Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

2. Accounting Policies and Estimates

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2. Accounting Policies and Estimates
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
2. Accounting Policies and Estimates

2. Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

The company previously had a secondary listing on the NEO exchange in Canada, which was terminated with effect from December 31, 2021. For the purposes of its previous listing in Canada, the Company is an “SEC Issuer” as defined under National Instrument 52-107 “Accounting Principles and Audit Standards” and is relying on the exemptions of Section 3.7 of NI 52-107 and of Section 1.4(8) of the Companion Policy to National Instrument 51-102 “Continuous Disclosure Obligations” (“NI 51-102CP”) which permits the Company to prepare its financial statements in accord with U.S. GAAP.

 

Principles of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All significant inter-company transactions are eliminated upon consolidation.

 

 All amounts referred to in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements are in United States Dollars ($) unless stated otherwise.

 

Foreign operations

 

The Company translated the assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries into US Dollars at the exchange rate in effect at year end and the results of operations and cash flows at the average rate throughout the year. The translation adjustments are recorded directly as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, while transaction gains (losses) are included in net income (loss).

 

Revenues were generated in US Dollars, Euros and Colombian Pesos during the years presented.

 

Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized in current operations.

 

Business Combinations

 

The Company allocates the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

 

Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets. Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows from acquired users, acquired technology, and trade names from a market participant perspective, useful lives and discount rates. Management's estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. These estimates and assumptions include valuing equity securities issued in share-based payment arrangements, determining the fair value of assets acquired, allocation of purchase price, impairment of long-lived intangible assets and goodwill, the collectability of receivables, leasing arrangements, convertible debentures, contingent purchase consideration, contingencies and the value of deferred taxes and related valuation allowances. Certain estimates, including evaluating the collectability of receivables and advances, could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the Company’s industry and general economic conditions. It is possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates that could cause actual results to differ from the Company’s estimates. The Company re-evaluates all of its accounting estimates at least quarterly based on these conditions and records adjustments when necessary.

 

Loss Contingencies

 

The Company may be subject to claims, suits, government investigations, and other proceedings involving competition and antitrust, intellectual property, privacy, indirect taxes, labor and employment, commercial disputes, content generated by our users, goods and services offered by advertisers or publishers using the Company’s website platforms, and other matters. Certain of these matters include speculative claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts of damages. The Company records a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a loss has been incurred, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If the Company determines that a loss is possible, and a range of the loss can be reasonably estimated, it discloses the range of the possible loss in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The Company evaluates, on a regular basis, developments in its legal matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued, and the matters and related ranges of possible losses disclosed and makes adjustments and changes to our disclosures as appropriate. Significant judgment is required to determine both likelihood of there being and the estimated amount of a loss related to such matters. Until the final resolution of such matters, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of the amount recorded, and such amounts could be material. Should any of the Company’s estimates and assumptions change or prove to have been incorrect, it could have a material impact on its business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

To date, none of these types of litigation matters, most of which are typically covered by insurance, has had a material impact on the Company’s operations or financial condition. The Company has insured and continues to insure against most of these types of claims.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures, defines fair value 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 or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires classification based on observable and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore developed using estimates and assumptions developed by us, which reflect those that a market participant would use.

 

The carrying value of the Company's accounts receivables, gaming accounts receivable, lines of credit - bank, accounts payable, gaming accounts payable and bank loans payable approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

ASC 815 generally provides three criteria that, if met, require companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free standing derivative financial instruments. These three criteria include circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument subject to the requirements of ASC 815. ASC 815 also provides an exception to this rule when the host instrument is deemed to be conventional, as described.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

  

The Company primarily places cash balances in the U.S. with high-credit quality financial institutions located in the United States which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to a limit of $250,000 per institution, in Canada which are insured by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation up to a limit of CDN $100,000 per institution, in Italy which is insured by the Italian deposit guarantee fund Fondo Interbancario di Tutela dei Depositi (FITD) up to a limit of €100,000 per institution, and in Germany which is a member of the Deposit Protection Fund of the Association of German Banks (Einlagensicherungsfonds des Bundesverbandes deutscher Banken) up to a limit of €100,000 per institution.

 

Gaming Accounts Receivable

 

Gaming accounts receivable represent gaming deposits made by customers to their online gaming accounts either directly by credit card, bank wire, e-wallet or other accepted method through one of our websites or indirectly by cash collected at the cashier of a betting shop but not yet credited to the Company’s bank accounts and subject to normal trade collection terms without discounts. The Company periodically evaluates the collectability of its gaming accounts receivable and considers the need to record or adjust an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon historical collection experience and specific customer information. Actual amounts could vary from the recorded estimates. The Company does not require collateral to support customer receivables. The Company recorded a release from the bad debt provision of $98,167 and an increase in bad debt provision of $13,051 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

Gaming Accounts Payable

 

Gaming accounts payable represent customer balances, including winnings and deposits, that are held as credits in online gaming accounts and have not as of yet been used or withdrawn by the customers. Customers can request payment of winnings from the Company at any time and the payment to customers can be made through bank wire, credit card, or cash disbursement from one of our locations. Online gaming account credit balances are non-interest bearing.

 

Long Lived Assets

 

The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets for impairment by comparing the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the assets to the net book value of the assets when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. If the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the net book value of the assets, the excess of the net book value over the estimated fair value will be charged to earnings.

 

Fair value is based upon discounted cash flows of the assets at a rate deemed reasonable for the type of asset and prevailing market conditions, appraisals, and, if appropriate, current estimated net sales proceeds from pending offers.

 

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment is stated at acquisition cost less accumulated depreciation and adjustments for impairment losses. Expenditures are capitalized only when they increase the future economic benefits embodied in an item of property and equipment. All other expenditures are recognized as expenses in the statement of operations as incurred.

 

Depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives of the individual assets. Amortization commences from the time an asset is put into operation. The range of the estimated useful lives is as follows:

 

Description  

Useful Life

(in years)

     
Leasehold improvements   Life of the underlying lease
Computer and office equipment   3 to 5
Furniture and fittings   7 to 10
Computer Software   3 to 5
Vehicles   4 to 5

 

 

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets are stated at acquisition cost less accumulated amortization, if applicable, less any adjustments for impairment losses.

 

Amortization is charged on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives of the individual intangibles. Where intangibles are deemed to be impaired the Company recognizes an impairment loss measured as the difference between the estimated fair value of the intangible and its book value.

 

The range of the estimated useful lives is as follows:

Intangible Useful lives        
Description  

Useful Life

(in years)

     
Betting Platform Software   15
Ulisse Bookmaker License   Indefinite
Multigioco and Rifa ADM Licenses   1.5 - 7
Location contracts   5 - 7
Customer relationships   10 - 18
Trademarks/Tradenames   10 - 14
Websites   5
Non-compete agreements   4

  

The Ulisse Bookmaker License has no expiration date and is therefore not amortized but is tested from impairment on an annual basis in terms of ASC 350 using estimated fair value. The company impaired the remaining balance of $4,827,914 of the Ulisse Bookmakers license during the current year.

 

Goodwill

 

The Company allocates the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

 

Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets. Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows from acquired users, acquired technology, and trade names from a market participant perspective, useful lives and discount rates. Management's estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates.

 

The Company annually assesses whether the carrying value of its reporting unit exceeds its fair value and, if necessary, records an impairment loss equal to any such excess. Each interim reporting period, the Company assesses whether events or circumstances have occurred which indicate that the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an asset impairment charge will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

 

In terms of ASC 350, the Company performed a qualitative assessment and based on the outcome of the quantitative analysis, performed a quantitative assessment on its goodwill as of December 31, 2021 and determined that an impairment of $12,522,714 was considered necessary.

 

Leases

 

The Company accounts for leases in terms of ASC 842. In terms of ASC 842, the Company assesses whether any asset based leases entered into for periods longer than twelve months meet the definition of financial leases or operation leases, by evaluating the terms of the lease, including the following; the duration of the lease; the implied interest rate in the lease; the cash flows of the lease; and whether the Company intends to retain ownership of the asset at the end of the lease term.

 

Leases which imply that the Company will retain ownership at the end of the lease term are classified as financial leases, are included in property and equipment with a corresponding financial liability raised at the date of lease inception. Interest incurred on financial leases are expensed using the effective interest rate method.

 

Leases which imply that the Company will not acquire the asset at the end of the lease term are classified as operating leases, the Company’s right to use the asset is reflected as a non-current right of use asset with a corresponding operational lease liability raised at the date of lease inception. The right of use asset and the operational lease liability are amortized over the right of use period using the effective interest rate implied in the operating lease agreement.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of: (i) taxes payable or refundable for the current year and (ii) deferred tax consequences of temporary differences resulting from matters that have been recognized in an entity's financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax assets reported if based on the weight of the available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

ASC Topic 740-10-30 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740-10-40 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Company has no material uncertain tax positions for any of the reporting periods presented.

 

In Italy, tax years beginning 2016 forward, are open and subject to examination, while in Austria companies are open and subject to inspection for five years and ten years for inspection of serious infractions. In the United States and Canada, tax years beginning 2017 forward, are subject to examination. The Company is not currently under examination and it has not been notified of a pending examination.

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue when control of its products and services is transferred to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive from its customers in exchange for those products and services. Revenues from sports-betting, casino, cash and skill games, slots, bingo and horse race wagers represent the gross pay-ins (also referred to as turnover) from customers less gaming taxes and payouts to customers. Revenues are recorded when the game is closed which is representative of the point in time at which the Company has satisfied its performance obligation. In addition, the Company receives commissions from the sale of scratch tickets and other lottery games. Commissions are recorded when the ticket for scratch off tickets and lottery tickets are sold.

 

Revenues from the Betting Platform include software licensing fees, training, installation, and product support services. The Company does not sell its proprietary software. Revenue is recognized when transfer of control to the customer has been made and the Company’s performance obligation has been fulfilled.

 

· License fees are calculated as a percentage of each licensee’s level of activity and are contingent upon the licensee’s usage. The license fees are recognized on an accrual basis as earned.
· Training fees, installation fees are recognized when each task has been completed.
· Product support services are recognized based on the nature of the agreement with our customers, ad-hoc support service revenue will be recognized when the task is completed and revenue from product support service contracts will be recognized on a periodic basis where we charge a recurring fee to provide ongoing support services.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company records its compensation expense associated with stock options and other forms of equity compensation based on their fair value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Stock-based compensation includes amortization related to stock option awards based on the estimated grant date fair value. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the option. In addition, the Company records expense related to Restricted Stock Units (“RSU’s”) granted based on the fair value of those awards on the grant date. The fair value related to the RSUs is amortized to expense over the vesting term of those awards. Forfeitures of stock options and RSUs are recognized as they occur.

 

Stock-based compensation expense for a stock-based award with a performance condition is recognized when the achievement of such performance condition is determined to be probable. If the outcome of such performance condition is not determined to be probable or is not met, no compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, including foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings Per Share” provides for calculation of “basic” and “diluted” earnings per share. Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilutive impact on the number of shares outstanding should they be exercised. Securities that have the potential to dilute shareholder's interests include unexercised stock options and warrants as well as unconverted debentures.

 Related Parties

 

Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all related party transactions. All transactions are recorded at fair value of the goods or services exchanged.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2021-10, Disclosures by Entities about Government Assistance (Topic 832), the update increases the transparency of government assistance, including the following disclosures: (1) the types of assistance, (2) an entity’s accounting for the assistance, and (3) the effect of the assistance on an entity’s financial statements.

 

This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021.

 

The effects of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is currently being assessed and is not expected to have an impact on current disclosure.

 

The FASB issued several additional updates during the period, none of these standards are either applicable to the Company or require adoption at a future date and none are expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

Reporting by segment

 

The Company has two operating segments from which it derives revenue. These segments are:

 

  (i) the operating of web based as well as land based leisure betting establishments situated throughout Italy, and

 

  (ii) provider of certified betting Platform software services to leisure betting establishments in Italy and 9 other countries.