Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

21. Commitments and Contingencies

Employment Agreements

A. Lorne Weil

On January 16, 2017, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Mr. Weil, the Company’s Executive Chairman, who began his employment as of December 23, 2016. Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Weil’s annual base salary is $700,000, with a target annual bonus of not less than 100%, and a maximum annual bonus of not more than 200%, of his annual base salary, subject to performance goals determined by the Committee in consultation with Mr. Weil. Mr. Weil will also be eligible to receive additional incentive bonuses and equity on terms that are no less favorable than those offered to any other executive of the Company. 

Mr. Weil’s Employment Agreement does not have a set term, and his employment as the Company’s Executive Chairman will be non-exclusive. The Employment Agreement may be terminated without cause on three months’ written notice by either party. Mr. Weil may be terminated by the Company immediately upon written notice for cause, as defined in the Employment Agreement. On the occurrence of an event constituting “good reason” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), Mr. Weil may terminate the agreement immediately at any time within 90 days of such event. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Weil will remain subject to certain covenants, including, among other things, a covenant not to enter into a directly competing business or solicit employees of the Company, for a period of twelve months after termination of his employment, as well as a covenant not to disclose certain confidential information of the Company.

Mr. Weil’s Employment Agreement also reflects the grant to Mr. Weil of 940,583 shares of restricted stock pursuant to the 2016 Incentive Plan. The grant of restricted stock was effective as of January 3, 2017 (see Note 16).

Luke Alvarez

On March 23, 2017, Inspired Gaming (Gibraltar) Limited (“Gaming Gibraltar”), a subsidiary of the Company, and Luke Alvarez, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, amended his Service Agreement, dated April 1, 2015, by and between Gaming Gibraltar and Mr. Alvarez, with an effective date of January 1, 2017. Under the terms of such agreement, as amended, Mr. Alvarez’s annual base salary is £478,736 per year, with a target annual bonus of not less than 100%, and a maximum annual bonus of not more than 200%, of £525,000, subject to performance goals determined by the compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company.

Each party is required to give twelve months’ notice of termination of employment. If Mr. Alvarez leaves, or is required to leave, his employment as a result of injury, disability, ill-health, retirement or redundancy, or is otherwise dismissed (unless Mr. Alvarez is dismissed for gross misconduct or voluntarily resigns before the end of the current fiscal year), Mr. Alvarez would be entitled to receive a pro-rated annual bonus during the twelve-month contractual notice period as if all of the performance conditions of such bonus had been satisfied.

In addition, on March 23, 2017, Inspired UK and Mr. Alvarez entered into a letter agreement, pursuant to which, effective January 1, 2017, Mr. Alvarez receives an annual fee of £46,264 per year, in connection with Mr. Alvarez’s position as director of Inspired.

Stewart Baker

On March 23, 2017, Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited (“Gaming UK”), a subsidiary of the Company, and Stewart Baker, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, entered into a new employment contract in connection with Mr. Baker’s recent promotion to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Pursuant to such contract, Mr. Baker’s compensation includes a base salary of £160,000, effective January 2017. In addition, Mr. Baker will have the opportunity to receive a target annual bonus of not less than 75%, and a maximum annual bonus of not more than 100%, of his annual base salary, subject to performance goals determined by the compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company.

Such agreement includes a notice provision that requires the party electing to terminate the agreement to provide twelve months’ notice. Mr. Baker participates in an employer pension program, under which he receives employer contributions equal to 15% of his base salary. In addition, Mr. Baker receives an annual car allowance in the amount of £13,900. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Baker remains subject to certain restrictive covenants, including, among other things, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions for a period of twelve months after termination of his employment and concerning confidentiality.

General 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 a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

Performing Rights Society

A claim from the Performing Rights Society is ongoing and relates 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. The UK bookmaker defendants (who have formed a joint defense group) filed a defense to the claim (for circa £7M or $8,733) raised in the High Court in London by the Performing Rights Society on December 22, 2015. The parties have previously undertaken a process of mediation in September 2016 and there have been ongoing settlement discussions among the parties. Although the Company is unable to determine the outcome of the claim and intends to defend it vigorously, the Company has made a provision for $312, which management believes to be adequate to cover the total net exposure to the Company, including professional fees.