Note 3 – Significant Accounting Policies

There are no material changes from the significant accounting policies set forth in Note 3 – Significant Accounting Policies of the Company’s accompanying notes to the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, except for the following accounting policies and required disclosures.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual consolidated financial statements. For additional information, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements of and notes thereto included in the Company’s amended annual report on Form 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 17, 2020.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2020 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year ending December 31, 2020 or any other period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been derived from the accounting records of AESE, WPT and Allied Esports and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes thereto.

Net Loss per Common Share

Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to AESE common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, plus the impact of common shares, if dilutive, resulting from the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants and the conversion of convertible instruments.

The following securities are excluded from the calculation of weighted average dilutive common shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue primarily from the following sources:

In-person revenue

The Company’s in-person revenue is comprised of event revenue, sponsorship revenue, merchandising revenue, and other revenue. Event revenue is generated through World Poker Tour events – TV, non-TV, and DeepStacks Entertainment, LLC and DeepStacks Poker Tour, LLC (collectively “DeepStacks”) events – held at the Company’s partner casinos as well as Allied Esports events held at the Company’s esports properties. Event revenues recognized from the rental of the Allied Esports arena and gaming trucks are recognized at a point in time when the event occurs. In-person revenue also includes revenue from ticket sales, admission fees and food and beverage sales for events held at the Company’s esports properties. Ticket revenue is recognized at the completion of the applicable event. Point of sale revenues, such as food and beverage, gaming, and merchandising revenues, are recognized when control of the related goods are transferred to the customer.

The Company also generates sponsorship revenues for naming rights for, and rental of, the Company’s arena and gaming trucks. Sponsorship revenues from naming rights of the Company’s esports arena and from sponsorship arrangements are recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the agreement. The Company records deferred revenue to the extent that payment has been received for services that have yet to be performed.

In-person revenue was comprised of the following for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

Multiplatform content revenue

The Company’s multiplatform content revenue is comprised of distribution revenue, sponsorship revenue, music royalty revenue, online advertising revenue and content revenue. Distribution revenue is generated primarily through the distribution of content from World Poker Tour’s library. World Poker Tour provides video content to global television networks, who then have the right to air the content and place advertisements on the content during the related license period. Revenue from the distribution of video content to television networks is received pursuant to the contract payment terms and is recognized at the point in time that advertisements are aired on the WPT content. Occasionally, WPT will bundle third-party content with its own content in a distribution arrangement and will share the revenue with the third party; however, the revenues related to third party content are de minimis. The Company recognizes distribution revenue pursuant to the terms of each individual contract with the customer and records deferred revenue to the extent the Company has received a payment for services that have yet to be performed or products that have yet to be delivered.

The Company also distributes video content to online channels. Both the global television networks and the online channels place ads within the WPT content and any advertising revenue earned by the global TV network or online channel is shared with WPT. The Company recognizes online advertising revenue at the point in time when the advertisements are placed in the video content.

Sponsorship revenue is generated through the sponsorship of the Company’s TV content, live and online events and online streams. Online advertising revenue is generated from third-party advertisements placed on the Company’s website. Music royalty revenue is generated when the Company’s music is played in the Company’s TV series, both on TV networks and online. The Company recognizes sponsorship revenue pursuant to the terms of each individual contract when the Company satisfies the respective performance obligations, which could be recognized at a point in time or over the term of the contract. The Company records deferred revenue to the extent the Company has received a payment for services that have yet to be performed or products that have yet to be delivered.

Music royalty revenue is recognized at the point in time when the music is played.

Multiplatform content revenue was comprised of the following for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

Interactive revenue

The Company’s interactive revenue is primarily comprised of subscription revenue, licensing, social gaming, and virtual product revenue. Subscription revenue is generated through fixed rate (monthly, quarterly, and annual) subscriptions which offer the opportunity for subscribers to play unlimited poker and access benefits not available to non-subscribers.

The Company recognizes subscription revenue on a straight-line basis and records deferred revenue to the extent the Company receives payments for services that have yet to be provided. Social gaming revenue arises from the sale of online tokens and other online purchases on the Company’s social gaming website and is recognized at the point the product is delivered. Virtual product revenue is generated from the licensing of the Company’s various brands to be used on the customers’ virtual product and social gaming platforms and is recognized over the term of the contractual agreement. The Company generates licensing revenue by licensing the right to use the Company’s brands on products to third parties. Licensing revenue is recognized pursuant to the terms of each individual contract with the customer and is recognized over the term of the contractual agreement. Deferred revenue is recorded to the extent the Company has received a payment for products that have yet to be delivered.

Interactive revenue was comprised of the following for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

The following table summarizes our revenue recognized under ASC 606 in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss:

The timing of the Company’s revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by its customers. A receivable is recorded when revenue is recognized prior to payment and the Company has an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, the Company records deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied.

As of September 30, 2020, there remained approximately $622,000 of contract liabilities which were included within deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, and for which performance obligations had not yet been satisfied as of September 30, 2020. The Company expects to satisfy its remaining performance obligations within the next twelve months.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses advertising and marketing costs as they are incurred. Marketing and advertising expense was $17,343 and $133,103 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and $59,698 and $245,259 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company’s reporting currency is the United States Dollar. The functional currencies of the Company’s operating subsidiaries are their local currencies (United States Dollar and Euro). Euro-denominated assets and liabilities are translated into the United States Dollar using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date and revenue and expense accounts are translated using the weighted average exchange rate in effect for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are made directly to accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income. Gains (losses) arising from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting currency were $5,124 and $3,868 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $(3,651) and $(3,563) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, and are recognized in operating results in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Euro to United States Dollar exchange rate was $1.1724 and $1.1215 at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The Company engages in foreign currency denominated transactions with customers and suppliers, as well as between subsidiaries with different functional currencies.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period balances have been reclassified in order to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations or loss per share.

CARES Act

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The CARES Act, amongst other things, includes provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferment of employer social security payments, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credit refunds, modifications to the net interest deduction limitations and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. Pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC 740”), the Company recognizes the tax effects of new tax legislation upon enactment. Accordingly, the CARES Act is effective beginning in the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The Company does not believe that the new tax provisions outlined in the CARES Act will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. This amendment will be effective for private companies and emerging growth companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10 “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” and ASU No. 2018-11 “Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements” in July 2018 (“ASU 2018-10” and “ASU 2018-11”), and ASU No. 2018-20 “Leases (Topic 842) - Narrow Scope Improvements for Lessors” in December 2018 (“ASU 2018-20”). ASU 2018-10 and ASU 2018-20 provide certain amendments that affect narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-11 allows all entities adopting ASU 2016-02 to choose an additional (and optional) transition method of adoption, under which an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new guidance simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Under current guidance, Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test requires entities to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The carrying value in excess of the implied fair value is recognized as goodwill impairment. Under the new standard, goodwill impairment is recognized based on Step 1 of the current guidance, which calculates the carrying value in excess of the reporting unit’s fair value. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2020 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-09, “Codification Improvements” (“ASU 2018-09”). These amendments provide clarifications and corrections to certain ASC subtopics including the following: Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income – Overall (Topic 220-10), Debt - Modifications and Extinguishments (Topic 470-50), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity – Overall (Topic 480-10), Compensation - Stock Compensation - Income Taxes (Topic 718-740), Business Combinations – Income Taxes (Topic 805-740), Derivatives and Hedging – Overall (Topic 815-10), and Fair Value Measurement – Overall (Topic 820-10). The majority of the amendments in ASU 2018-09 will be effective in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2020 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”). The amendments in ASU 2018-13 modify the disclosure requirements associated with fair value measurements based on the concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2020 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In February 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842) – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date (“ASU 2020-02”) which provides clarifying guidance and minor updates to ASU No. 2016-13 – Financial Instruments – Credit Loss (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”) and related to ASU No. 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2020-02 amends the effective date of ASU 2016-13, such that ASU 2016-13 and its amendments will be effective for the Company for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging— Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, to clarify the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. The amendments in this update reduce the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock by removing the cash conversion model and the beneficial conversion feature model. Limiting the accounting models will result in fewer embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract. Convertible instruments that continue to be subject to separation models are (1) those with embedded conversion features that are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, that meet the definition of a derivative, and that do not qualify for a scope exception from derivative accounting and (2) convertible debt instruments issued with substantial premiums for which the premiums are recorded as paid-in-capital. In addition, this ASU improves disclosure requirements for convertible instruments and earnings-per-share guidance. The ASU also revises the derivative scope exception guidance to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions driven by remote contingent events. The amendments in this update are effective for the Company in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption will be permitted, but no earlier than for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.