• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Amaya confirms merger talks with William Hill

Oct 10, 2016 Newsdesk Latest News, Top of the deck, World  


Amaya confirms merger talks with William Hill

Amaya Inc, the owner of the PokerStars online gambling brand, has confirmed it is in merger discussions with United Kingdom-listed betting firm William Hill Plc.

Amaya outlined in a statement on Saturday that it and William Hill were in discussions regarding “a potential all-share merger of equals”.

The idea – which in news reports has been mentioned as a GPB4.5-billion (US$5.6-billion) to GPB5-billion exercise – “would be consistent with the strategic objectives of both William Hill and Amaya and would create a clear international leader across online sports betting, poker and casino,” added the Amaya statement.

Meanwhile a news outlet said William Hill faces a possible rival for a link-up with Amaya.

The U.K.’s Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Saturday that Isle of Man-based GVC Holdings Plc, owner of the Bwin online betting brand, was also interested in tying with Toronto, Canada-listed Amaya. The news outlet didn’t identify the source of the information, but said GVC had declined to comment.

A number of media reports mentioned that increases imposed by the U.K. government on taxation for online betting had helped spur interest in market consolidation among online providers based there.

In July, online gambling businesses 888 Holdings Plc and Rank Group Plc made a takeover offer for William Hill, but talks were discontinued.

Earlier this year, David Baazov stepped down as chief executive of Amaya amid an insider trading probe, but pledged to try and take the group private. Rafi Ashkenazi, who was appointed interim CEO in March 2016, was confirmed in August as Amaya’s chief executive on a permanent basis.

In February, Amaya said it had received a non-binding indication from Mr Baazov that he was in discussion with investors to make an offer for the company valued at around CAD2.8 billion (US$2.1 billion).

Amaya said on Saturday regarding talks with William Hill: “These discussions are ongoing and there can be no certainty that an agreement will be reached.” It noted the potential merger would be classified as a reverse takeover under the listing rules of the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority.

Reuters and Bloomberg News reported on Friday that William Hill and Amaya were in talks regarding the all-stock merger

PokerStars claims to control 70 percent of the online poker market globally, saying it has 2.26 million quarterly active users and a database of more than 100 million users. In Asia the brand is affiliated with the Asia Pacific Poker Tour, which offers live poker tournaments at casino venues around the region.

Amaya bought online poker sites PokerStars and Full Tilt for US$4.9 billion in 2014. The PokerStars brand name is attached to the dedicated poker room at the City of Dreams Macau casino resort in the Cotai district of Macau.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Industry, investor horror at Okada Manila events: Ader
    Industry, investor horror at Okada...

    Jun 14, 2022  

  • Casino op Genting Malaysia 1Q revenue up 176pct
    Casino op Genting Malaysia 1Q revenue...

    May 26, 2022  

More news
  • Only 2 Macau satellites closed as concessions extended
    Only 2 Macau satellites closed as...

    Jun 29, 2022  

  • LVS full recovery may take until 2024: Moody’s
    LVS full recovery may take until 2024:...

    Jun 29, 2022  


Latest News

Only 2 Macau satellites closed as concessions extended

Only 2 Macau satellites closed as concessions extended

Jun 29, 2022  

Only two of Macau’s 18 satellite casinos – the Rio Casino and the President Casino – have closed amid changes to the city’s regulatory system for such properties, and against...
Read More
LVS full recovery may take until 2024: Moody’s

LVS full recovery may take until 2024: Moody’s

Jun 29, 2022  

Satellite casino ops still to Dec 31 at Casa Real, Grandview

Satellite casino ops still to Dec 31 at Casa Real,

Jun 29, 2022  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

"There is still no clarity about when border easing for Macau will occur. In the end these changes are needed to see a rebound for Macau business"

Vitaly Umansky, Louis Li and Shirley Yang

Analysts at brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein



Most Popular

  • Macau casino Covid tests from Fri, ops pay for staff testsMacau casino Covid tests from Fri, ops pay for staff tests June 28, 2022
  • China quarantine easing good signal for Macau: analystsChina quarantine easing good signal for Macau: analysts June 29, 2022
  • SJM to make 2nd of pledged staff subsidy payments for 2022SJM to make 2nd of pledged staff subsidy payments for 2022 June 27, 2022
  • Moody’s confirms SJM Holdings’ ratings, negative outlookMoody’s confirms SJM Holdings’ ratings, negative… June 27, 2022
  • LVS full recovery may take until 2024: Moody’sLVS full recovery may take until 2024: Moody’s June 29, 2022
Copyright 2014-2022 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us