M&A Archives

June 16, 2023

DraftKings enters race to acquire PointsBet US

DraftKings is looking to outbid Fanatics for PointsBet US, prompting a strong reaction from the ecommerce giant's CEO Michael Rubin.

Tabled today (16 June) – weeks after Fanatics announced plans to acquire the business – the unsolicited non-binding indicative proposal is worth $195.0m (£152.2m/€178.5m). It states DraftKings would purchase the business on a debt-free, cash-free basis with no financing conditions.

PointsBet said its board will now assess the proposal. The group added that the proposal does not constitute a binding offer or commitment from DraftKings to place a firm bid.

The group did not set a date as to when a decision would be reached.

Fanatics’ Rubin: “They are trying to block us”

Responding to news of the DraftKings proposal, Fanatics CEO Rubin said he was “skeptical” of the move. He added that it was a “desperate” attempt to slow progress on Fanatics’ own deal with PointsBet.

“We are skeptical of the DraftKings proposal, which seems like a desperate move ..

May 24, 2023

Fanatics’ Matt King brings new thinking to US sports betting

As CEO of FanDuel, Matt King took a daily fantasy sports brand to the top of the US sports betting industry, and in the top job at Fanatics Betting and Gaming he’s looking to do it all over again. Not that he’s looking to emulate his former employers in leading the ecommerce giant; it’s Spotify that inspires him.

For Fanatics Betting and Gaming chief executive Matt King, the challenge he is taking on isn’t building a market leader. He’s already done that during his tenure at FanDuel, which is currently sitting with a seemingly unassailable market share across the US. Revenue there grew from $200m to over $1bn on his watch.

And his core goal isn’t to build an entity capable of taking on a behemoth he created. Instead the billion-dollar question is: how do you create something capable of providing a genuine alternative to consumers?

In a market dominated by iTunes, he’s looking to build Spotify.

Fanatics: Officially licensed everything

What separates Fanatics Betting and Gaming f..

May 15, 2023

Fanatics Betting and Gaming to acquire PointsBet US

The Fanatics Betting and Gaming (FBG) arm of sports retail giant Fanatics has agreed a deal to acquire the PointsBet US division of PointsBet Holdings for $150.0m.

Under the agreement, which remains subject to shareholder approval and certain regulatory and other conditions, PointsBet will retain both its Canadian and Australian business and operations and continue as an Australian Stock Exchange-listed company.

PointsBet will keep hold of its proprietary sports wagering, racing and igaming platform and be granted a perpetual, royalty-free licence to exploit the Banach technology assets, which were acquired by PointsBet in March 2021.

The deal also states that PointsBet will retain its teams in Australia, Canada and India, as well as its Australian-based technologists, traders and quants.

Other aspects of the deal include that PointsBet will provide services to FBG prior to the final closing of the deal and be reimbursed for the cost of these services by FBG.

In addition, the exis..

April 28, 2023

PointsBet confirms North American sales talks

Australian gaming operator PointsBet confirmed that the business is “currently in discussion with multiple parties” regarding the sale of its North American business.

The company also said that it has terminated previously reported talks to sell its Australian business to the News Corp-backed gaming venture behind the Betr brand. Despite this, PointsBet said it remains in discussion with “other third parties” who have expressed interest in acquiring the business.

“Consistent with commentary previously provided to our investors and the market more generally, PointsBet continues to engage in discussions regarding strategic transactions that offer the potential to add value for our shareholders,” said the company.

pointsbet also confirmed that it had terminated the talks to sell its Australian business to a news Corp-backed venture

Losses mount despite revenue growth

For the three-month period ending 31 March, the business recorded gross gaming revenue of AU$106.6m (£56.4m/€63.9m/US..

April 25, 2023

Yahoo acquires sports betting app Wagr

Yahoo has announced the acquisition of peer-to-peer sports betting app Wagr, bolstering its fantasy and gaming offerings.

While the terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, Yahoo did make clear that, as part of the deal, Wagr will be fully integrated into Yahoo Sports.

The betting platform has previously attracted a number of high-level investments, including support from Seven Seven Six – spearheaded by Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder – the Kraft Group and the owners of the New England Patriots.

Wagr was also the first social sports betting operator to receive a licence in the United States.

Jim Lanzone, CEO of Yahoo, said that the acquisition represents the future of Yahoo’s gaming products.

“The acquisition of Wagr is an exciting step in the development of the next generation of Yahoo Sports’ gaming portfolio,” said Lanzone.

“Wagr stands out for their innovative emphasis on community and social engagement in sports gaming, which aligns perfectly with the Yahoo award-wi..

April 5, 2023

Entain acquires sports media business 365scores

Entain has completed the acquisition of the entire issued share capital in sports media business 365scores.

Under the agreement, Entain will pay approximately $150.0m (£120.1m/€137.0m) to take ownership of the business, in addition to contingent payments of up to $10.0m.

With a global audience of over 15 million active users, 365scores provides scores and sports information, editorial and social content and a range of sports-focused free-to-play games.

Entain said the combination of 365scores’ expertise in data-driven sports media content alongside its own global scale and platform capabilities will provide customers with a broader offering of interactive content and experiences.

The group added that the acquisition would help to unlock further growth opportunities and supports its global strategic ambitions.

Jason Scott resignation

Confirmation of the deal comes after it was announced earlier this week that Jason Scott had left his role as vice-president of trading, VIP and re..

March 22, 2023

GiG banks on the power of two

Richard Brown’s tenure as Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) chief executive began with a major change of direction, with the sale of its B2C assets to Betsson. Almost four years on, and with business booming for the B2B supplier, he’s poised to make another huge call with plans to split the business into media and platform suppliers.

When he was confirmed as permanent CEO of Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) in November 2019, Richard Brown pledged a focus “on delivery, execution and optimisation, putting us on a path for great focus and renewed growth”.

The business reported revenue of €43.0m for 2019, at a time it encompassed B2C operations, a platform business and affiliate marketing operations under the GiG Media banner. Brown then divested the B2C operations to Betsson early in 2020.

This, he has explained previously, created a focused business, with staff putting all efforts into the B2B platform and media operations.

In 2022, Brown’s third full year as GiG CEO, revenue hit €90.1m,..

March 14, 2023

Playtech acquires Hard Rock Digital stake in partnership deal

Playtech has purchased a minority equity ownership stake in Hard Rock Digital (HRD), the interactive gaming and sports betting division of Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming, as part of a wider deal between the two businesses.

Playtech will pay $85.0m (£69.8m/€79.5m) for a low, single-digit percentage stake in HRD, with proceeds from the investment to fund HRD’s global expansion.

Hard Rock’s online and retail sports betting is currently operated in select US states including Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. It aims to extend its online sportsbook and igaming offerings to select international markets in the coming years.

Global supply deal

As part of the wider arrangement with Playtech, HRD will license a range of the developer’s technology solutions and igaming content.

In the US and Canada, HRD’s customers will be able to play a selection of Playtech’s slots, random number generator and live dealer table games through HRD’s existing pr..

February 17, 2023

Penn Entertainment completes acquisition of Barstool Sports

Omnichannel gaming operator Penn Entertainment has completed its acquisition of media business Barstool Sports.

The closing of the deal is the latest stage of an acquisition process that began in February 2020, when Penn purchased a 36% stake in Barstool.

Today (17 February), Penn revealed that it has paid approximately $388m (£322.5m/€363m) for the remaining interest in the business, having exercised its option to acquire in August 2022.

Read the full story on iGB North America

February 16, 2023

CDI closes $197.2m sale of Arlington Heights property to Chicago Bears

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has completed the sale of a property in Arlington Heights, Illinois, to nearby National Football League (NFL) franchise the Chicago Bears.

The initial deal was struck in September 2021, with the Bears having agreed to pay $197.2m to acquire the 326-acre site, which is currently home to Arlington Heights Racecourse.

The racecourse opened in 1927 and upon closure had a capacity of 35,000 seats. The venue had not hosted any form of racing since the deal with the Bears was agreed in 2021.

Read the full story on iGB North America

January 12, 2023

Entain completes €450m BetCity acquisition

Entain has completed the €450m (£398.1m/$484.2m) acquisition of Dutch operator BetCity from Sports Entertainment Media.

The deal grants Entain access to the Dutch regulated market, where BetCity was one of the initial 10 licensees and quickly became a market leader after the market launched on 1 October 2021, holding a 20% market share in Q4 of 2021.

Entain’s brands had not been able to launch in the Nertherlands as part of the initial batch of licensees due to the country’s “cooling-off” period for operators that accepted Dutch customers before the market opened.

While this period ended last year, and Entain had initially expected its legacy brands to receive licences in 2022, this has not yet happened.

“We are pleased to have completed the acquisition of BetCity,” Entain chief executive Jette Nygaar-Andersen said. “The combination of BetCity’s local expertise and strong brand, alongside Entain’s global scale and market-leading platform provides customers with an enriched and broa..

January 3, 2023

PointsBet in talks to sell Australia arm to News Corp venture

PointsBet is in discussions to sell its Australian arm to NTD Limited, the News Corp-led business behind Australia’s Betr brand.

PointsBet revealed last week – following a report in The Australian – that it was in discussions to sell its Australian business to NTD Pty Limited.

NTD is a venture set up this year involving media conglomerate News Corp, investment fund Tekkorp Capital and long-time industry executive Matt Tripp and operates the Australia-facing Betr brand. Another operator named Betr launched in the US this year, but the two are unrelated.

PointsBet said “any potential transaction will be assessed in the context of PointsBet’s global strategy and opportunities”.

Murdoch family-owned News Corp are among the parties involved in Ntd Pty Limited

“Discussions between PointsBet and NTD are incomplete and preliminary in nature,” it said. “There is no certainty that these discussions will result in any binding transaction.

“PointsBet will keep the market updated in accordan..

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