Wire NORTH AMERICA
Bally’s Targets Gamesys Acquisition Te Bally’s brand re-emerged in October 2020, but is already a gaming
powerhouse in just six months with plans to acquire Gamesys for US$2bn.
Kentucky - Churchill Downs selects Konami Churchill Downs is purchasing a line-up of the latest historical racing machines from Konami Gaming. HRMs are approved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and utilise the results of previously run live horse races to generate player outcomes. Derby City Gaming and Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel guests will be among the first to experience Konami’s newest HRM offering.
“As a company that is driven to create memorable gaming experiences for guests, CDI is proud to expand its HRM selection to include the latest games by Konami,” said Austin Miller, senior vice president of gaming operations for CDI. “Konami’s recognisable game series and winning machine formats give us hundreds of game themes from which our guests can choose.”
US - FanDuel sportsbook opens at Bally AC FanDuel Group and Bally’s Corporation have opened their FanDuel Sportsbook inside Bally’s – Atlantic City Hotel & Casino in New Jersey. The FanDuel Sportsbook at Bally’s Atlantic City is located by the Northern boardwalk casino entrance and as customers enter, they will be greeted by two large video walls and multiple betting kiosks.
US - Mohegan CEO steps down Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) has confirmed that its President and Chief Executive Officer Mario Kontomerkos will step down effective March 31, 2021.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ray Pineault will act as Interim Chief Executive Officer subject to necessary regulatory filings or approvals.
US - Bally’s loses WPT to Element Partners Allied Esports Entertainment has rejected the chance to sell the World Poker Tour to Bally’s Corp, having agreed to a revised stock purchase agreement with Element Partners. It will now sell all of the outstanding capital stock of each of the legal entities that collectively operate or engage in the company’s poker-related business and assets.
The revised stock purchase agreement increases the overall purchase price from US$68.25m and $10m guaranteed revenue share payments paid over three years after closing to $90.5m all payable at closing.
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Michigan - BetMGM launches BetMGM Poker BetMGM has launched BetMGM Poker in Michigan, giving customers access to benefits tied to MGM Grand Detroit and MGM Resorts' casino-resorts nationwide. Michigan joins New Jersey as the second state in the US to introduce BetMGM Poker, the company's online poker offering powered by the partypoker US network. This news follows the January launch of BetMGM's online sports betting and casino offerings in Michigan.
P16 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
North American omni-channel gaming group Bally’s, which owns a host of land-based and digital gaming brands in the US, has agreed a top-line $2bn deal with the founders of UK- facing online gaming operator, Gamesys, which also runs the online arm of Atlantic City's Tropicana Casino and Virgin Casino in the US.
Bally's has proposed acquiring the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Gamesys. Te likely deal would see Gamesys’ shareholders exchange their stake for 0.343 newly issued Bally’s shares for each Gamesys share. Tat deal would limit the maximum amount of cash to be paid in the deal at £1.6bn.
Te deal would ‘accelerate Bally's long-term growth strategy, the objective of which is to become the premier integrated, omni-channel US gaming company with a B2B2C business.’ Gamesys currently offers bingo and casino games to its players using brands which include Jackpotjoy, Virgin Games, Botemania, Vera&John, Heart Bingo, Megaways, Rainbow Riches Casino and Monopoly Casino.
Nevada
AGEM’s Board of Directors has approved the membership applications of six new companies, bringing the trade group total members to 190, an all-time high. Te new AGEM members are:
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Al in Motion, UK, offers software, information technology, administration, marketing and advertising,
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Fulwood Media, UK, delivers in-depth insight to gaming and other industries,
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House Advantage, US, provides innovative loyalty marketing solutions through a broad range of software products,
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Te Innovation Group, US, a consulting and management services company for the gaming, hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries.
Unity Technologies, US, delivers a platform for creating and operating real-time three- dimensional (RT3D) content for creators,
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USI Insurance Services, US, is one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the world, with a local focus on casinos and gaming suppliers.
Te statement released to announce the deal read: “Te Gamesys Board and Bally's Board believe that the Possible Combination has a compelling strategic and financial rationale, would create long-term value for both Gamesys and Bally's and would be consistent with Bally's and Gamesys' respective growth strategies.
“Gamesys would benefit from Bally's fast- growing land-based and online platform in the United States, providing market access through Bally's operations in key states as the nascent iGaming and sports betting opportunity develops in the US. Bally's would benefit from Gamesys' proven technology platform, expertise and highly respected and experienced management team across the online gaming field.”
Each of the former founding investors of Gamesys, being Noel Hayden, Andrew Dixon and Robin Tombs along with Lee Fenton and Robeson Reeves, both of whom it is intended would hold an executive role in the combined group.
Indiana Indiana Grand Racing & Casino expansion
Caesars Entertainment plans to invest US$32.5m renovating and expanding the gaming floor at its Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Indiana, adding more than 100 new casino jobs and millions to local and state tax revenues.
Indiana Grand, located in Shelbyville, will add approximately 25,000 sq.ft to the north end of the casino making room for 100 brand-new slot machines and 25 additional table games. Preliminary plans include a 5,000sq.ft WSOP Poker Room featuring 20 tables, a 20-seat video poker bar with 65ins. LCD overhead screens, new table games, slots and gaming chairs and new design elements throughout the gaming floor.
Additionally, the expanded gaming floor will feature the WSOP Poker Room, a live Poker Room named for and carrying the spirit of the World Series of Poker, the largest gaming event in the world.
Te new WSOP Poker Room will include 20 tables and offer a premium experience with ways to
qualify for WSOP land-based tournaments including the Main Event in Las Vegas.
Wilhelm Construction of Indianapolis will begin work on April 1, 2021, with renovations set to be completed by the end of 2021.
“Tis investment at Indiana Grand is a testament to our continued commitment to Indiana,” said Anthony Carano, President and COO of Caesars Entertainment. “We are dedicated to enhancing and upgrading our operations at all of our locations, and we’re excited to start on several new phases of renovation and expansion in Shelbyville.”
“Since the implementation of table games in early 2020, we have looked forward to expanding our gaming operations,” said Mike Rich, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Indiana Grand. “Tis growth will allow us to accommodate more guests and add more talented team members to the Indiana Grand family, and with the addition of a Poker Room, we will expand our offerings.”
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