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Affinity Interactive Appoints Halise Ekmen Uysal as CFO

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Affinity Interactive (AI), an omni-channel gaming industry leader and ZCG portfolio company, announced the appointment of Halise Ekmen Uysal as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Ms. Ekmen Uysal will oversee AI’s talented finance organization in planning for and executing on AI’s growth initiatives across its casinos and digital and media platforms, including Daily Racing Form, DRF Bets, and DRF Sports.

Ms. Ekmen Uysal has more than 20 years of finance and accounting leadership experience in roles of increasing responsibility, from property-level management to the C-suite. Most recently, she served as Chief Finance, Strategy and Transformation Officer for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, which included the Chumash Casino Resort and its other diverse investments. Earlier in her career, she worked at Caesars Entertainment Corporation for 12 years in various finance roles.

“Halise is an accomplished finance executive across the gaming and hospitality industries, and we are excited to welcome her to AI as our new CFO. Her track record of driving sustainable financial results while building high-performing, diverse teams will benefit all of AI’s businesses and help us execute on our strategic priorities,” Andrei Scrivens, CEO of Affinity Interactive, said.

“The addition of Halise to the management team further strengthens AI’s leadership across its entire platform of premier casinos, online gaming offerings and digital media. I’m confident her two decades of diverse finance experience and extensive business acumen will be valuable across the organization as AI builds on its positive momentum, delivers world-class customer experiences and drives continued growth,” James J. Zenni Jr., Chairman of Affinity Interactive, said.

“Affinity Interactive is at the forefront of gaming innovation with a unique portfolio of technology, digital and media assets, and I look forward to joining the talented and hard-working team. Together with Andrei, Jim and the rest of the leadership team, I’m excited to execute on the Company’s compelling growth opportunities and contribute to its continued success as a gaming leader,” Ms. Ekmen Uysal said.

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Brightstar Lottery Completes Sale of its Gaming & Digital Business

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International Game Technology PLC, doing business as Brightstar Lottery, announced it has completed the sale of its Gaming & Digital business to a holding company owned by funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management Inc. on July 1, 2025. Effective July 2, 2025, Brightstar began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under its business name, Brightstar Lottery, and new ticker symbol, BRSL. The Company’s CUSIP will not change, and no action is needed from current stockholders.

“The sale of the Gaming & Digital business positions Brightstar for an exciting future. The balanced allocation of proceeds to significantly reduce debt and return substantial capital to shareholders, in addition to funding investments in growth and improving ongoing shareholder returns, reflect the Board’s continuing commitment to enhance shareholder value,” said Marco Sala, Executive Chair of Brightstar.

“Today marks an exciting new chapter for the Company, one that builds on a long legacy of delivering responsible, sustainable solutions through our products, services, technology, and insights. I am extremely proud of the Brightstar team, whose future-forward mindset and commitment to innovation serving lottery customers around the world are the foundation of the Company’s strong financial position and predictable cash flows,” said Vince Sadusky, CEO of Brightstar.

The Company received approximately $4.0 billion of net cash proceeds that are expected to be allocated in the following manner:

• $2.0 billion used for previously disclosed contractual commitment to reduce debt:

• Redeem in whole the 4.125% Senior Secured U.S. Dollar Notes due April 2026 and the 3.500% Senior Secured Euro Notes due June 2026.

• €300 million to prepay the Term Loan Facilities due January 2027.

• Remaining amount allocated to prepay the Revolving Credit Facilities due July 2027.

• $1.1 billion to be returned to shareholders:

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• The Company’s Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend to common stockholders in the amount of $3.00 per share. The record date of the distribution is July 14, 2025, and it will be payable on July 29, 2025.

• In addition, the Board authorized a $500 million, two-year share repurchase program. The new authorization replaces the Company’s existing share repurchase program.

• $500 million to partially fund upcoming Italy Lotto license payments.

• $400 million to be used for general corporate purposes.

The Company intends to maintain a strong balance sheet with target net debt leverage (net debt/last twelve months (LTM) Adjusted EBITDA) around 3.0x supported by robust cash flow generation. Pro forma for the transaction, approximately $100 million of residual post-closing transaction costs, the full upfront payments associated with the new Italy Lotto license, and the $1.1 billion of capital returned to shareholders, net debt leverage as of March 31, 2025, was 3.5x.

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Compliance Updates

Aristocrat Gaming Wins Land-based License to Develop MONOPOLY Slot Games

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Aristocrat Gaming and Hasbro announced that Aristocrat Gaming is the winner of a competitive RFP to create MONOPOLY slot games for worldwide land-based gaming venues, securing a multi-year agreement. The landmark partnership will see Aristocrat Gaming launch all-new MONOPOLY-themed slot titles, beginning in early 2026. The company is excited to reintroduce one of the world’s most iconic brands to land-based slot games.

“To be selected as Hasbro’s land-based slots partner – after a highly competitive process – is a proud milestone for Aristocrat Gaming. Our commitment to innovation and bold creativity sets us apart, and we’re excited to reimagine MONOPOLY slot games for today’s players around the globe,” said Craig Toner, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming.

“It was evident through our selection process that Aristocrat Gaming was the natural fit for the next evolution of the Monopoly brand in the gaming category. We can’t wait for Monopoly fans to experience all new premium gaming content on casino floors,” said Claire Hunter Gregson – Director, Gaming Relationships of Hasbro.

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Compliance Updates

Statement from NYSGC Chair O’Dwyer Regarding Casino Applicants

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NYSGC Chair O’Dwyer has released the following statement regarding casino applicants.

“On behalf of my fellow Commissioners and the Gaming Facility Location Board, I welcome the eight applicants to Develop and Operate a Gaming Facility in New York State to the competition. The Commission and Board are committed to ensuring the casino siting process is fair, transparent, competitive, deliberative, and beneficial for the State of New York.

“This is a tabula rasa – there are no frontrunners or favorites. These eight proposed projects represent billions of dollars in private investment, thousands of jobs, and amenities in addition to a world-class casino – all things that can transform a community. That’s why each project must obtain all local entitlements, including zoning approval, and be approved by a specific Community Advisory Committee of appointees of the elected officials representing the proposed facility’s location. Only those projects that meet both statutory requirements – zoning and Community Advisory Committee approval – by September 30, 2025 will be considered by the Gaming Facility Location Board. This ensures that only those projects embraced by the community are placed before the Board for consideration.

“Appointing authorities for all eight projects have been notified of their obligation to make appointments to the Community Advisory Committees as soon as possible, as Committees are expected to be up and running in the coming weeks. Through the summer, Committees will hold public hearings to gauge support and/or opposition to their respective project, and formally vote whether to advance the project for Board evaluation. Those projects that are not approved by their Community Advisory Committee will not advance.

“The Board will evaluate those projects approved by their Community Advisory Committee and select up to three projects by December 1, followed by Commission licensure. This ensures that New York State will collect the already-booked casino license fee(s) ahead of schedule.

“As the Board has stated in the Request for Applications, the revenue from new gaming facilities is expected to benefit New York’s public schools, mass transit, local governments, and problem gambling treatment services. The jobs created by these casinos are expected to deliver livable wages to help families live, stay, and prosper in New York.

“We look forward to a competitive process with active community engagement for all proposals.”

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