• 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

Digital media firm IAC buys 12pct stake in MGM Resorts

Aug 11, 2020 Newsdesk Latest News, Top of the deck, World  


Digital media firm IAC buys 12pct stake in MGM Resorts

New York-based IAC/InterActiveCorp has acquired a 12-percent interest in U.S.-based casino operator MGM Resorts International for an aggregate of about US$1 billion. The acquisition of just above 59 million shares in MGM Resorts was done in tranches “over the last few months,” said the digital media and technology group founded by television mogul Barry Diller.

IAC is to serve as a strategic partner to MGM Resorts, particularly regarding the latter’s online gaming and sports betting businesses, according to a Monday release by MGM Resorts. The new investor has been asked to join the board of directors of the casino group.

Joey Levin, chief executive of IAC, said in a separate release that his company would be “a minority investor” in MGM Resorts.

MGM Resorts is the parent company of Macau-based casino firm MGM China Holdings Ltd.

Paul Salem, chairman of MGM Resorts, said in prepared remarks that the new investor would “bring vast experience in both entertainment and online commerce,” with the casino firm planning to “take full advantage” of such expertise.

“IAC’s family of brands and digital expertise are a great complement to the direction MGM Resorts has been taking both in leveraging our digital assets to enhance our guests’ experience and building a leading iGaming and sports betting business in BetMGM,” stated Mr Salem.

MGM Resorts chief executive, Bill Hornbuckle, was quoted in the release as saying that “IAC’s expertise in growing and expanding brands online” was a “natural fit” for the casino group.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc said in a Monday memo that the “value of the partnership is likely to stem from IAC’s deep history and expertise in the digital media environment.”

“While unusual for IAC to acquire equity in the public markets, the IAC team believes it is taking a meaningful stake in an early-stage online movement with a prominent brand within gaming,” wrote analysts Carlo Santarelli and Steven Pizzella.

In a letter to its shareholders, IAC referred to the investment in MGM Resorts as “a once in a decade” opportunity.

“What initially attracted us to MGM, besides its leadership in leisure, hospitality and gaming, was an area that currently comprises a tiny portion of its revenue – online gaming,” said Mr Diller, chairman and senior executive of IAC, in a statement.

He added: “IAC’s foundational concept of seeking opportunities to build interactive businesses is our base rationale – there is a digital first opportunity within MGM Resorts’ already impressive offline businesses, and with our experience we hope we can strongly contribute to the growth of online gaming.”

In Monday’s note, Deutsche Bank said: “While the deal does not improve the operating circumstances in Las Vegas or help the near to medium term free cash flow dynamics of the company, it does highlight that MGM does in fact intend to be a major player in the online environment,” added the brokerage’s team.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator powers US$1bln in 1Q bets
    SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator powers...

    Jun 01, 2023  

  • U.S. tied Macau ops not pressed to pay dividend: S&P
    U.S. tied Macau ops not pressed to pay...

    May 23, 2023  

More news
  • L&W links with Shift4 to expand cashless gaming offering
    L&W links with Shift4 to expand...

    Jun 08, 2023  

  • China Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBS
    China Politburo meeting key for any...

    Jun 07, 2023  


Latest News

L&W links with Shift4 to expand cashless gaming offering

L&W links with Shift4 to expand cashless gaming offering

Jun 08, 2023  

Casino equipment and game technology provider Light & Wonder Inc says it has an agreement with Shift4 Payments Inc to integrate the latter’s firm payment processing technology into Light &...
Read More
China Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBS

China Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBS

Jun 07, 2023  

G2E Asia 2023: Singapore

  • L&W building game content across 3 pillars: Ken Jolly
    L&W building game content across 3 pillars: Ken Jolly

    Jun 07, 2023  

    Casino gaming content and hardware provider Light &...
  • ETGs rapid growth segment in Asia: Interblock Michael Hu
    ETGs rapid growth segment in Asia: Interblock Michael Hu

    Jun 06, 2023  

    Electronic table games (ETGs) supplier Interblock dd is...
  • GLI offering RNG test tools, cybersecurity demand growing
    GLI offering RNG test tools, cybersecurity demand growing

    Jun 05, 2023  

    Random number generator (RNG) testing tools are among the...
  • Alfastreet’s new Verso cabinet heading to Asian markets
    Alfastreet’s new Verso cabinet heading to Asian markets

    Jun 01, 2023  

    Alfastreet, a manufacturer of electronic gaming machines,...
  • Sega Sammy Creation growing land-based, eyes online
    Sega Sammy Creation growing land-based, eyes online

    Jun 01, 2023  

    Casino equipment maker Sega Sammy Creation Inc is tweaking...
  • iGaming growing in Asia, ops tackling challenges: Uplatform
    iGaming growing in Asia, ops tackling challenges: Uplatform

    Jun 01, 2023  

    The iGaming segment in Asia “has grown rapidly” since...
  • ‘See before you play’ slot marketing tool, say tech suppliers
    ‘See before you play’ slot marketing tool, say tech...

    May 31, 2023  

    Showing slot machine players – via animations on the...
  • Macau stocks tied to China outlook: Bloomberg analyst
    Macau stocks tied to China outlook: Bloomberg analyst

    May 31, 2023  

    Macau stocks in likelihood “have been punished too much...
  • Investors still eye possible fresh IR locations in Japan: scholar
    Investors still eye possible fresh IR locations in Japan:...

    May 31, 2023  

    There are foreign companies still interested in investing...
  • Thai casino law possible in 2024, IR in 2030: govt adviser
    Thai casino law possible in 2024, IR in 2030: govt adviser

    May 31, 2023  

    Thailand could pass the necessary enabling legislation for...
  • China still ‘critical’ to Asian markets: G2E Asia panel
    China still ‘critical’ to Asian markets: G2E Asia panel

    May 30, 2023  

    China will remain a key market for Asian gaming...
  • Much interest in state casinos sale, says Pagcor boss Tengco
    Much interest in state casinos sale, says Pagcor boss

    May 30, 2023  

    Alejandro Tengco (pictured in a file photo), chairman and...
  • Gaming industry in for a very exciting period: Bill Miller
    Gaming industry in for a very exciting period: Bill Miller

    May 30, 2023  

    There are “plenty of reasons” for the global gaming...
  • IGT flags route to high-performing games for Asia
    IGT flags route to high-performing games for Asia

    May 30, 2023  

    Gaming equipment provider International Game Technology Plc...
  • G2E Singapore trade show, conference begins today
    G2E Singapore trade show, conference begins today

    May 30, 2023  

    The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2023 Special Edition:...
  • Novomatic’s Black Edition II cabinets at G2E in Singapore
    Novomatic’s Black Edition II cabinets at G2E in Singapore

    May 29, 2023  

    Austria-based gaming equipment maker and operator Novomatic...
  • Uplatform to show latest iGaming products at G2E Singapore
    Uplatform to show latest iGaming products at G2E Singapore

    May 25, 2023  

    Sports betting and online casino operating platform...
  • L&W ambition to be No1 in Asia well on its way: SVP gaming
    L&W ambition to be No1 in Asia well on its way: SVP...

    May 24, 2023  

    The business performance in Asia of gaming content and...
  • G2E Singapore expecting 6k visitors, 100+ exhibitors
    G2E Singapore expecting 6k visitors, 100+ exhibitors

    May 18, 2023  

    The organisers of Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2023...
  • ‘Dragon Unleashed’ slot link by L&W at G2E in Singapore
    ‘Dragon Unleashed’ slot link by L&W at G2E in...

    May 17, 2023  

    Gaming content and equipment supplier Light & Wonder...
  • Sega Sammy Creation new multi-ETG at G2E in Singapore
    Sega Sammy Creation new multi-ETG at G2E in Singapore

    May 16, 2023  

    Casino equipment maker Sega Sammy Creation Inc is to...
  • Aristocrat at G2E Asia in Singapore previews Year of Dragon
    Aristocrat at G2E Asia in Singapore previews Year of Dragon

    May 09, 2023  

    Casino slot machine and digital gaming content provider...
  • IGT ‘Prosperity’ link in Asia show debut G2E in Singapore
    IGT ‘Prosperity’ link in Asia show debut G2E in...

    May 05, 2023  

    The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia event in Singapore is the...
  • Thai parliament adviser on casinos attending G2E Singapore
    Thai parliament adviser on casinos attending G2E Singapore

    May 04, 2023  

    An adviser to a Thailand parliamentary committee mulling...

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”We’ve said we want to grow EBITDA ... to US$1.4 billion in 2025. And we have a really high level of conviction about getting there”

Matt Wilson

Chief executive of casino equipment provider Light & Wonder



Most Popular

  • Macau GGR in June hit by seasonal slowdown: JP MorganMacau GGR in June hit by seasonal slowdown: JP Morgan June 5, 2023
  • China Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBSChina Politburo meeting key for any policy shift: UBS June 7, 2023
  • Queen’s Wharf Brisbane opening delayed to April 2024Queen’s Wharf Brisbane opening delayed to April 2024 June 6, 2023

Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us