Playtech on the acquisition trail again

Playtech plc has announced that it has reached an agreement with certain shareholders of Snaitech S.p.A to acquire an approximately 70.6 percent. of the issued share capital of Snaitech.

Upon completion of the deal, Playtech will be required to make a mandatory takeover offer for all the remaining shares in Snaitech, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Full completion is expected to occur in Q4 2018

Strategic highlights of the acquisition include:

* Creates leading vertically integrated retail and online Italian gaming business that will control its own technology across all products and verticals from land-based to online;
* In line with Playtech’s strategy to invest in profitable, highly cash generative businesses with strong management, similar DNA and attractive financial returns;
* Significantly enhances Playtech’s revenue mix towards regulated markets, with 78 percent of the enlarged group’s 2017 pro-forma revenues from regulated markets;
* Establishes strong presence in Italy, Europe’s largest and growing gaming market, a fragmented market which is relatively underdeveloped online;
* Builds upon Playtech’s historical success of developing online markets through structured agreements;
* Combines two market leading players in the B2B / B2C space with brand strength and scalable offerings and provides Playtech with incremental organic growth potential and greater strategic optionality;

Key strengths and competitive advantages of Snaitech include:

* The leading market position in retail betting, one of the most extensive gaming machine networks and a strong online position in Italy;
* Distinct competitive advantages, underpinned by a strong brand and extensive franchisee based distribution network;
* Proprietary technology that is complementary to Playtech technology platform; and
* Experienced management team with a successful operational and financial track record who will remain with Playtech post acquisition.

Financial highlights include:

* In 2017, Snaitech generated revenue and EBITDA of Euro 890 million and Euro 136 million respectively;
* Total purchase enterprise value of Euro 846 million with implied EV/EBITDA (pre-synergies) of 6.2x;
* Expected material annual cost synergies of Euro 10 million and revenue synergies;
* Transaction funded by a combination of existing cash resources and new debt facilities;
* Enlarged group net debt leverage of below 1.5x times 2017 EBITDA; and
* Significant EBITDA enhancement and double-digit EPS accretion.

Playtech CEO Mor Weizer said in a statement Thursday:

“The acquisition of Snaitech represents the continuation of our strategy to invest in leading retail brands in fast growing, regulated markets. The acquisition delivers the Board’s strategic objective to improve the quality and diversification of Group revenue, whilst delivering exposure to high growth end markets, by utilising the strength of Playtech’s balance sheet.

“Playtech has always been at the forefront of its industry and the acquisition offers the opportunity to create a vertically integrated B2B2C operator in Europe’s largest gambling market, delivering significant value to shareholders.”

Fabio Schiavolin, Chief Executive Officer of Snaitech said:

“This acquisition reflects Snaitech’s position as one of the leading and best known brands in Italy and delivers meaningful value to our shareholders. The combination of Playtech’s technology and experience in Italy with Snaitech’s powerful brand mean we will be better able to capture the online opportunity in the fast growing and dynamic Italian market.  We are pleased to be joining the Playtech team and look to the future with confidence and excitement.”

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