Latest News
Allwyn Entertainment to Support Growth with New York Stock Exchange Listing in Partnership with Publicly-Traded Cohn Robbins Holdings Corp.
Allwyn Entertainment, the new group-wide brand for SAZKA Entertainment AG, a leading multinational lottery operator, today announced another significant step in its evolution to a global lottery-led entertainment platform: Allwyn’s intention to become a publicly- listed company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in partnership with NYSE- listed Cohn Robbins Holdings Corp. (CRHC), resulting in an expected total enterprise value for Allwyn of approximately $9.3 billion. As described below and subject to certain limitations, an innovative feature of the Transaction provides CRHC shareholders the opportunity to establish ownership stakes at a maximum enterprise value of approximately $8.7 billion. CRHC is Co-Chaired by its Co- Founders, Gary D. Cohn and Clifton S. Robbins.
-Allwyn’s Total Enterprise Value in Proposed Transaction Expected to be Approximately $9.3 Billion; Transaction Provides CRHC Shareholders Discount to Enterprise Value-
-CRHC’s Sponsor Entity Commits $50 Million of Total PIPE Investment in Excess of $350 Million-
-Allwyn’s Strategy for Growth through Digitization, Acquisitions, License Tenders to be Strengthened by NYSE’s Premier Platform for Brand and Enhanced Capital Access
Karel Komárek, Chairman of the Board of Allwyn and Founder of KKCG Investment Group, Allwyn’s majority owner, stated, “Listing on the NYSE is the next chapter in Allwyn’s history and track record of shared success benefitting players, communities, governments and investors. We forecast the business delivering attractive revenue, profit and cash flow growth, creating attractive long-term value for investors. Going public positions Allwyn to expand its shared success to more markets, while enhancing capital access to fund opportunities for accelerated growth. KKCG has known for years that Allwyn is an amazing business, and I am very proud that global investors will have the opportunity to participate in its further growth.“ Robert Chvatal, Chief Executive Officer of Allwyn, stated, “It is an opportune time for Allwyn to take this exciting step. Jurisdictions in Europe and North America should have higher expectations for the innovations their lotteries can deliver. With consumers expecting the option to experience and pay for entertainment online, Allwyn is building stronger, more individualized and more valuable relationships with our customers. We look forward to applying our experience in developing market- specific, culturally-attuned lottery entertainment to new customers and geographies as an NYSE-listed company.”
A Leader in the Large, Resilient and Growing Lottery Industry
The $300 billion global lottery industry is the largest constituent of the global gaming ecosystem by sales and wagers, with customer demographics and market dynamics characterized by high participation globally; resiliency through market cycles; and expected acceleration in growth from digitization and the trend toward increasing online sales.
With a history of robust organic growth complemented by value-accretive acquisitions, Allwyn’s management team has built a platform whose component businesses (on a 100% basis) collected approximately €16 billion in wagers over the 12-month period ended June 30, 2021. A leading multinational lottery operator, Allwyn operates lotteries in Austria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus and Italy, and forecasts approximately $810 million (€710 million) in Adjusted EBITDA from approximately $1.7 billion (€1.5 billion) in net gaming revenue in 2022. Pro forma net debt / 2022E Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be approximately 1.6x.
Allwyn is committed to the highest standards of player protection, with all Allwyn- operated lottery businesses currently certified for responsible gaming by European Lotteries and holding the highest level of responsible gaming certification (Level 4) from the World Lottery Association.
NYSE Listing and Capital Investment to Support Growth Strategy
Allwyn expects the NYSE listing to support its global growth strategy by:
– Providing the Company with greater access to capital markets to complement its strong balance sheet and cash flow generation, enabling it to accelerate its successful organic and inorganic growth strategy;
– Enhancing and expanding its global brand, including in highly attractive United States markets; and Building upon its reputation for transparency as a longstanding issuer of publicly-traded bonds with the additional distinctions of being an SEC- regulated company listed on the world’s premier stock exchange.
Trends in developed countries’ lottery, igaming and sports betting markets indicate the potential for significant additional online penetration in markets where Allwyn operates, as well as in those it has targeted for expansion. In markets where online lottery has been introduced, both total market size and the retail lottery market have grown substantially.
Online users of Allwyn businesses have more than doubled in the past two years, enabling the Company to establish customer relationships and implement cross- selling initiatives that it expects to create greater value and benefit from low churn rates and customer acquisition costs.
The Company also has identified new market opportunities in Europe and the United States, via potential acquisitions and license tenders, in markets that represent approximately €129 billion in estimated 2022 lottery wagers.
Messrs. Gary D. Cohn and Clifton S. Robbins, Co-Founders and Co-Chairmen of Cohn Robbins Holdings Corp., stated, “We have worked with hundreds of management teams and invested in hundreds of companies in our careers, but we founded Cohn Robbins to seek out just one. We believe that Allwyn is the right company, in the right industry, at the right time and with the right leadership team. We are excited by the growth opportunities the Company has ahead of it and we look forward to providing our support. We also are very pleased to be bringing this transaction to Cohn Robbins shareholders in an innovative way and at an attractive valuation.”
A Valuable and Responsible Community Partner
More than $100 billion, or approximately one-third of worldwide annual lottery sales, has gone toward funding public programming in recent years, according to data collected from their members by the World Lottery Association and European Lotteries. Allwyn uses its platform and skills to the benefit of the communities it serves.
Since 2014, Allwyn’s business has provided major support for the renovation and modernization of Greece’s most important, largest and oldest children’s hospitals. The Company promotes active lifestyles as major sponsors of professional and mass sport, including Olympic teams, professional football and basketball teams, and after-school programs and activities for children. It is the biggest supporter of sports in Austria, with its subsidiary, Austrian Lotteries, making a guaranteed annual contribution of at least €80 million to sports, and having provided approximately €1.7 billion in sports funding since 1986. In the Czech Republic, 150,000 school children each year participate in a Company-sponsored Olympic-style multi-sport contest, and the Company supports more than 3,200 disadvantaged children in pursuing sports through the Czech Olympic Foundation. In Greece, Allwyn sponsors more than 175 sports academies serving more than 18,000 children, 28,000 parents and guardians, and 1,000 coaches.
Transaction Overview
Current Allwyn equity holders are expected to retain approximately 83% ownership in the Company, and no new shareholder of the Company will own a stake of more than 5% immediately following the transaction.
Allwyn’s expected implied pro forma total enterprise value of approximately $9.3 billion represents approximately 11.5x 2022E Adjusted EBITDA. However, due to a bonus pool of up to approximately 6.6 million CRHC shares to be made available exclusively to non-redeeming CRHC shareholders, such shareholders have the opportunity to establish ownership stakes at a maximum expected effective valuation multiple of 10.8x 2022E Adjusted EBITDA, or approximately $8.7 billion in total enterprise value. Bonus shares forfeited by redeeming shareholders will be distributed to non- redeeming shareholders on a pro rata basis, which is variable based on a range of exchange ratios for shares held by non-redeeming shareholders of between 1.08x and 1.40x, to be determined based on redemptions. Assuming a price of $10.00 per share of CRHC common stock at the closing of the transaction, non-redeeming CRHC shareholders would receive, in exchange for each share of CRHC common stock held, shares of the post-combination company with value equating to between $10.80 (assuming no redemptions by CRHC shareholders) and $14.00 (assuming redemptions resulting in the maximum exchange ratio).
CRHC, a special purpose acquisition company, holds approximately $828 million of cash in trust. Concurrent with the consummation of the proposed transaction, investors have committed to purchase more than $350 million of securities of the combined company (the “PIPE investment”). The PIPE investment includes participation from a group of international investors, including $50 million from CRHC’s Sponsor entity. The proposed transaction, which has been unanimously approved by both the Board of Directors of Allwyn and the Board of Directors of CRHC, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022, subject to approval by CRHC’s stockholders, gaming regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Upon closing, Mr. Robbins will join Allwyn’s Board of Directors and Mr. Cohn will serve as a Special Advisor to Allwyn’s Board Chairman.
Advisors
PJT Partners is acting as financial advisor to Allwyn and KKCG, and is acting as joint placement agent on the PIPE. Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Clifford Chance are serving as legal advisors to Allwyn and KKCG.
Citi is acting as financial advisor to CRHC and joint placement agent on the PIPE. Credit Suisse is acting as Equity Capital Markets advisor to CRHC. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as legal advisor to CRHC.
Winston & Strawn LLP is serving as legal advisor to the placement agents.
Investor Webcast Information and Additional Materials
Beginning at 6:00 am EST on January 21, an investor webcast, in which management of Allwyn and CRHC will discuss the proposed transaction, will be available here as well as in the Investor Relations section of the CRHC website at www.cohnrobbins.com. An investor presentation also will be available on the CRHC and Allwyn websites.
Beginning at 6:00 am EST on January 21, an investor webcast, in which management of Allwyn and CRHC will discuss the proposed transaction, will be available here as well as in the Investor Relations section of the CRHC website at www.cohnrobbins.com. An investor presentation also will be available on the CRHC and Allwyn websites.
Compliance Updates
Licenses received: RockApp strengthens its position in the US iGaming market
RockApp, a leading global media buying agency, proudly announces that it has obtained official licenses in all regulated US states, allowing it to promote iGaming services nationwide, including Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. With these licenses, RockApp is now authorized to operate in all regulated US states, except for New York. This achievement comes amidst tightening regulatory standards, underscoring the agency’s commitment to compliance and excellence in performance marketing. The move positions RockApp as a trusted partner for iGaming companies looking to expand their reach in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets.
These developments enable the agency to work with prominent industry players, including established American brands, and deliver targeted advertising campaigns with measurable results. By securing a legal presence in all regulated states, RockApp reinforces its reputation as a reliable and professional partner, capable of navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
This milestone is part of RockApp’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a global leader in the media buying industry. Over the past year, the company has demonstrated impressive growth, achieving a 440% increase in customer acquisition, a 300% boost in turnover, and a record-breaking 4,000 first-time deposits achieved in a single day. These achievements reflect RockApp’s dedication to innovation, strategic planning, and delivering exceptional value to its clients.
“This is a pivotal moment for RockApp,” said Niko Belikov, Founder at RockApp. “Securing licenses in the US not only opens new doors for us but also allows us to bring our expertise in iGaming promotion to a market that values professionalism and results. We’re excited to support our clients as they navigate this dynamic landscape and achieve unparalleled success.”
Latest News
BetMGM Secures Exclusive Online Casino Content Rights to “Family Feud” and “The Price is Right” with Fremantle Partnership
BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, announced a new and exclusive online casino rights partnership with Fremantle, a world leader in creating, producing and distributing entertainment content for over 100 years. The multi-year agreement secures the intellectual property rights for iconic game shows “The Price is Right” and “Family Feud” for slots, table games, and non-traditional casino games. The partnership establishes the foundation for BetMGM to create customized online casino content around both game show brands.
“This partnership unlocks various ways for BetMGM and Fremantle to collaborate and expand our brand. ‘Family Feud’ and ‘The Price is Right’ are two of the most popular game shows in North America, and we look forward to bringing their fun and excitement to our online casino in various exciting ways,” said Adam Greenblatt, Chief Executive Officer of BetMGM.
During select weeks throughout the upcoming seasons, BetMGM will be featured as a sponsor with exclusive, never-before-seen partnership integrations for “Family Feud” and “The Price is Right”. Throughout 2025 BetMGM and Fremantle will reveal additional details on these planned partnership activations.
Suzanne Lopez, COO of Fremantle North America, said: “Our exclusive deal with BetMGM and our premier game show IP represents a significant milestone for us both. This innovative collaboration paves the way for in-game branding across diverse online casino categories, while also providing opportunities for integrated TV sponsorships. It’s all about enhancing how fans of ‘The Price Is Right’ and ‘Family Feud’ connect with the shows in fresh, immersive ways.”
The company’s award-winning online casino is home to over 3500 titles across North American markets and one of the largest state-by-state exclusive jackpot networks. BetMGM’s jackpot network currently consists of more than 20 game titles including popular games such as MGM Grand Millions, Bison Fury, and Loot’En Khamun and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Canada
BetConstruct Becomes the First iGaming Company to Offer Both B2B and B2C Licenses in Canada through Affiliate Entity
BetConstruct, a global pioneer in iGaming and sports betting solutions, has announced a significant milestone in the gaming industry. Through its affiliate entity, BetConstruct has become the first iGaming company authorized to facilitate the issuance of both Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) licenses. This remarkable achievement was made possible by obtaining a direct license authorization from the Tobique First Nation in Canada.
The Tobique First Nation, renowned for its innovative and forward-thinking regulatory approach, has entrusted BetConstruct’s affiliate entity with the authority to oversee applications and facilitate the issuance of licenses from its jurisdiction. This partnership underscores shared values of innovation, transparency, and a commitment to responsible gaming practices.
This historic development places BetConstruct at the forefront of the Canadian iGaming market, redefining the opportunities available to gaming operators. By leveraging its affiliate entity’s licensing capabilities, BetConstruct empowers businesses to navigate a streamlined and transparent regulatory environment, unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.
“At BetConstruct, we’ve always strived to push the boundaries of what’s possible in iGaming. This landmark achievement with the Tobique First Nation reflects our unwavering dedication to creating opportunities for our partners while upholding the highest standards of responsibility and integrity in gaming,” said Vigen Badalyan, Co-Founder of BetConstruct.
The issuance of dual licenses under the watchful eye of BetConstruct’s affiliate not only highlights BetConstruct’s commitment to supporting its partners but also reinforces the company’s role as a trusted leader in the global iGaming landscape.
This milestone signals a new era for regulated iGaming, as BetConstruct takes bold steps to establish a robust ecosystem for operators and consumers alike. With its direct license authorization from the Tobique First Nation, BetConstruct is setting a new standard for innovation, consumer protection, and sustainable growth in Canada and beyond.
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
Bragg Gaming is Live in Brazil’s Regulated iGaming Market
-
Latest News6 days ago
Plaza Hotel & Casino offering free stalls to temporarily rehome horses affected by the California wildfires
-
Affiliate Industry6 days ago
MetaBet inks Gentoo Media partnership to enhance flagship sites
-
Compliance Updates5 days ago
INCENTIVE GAMES RECEIVES FULL PAY-TO-PLAY GAMING CERTIFICATION IN BRAZIL
-
Latest News6 days ago
INSPIRED TO LAUNCH 16 SLOT GAMES IN BRAZIL, IGNITING THE iGAMING MARKET IN JANUARY 2025
-
Compliance Updates5 days ago
FBMDS obtains certification to operate in Brazil
-
Latest News6 days ago
PENN Entertainment Announces Partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment for Market Access in Washington, D.C.
-
Latest News7 days ago
Professional Fighters League Teams Up with Cloudbet as Official Sports Betting and Online Casino Partner