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IGT’s Gaming and Digital Business and Everi to Be Acquired Simultaneously by Apollo Funds in All-Cash Transaction

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International Game Technology PLC (NYSE: IGT) (“IGT”) and Everi Holdings Inc. (NYSE: EVRI) (“Everi”) today announced that they have entered into definitive agreements whereby IGT’s Gaming & Digital business (“IGT Gaming”) and Everi will be simultaneously acquired by a newly formed holding company owned by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE: APO) (“Apollo”) (the “Apollo Funds”) in an all-cash transaction that values the acquired businesses at approximately $6.3 billion on a combined basis.

On February 29, 2024, IGT and Everi announced that they had entered into definitive agreements pursuant to which IGT would separate the IGT Gaming business by way of a taxable spin-off to IGT shareholders and then immediately combine such business with Everi. Under the terms of the new agreements, the Apollo Funds will acquire IGT Gaming and Everi. Following closing, IGT Gaming and Everi will be privately owned companies that are part of one combined enterprise.

Under the terms of the new agreements, Everi stockholders will receive $14.25 per share in cash, representing a 56% premium over Everi’s closing share price on July 25, 2024. IGT will receive $4.05 billion of gross cash proceeds for IGT Gaming. IGT expects significant portions of the cash proceeds to be used to repay debt and to be returned to shareholders.

De Agostini S.p.A., a società per azioni organized under the laws of Italy, the majority shareholder of IGT, has committed to make a minority equity investment in the combined enterprise at the closing of the transaction.

Upon completion of the sale of IGT Gaming to the Apollo Funds, IGT will change its name and stock ticker symbol, becoming a premier pure play lottery business.

The transaction with the Apollo Funds has been unanimously approved by a special committee of the IGT Board of Directors and unanimously approved by all members of the Everi Board of Directors, and the previous transaction agreements between IGT and Everi entered into on February 28, 2024 have been terminated.

Vince Sadusky, IGT PLC CEO, said, “Our new agreement represents a positive evolution of our previously announced transaction with Everi and a successful culmination of the strategic review process that IGT launched last year. With the Apollo Funds, we have found a partner that recognizes the strength of IGT Gaming, the value of our talent and our position in the industry. This transaction will allow IGT Gaming to continue to invest in and enhance its growing core segments while providing customers with a more comprehensive portfolio of offerings. After the closing of this transaction, IGT’s shareholders will continue to own one hundred percent of IGT’s Global Lottery business, which will be positioned for long-term success as a pure-play global lottery player with a more focused, compelling business model and optimized capital structure to drive long-term shareholder value.”

Randy Taylor, Everi President and CEO, added, “We believe this transaction maintains the integrity and strong strategic rationale of our original agreement with IGT, but now also provides significant and certain value to our stockholders as we move forward with the Apollo Funds as our partner. By joining forces with IGT Gaming, we expect to continue to lead, innovate, and provide unparalleled value to our customers as a stronger player in the global gaming, FinTech, and digital industry. Apollo is a respected investment firm with a strong track record in the gaming sector, and they recognize the value of our business and see significant potential in bringing IGT Gaming and Everi together. Under private ownership, we believe we will be better positioned to accelerate the integration of our two organizations for the benefit of our customers and employees.”

Daniel Cohen, Partner at Apollo, stated, “We are excited to reach this agreement with IGT and Everi, which establishes a leading, diversified solutions provider that is well positioned across the entire gaming ecosystem. As an active investor in the gaming and leisure sector for many years, we have long admired both companies and their highly talented teams. We strongly believe in the value proposition of the combination and are confident these complementary gaming platforms will be even better positioned under private ownership to capture the opportunities ahead to grow and create value. We look forward to working in partnership with all the people at IGT Gaming and Everi to propel the combined enterprise forward.”

Apollo has a strong track record of successful current and former investments across leisure, including in the gaming and entertainment sectors.

Leadership, Governance & Structure

IGT PLC CEO Vince Sadusky will oversee the separation of IGT Gaming and support the transition through transaction completion. Post-closing, Mr. Sadusky will continue in his role, leading the lottery-focused company under its new name and stock ticker symbol. Following the acquisitions of IGT Gaming and Everi by the Apollo Funds, current IGT EVP Strategy and Corporate Development, Fabio Celadon, will serve as CFO, and current Everi CFO, Mark Labay, will assume the role of Chief Integration Officer, of the combined enterprise. The newly formed combined enterprise will be headquartered in Las Vegas.

In addition, upon closing of the transaction, the shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Everi will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.

Approvals and Timing

The acquisitions of IGT Gaming and Everi by the Apollo Funds are cross-conditioned. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and approval by Everi stockholders, and is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2025. IGT shareholder approval is not required for the transaction.

Upcoming Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Results

IGT will release its second quarter 2024 financial results and hold its earnings conference call as planned on July 30, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET.

Everi will release its second quarter 2024 financial results no later than August 9, 2024. In light of this transaction with Apollo, Everi will not host an earnings conference call.

Advisors

Macquarie Capital, Deutsche Bank, and Mediobanca are serving as financial advisors to IGT, and Sidley Austin LLP, White & Case LLP and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz are serving as legal counsel to IGT.

Global Leisure Partners LLC is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to Everi, and Houlihan Lokey provided additional financial advice to Everi’s Board of Directors. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is serving as legal counsel to Everi.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving as legal counsel to the Apollo Funds.

Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Capital are providing financing commitments for the transaction.

The post IGT’s Gaming and Digital Business and Everi to Be Acquired Simultaneously by Apollo Funds in All-Cash Transaction appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Soft2Bet Invest Wins the “Outstanding Contribution to Gaming 2024” Award at SiGMA East Europe

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September 6, 2024

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Soft2Bet is delighted to announce that its Soft2Bet Invest venture has won the Outstanding Contribution to Gaming 2024 award at this year’s SiGMA East Europe taking place this week in Budapest, Hungary.

The award celebrates executives and organisations that make significant impacts on the industry through technical innovation, advocacy or mentoring and investments. Winning the “Outstanding Contribution to Gaming 2024” award for this category is therefore fantastic recognition of Sof2Bet’s work and efforts in the field.

Soft2Bet Invest launched a €50m iGaming Innovation Fund to support innovative iGaming and casual gaming companies and provide financial and business support to entrepreneurs. It reaches across the corporate spectrum and is open to growth-stage and/or mature companies that are harnessing pioneering technologies in casual gaming, AI, traffic differentiators or behavioural-UX analytics.

Launched in 2024, Soft2Bet Invest has already attracted major interest from iGaming startups and visionaries wanting to innovate and revolutionise the sector. Its investment bracket ranges from €500K to €1m per individual project, with the investment strategy to be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer at Soft2Bet, commented: “Winning this award is highly rewarding since we launched Soft2Bet Invest just this year. It shows the hunger there is among our industry peers for a specialist investment fund that can harness the energy within iGaming and turn entrepreneurial dreams into realities. Soft2Bet’s focus has always been innovation, of spirit, business and technology, and this award recognises those qualities. We’re truly delighted to have won it!”  

The post Soft2Bet Invest Wins the “Outstanding Contribution to Gaming 2024” Award at SiGMA East Europe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Tusk Casino Celebrates Trace’s R2.3 Million Jackpot Victory

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September 6, 2024

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Tusk Casino proudly announces another thrilling win for one of its players, Trace, who secured an impressive R2.3 Million on the Secrets of Cleopatra slot, crafted by PG Soft. This notable win is proof of the exciting potential of Tusk Casino, supported by www.SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, the leading online gambling guide for South African players.

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The post Tusk Casino Celebrates Trace’s R2.3 Million Jackpot Victory appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Atlaslive Celebrates Multiple Nominations for EIGE 2024, Including Best Marketing Campaign

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2 days ago

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September 6, 2024

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Atlaslive, a B2B software provider delivering high-quality solutions for the iGaming industry, has been shortlisted in all four of its nominated categories for the upcoming European iGaming Excellence (EIGE) Awards 2024. This recognition underscores Atlaslive’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and leadership in the iGaming industry.

 

The nominations include:

  1. Best Marketing Campaign: Our rebranding campaign has been recognized for its strategic approach and impact, reflecting Atlaslive’s dynamic evolution and our continuous efforts to connect more deeply with our partners.
  2. Best eSports Betting Provider: This nomination highlights our cutting-edge eSports offerings, which are designed to meet the growing demand for immersive and reliable eSports betting experiences.
  3. Innovation in iGaming Technology: At Atlaslive, we thrive on challenges and excel in high-pressure, high-traffic moments. Our peak performance technology, which ensures seamless operations even during the most demanding periods, has earned us a spot in this category.
  4. Best iGaming Supplier: Being recognized as one of the leading suppliers in the iGaming industry is a testament to our comprehensive and scalable solutions, which continue to set new standards for reliability and excellence.

 

The final vote for the EIGE 2024 Awards will take place during the European Gaming Congress, held on October 15-16, 2024, in Warsaw. Atlaslive is proud to attend as an industry leader, contributing its expertise in two key panel discussions:

 

  • The Future of Esports: Opportunities and Challenges – October 15
  • Optimizing Sportsbook Operations for Enhanced Performance – October 16

Atlaslive’s CEO, Maxim Slobodyanyuk, commented, “Our success is built on a foundation of relentless innovation and a deep understanding of the iGaming landscape. Every solution we develop is designed with our partners’ growth and success in mind, ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive in a competitive market. These nominations validate our strategic direction and the trust our partners place in us. We’re not just reacting to industry trends; we’re actively shaping the future of iGaming. By staying ahead of technological advancements and continuously refining our offerings, we aim to lead the industry in delivering exceptional value. Our vision is clear: to be the go-to partner for businesses seeking not only cutting-edge technology but also a collaborative and forward-thinking approach to long-term success.”

Join Atlaslive as the company shares insights and shapes the future of iGaming.

The post Atlaslive Celebrates Multiple Nominations for EIGE 2024, Including Best Marketing Campaign appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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