Exhibit 10.23
Employment
Agreement
The
Company |
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The
Employee |
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Ellmount
Entertainment Ltd |
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Name:
Isaac Sant |
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Ewropa
Business Centre, |
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ID
number: 556492M |
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Level
3, Suite 701, Dun Karm |
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Address:
50, Flat 2. |
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Street,
Birkirkara, BKR 9034, |
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Triq
Patri Guzè Delia |
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Malta,
(hereinafter referred to |
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Balzan |
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as
‘the Company’); |
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BZN
1710 |
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Malta |
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The
Company is represented here on by the Director of the Company, Ms Sharon Borg as duly authorized, and hereinafter referred to
as “the Company”, “We” or “Us” as the context demands. The employee is hereinafter referred
to as “the Employee” of“You” as the context demands. Both Parties may hereinafter at times also be referred
to jointly as “the Parties” or individually as “the Party”.
THE
PARTIES NOW AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
| 1.1. | The
Company hereby appoints the Employee and the Employee accepts, to act as an Chief
Technical Officer for the Company, such appointment commencing on
1 June 2022 |
| 2.1. | The
main responsibilities are described in Appendix A. |
| 3. | Employment
Information and working hours including overtime |
| 3.1. | The
Employment Form is that of Indefinite Duration. The Employee’s engagement level
is that of full-time, which is a minimum of 40 hours per week. |
| 3.2. | Unless
otherwise agreed to in Appendix A, the Company has flexible working hours which are Monday
to Friday between 7.00 – 18.00. The Employee shall be entitled to a daily rest
break according to applicable law. Working hours may change at the Company’s full
discretion according to Company’s exigencies. |
| 3.3. | Overtime
may occur without any economical compensation. |
| 4.1. | The
Employee must attend for work and carry out his/her duties under this contract at her/his
own choice of place or at such other place as the Company may determine, at its absolute
discretion, from time to time. |
| 5. | Remuneration,
Benefits & Travel expenses |
| 5.1. | The
Company shall pay the Employee a basic gross salary per annum of EUR120 000, which
shall be paid, in monthly installments on or around the 30th of each month, in arrears,
usually by a bank transfer. The basic gross salary includes compensation for pension
savings. Salary and any other entitlements are subject to deductions for tax, national
insurance contributions or any other required fees. |
| 5.2 | Periodic
performance and salary reviews in respect to Employee’s performance of his/her
duties are conducted twice per year at the Company’s discretion. |
| 5.3. | The
Company shall pay the Employee a health insurance plan as per the company health and
benefit policy. |
| 5.4. | As
per the company’s IT policy, the company shall provide the employee with a grant
to cover computer equipment with a sum agreed upon with the Employer in which equipment
will become the companies property in case this agreement is terminated before the probation
period ends. |
| 5.5. | In
the event that the Employee may be required to travel abroad on business of the Company,
the Company shall cover those expenses incurred for travel, accommodation costs as well
as a daily allowance within reason depending on the role of the employee. Costs will
be refunded upon presentation of receipts. |
| 5.6 | The
Employer agrees to award the Employee a performance bonus of up to 30% whenever an all time high quarterly result is achieved
on both EBITDA and Revenues. This is determined by a minimum of at least 10% growth in both from previous sequential quarter |
| 6. | Vacation
Leave & Other Leave |
| 6.1. | The
Employee is entitled to Vacation Leave as specified in Legal Notice No 38/39 or such statutory
instrument that may replace it. Vacation leave is to be taken at times to suit the exigencies
of the Company. |
| 6.2. | The
Employee is entitled to sick leave, maternity leave, injury leave, marriage leave, bereavement
leave, and jury leave according to law. Parental leave is in accordance with the Parental
Leave Entitlement Regulations of 2003 and granted subject to giving a minimum of three
weeks’ notice. |
| 6.3. | Payment
of wages during sick leave period may, at the sole discretion of the Company, be made
subject to the certification and confirmation of the medical advisor to the Company. Payment
for sick leave and injury leave will be made less any sickness benefit or injury benefit
which the employee may be entitled to under the Social Security Act. |
| 6.4. | The
Employee is entitled to all public and national holidays established by law. |
| 7. | Probation
period & Notice Period/Termination |
| 7.1. | Unless
otherwise agreed to in Appendix A, the employment has a probationary period of 6 months. |
| 7.2. | The
notice period applicable for both Parties, is that according to law. A resignation should
be done in writing to the Responsible Manager. Failure to give notice in accordance with
the above by the Employee, shall result in the Employee being liable to pay the Company
a sum equal to half the wages that would be payable in respect of the period of notice. |
| 7.3. | Termination
by the Company is described under Standard terms and condition |
| 8. | Standard
Terms & Conditions |
| 8.1. | Intellectual
Property |
| 8.1.1. | All
intellectual property created by the Employee during the period of his/her employment
with the Company by reason of such employment shall remain the property of the Company. |
| 8.2. | Use
of Company IT Resources |
| 8.2.1. | When
using the Internet, the Employee undertakes to take reasonable care to ensure that the
Company’s systems are not compromised by virus or hacking or other unauthorized
intrusion. The use of the internet is to be reasonably limited to work-related duties
by the Employee. |
| 8.2.2. | The
Employee may use email facilities for personal messages provided that this does not in
any way contain objectionable material or in any way compromise the interests of the
Company. The Company reserves the right to view and/or delete any emails, including personal
ones, at any time even without the knowledge of the Employee. |
| 8.3. | Duties
of the Employee |
| 8.3.1. | The
Employee undertakes to perform all duties required of him/her in a diligent, efficient
and professional manner and to apply that standard of care and diligence commensurate
with the nature and extent of his/her employment with the Company. |
| 8.3.2. | The
Employee undertakes to act in the best interests of the Company at all times, and shall
receive instructions from and be answerable to the CEO or management of the Company or
any other Company officer as may be prescribed by the Company for any matters connected
to the carrying out of his/her duties. |
| 8.3.3. | The
Employee shall abide by all Company policies, guidelines and codes of practice. |
| 8.3.4. | In
particular, the Employee shall at all times during the period of his/her employment: |
| 8.3.4.1. | devote
as much of his/her time, attention and ability to the duties of his/her appointment,
as may be reasonably required of him/her in order to fully carry out his/her functions; |
| 8.3.4.2. | faithfully
and diligently perform those duties and exercise such powers consistent with them which
are from time to time assigned to or vested in him/her by the Company; |
| 8.3.4.3. | follow
all lawful and reasonable directions as may be given to him/her by the CEO/Directors; |
| 8.3.4.4. | use
his/her best endeavours to promote the interests of the Company; |
| 8.3.4.5. | not
to make any untrue or misleading statements about the Company at any time; |
| 8.3.4.6. | conduct
himself/herself in an appropriate, dignified and responsible manner during work and in
all situations where acting as a representative of the Company; |
| 8.3.4.7. | to
comply with any rules, guidelines, codes of conduct, regulations and laws of Malta as
may be applicable and currently in force, or as may be issued by the CEO of the Company. |
| 8.4. | Confidentiality,
use of Data and Systems, and Non-Disclosure |
| 8.4.1. | Company
secrets and other Confidential Information include, but is not limited to, commercial
information regarding: |
| 8.4.1.1. | the
Company’s customers and partners; |
| 8.4.1.2. | the
Company’s potential customers and partners; |
| 8.4.1.3. | the
Company’s suppliers and individual business transactions; |
| 8.4.1.4. | price
calculations or other pricing information; |
| 8.4.1.6. | business
plans and other types of marketing plans; |
| 8.4.1.7. | advertising
and other customer campaigns; and |
| 8.4.1.8. | any
information relating to the running of the Company’s affairs. |
| 8.4.2. | The
Employee shall treat all information that he gains access to by reason of his/her employment
with the Company, whether relating to the business of the Company or any of the Company’s
clients, customers, partners, suppliers, as strictly confidential and shall not disclose
such information unless explicitly authorised by the Company or compelled by law. |
| 8.4.3. | The
Parties agree that the Employee shall hold a position of trust within the Company by
means of which s/he shall have access to Company secrets and/or other Confidential Information.
The Parties further agree that unauthorised use or disclosure of such secrets and/or
information by the Employee will result in serious damages suffered by the Company. In
view of the foregoing, the Parties agree that the Company is required to take appropriate
measures to safeguard its interests when entrusting such secrets and/or information to
the Employee so as to ensure that the Employee does not abuse or reveal such secrets
and/or information, for instance with the intention to favour a competing business. |
Accordingly,
the Parties agree that the Employee shall not, during the period of employment and after its cessation for whatever reason, whether
directly or indirectly through another company, legal entity, or physical person, utilise or reveal secrets or other Confidential
Information obtained during the period of employment with or pertaining to the Company. Should the Employee act in breach of this
clause, whether directly or indirectly the Employee shall be liable to pay the Company damages, as stated in the provisions of
clause 8.9, caused by his/her breach under this clause.
| 8.4.4. | The
Employee shall only access those parts of the Company’s systems and information that s/he is given authorisation for access
and use by his/her Responsible Manager. The Employee shall only utilize the accessed Company’s systems and information for
the proper carrying out by the Employee of his/her duties in terms of his/her employment. The Employee shall not intentionally
compromise security of the Company’s or any other Company systems or data. |
| 8.5. | Limitation
of Other Work during Employment |
| 8.5.1. | The
Employee shall not, without the written consent of the Company (which will not be unreasonably
withheld) engage, whether directly or indirectly, in any other business, activity or
employment outside the normal hours of work or during vacation leave which could or might
reasonably be considered to affect the Employee's ability to act at all times in the
best interests of the Company or to perform his/her duties and obligations in the best
interests of the Company. Any other work should be notified to the Company and approved
by the CEO/Directors before it may be undertaken. |
| 8.6. | Prohibition
of soliciting customers, Partners or employees |
| 8.6.1. | During
the employment and for a period of 12 months after the termination of employment, for
whatever reason, the Employee commits not to, directly or indirectly (such as through
another company, legal entity or physical person): |
| 8.6.1.1. | persuade
any of the Company’s customers or partners to form a business relationship with
anyone other than the Company, |
| 8.6.1.2. | persuade
any of the Company’s customers or partners to reduce their business relationship
with the Company favour of another company, |
| 8.6.1.3. | transfer
any of the Company’s current business relationships to another company, |
| 8.6.1.4. | persuade
any employees of the Company to leave their positions. |
| 8.6.2. | The
same obligations apply to relationships with potential customers or partners that have
been actively solicited by the Company during the 12 months preceding the termination
of the employment. |
| 8.6.3. | The
Employee understands and agrees that in the event that s/he, in any way and whether directly
or indirectly, violates his/her obligations as stated above under this clause, the Employee
shall be liable to pay to the Company the damages, as stated in clause 8.9, caused by
his/her breach under this clause. |
| 8.7.1. | The
Employee undertakes not to commit any of the following: |
| 8.7.1.1. | theft,
misappropriation, unauthorized possession of any property; |
| 8.7.1.2. | unauthorized
access to information or systems of the Company or any other company its group, |
| 8.7.1.3. | unauthorized
use or disclosure of information belonging to the Company, any other company within the
group, it’s of their clients and/or employees; |
| 8.7.1.4. | compromising
security of the Company’s or any other group company’s systems or data; |
| 8.7.1.5. | breach
of the Company’s trust; |
| 8.7.1.6. | serious
damage or repeated damage to the Company’s or any other group company’s property
or reputation; |
| 8.7.1.7. | falsification
of or misrepresentation in reports, accounts, expense claims or other documentation; |
| 8.7.1.8. | intoxication
by reason of drink or drugs during working hours or at Company’s premises; |
| 8.7.1.9. | having
alcoholic drink or drugs in his/her possession, custody or control in the Company’s
premises or property; |
| 8.7.1.10. | violent,
dangerous or intimidating conduct; |
| 8.7.1.11. | sexual,
racial or other harassment of a fellow employee; or |
| 8.7.1.12. | refusal
to carry out duties or reasonable and legitimate instructions of the CEO or the Employee’s
manager or supervisor; |
| 8.7.1.13. | carrying
out other work not approved as required under clause 8.6. |
| 8.7.2. | In
case the Employee commits any of the above mentioned offences or any other serious act
of gross misconduct, the Company may immediately dismiss the Employee without notice
and/or compensation for such dismissal, without prejudice to any other actions that may
be available according to law. |
| 8.8.1. | The
damages applicable for every breach of clause 8.5 and every breach of clause 8.7 will
be calculated on the basis of the gross amount paid by the Employer to the Employee in
one year immediately preceding the breach (‘Gross Amount Paid’) as follows: |
Gross
Amount Paid |
Damages |
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Minimum
wage |
25%
of Gross Amount Paid |
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Higher
than the minimum wage but less than double the
minimum wage |
30%
of Gross Amount Paid |
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Double
the minimum wage or more, but less than triple the
minimum wage |
35%
of Gross Amount Paid |
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Triple
the minimum wage or more |
40%
of Gross Amount Paid |
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| 8.8.2. | The
applicable minimum wage shall be as prescribed by applicable law at the time of the breach. |
| 8.8.3. | The
Parties agree that the above damages per breach is a genuine estimate of the minimum
damages that will be suffered by the Company in the event of any such violation by the
Employee and shall not be subject to abatement by any court of tribunal. |
| 8.9.1. | Any
breach on the part of the Employee of any of the obligations undertaken by him/her under
this Agreement, with special reference to clauses
8.4.4. and 8.8.1., shall be deemed to be a good and sufficient cause for termination of his/her employment with the Company according
to law, and the Company shall be entitled to terminate the employment ipso facto, without any need for further notice
and without prejudice to any other right of recourse the Company may have against the Employee for such breach. |
| 8.9.2. | The
Employee acknowledges that any of the following circumstances, in addition to situations
mentioned in clauses 8.4.4. and 8.8.1., constitute a good and sufficient cause at law
for the termination of his/her employment for the purposes of Section 36(14) of the Employment
and Industrial Relations Act 2002, that is, if the Employee: |
| 8.9.2.1. | commits
any act of gross misconduct or repeats or continues (after written warning to desist)
any other beach of his/her obligations under this Agreement or fiduciary obligations at
law; |
| 8.9.2.2. | is
guilty of any conduct which, in the reasonable opinion of the CEO of the Company brings
the Employee, the Company, or any related third party into disrepute, or is otherwise
sharing trade secrets or breaching the confidentiality obligations under this Agreement; |
| 8.9.2.3. | is
convicted of any criminal offense affecting public trust, or theft, or fraud, or of knowingly
receiving stolen property obtained by theft or fraud; |
| 8.9.2.4. | commits
any act of dishonesty relating to the Company or any of the Company’s employees
or otherwise, which in the sole opinion of the CEO justifies reason for termination of
employment with the Company; |
| 8.9.2.5. | in
the sole opinion of the CEO, persistently under-performs in relation to the targets that
may be set the Company. |
| 8.10. | Obligations
at the end of Employment |
| 8.10.1. | Handover
of Assignments, etc.: When it is clear that the Employee will leave the position with
the Company, the Employee shall, until the employment terminates and regardless of the
reasons for the termination, be responsible for transferring all information, instructions,
and job assignments related to the current role to a Company designated employee(s). |
| 8.10.2. | Returning
of working materials: At the end of the employment, or earlier if the Company requests,
the Employee shall return all working materials to
the Company that the Employee has produced while completing his/her working assignments or has received in other ways during his/her
employment. This also applies to all equipment and other property that the Company provided to the Employee. The Employee shall
remain responsible for all equipment during the employment and be obliged to return it in a good working condition, normal wear
and tear excepted at the end of the employment. |
| 8.10.3. | Other:
Upon request or upon termination of the employment, for whatever reason, the Employee
shall not represent himself/herself as being in any way connected with the business or
affairs of the Company and immediately resign from any position or appointment to which
s/he had been appointed as a consequence of his/her employment, unless otherwise agreed
by the Company in writing. |
| 8.11. | Clauses
subsiding after termination of Employment |
| 8.11.1. | Despite
the termination of the employment under this Agreement, the clauses regarding termination
by the Company, prohibition of non-solicitation, prohibition of competing engagement,
confidentiality and non-disclosure, as well as damages shall continue to be valid and
enforceable. |
This
Agreement shall be governed by and constructed and enforced in accordance with and subject to the laws of Malta.
The
subject headings of the articles, paragraphs and subparagraphs of this Agreement are included solely for the purposes of convenience
and reference only, and shall not be deemed to explain, modify, limit, amplify or aid in the meaning, construction or interpretation
of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
Should
any part, term or provision of this Agreement or any document required herein to be executed be declared invalid, void or unenforceable,
all remaining parts terms and provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be invalidated, impaired
or affected thereby.
All
notices or other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed properly delivered
when (i) delivered personally, or (ii) by the mailing of such notice to the parties entitled thereto, by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid to the parties at any such address designated in writing by one party to the other.
The
Annexes and Appendices attached to this Agreement shall form an integral part of this agreement.
For
all other conditions the Parties refer to the applicable law and wages council orders, if any.
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This
Agreement has been established in three originals of which the parties take one each. |
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Malta, |
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O.b.o.
The Company |
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The
Employee |
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Michael
Cribari |
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Isaac
Sant |
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4/28/2022 |
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4/28/2022 |
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Appendix
A
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Description of job duties |
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Name of Employee: |
Isaac Sant: |
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Date of Appointment: |
1 June 2022 |
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Title of Employee: |
CTO |
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Reporting & Responsibilities |
| ● | Member
of the company’s management |
| ● | Responsible
for development lifecycle cycle end to end (Architecture, Design, Development, QA, deployment
to production) |
| ● | Responsibility
on IT and R&D Quality, effciency, and budget |
| ● | Responsibility
on production environment Security, SLA, and stability |
| ● | Develop
technical aspects of the company’s strategy to ensure alignment with its business
goals |
| ● | Evaluate
and implement new technologies and infrastructure |
| ● | Use
stakeholders’ feedback to inform necessary improvements or adjustments to technology |
| ● | Communicate
technology strategy to partners and investors |
| ● | Mobile
and Web Product Marketing Research — Researching and analyzing strategic and competitive
information- finding trends, innovations, and changes in the relevant international gaming
industry |
| ● | Creating
and implementing the player experience strategy |
| ● | Lead,
manage and be responsible for all strategic technology related decisions in the business |
| ● | Take
ownership of product development end-to-end and establish technical vision |
| ● | Oversee
architecture decisions to ensure a strong, stable, and scalable product |
| ● | Oversee
all aspects of technical development |
| ● | Manage
multiple development teams in parallel, including frontend, backend, provably fair games
and blockchain / smart contract developers |
| ● | Define,
implement and oversee the quality assurance process |
| ● | Supervise
and Recruit team members |
| ● | Define,
gather and track technology performance metrics |
| ● | Keep
up to date with latest trends and best practices in the iGaming, and technology landscapes |
CHANGES
TO WORKING INSTRUCTION
Changes
and amendments to this instruction will be initiated by the CEO and may be given in writing or verbally by the CEO..
Signatures
of this appendix document the mutual understanding of the full description by both The Company and Employee.
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Malta, O.b.o. The Company |
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The Employee |
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Michael
Cribari |
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Isaac
Sant |
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4/28/2022 |
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4/28/2022 |
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