Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and the corresponding disclosure requirements around fair value measurements. This topic applies to all financial instruments that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the various methods including market, income and cost approaches are used. Based on these approaches, certain assumptions are utilized that the market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable inputs. Valuation techniques are utilized that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, it is required to provide information according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 1 also includes U.S. Treasury and federal agency securities and federal agency mortgage-backed securities, which are traded by dealers or brokers in active markets. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets or for similar assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 3: Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities.

Assets measured at fair value

The following tables summarize the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):


			Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	December 31, 2021		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investment in convertible notes	$	32,065	$	—		$	32,065


			Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investment in convertible notes (1)	$	31,266	$	—	$	—	$	31,266

(1) The fair value on the Company's investment in convertible notes for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes accrued interest of $1.1 million, which is presented within other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Investment in convertible notes

The Company previously engaged a third-party firm to assist it in determining the fair value of its investment in convertible notes. The valuation as of December 31, 2020, utilized a binomial lattice model in which a convertible instrument is split into two separate components: a cash-only (debt) component and an equity component. The binomial lattice trees are constructed using a methodology that assigns up and downward movement factors and probabilities based on rates of return, volatility, and time. It allows for the optional conversion features of the convertible notes to be captured by determining whether conversion or continuing to hold is the most economically advantageous to the holder. Upon conversion, future values in the equity component are subject to only the risk-free rate, while the cash-only component associated with continuing to hold the debt instrument is subject to the selected risk-adjusted discount rate. Solving backwards through the trees associated with the equity component and the trees associated with the debt component yields an aggregate discounted value for each. The sum of these values yields the indicated fair value of the convertible notes. The discount rate is the risk-adjusted discount rate that is implied by the rate that allows the discounted cash flows with all terms and conditions modeled to equal the total cash consideration. As such, after modeling the features of convertible notes as of the issuance date using the lattice model framework outlined above, the Company solved for the discount rate that resulted in a value for the note equal to the total cash consideration. This valuation of the Company's investment in convertible notes is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement as the significant inputs are unobservable and require significant judgment or estimation.

As described in Note 4, on July 30, 2021, the Company provided notice to Gold Rush that it was exercising its rights to convert the notes into common stock of Gold Rush, subject to approval from the IGB to transfer the common stock to the Company. Accordingly, beginning in the third quarter of 2021, given the pending request for regulatory approval on the transfer of equity interest, the fair value of the convertible notes was estimated using a probability-weighted approach. Assuming

regulatory approval was received, the fair value of the convertible notes was estimated on an as-converted basis by multiplying the equity value of Gold Rush by the ownership percentage as calculated pursuant to the terms of the convertible note agreements. In the scenario where regulatory approval was not received, the fair value of the convertible notes was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach assuming the Company would request immediate redemption of the principal and accrued interest and the discount rate was estimated based on comparable public debt rates. This assumption did not consider legal claims the Company may have under the convertible notes to receive the economic value of the conversion shares, even if transfer of the actual ownership interest in Gold Rush to Accel was not approved by the IGB. After the IGB Administrator’s denial of the transfer of the equity interest on December 2, 2021, the Company concluded that the fair value of the convertible notes should be calculated as principal plus accrued interest as of December 31, 2021. For the avoidance of doubt, this value is less than what Accel maintains Gold Rush owes Accel under the convertible notes, but is consistent with ASC Topic 820. This valuation of the Company's investment in convertible notes is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement as the significant inputs are unobservable and the Company is evaluating its remedies with respect to the amounts owed by Gold Rush.

The following table provides a roll-forward of the fair value of recurring Level 3 fair value measurements for assets for the year ended December 31 (in thousands):


	2021		2020
Assets:

Beginning of year balance	$	31,266	$	30,234
Accrued interest	928		903
Fair value adjustments	(129)		129

Ending balance	$	32,065	$	31,266

Changes in the fair value of the investment in convertible notes is included within comprehensive income (loss) on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Liabilities measured at fair value

The following tables summarizes the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):


			Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	December 31, 2021		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$	19,434	$	—	$	—	$	19,434
Contingent earnout shares	42,831		—		42,831		—
Warrants	13		—		13		—
Total	$	62,278	$	—	$	42,844	$	19,434


			Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
	December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$	17,260	$	—	$	—	$	17,260
Contingent earnout shares	33,069		—		33,069		—
Warrants	13		—		13		—
Total	$	50,342	$	—	$	33,082	$	17,260

Contingent consideration

The Company uses a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the value of contingent consideration upon acquisition and updates this estimate on a recurring basis. The significant assumptions in the Company's cash flow analysis includes the probability adjusted projected revenues after state taxes, a discount rate as applicable to each acquisition, and the estimated number of locations that “go live” with the Company during the contingent consideration period. The valuation of the Company's contingent consideration is considered to be a Level 3 fair value measurement as the significant inputs are unobservable and require significant judgment or estimation. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities are classified within other expenses, net on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Contingent earnout shares

The Company determines the fair value of the contingent earnout shares based on the market price of the Company's A-1 common stock. The liability, by tranche, is then stated at present value based on i.) an interest rate derived from the Company's borrowing rate and the applicable risk-free rate and ii.) an estimate on when it expects the contingent earnout shares to convert to A-1 common stock. The valuation of the Company's contingent consideration is considered to be a Level 2 fair value measurement. Changes in the fair value of contingent earnout shares are included within loss (gain) on change in fair value of contingent earnout shares on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Warrants

The Company determines the fair value of its Public Warrants based on their trading price (ticker symbol ACEL.WS) on the NYSE and is considered to be a Level 1 fair value measurement. The Company initially determined the fair value of its Private Placement Warrants by using the fair value of its Public Warrants and a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires inputs such as the fair value of the Company's A-1 Common Stock, the risk-free interest rate, expected term, expected dividend yield and expected volatility. Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, the valuation of the Private Placement Warrants was based on the trading price of the Company's A-1 Common Stock divided by four as the holders of its outstanding Warrants were to receive 0.25 shares of Class A-1 Common Stock in exchange for each Warrant tendered in an exchange offer the Company consummated in August 2020. The Company's valuation of its Private Placement Warrants is considered to be a Level 2 fair value measurement. Changes in the fair value of the Warrants are included within (gain) loss on change in fair value of warrants on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

The following table provides a roll-forward of the fair value of recurring Level 3 fair value measurements for liabilities for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):


	2021		2020		2019
Liabilities:

Beginning of year balance	$	17,260	$	17,327	$	6,782
Issuance of contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions	105		3,245		7,216
Payment of contingent consideration	(4,358)		(4,420)		(1,658)


Fair value adjustments	6,427		1,108		4,987
Ending balance	$	19,434	$	17,260	$	17,327

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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