fare allowance grossed up for the purposes of taxes in the normal course) up to the Accrual Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company will also provide you, your spouse and two children with health care via the Company’s BUPA scheme as is in place at the relevant time up until the Accrual Date and thereafter for a period of 12 months from the Accrual Date. The Company will also provide you with life insurance until the Accrual Date and thereafter for a period of 12 months from the Accrual Date based on the Company’s Group life assurance policy managed by Punter Southall, subject to: (a) the cover being £650,000, subject always to this level of cover being permitted by the life assurance policy provider and if lower, the maximum amount that the life assurance policy provider will permit; (b) any exclusions applied by the underwriter of the insurance policy; (c) your compliance with the rules and requirements of the scheme, including but not limited to any requirement to undertake medical examinations; (d) the ongoing ability of the Company to provide such a benefit; and (e) the annual cost to the Company for such cover being no more than £1610.62 failing which the Company shall immediately pay to the Employee a sum of £2,000 in total. Should the underwriter under the existing Group scheme refuse or be unable to provide a policy then the Company shall be under no obligation to seek an alternative provider or underwriter of life assurance. In addition, in the event that the annual cost to the Company is greater than as set out in point (e) above you will be given the opportunity to pay the difference within 15 days of the date of the provision of such notice otherwise the Company shall be entitled to terminate the benefit forthwith.  You will be responsible for the payment of any tax or benefit in kind arising or due as a result of the provision of the BUPA and life insurance benefits set out above, which the Company may deduct at source; and

 

2.8 reimburse the Employee in respect of any properly authorised and approved expenses claims incurred up to the Accrual Date in accordance with the Company’s policies and the Employee warrants that he has notified the Company in writing of all unclaimed expenses incurred prior to the date of this Agreement; and

 

3

 

 

2.9 pay direct to the Employee’s legal advisers, provided the Company receives within 14 days of the date of this Agreement an invoice from them (addressed to the Employee and marked as payable by the Company), their reasonable legal fees incurred solely in connection with advising the Employee on the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company, up to a maximum of £3,000 (exclusive of VAT).

 

3. With respect to the 118,735 Restricted Stock Units (the “First Plan RSUs”) awarded to the Employee under the Inspired Entertainment, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (a copy of which is set forth in Annex C to the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 23, 2016) and subject to the terms of an Award Agreement between the Employee and the Company dated December 29, 2016, this clause acknowledges and confirms that the First Plan RSUs will continue to remain assigned to the Employee under the rules of the scheme as set forth in the Award Agreement for a good leaver termination (i.e., termination without “cause” by service recipient) and, accordingly, Employee shall be afforded the exact same treatment at the same time and in the same form, without any additional cost or expense, as any and all other management participants as regards (without limitation) eligibility for vesting, stock registration and access to brokerage services, such that the Employee is not disadvantaged in comparison to other management participants. The Company may not amend the terms of the First Plan RSUs without the Employee’s prior written agreement.

 

With respect to the 12,560 Restricted Stock Units (the “Second Plan RSUs”) awarded to the Employee under the Inspired Entertainment, Inc. Second Long-Term Incentive Plan (set forth as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 30, 2016) and subject to the terms of the Award Agreement between Employee and the Company dated December 29, 2016, as to which such Units were not eligible to vest until December 23, 2019, the parties hereto mutually agree that all of Employee’s Second Plan RSUs shall be fully cancelled on the Termination Date, and, in lieu thereof, Employee shall receive payment (subject to applicable income tax and national insurance) of £100,000 in six equal monthly instalments commencing on 1 October 2017. The Second Plan RSUs and the Award Agreement relating thereto shall be deemed fully terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and Employee further acknowledges that under no circumstances shall he be eligible to receive any other payments or benefits relating to the Second Plan RSUs. If any one of the monthly instalments is not paid by the due date then the entire balance shall become payable immediately. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Employee from any and all withholdings, taxes, charges, gross ups, costs (including but not limited to legal costs), interest, penalties and expenses whatsoever that may arise from the Company’s cancellation or failure to cancel the 2nd Plan RSU, or failure to pay sums due in respect of the same or otherwise howsoever occurring.

 

4

 

 

4. In consideration of the above:

   

4.1 the Employee accepts the terms of this Agreement in full and final settlement of:

 

4.1.1 the complaints and/or claims listed at Schedule 2 and any other statutory claim and/or complaint; and

 

4.1.2 any contractual claim; and

 

4.1.3 any other claims

 

which the Employee has or may have now or in the future against the Company or any Group Company or its or their current or former officers, (or any of their employees or workers), employees or workers arising out of or in connection with the Employee’s employment or its termination (whether or not the Employee or the Company could have contemplated such a claim at the date of this Agreement) but excluding any claim in respect of any accrued pension rights or any breach of the Settlement Agreement or personal injury claims of which the Employee is currently unaware which the Employee may have relating to his employment with the Company. The Company confirms that, as at the date of this Agreement, it is not aware of any circumstances relating to the Employee’s employment with the Company and/or directorship(s) that would give rise to any claim by the Company against the Employee and accordingly it has no intention as at the date of this Agreement to make any such claim against the Employee;

 

4.2 the Employee confirms that he will continue to be bound by:

 

4.2.1 the Employee’s obligations owed to the Company or any other Group Company relating to confidential information; and

 

5

 

 

4.2.2 the Employee’s obligations owed to the Company or any other Group company relating to restrictive covenants save that clause 18.2 of the Employee’s Service Contract dated 6 July 2010 (the Service Contract ), with effect from the date of this Agreement shall only apply in respect of SG Gaming, IGT, Novomatic AG, Gauselmann, Playtech, Betradar, Synot, William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfred their Subsidiaries and Affiliates. Affiliate means, in relation to a company, any Subsidiary or Holding Company of that company, and any Subsidiary of a Holding Company of that company, in each case from time to time and Subsidiary and Holding Company shall have the meanings given to them in Section 1159 of the UK Companies Act 2006 (except that for the purposes of the membership requirement in s1159(1)(b) and s1159(1)(c) a company shall be treated as a member of another company even if its shares in that other company are registered (i) in the name of its nominee, or (ii) in the name of a person (or the nominee of that person) who is holding the shares as security ;

 

4.3 the Employee shall not, save as required by law, at any time disclose the terms of this Agreement (other than to the Employee’s immediate family, professional advisers or HM Revenue & Customs) or the circumstances surrounding the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company including details regarding the negotiations leading to this Agreement. The Employee may disclose the reason for the termination of his employment. In addition, the company shall not disclose the terms of this agreement except as required by HM Revenue & Customs, its legal advisors or otherwise as required by law or necessary business practice or is required because of the public disclosure requirements of any jurisdiction in which that party is a public reporting or listed company (and any announcement required in this regard shall be shared with the Employee prior to publication);

 

4.4 the Employee undertakes that at any time following the date hereof he will not make and shall use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the making of any disparaging or derogatory statements whether or not the statement is true, whether in writing or otherwise concerning the Company or any Group Company or its or their officers or employees or consultants and the Employer undertakes that at any time following the date hereof it will not make and shall use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the making of any disparaging or derogatory statements whether or not the statement is true, whether in writing or otherwise concerning the Employee;

 

6

 

 

4.5 [Intentionally deleted];

 

4.6 the Employee acknowledges that, except as set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Agreement, there are no sums owed to him by the Company or any Group Company including any payments under any bonus, incentive, commission, share option or similar scheme and that neither the Company nor any Group Company nor the trustees of any such scheme is or shall be liable to make any payment or provide him with shares (not including the First Plan RSUs referred to in paragraph 3) or other benefits under any such scheme.

 

4.7 the Employee shall be entitled to retain his phone number and the Company and the Employee shall work together to ensure that this is takes place within 28 days from the Accrual Date. The Employee agrees to purchase the laptop and the Company agrees to sell the Employee the same, provided to him by the Company for the sum of £1 however the fair value of the laptop shall be taxed at the Employee’s marginal rate of tax

 

5. The Employee warrants that:

 

5.1 to the extent that he has any of the complaints or the claims listed in Schedule 2 these have been asserted by him or by his legal adviser on his behalf to the Company prior to the date of this Agreement;

 

5.2 except for those complaints asserted as indicated in clause 5.1 above, the Employee has no other complaints or claims of any nature against the Company or any Group Company or its or their current or former officers, (or any of their employees or workers), employees or workers, under the Equality Act 2010, the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Working Time Regulations 1998, or any other statutory claim and/or complaint; and

 

7

 

 

5.3 he has taken independent legal advice as to the full nature, terms and effect of this Agreement and in particular its effect on the Employee’s ability to pursue rights before an employment tribunal and will forthwith provide to the Company a letter in the form set out in Schedule 1 to this Agreement from the Employee’s legal adviser duly signed by the Employee’s legal adviser.

 

6. The adviser was and is Daniel Wise of Osbourne & Wise 160 Fleet Street, London, EC4 2DQ, a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales whose firm holds a contract of insurance in force or an indemnity provided for members of a professional body covering the risk of a claim by the Employee in respect of loss arising in consequence of the advice.

 

7. The conditions regulating settlement agreements under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Working Time Regulations 1998, the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Equal Pay Act 1970, and the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 are satisfied.

 

8. The Employee accepts that the Company (for itself and on behalf of the Group Companies) is entering into this Agreement in reliance upon the warranties provided by the Employee in paragraphs 3.5, 3.7 and 4 of this Agreement.

 

9. In this Agreement “Group Company” shall mean any undertaking (other than the Company) which from time to time is the Company’s subsidiary or its ultimate holding company or is a subsidiary of the Company’s ultimate holding company. In this clause the words “subsidiary” and “holding company” shall have the meanings attributed to them by the Companies Act 2006 and ultimate holding company shall mean a holding company which is not also a subsidiary.

 

10. The Employee acknowledges that his obligations under this Agreement constitute severable undertakings given for the benefit of the Company and any Group Company and may be enforced by the Company on behalf of any of them.

 

8

 

 

11. The Employee has not been induced to enter into this agreement in reliance on, nor has he been given, any warranty, representation, statement, agreement or undertaking of any nature whatsoever other than as are expressly set out in this Agreement.

 

12. This Agreement is made without admission of liability on the part of the Company or any Group Company.

 

13. Any Group Company, officer, employee, worker or shareholder or consultant may enforce and take the benefit of those clauses of this Agreement in which reference is expressly made to such Group Companies, officers, employees, workers or consultants subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. No consent of any such Group Company, director, officer, employee or shareholder or consultant will be required for the variation or rescission of this Agreement. Except as provided in this clause, a person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Agreement but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from under that Act.

 

14. No failure or delay by the Company or any Group Company in exercising any remedy or right under or in relation to this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of the same nor shall any single or partial exercise of any remedy or right preclude any further exercise of the same remedy or right or the exercise of any other remedy or right.

 

15. If any provision of this Agreement shall be, or become, void or unenforceable for any reason within any jurisdiction, this shall not affect the validity of that provision within any other jurisdiction or any of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

 

16. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England.

 

17. In the event of any claim, dispute or difference arising out of or in connection with this Agreement the parties irrevocably agree and submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England.

 

18 . The Company agrees with the Employee to provide upon request a written reference in the form agreed at schedule 3 to this agreement.

 

9

 

 

This Agreement is marked “without prejudice” and “subject to contract” but, once signed by both parties, shall have effect as, and can be relied on as evidence of, a binding agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement shall not be binding unless and until it is signed by both parties.

 

Signed:  /s/ Steven John Holmes  
By: Steven John Holmes   
Date: 21 September 2017  

  

Signed:  /s/ Stewart Baker  
By: Stewart Baker, for and on behalf of the Company  
Date: 21 September 2017  

 

10

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

[ON LEGAL ADVISER’S LETTERHEAD]

 

[ Date ]

 

Dear Sirs

 

We confirm that:

 

1. [ insert name ] of this firm, a solicitor holding a current practising certificate, who has not acted in this matter for Inspired Gaming (UK) Ltd or any associated employer, has advised Steven John Holmes as to the terms of the attached Agreement and in particular as to its effect on his ability to pursue his rights before an employment tribunal.

 

2. This firm holds a current contract of insurance or an indemnity provided for members of a professional body covering the risk of a claim by Steven J Holmes in respect of loss arising in consequence of the above advice.

 

3. The conditions regulating settlement agreements under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Working Time Regulations 1998, are satisfied.

 

Yours faithfully

 

11

 

 

SCHEDULE 2

 

List of claims/complaints

 

any complaint of or claim for compensation for unfair dismissal;

 

any claim for a redundancy payment;

 

any claim for arrears of wages, salary or bonus (other than as provided for in this Agreement) and any complaint that an unlawful deduction has been made from her wages contrary to the Employment Rights Act 1996;

 

any claim for unlawful detriment under s.48 of the Employment Rights Act 1996;

 

any other claim or complaint under the Employment Rights Act 1996 in relation to his/her employment with the Employer and/or the termination thereof;

 

any claim arising from s.146 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992;

 

any other claim or complaint under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992;

 

any complaint of or claim for compensation for wrongful dismissal, breach of contract (including a complaint that less notice has been given than that required by the Employee’s contract) or for pay in lieu of notice;

 

any claim for discrimination, direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of or related to sex, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity (including discrimination under Section 18 of the Equality Act 2010) or gender reassignment (including discrimination under Section 16 of the Equality Act 2010) under the Equality Act 2010 and/or direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation on grounds of or related to sex, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975;

 

12

 

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of or related to race under the Equality Act 2010 and/or direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation on grounds of or related to colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin under the Race Relations Act 1976;

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of or related to disability, discrimination arising from disability, or failure to make adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 and/or direct discrimination, disability-related discrimination, harassment or victimisation on grounds of or related to disability or failure to make adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995;

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of, on grounds of or related to religion or belief, under the Equality Act 2010 and/or under regulation 28 of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003;

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of, on grounds of or related to sexual orientation, under the Equality Act 2010 and/or under regulation 28 of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003;

 

any claim for direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation because of, on grounds of or related to age, under the Equality Act 2010 and/or under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006;

 

any claim in relation to the duty to consider working beyond retirement, under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006;

 

any claim related to a breach of an equality clause or rule or of a non-discrimination rule under the Equality Act 2010 and/or any claim for equal pay under the Equal Pay Act 1970;

 

any complaint that the Employer has contravened the Working Time Regulations 1998 or the Working Time Directive, including any complaint that the Employer has failed to provide adequate weekly and daily rests or adequate rest breaks or has failed to permit or to pay for paid holiday entitlement;

 

any claim related to a breach of an equality clause or rule or of a non – discrimination rule under the Equality Act 2010 and/or any claim for equal pay under the Equal Pay Act 1970;

 

13

 

 

any claim under section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997;

 

any claim under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 or regulations made thereunder;

 

any claim alleging a contravention of the Part – Time workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000; and

 

any claim alleging a contravention of the Fixed – Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment Regulations) 2002;

 

14

 

 

Schedule 3

 

Agreed reference

 

21 September 2017

 

To Whom It May Concern

 

Steven John Holmes has worked for Inspired Gaming since March 2007 in the position of Chief Legal Officer (“CLO”) of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (formerly the Inspired Gaming Group (“Inspired”)).

 

Steven has been an exceptional executive in all respects who has made a huge contribution to the growth and international expansion of this high growth technology gaming company. I have no hesitation in recommending him in the highest terms.

 

Steven left Inspired Gaming on 21 September 2017 as a result of redundancy.

 

We wish Steven success in your employ and we are sure you will find that he performs his duties with diligence and professionalism at all times.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Luke Alvarez

President & CEO

 

15

 

  

Exhibit 21.1

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

Inspired Gaming (USA) Inc.

Inspired Gaming Limited

DMWSL 633 Limited

DMWSL 632 Limited

DMWSL 631 Limited

Gaming Acquisitions Limited

Inspired Gaming Group Limited

Inspired Gaming (Holdings) Limited

Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited

Inspired Gaming (International) Limited

Virtual Racing Systems Limited

Inspired Gaming (Gibraltar) Limited

Revolution Entertainment Systems Holdings Limited

Revolution Entertainment Systems Limited

Revolution Entertainment Systems (2) Limited

MAM Services Limited

Leisure Link Electronic Entertainment Limited

Kossway Automatics Western

Ever 2532 Limited

Hargreaves Limited

Sescomatics

Inspired Technology (UK) Limited

Inn Style Leisure

115CR Limited

Inspired Gaming (Ventures) Limited

Inspired Gaming Spain S L

Inspired Gaming (Colombia) Limited

Inspired Gaming (Greece) Limited

Inspired Gaming Mexico S. de RL. de CV

Inspired Gaming (Italy) Limited

Inspired Broadcast Networks Limited

 

All subsidiary companies are incorporated in England and Wales with the exception of Inspired Gaming Italy (Gibraltar)., Inspired Gaming Spain S L, Inspired Gaming Mexico S. de RL. de CV and Inspired Gaming (USA) Inc. which are incorporated in Gibraltar, Spain, Mexico and Delaware respectively.

 

 


 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 333-219295) of our report dated December 4, 2017, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (formerly known as DMWSL 633 Limited) and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 and for the periods ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. for the period ended September 30, 2017.

 

/s/ Marcum llp

 

Marcum llp

Melville, NY
December 4, 2017

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Luke L. Alvarez, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Inspired Entertainment, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Date: December 4, 2017

 

    /s/ Luke L. Alvarez
    Luke L. Alvarez
   

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

  

  EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Stewart F.B. Baker, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Inspired Entertainment, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Date: December 4, 2017

 

    /s/ Stewart F.B. Baker
   

Stewart F.B. Baker,

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Luke L. Alvarez, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2. To my knowledge, the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report.

 

Dated:    December 4, 2017 By: /s/ Luke L. Alvarez
    Luke L. Alvarez
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Stewart F.B. Baker, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2. To my knowledge, the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated:    December 4, 2017 By: /s/ Stewart F.B. Baker
    Stewart F.B. Baker
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.