888 Holdings Plc (LON:888), one of the world’s leading online gaming entertainment and solutions providers, announced the signing of an agreement by its wholly-owned subsidiaries, 888 US Inc. and 888 US Holdings Inc., for the acquisition of the remaining 53% interest in AAPN Holdings LLC that 888 US does not already own, from its joint venture partner Avenue OLG Entertainment LLC and other minority shareholders of AAPN (together, the “Sellers”) for US $28 million.
· 888 acquires the remaining 53% interest in the All American Poker Network, a joint venture established in 2013, for US $28 million.
· The acquisition is an important strategic milestone that will facilitate the Group’s future growth strategy in the US.
· The acquisition gives the Group full flexibility to deliver on multiple potential growth opportunities including developing new strategic partnerships.
Background to the Transaction
The AAPN joint venture was established between Avenue and 888 in March 2013 to launch 888’s B2C brands in the regulated online gaming market in the United States. Since November 2013, the 888poker and 888casino brands have been operating in New Jersey.
The Transaction will give 888 independent control of its growth strategy in the US moving forward. This strategy includes signing new partnerships and continuing to deploy its proprietary products and technology (both B2B and B2C) in new states as they regulate. Over recent months, 888 has also further strengthened its position in the US by:
· In September launching 888sport in New Jersey alongside its established poker and casino brands, marking the first time that 888 has offered sports betting in the United States and paving the way for the Group to launch 888sport in additional US states as future regulation allows; and
· Signing a landmark sponsorship agreement with the New York Jets of the National Football League (“NFL”), marking the first such agreement between an NFL team and a pure-play online gaming operator.
Itai Frieberger, Chief Executive of 888 commented:
“The acquisition of the remaining stake in AAPN is an important strategic step towards 888 achieving its exciting long-term potential in the US. Taking outright ownership of AAPN gives 888 additional operational, technological and commercial flexibility to develop innovative and exciting new partnerships and launch in new states – through both B2B and B2C channels – as and when future regulation allows. This acquisition places 888 in an even better position to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities in the US and create additional value for our shareholders.
The AAPN joint venture has been a very successful endeavour for the Group. It has afforded us the flexibility and financial capability to build a position in the regulated US market over the last five years whilst also investing in other global regulated markets. I would like to thank Avenue Capital for being fantastic partners in this venture since 2013.”
Details of the Transaction
The consideration of US $28 million will be satisfied all in cash, with US $10 million being paid to the Sellers on or about the date of this announcement and the remainder of US $18 million to be paid by 31 March 2019.
Transaction Classification
The Transaction constitutes a class 2 transaction for the purposes of the UK Listing Rules (“LR”). For the purposes of LR 10.4.1 R (Notification of class 2 transactions), the value of the gross assets of AAPN is US $10 million and AAPN generated a loss of US $3 million in 2017.
