Evolution Gaming Is One Step Closer To Acquiring NetEnt

In the wake of the recommended public offer made by Evolution Gaming (EG) Group and in line with the Nasdaq Stockholm Takeover Rules, NetEnt’s Board of Directors has unanimously recommended its shareholders to accept 0.1306 Evolution shares offered for each share in NetEnt.

The world’s leading provider of live dealer tables, EG, announced the offer on 24 June 2020 and proposed 0.1306 Evolution shares for each share in NetEnt. Based on closing prices effective the previous day, the Group values each share in NetEnt to SEK 79.93 while all shares in the Sweden-based brand to approximately SEK 19.6 billion. The price is final, which means the offered consideration won’t be increased.

The acceptance term…

…for the offer is expected to start on or around 17 August 2020 and expire on or around 26 October 2020, with dates being subject to change due to some customary conditions including regulatory clearances. Considering carefully the offer, the NetEnt’s board of directors has concluded that Evolution shares represent the best possible option.

“In the board’s opinion, NetEnt has a proven and well-defined strategy going forward. However, the board views a combination of NetEnt and Evolution Gaming as positive and believes it to be strategically sound, and the share consideration allows the Company’s shareholders to take part of the combined accelerated growth story and combination benefits,“ the statement said.

Presenting the offer, EG expressed the conviction it will be able “to build a strong group together with NetEnt’s senior management and employees.“ It also highlighted that the company knows “the value of NetEnt’s senior management and other employees,“ as well as appreciates that “their talent and dedication have been, and will continue to be, integral to NetEnt’s and the combined group’s success.“

In addition to that, Evolution…

…“does not currently foresee that the combination of the companies will have any material impact on Evolution’s or NetEnt’s respective employees, including their terms of employment or the locations where the companies currently operate.“

In their turn, people behind NetEnt recognize the huge potential of the combined business, which is going to be the world’s leading B2B provider of live dealer games and online slots. While the developer will be able to take advantage of EG’s strong position in the Live casino sector, the enlarged entity will have “significant capabilities to leverage its strong position within the US states that have opened up for online casino.“

Moreover, the combined group will provide for “enhanced client and product diversification to better address a changing market environment“ and „will provide a robust basis for new and innovative products to the benefit of customers and end-users.“

Source: “Statement by the board of directors of NetEnt in relation to the public offer from Evolution Gaming“. NetEnt. June 24, 2020.