NFL and Aristocrat Gaming Enter Historic Agreement
Aristocrat Gaming and the National Football League (NFL) have announced a one of a kind collaboration. The newly signed multi-year deal sees Aristocrat create officially licenced NFL pokies.
The Australian Stock Exchange-listed company has an exclusive global licence to build land-based pokies with an NFL theme. Aristocrat also has a non-exclusive licence for NFL virtual sports.
Hector Fernandez is the President of Aristocrat Americas and EMEA. The new partnership delights Fernandez, especially with the potential to attract new customers.
“At Aristocrat, we are changing the game. In that spirit, we are thrilled to enter this agreement with the NFL, whose similar mission made this a natural partnership. Fans worldwide love watching the NFL, and casino players worldwide enjoy Aristocrat games. This agreement presents a new opportunity to reach tens of millions of NFL and Aristocrat fans with exciting new entertainment options on the casino floor and beyond.”
The NFL’s Vice President of Gaming and Partnership Management, Rachel Hoagland, is equally as excited to embark on this journey.
“The world of casino gaming is transforming, and the NFL is thrilled to be teaming up with the industry leader, Aristocrat Gaming, with their proven track record in slot machine innovation and commitment to responsible gaming.
“Today’s slot machines offer engaging experiences akin to popular video game consoles that our fans adore, and we believe with Aristocrat’s vision, we can bring that exciting gaming experience to fans on the casino floor looking to show their love of football.”
Aristocrat Second Australian Company Dealing With the NFL
Aristocrat is not the only Australian firm working with the NFL because Tabcorp is already doing business with them. Tabcorp struck a landmark deal with the NFL in September 2019. It paved the way for Aussies to bet on NFL matches.
Tabcorp became the official betting partner of the NFL in Australia. Additionally, the deal made it possible for Australians to watch NFL games on Redzone on the Sky Racing Channel. This was great news because the National Football League pulled the broadcast rights from ESPN in Australia. The deal meant NFL fans did not need to subscribe to the sport’s own streaming service.
Tabcorp promotes the NFL’s Pick’em free-to-play football games. Players have the chance to win weekly prizes, including trips to the Super Bowl.
Aristocrat Pays $$3.9 Billion For Playtech
The NFL deal is the latest growth push for Aristocrat; they paid $3.9 billion for Playtech. Aristocrat’s offer values Playtech’s shares at 680 pence each, a huge 58% premium on their October 15 closing price. Aristocrat is funding the purchase with $1.1 billion in cash in addition to a $2.8 billion worth of borrowing.
Playtech issued a statement on October 19, 2021, that confirmed the concrete offer.
“Aristocrat Leisure Limited today announces the proposed acquisition of 100% of Playtech Plc for a cash offer price of 680 pence per share, by way of a scheme arrangement under the laws of the Isle of Man. The offer value’s Playtech’s entire issued and to be issued share capital at approximately £2.1 billion ($3.9 billion) on a fully diluted basis, and represents a premium of approximately 58% to the last closing price of Playtech on 15 October 2021 of approximately 429 pence.
“The acquisition represents a valuation multiple of 11.4x Playtech’s adjusted EBITDA for the 12 months ended 30 June 2021.
“Playtech’s Board considers the terms of the takeover to be fair and reasonable and has unanimously recommended that Playtech shareholders vote in favour of the scheme. Furthermore, Playtech directors who own Playtech shares have irrevocably undertaken to vote in favour of the scheme.
“Aristocrat has received letters of intent or irrevocable undertakings from Playtech shareholders, including from Playtech’s largest shareholder, to vote in favour of the scheme in respect of a total of approximately 63.4 million shares, representing approximately 20.7% of Playtech’s outstanding shares.”
The takeover still has some red tape to cut through but nobody envisages any issues. This is especially true with other deals that have gone through unhindered.
Caesars Entertainment paid $5.27 billion for William Hill. Furthermore, Flutter Entertainment and The Stars Group merged in a $9.28 billion deal.
