## Gaming Giant Makes Move to Purchase Playtech

Playtech and Aristocrat have entered into an acquisition arrangement where Aristocrat will obtain the entirety of Playtech. The transaction values Playtech at roughly £2.1 billion (or $2.9 billion fully diluted), with investors receiving £6.80 (or $9.35) in cash for each share.

This calculated action by Aristocrat emphasizes the rapid expansion of the internet gaming sector. The firm underscored the industry’s promise during an investor briefing, forecasting that online real-money gaming (RMG) will hit a massive $112 billion in gross gaming revenue by 2025, increasing from an estimated $80 billion in 2021. The purchase of Playtech, a significant participant in the online gambling arena, will undoubtedly hasten Aristocrat’s growth in this profitable market.

Trevor Croker, Aristocrat’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, stressed the collaborative potential this merger generates. By merging Aristocrat’s globally recognized gaming content, established clientele, and regulatory knowledge with Playtech’s top-tier online RMG platform (B2B) and robust European footprint in the business-to-consumer (B2C) sector, the unified entity will be a dominant force. Croker posits this will generate lasting value for stakeholders by leveraging the flourishing worldwide online RMG market, especially in North America.

To fund the acquisition, Aristocrat intends to secure AU$1.3 billion through a share placement, presenting new shares at AU$41.95 per share.

A group has expressed interest in purchasing Playtech, claiming to have secured backing from both the company’s directors and a significant investor holding nearly 21% of shares. However, Playtech has yet to formally acknowledge these developments.