As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 9, 2020

Registration No. 333-[---]

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

ALLIED ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   82-1659427
(State or jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)

 

17877 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300

Irvine, California, 92614

Telephone: (949) 225-2600

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Mr. Frank Ng

Chief Executive Officer

17877 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300

Irvine, California, 92614

Telephone: (949) 225-2600

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copy to:

Bradley A. Pederson, Esq.

Maslon LLP

3300 Wells Fargo Center

90 South 7th Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

Telephone: (612) 672-8200

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the registration statement.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐   Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer   Smaller reporting company ☒
    Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each class of securities to be registered 

Amount

to be registered (1)

  

Proposed maximum

offering price

per security

  

Proposed maximum

aggregate

offering price

  

Amount of

registration fee

 
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share   1,740,344   $1.34(2)  $2,332,060.96(2)  $302.70 

 

(1)There is also being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock as shall be issuable pursuant to Rule 416 to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

 

(2)Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The maximum price per shares of common stock and the maximum aggregate offering price are based on the average of the $1.52 (high) and $1.16 (low) sale price of the registrant’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on September 4, 2020, which date is within five business days prior to filing this Registration Statement.

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is declared effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is prohibited.

 

Subject to completion dated September 9, 2020

 

PROSPECTUS

 

ALLIED ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. 

  

 

1,740,344 Shares

 

Common Stock

 

This prospectus relates to the proposed resale or other disposition from time to time of up to 1,740,344 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. (“AESE”), by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus. We are not selling any shares of common stock under this prospectus and will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of common stock by the selling stockholders.

 

The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus, or their permitted transferees or other successors-in-interest that may be identified in a supplement to this prospectus or, if required, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, may offer the shares from time to time through public or private transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at privately negotiated prices. We provide more information about how the selling stockholders may sell their shares of common stock in the section titled “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus. We have agreed to pay certain expenses incurred in connection with the registration of these shares, however, we will not be paying any underwriting discounts or commissions in connection with any offering of shares of common stock under this prospectus.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AESE.” On September 4, 2020, the last reported per share price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.40 per share.

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should read and carefully consider the risks and uncertainties we have described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including those filed after the date hereof.

 

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

The date of this prospectus is [●], 2020.

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

  Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS ii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
RISK FACTORS 4
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS 4
USE OF PROCEEDS 5
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS 5
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 6
LEGAL MATTERS 8
EXPERTS 8
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 8
IMPORTANT INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 9

   

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholders may from time to time, in one or more offerings, sell the common stock described in this prospectus.

 

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information other than the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus (as supplemented or amended). This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. The information contained in this prospectus (and in any supplement or amendment to this prospectus) is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document, and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

We urge you to read carefully this prospectus (as supplemented and amended), together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” before deciding whether to invest in any of the common stock being offered.

 

This prospectus may contain or incorporate by reference market data, industry statistics and other data that have been obtained from, or compiled from, information made available by third parties. We have not independently verified their data. This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference may include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

 

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “AESE” and the “Company” refer to Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

This prospectus does not constitute, and any prospectus supplement or other offering materials related to an offering of securities described in this prospectus will not constitute, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the offered securities in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom or from whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

 

ii

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus (as supplemented and amended), including the financial data and related notes, risk factors and other information incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making an investment decision.

 

Company Overview

 

Background

 

Allied Esports Entertainment Inc., formerly known as Black Ridge Acquisition Corp, or “BRAC”, was incorporated in Delaware on May 9, 2017 as a blank check company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.

 

Allied Esports Media, Inc. (“AEM”), a Delaware corporation, was formed in November 2018 to act as a holding company for Allied Esports International Inc. (“Allied Esports”) and immediately prior to the closing of the Merger (see below) to also include Noble Link Global Limited (“Noble Link”). On December 19, 2018, BRAC, Noble Link and AEM executed an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”).

 

On August 9, 2019 (the “Closing Date”), Noble Link merged with and into AEM, with AEM being the surviving entity. Further, on the Closing Date, a subsidiary of AESE merged with and into AEM pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with AEM being the surviving entity (the “Merger”). Allied Esports, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates the esports-related businesses of AESE. Noble Link (prior to the Merger) and its wholly owned subsidiaries Peerless Media Limited, Club Services, Inc. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. operate the poker-related business of AESE and are collectively referred to herein as “World Poker Tour” or “WPT.”

 

References to the “Company” are to the combination of AEM and WPT during the period prior to the Merger and to AESE and its subsidiaries after the Merger.

 

The Company

 

AESE operates a premier public esports and entertainment company, consisting of the Allied Esports and World Poker Tour businesses.

 

The World Poker Tour is a premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based poker tournaments, television, online and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT helped ignite the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT’s Tour Events are held at locations throughout the world and have awarded more than one billion in prize dollars in its 18-year history. WPT has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 18th season, which airs on FOX Sports Regional Networks in the United States. Season 18 of WPT is currently sponsored by its online subscription-based poker service, ClubWPT.com. WPT offers a suite of online poker services which it operates by itself and through its partners offering consumers the ability to access gaming content on a year-round 24/7 basis. ClubWPT.com is a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 43 states and territories across the United States, Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom, with innovative features and state-of-the-art creative elements inspired by WPT’s 18 years of experience in gaming entertainment. In addition, WPT licenses its brand to social gaming sites through partners like Zynga as well as to educational learning platforms such as LearnWPT. These online products are scalable and offer geographic access that might be limited if WPT relied on tour stop participation alone. Additionally, WPT benefits from managing its own distribution business which currently has more than 1,100 hours of broadcast-ready content, and offers demographically similar programming to its poker content, such as esports, golf and MMA. WPT uses this large suite of programming as leverage to seek preferred airtimes on its various distribution channels where it may promote its online products or offer airtime to sponsors in territories they seek to enter. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, sponsorship opportunities and music licensing. For the past 16 years of its 18-year history, WPT’s business model has successfully utilized the following three pillars for its business model in the sport of poker: 

 

  in-person experiences;

 

  developing multiplatform content; and

 

  providing interactive services.

 

1

 

 

WPT utilizes its in-person experiences to expand its brand throughout the world and creates multiplatform content from such experiences to monetize its brand. WPT’s live events all over the world and distribution of its content via broadcast, streaming and social media, allow WPT to generate significant marketing opportunities for both its sponsors and its own products. WPT has taken advantage of this marketing arm to promote several interactive products: ClubWPT, its subscription-based online poker club that WPT owns and operates, which also offers social poker; PlayWPT, a web and mobile social poker product that is operated by a third party utilizing software and branding that WPT licenses to such provider; Zynga Poker, who operates one of the world’s largest social poker products, to whom WPT has licensed its brand for certain WPT-branded poker tournaments on their platform; and HongKong Triple Sevens Interactive Co., Ltd, who licenses WPT’s Alpha8 brand to operate a social poker product they are in the process of developing. In addition to the three-pillar approach to monetizing the WPT brands as described above, WPT has also been able to combine these approaches in a regional manner to create localized versions of the WPT in other parts of the world. WPT believes that this increased reach will have long-term benefits to WPT’s brand image and profitability.

 

Gaming is one of the largest and fastest growing markets in the entertainment sector, with an estimated 2.56 billion gamers playing esports globally, and esports is the major driver of this growth. Esports, short for “electronic sports,” is a general label that comprises a diverse offering of competitive electronic games that gamers play against each other. It is projected that by 2023, 646 million people will be watching esports globally, and that global esports revenue will grow to approximately $1.5 billion. The Company plans to continue operating the WPT business and to utilize the WPT business model in the multibillion-dollar esports industry. Allied will do this by collaborating with its strategic investors, including certain affiliates of Brookfield Property Partners, one of the world’s premier real estate companies, and TV Azteca, S.A.B. DE C.V., a Grupo Salinas company, a premier television network in Mexico (“TV Azteca”), to deliver best-in-class live events, content and online products.

 

The esports gaming industry is relatively new and is challenging. Competition is rapidly developing. Allied Esports’ business relies upon its ability to grow and garner an active gamer community, and successfully monetize this community through tournament fees, live event ticket sales, and advertising and sponsorships utilizing the three-pillar approach above. Its growth also depends, in part, on its ability to respond to technological evolution, shifts in gamer trends and demands, introductions of new games, game publisher intellectual property right practices, and industry standards and practices. While change in this industry may be inevitable, Allied Esports will try to adapt its business model as needed to accommodate change and remain on the forefront of its competitors. Allied Esports’ business plan requires significant capital expenditures, and it expects its operating expenses to increase significantly as it continues to expand its marketing efforts and operations in existing and new geographies and vertical markets (including its online esports tournament and gaming subscription platform it intends to develop). A key element of Allied Esports’ growth strategy is to extend its brand by opening additional flagship arenas throughout the world and licensing the Allied Esports brand to third party esports arena operators, which it believes will provide attractive returns on investment.

 

Description of the Selling Stockholder Transactions

 

Put Option Agreement with Lyle Berman

 

On February 25, 2020, the Company entered into a Put Option Agreement with Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, pursuant to which the Company obtained an option, in its discretion, to issue and sell shares of its common stock (the “Option Shares”) to Mr. Berman for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2.0 million, at a purchase price of $1.963 per Option Share, subject to certain limitations. On May 15, 2020, the Company and Mr. Berman consummated the exercise of the option and the Company issued and sold 1,018,848 Option Shares to Mr. Berman at a purchase price of $1.963 per Option Share. The Option Shares were issued to Mr. Berman’s revocable trust, the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust. The issuance of the Option Shares were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, at the time of sale. For such issuance, the Company relied on the exemption from federal registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, based on the Company’s belief that the offer and sale of such common stock did not involve a public offering.

 

2

 

 

Adam Pliska Issuances

 

On August 9, 2019, the Company issued 57,276 shares of restricted common stock to Adam Pliska, President of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer and President of WPT, as compensation for services provided to the Company by Trisara, LLC, a limited liability company of which Mr. Pliska is the sole owner. The shares were subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions that lapsed on August 9, 2020. The Company also issued to Mr. Pliska five-year warrants to purchase up to 95,000 shares of common stock for such services at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The issuance of such shares and warrants were not registered under the Securities Act at the time of sale. For such issuance, the Company relied on the exemption from federal registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, based on the Company’s belief that the offer and sale of such common stock and warrants did not involve a public offering.

 

On August 6, 2020, the Company issued to Mr. Pliska 85,517 shares of common stock as bonus compensation. The grant of such shares was registered on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on July 21, 2020. The resale of such shares is being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part in order to permit Mr. Pliska to sell such shares without regard to the resale restrictions under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act that are applicable to holders of “controlled securities.”

 

Practicans LLC Issuances

 

On August 9, 2019, the Company issued to Practicans, LLC (“Practicans”) (i) 290,069 shares of restricted common stock as compensation for services provided to the Company, and (ii) an additional 98,634 shares of common stock issued in connection with Practicans’ finder services. The shares were subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions that lapsed on August 9, 2020. The Company also issued to Practicans five-year warrants to purchase up to 95,000 shares of common stock for such services at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The issuance of such shares and warrants were not registered under the Securities Act at the time of sale. For such issuance, the Company relied on the exemption from federal registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, based on the Company’s belief that the offer and sale of such common stock and warrants did not involve a public offering.

 

The foregoing descriptions are qualified in its entirety by the terms of applicable agreements, which have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

Corporate Information

 

Our address is 17877 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300, Irvine, California, 92614. Our telephone number is (949) 225-2600, and our website address is https://www.alliedesportsent.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus.

 

Risk Factors

 

Our business is subject to numerous risks. For a discussion of the risks you should consider before purchasing shares of our common stock, see “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus.

 

The Offering

 

This prospectus relates to the proposed resale or other disposition from time to time of up to 1,550,344 shares of our common stock that were acquired by the selling stockholders, and up to 190,000 shares of our common stock that are issuable upon the exercise of warrants acquired by the selling stockholders, in the transactions described under “Prospectus Summary – Description of the Selling Stockholder Transactions” above. The selling stockholders may offer to sell the shares being offered pursuant to this prospectus at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices or at negotiated prices. See “Selling Stockholders” and “Plan of Distribution.” We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AESE.”

   

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before purchasing the securities offered by this prospectus, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and additional information (i) contained herein or in any applicable prospectus supplement, (ii) set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020, as amended on March 17, 2020, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and (iii) set forth in our future filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

For a description of these reports and documents, and information about where you can find them, see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Important Information Incorporated by Reference.” The risks and uncertainties in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus are those that we currently believe may materially impact the Company and could result in the loss of all or a portion of your investment in our common stock. Additional risks not presently known or are currently deemed immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, business and prospects.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The information in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein includes “forward-looking statements” under Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, and any prospectus supplement, are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

  the adequacy of funds for future operations;

 

  future expenses, revenue and profitability;

 

  trends affecting financial condition and results of operations;

 

  ability to convert proposals into customer orders under mutually agreed upon terms and conditions;

 

  general economic conditions and outlook, including those as a result of the recent COVID-19 virus;

 

  the ability of viewers to pay for products and services received;

 

  the impact of changing viewer preferences;

 

  the availability and terms of additional capital;

 

  industry trends and the competitive environment;

 

  the impact of the company’s financial condition upon customer and prospective vendor and strategic partner relationships;

 

  potential litigation and regulatory actions directed toward our industry in general;

 

  our reliance on certain key personnel in the management of our businesses;

 

  employee and management turnover;

 

  the existence of material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting;

 

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  the inability to successfully integrate the operations of acquired companies; and

 

  the fact that our common stock is presently thinly traded in an illiquid market.

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “projects”, “predicts”, “potential” “propose,” and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) intended to identify forward-looking statements.

 

These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and in our reports filed from time to time under the Securities Act and/or the Exchange Act. We encourage you to read these filings as they are made. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement.

 

You should read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein, and any prospectus supplement that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.

 

Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments. Thus, you should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering. The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from this offering.

  

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

This prospectus relates to the proposed resale or other disposition from time to time of up to 1,740,344 shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus. For information regarding the issuance of such shares, and the relationship between the selling stockholders and us, see “Prospectus Summary—Description of the Selling Stockholder Transactions” above.

 

The selling stockholders listed in the table below may from time to time offer and sell any or all shares of our common stock set forth below pursuant to this prospectus. When we refer to selling stockholders in this prospectus, we mean the persons listed in the table below, and the pledgees, donees, permitted transferees, assignees, successors and others who later come to hold any of the selling stockholders’ interests in shares of our common stock other than through a public sale.

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the selling stockholders as of the date of this prospectus based on information provided to us by the selling stockholders, including the name of each selling stockholder, the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling stockholder as of the date of this prospectus, the number of such shares that each selling stockholder may offer pursuant to this prospectus, the number of shares to be beneficially owned by each selling stockholder following the sale of shares covered by this prospectus, and the percentage of our issued and outstanding common stock to be beneficially owned by each selling stockholder following the sale of all shares covered by this prospectus.

 

5

 

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules, and includes any shares as to which the selling stockholder has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and also any shares which the selling stockholder has the right to acquire within 60 days of the date hereof, whether through the exercise or conversion of any stock option, convertible security, warrant or other right. The indication herein that shares are beneficially owned is not an admission on the part of the selling stockholder that he, she or it is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares. The percentage of shares beneficially owned are based on 31,963,017 shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 8, 2020.

 

Selling Securityholder Name  Shares of
Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned
Before Offering
   Total Shares
of Common
Stock Offered
by Selling
Securityholder
  

Shares of
Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned

After

Offering
(1)

  

Percentage
of
Beneficial
Ownership
of
Common
Stock
After

Offering
(1)

Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust (2)   1,075,350    1,018,848    56,502   *
Practicans LLC (3)   502,703    483,703    19,000   *
Adam Pliska (4)   312,288    237,793    74,495   *

 

*Less than 1.0%.

 

(1)Assumes the sale of shares offered pursuant to this prospectus.

 

(2)Lyle Berman serves as Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, and is the trustee of the Lyle A. Berman Revocable Trust. Shares include (i) 3,534 shares of common stock issued to Mr. Berman, subject to restrictions; which restrictions lapse on September 20, 2020, and (ii) options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock issued to Mr. Berman that are exercisable within 60 days after September 9, 2020.

 

(3)Registrable securities include 95,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock at a price per share of $11.50 issued in the Merger on August 9, 2019 to Practicans, LLC (“Practicans”) that are currently exercisable. Shares beneficially owned also include 19,000 five-year warrants to purchase shares of Company common stock at a price per share of $11.50 issued August 9, 2019 to Practicans that are currently exercisable. Steven Lipscomb has the power to vote or dispose of such securities and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such securities.

 

(4)Registrable securities include 95,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock at a price per share of $11.50 issued in the Merger on August 9, 2019 to Mr. Pliska that are currently exercisable. Shares beneficially owned also include (i) 7,024 five-year warrants to purchase shares of Company common stock at a price per share of $11.50 issued in the Merger on August 9, 2019 that are currently exercisable; (ii) 38,000 warrants issued to The Lipscomb/Viscoli Children’s Trust (the “Trust”), of which Mr. Pliska is trustee, to purchase shares of Company common stock at a price per share of $11.50 that are currently exercisable; (iii) 19,472 shares of restricted common stock issued to Mr. Pliska on account of his services as a director and officer of the Company, which restrictions lapse on 3,534 shares on September 20, 2020; 4,417 shares on November 12, 2020; and 11,521 shares on August 18, 2021; and (iv) options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days after September 9, 2020. Adam Pliska serves as President of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer and President of WPT disclaims any pecuniary interest in the warrants set forth in item (ii).

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We are registering those shares issued to the selling stockholders as described under “Prospectus Summary – Description of the Selling Stockholder Transactions” above to permit the resale of these shares from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of such shares by the selling stockholders.

 

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The selling stockholders and any of their pledgees, donees, transferees, assignees or other successors-in-interest may sell all or a portion of the shares held by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The shares may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. A selling stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:

 

  ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker dealer solicits purchasers;

 

  block trades in which the broker dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

  purchases by a broker dealer as principal and resale by the broker dealer for its account;

 

  an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

  privately negotiated transactions;

 

  settlement of short sales;

 

  in transactions through broker dealers that agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security;

 

  through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

  a combination of any such methods of sale; or

 

  any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares owned by them and, if the selling stockholders default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholder(s) under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares in other circumstances in which case the pledgees, assignees or successors-in-interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 

In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

 

The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling stockholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering.

 

7

 

 

The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling stockholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

 

In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

 

We have advised the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling stockholders and their affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares including, without limitation, SEC filing fees.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of any securities offered from time to time by this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement will be passed upon by Maslon LLP, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes, are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the registration statement and have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the common stock that is being offered under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement. Neither we nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of common stock offered by this prospectus.

 

8

 

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov. 

 

We maintain an Internet website at https://www.alliedesportsent.com. Information found on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus or part of any prospectus supplement.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. You should read the information incorporated by reference because it is an important part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC:

 

  our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020, as amended on March 17, 2020;

 

  our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on May 11, 2020, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2020 filed with the SEC on August 10, 2020;

 

  our Current Reports on Form 8-K or amendment(s) thereto (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on January 21, 2020, February 26, 2020, April 1, 2020, April 10, 2020, April 30, 2020, May 7, 2020, May 22, 2020, June 8, 2020, June 10, 2020, July 1, 2020, July 24, 2020, and July 27, 2020; and

 

  The description of the Company’s common stock incorporated into the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 10, 2017 by reference to the description under the caption “Description of Securities – Common Stock” in the prospectus forming a part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended ((File No. 333-220516), which was initially filed with the SEC on September 18, 2017.

 

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of such registration statement, until we file a post-effective amendment that indicates the termination of the offering of the common stock made by this prospectus and will become a part of this prospectus from the date that such documents are filed with the SEC. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

 

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus, including exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents. You may request a copy of such documents at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

 

Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc.

Attention: General Counsel

17877 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300

Irvine, California, 92614

Telephone: (949) 225-2600

  

9

 

 

 

 

 

ALLIED ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                , 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

 

The following table sets forth the fees and expenses payable in connection with the registration of securities hereunder. All amounts are estimates except for the SEC registration fee.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee  $302.70 
Accounting fees and expenses  $10,000.00 
Legal fees and expenses  $15,000.00 
Miscellaneous  $197.30 
Total  $25,500.00 

 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of its directors to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his or her duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our Certificate of Incorporation that will be effective upon the closing of this offering provides that no director shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the DGCL prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.

 

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the corporation in related capacities against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which he or she is or is threatened to be made a party by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that the Company shall indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant to Section 145 of DGCL. Further, expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the Company in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer or director may be entitled to indemnification under our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.

 

Our Bylaws also provided that the Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that he/she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him /her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he/she acted in good faith and in a manner he/she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his/her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he/she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his/her conduct was unlawful.

 

II-1

 

 

Our Bylaws further provide that the Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he/she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he she acted in good faith and in a manner he/she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

We maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of our directors and officers arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

 

Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, executive officers, or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement: 

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
2.1   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated December 19, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 19, 2018)
     
2.2   Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated August 5, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
     
2.3   Agreement of Merger dated August 9, 2019 between Noble Link Global Limited and Allied Esports Media, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
     
2.4   Plan of Merger dated August 9, 2019 between Noble Link Global Limited and Allied Esports Media, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
     
3.1   Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
     
3.2   By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Form S-1/A filed September 22, 2017)
     
3.3   Amendment to Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 20, 2019)
     
3.4   Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 27, 2020)
     
4.1   Specimen common stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Form S-1/A filed September 22, 2017)
     
4.2   Description of Registrant’s Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 16, 2020)
     
5.1   Opinion of Maslon LLP as to the validity of the securities being registered*
     
23.1   Consent of Marcum LLP*
     
23.2   Consent of Maslon LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1)
     
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on signature page)

 

 

*Filed herewith

 

II-2

 

 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

II-3

 

 

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

  (i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

  (ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

II-4

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Irvine, State of California, on September 9, 2020.

 

  Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Frank Ng
    Chief Executive Officer
     
  Dated: September 9, 2020

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Frank Ng and Anthony A. Hung, and each of them, as his/her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his/her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.

 

Name   Title   Date
         
/s/ Frank Ng   Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Director   September 9, 2020
Frank Ng        
         
/s/ Anthony A. Hung   Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)   September 9, 2020
Anthony A. Hung        
         
/s/ Adam Pliska   President and Director   September 9, 2020
Adam Pliska        
         
/s/ Lyle Berman   Director   September 9, 2020
Lyle Berman        
         
/s/ Bradley Berman   Director   September 9, 2020
Bradley Berman        
         
/s/ Yinghua Chen   Director   September 9, 2020
Yinghua Chen        
         
/s/ Ho Min Kim   Director   September 9, 2020
Ho Min Kim        
         
/s/ Steve Tae Hyung Kim   Director   September 9, 2020
Steve Tae Hyung Kim        
         
/s/ Joseph Lahti   Director   September 9, 2020
Joseph Lahti        
         
/s/ Benjamin Oehler   Director   September 9, 2020
Benjamin Oehler        
         
/s/ Maya Rogers   Director   September 9, 2020
Maya Rogers        

  

 

II-5

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

   

September 9, 2020

 

Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc.

17877 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300

Irvine, California, 92614

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel for Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with registration on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), of the resale by the selling securityholders named therein (the “Selling Securityholders”) of an aggregate of 1,740,344 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, including 190,000 Shares (the “Warrant Shares”) issuable upon the exercise of Warrants (the “Warrants”).

 

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act.

 

In arriving at the opinion expressed below, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction as being true and complete copies of the originals, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable to enable us to render the opinions set forth below. In our examination, we have assumed without independent investigation the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.

 

We express no opinion herein as to the laws of any state or jurisdiction other than the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (including the statutory provisions and all applicable judicial decisions interpreting those laws) and the federal laws of the United States of America.

 

Based upon the following and upon the representations and information provided by the Company, we hereby advise you that, in our opinion:

 

1. The Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and the Warrant Shares, when issued upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with the terms of the Warrants upon the satisfaction of conditions set forth therein, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable; and

 

2. The Shares (excluding the Warrant Shares) were duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable.

 

This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus comprising a part of the Registration Statement. 

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ MASLON LLP

Exhibit 23.1

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent

 

We consent to the incorporation in this Registration Statement of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries on Form S-3 of our report dated March 16, 2020 (except as to Note 3, Net Loss Per Common Share, which is as of March 17, 2020), which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed on March 16, 2020, and as amended on Form 10-K/A filed March 17, 2020. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

 

/s/ Marcum llp

 

Marcum llp

Melville, NY

September 9, 2020