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UK - SG GAMING SIGNS CARRIGILL LBO CONTRACT SG Gaming, a division of Scientific Games Corporation, has signed a four-year contract with Carrigill Bookmakers, a long-standing inde- pendent. The new long-term part- nership, which makes SG Gaming Carrigill’s machine provider of choice, will see SG Gaming supply Infinity and Vision cabinets to all Carrigill shops. In addition, Carrigill will benefit from SG Gaming’s comprehen- sive support programme for independents, which includes marketing support, promotions, best practice guidance, and tailored staff training.
The new partnership will provide Carrigill Bookmakers’ cus- tomers with access to a range of exciting content developed by SG Gaming’s in-house development team, including a number of popular titles from the portfolio of WMS Gaming, SG Gaming’s sister company.
Phil Horne, Managing Director of SG Gaming (top), said: “Following ongoing discussion with Carrigill, it became clear they were attracted to SG Gaming by our strong content offering, overall support package and our ability to help drive cashbox revenue. Better than any other provider, SG Gaming recognises that independents require a complete service that is tailored to their specific needs. We understand that, partic- ularly for independents, it is vital that providers offer a com- plete package which offers comprehensive support across all aspects of customers’ businesses.”
SUN SIGNS MAJOR DEAL WITH MINOR
Thailand’s Minor Int. will acquire eight hotels in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia from Sun Int. South Africa - Casino Operations
Minor International (MINT) and Sun International, have agreed terms whereby Sun International is dis- posing a significant portion of its shareholdings and interest in its Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia operations, consisting of eight properties to MINT for a total consideration of R679.5m (US$63.9m). Sun International and MINT have also formed a new strategic partnership to own and operate the African Assets going forward. The Partnership intends to leverage both companies' core strengths where Sun International will continue to manage the casino operations, while MINT will assume the hotel management, marketing and dis- tribution under MINT's Anantara and AVANI brands.
Sun International will dispose of 50 per cent of its interest in Zambia, and 80 per cent of its interests in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. As a result, MINT's effective shareholding will be 50 per cent in Zambia properties, which include 173-key Royal Livingstone and 212-key Zambezi Sun; 64 per cent in 196-key Gaborone Sun in Botswana; 80 per cent in 173-key Kalahari Sands in Namibia; 37.5 per cent in Lesotho properties, which include 158-key Lesotho Sun and 105-key Maseru Sun, and (5) 40.5 per cent in Swaziland properties, which are 149-key Royal Swazi and 202-key Ezulwini Sun.
The proposed transaction and the partnership with MINT in Africa are in line with Sun International's strategy to optimise its capital allocation and
resources. The Partnership enables Sun International to remain invested in the African Assets but with responsibility for the casino compo- nent only, as well as to partner with MINT in other African opportunities that have a casino Element. Going forward Sun International will be able to give greater focus to opportunities identified in Latin America and Asia (where MINT has a strong pres- ence) as further key growth markets for its core casino business. In addition, MINT will commit its pro rata share of new capital expenditure to realize the revenue potential of the African Assets, thus giv- ing Sun International more room to consider capital investment opportunities elsewhere.
Sun International will use proceeds from the dispos- al to reduce its debt and provide capacity for its strategic expansion initiatives.
The proposed transaction allows MINT to invest and operate in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia, where MINT believes in secular demand growth for quality accommodation. In addi- tion, MINT will bring its hospitality expertise, together with operational and distribution capabili- ties, to capture the growth potential of the African Assets. The proposed transaction also fits with MINT's expansion plans in Africa, where MINT cur- rently owns eight luxury game lodges and resorts in Kenya and Tanzania under the Elewana Collection, and five hotel projects in Mozambique under MINT's Anantara and AVANI brands.
The only African property outside of South Africa owned by Sun International and not part of the Proposed Transaction is the Federal Palace in Lagos, Nigeria, in which Sun International and MINT are in discussion regarding a possible investment by MINT.
Suzo-Happ acquires Italian payments firm Comestero
UK – AINSWORTH ADDS TO KEY UK PERSONNEL Ben Challenor and Stephen Miller have joined the Ainsworth UK team. Ben Challenor (right) is well known and respected in the gaming industry thanks to his time spent at Clarion, supporting the ICE team in London. His proactive approach, visiting exhibitors around Europe to understand their needs further helped improve the exhibition quality. After having spent almost four years at Clarion, Mr. Challenor explained his move to Ainsworth, “I am incredibly excited about joining such a globally recognised brand and one that is so well known across the gaming industry. There are excellent opportunities for us to grow even further within Europe”.
Stephen Miller has a proven track record as an entrepreneur. After playing a key role in the family company for almost 20 years, Mr. Miller entered the gaming industry in 1997. He has amassed experience for a UK gaming machine operator, spent three years as a slot manager for a cruise line compa- ny and spent 12 years based in the Netherlands for a major slot machine company. The mix of technical, product and sales experience makes him the ideal person to embody the position of Product Manager at Ainsworth UK.
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ITALY Suzo-Happ has completed the acquisition of Comesterogroup S.r.l., a provider of electronic payment systems and self-ser- vice equipment to the carwash, gaming, laundromat and vending industries throughout Europe. Comesterogroup is headquar- tered in Gessate, Italy just out- side of Milan.
The Comesterogroup acquisition significantly expands Suzo- Happ’s presence in Key European markets: Italy, France and Spain; and broadens Suzo- Happ’s diversification with access to new end-markets through Comesterogroup’s car- wash and laundromat automa- tion components.
Comesterogroup’s products include the RM5 coin validator that when combined with Suzo-
Happ’s hoppers and other coin dispensing products, give cus- tomers access to complete coin handling solutions that together represent an installed base of more than 2,000,000 units. Comesterogroup has more than 5,000 customers that are an important addition to Suzo- Happ’s growing customer portfo- lio and their 150 employees are a critical expansion of resources and human capital.
The acquisition provides Suzo- Happ access to new technologies including Europe’s leading closed-loop cashless system. It will also result in significant operational synergies in combi- nation with Suzo-Happ’s existing European business including a broadened suite of products for vending component solutions and overall manufacturing capacity.
UK Clarion Events has acquired a majority interest in the Slot Academy and Slot Summit events created and run by respected industry personality Lucien Wijsman. The agreement, which was ratified in London this week, will see Lucien Wijsman retain a significant shareholding in the 'Slot' brands as well as an executive position on the board. Julian Graves, Managing Director, Clarion Events Gaming Division, said: "We are delighted to have agreed this deal with Lucien which will see him remain fully and intensively involved with the business, delivering training, developing content and nurturing a cohort of expert trainers."
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