Software, net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

We capitalize direct costs used in the development of internal-use software. Amounts capitalized are amortized over a period of two to ten years on a straight-line basis.

We purchase, license and incur costs to develop external use software to be used in the products we sell, lease or market to customers. Costs incurred in creating software are expensed when incurred as R&D until technological feasibility has been established, after which costs are capitalized up to the date the software is available for general release to customers. Generally, the software we develop reaches technological feasibility when a working model of the software is available. 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. Amortization of capitalized software costs is recorded over the estimated economic life, which is typically two to ten years.

For our new game themes, we have determined that such products generally reach technological feasibility when internal testing is complete and the product is ready to be submitted to gaming regulators for approval. We incur and capitalize regulatory approval costs for our game themes after technological feasibility is achieved. Amortization of regulatory approval costs is recorded over the estimated economic life, which is typically two to four years.

Software, net consisted of the following:


	As of December 31,
	2023		2022
Software	$	1,083	$	1,064
Accumulated amortization	(925)		(919)
Software, net	$	158	$	145

In the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we capitalized $85 million and $76 million, respectively, of development expenditures.

The following reflects amortization of software included within D&A:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2023		2022		2021
Amortization expense	$	68	$	70	$	81