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SPORTING BET REJECT WILLIAM HILL OFFER

Details: October 3rd, 2012

Sportingbet rejects $564.9 million offer from William Hill

Online gambling company Sportingbet Plc has turned down a $564.9 million offer by William Hill Plc and GVC Holdings Plc, saying the bid "significantly undervalues" the company, but it left the door open to consider a higher bid."The board of Sportingbet has responded that this indicative offer significantly undervalues the business and its future prospects," the company said in a statement Monday.Sportingbet did not say it was rejecting of offer outright. The gaming company expects a "further announcement will be made in due course."Sportingbet operates sports books in the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain and other jurisdictions worldwide, as well as virtual games, casino websites and online poker.William Hill, owner of William Hill U.S. and 159 sports books and kiosks in Nevada, is looking to acquire Sportingbet's regulated assets in Australia and Spain and sees GVC Holdings as a partner to take over the unwanted assets. It's a partnership Ladbrokes Plc tried but failed to make work when it looked at buying Sportingbet last year. Ladbrokes owns 65 percent of Stadium Technology Group, a Las Vegas-based supplier of software and in-game betting applications to sports book operators.GVC Holdings bought Sportingbet's unregulated Turkish business last year for $183.6 million.

Jefferies analyst James Wheatcroft said last week William Hill's rationale for the deal is the acquisition of a regulated, leading bookmaker in Australia with the possibility of "deregulation" allowing online poker and in-play betting.Wheatcroft valued William Hill's purchase of Sportingbet's preferred assets at $609.6 million, or "eight times prospective consensus" EBITDA, also known as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.William Hill has eyed a return to the Australia since its exit earlier this year. The British bookmaker closed its online wagering business in Australia on June 4 as its license application was pending with Nevada gaming regulators. William Hill was licensed in Nevada on June 21.

William Hill and GVC Holdings have until Oct. 16 to announce a firm offer. Analysts say Paddy Power could be a potential counterbidder given its stable and profitable position in the Australian gaming market.

William Hill also has until November to decide whether to exercise its option to purchase Playtech Ltd.'s 29 percent stake in its online sports and casino business, William Hill Online.

"Both deals highlight William Hill's confidence and ambition, based on a platform of decent momentum in the last few years," Wheatcroft said in a 20-page company note released Sept. 24

Sportingbet rejects offer from William Hill

Details: October 3rd, 2012

William Hill also has until November to decide whether to exercise its option to purchase Playtech Ltd.'s 29 percent stake in its online sports and casino business, William Hill Online.

"Both deals highlight William Hill's confidence and ambition, based on a platform of decent momentum in the last few years," Wheatcroft said in a 20-page company note released Sept. 24.

William Hill in takeover talks with Sportingbet

Details: September 26th, 2012

UK bookmaker William Hill has confirmed it is in talks over a possible joint offer for gambling firm Sportingbet.

William Hill, which has 2,300 High Street betting shops, is attempting to reach a deal to buy Sportingbet with the European gaming company GVC.

Shares in the target company rose 17% as market rumours about the deal circulated.

Sportingbet is based in Guernsey and has more than 2.5 million registered customers in 200 countries.

William Hill and GVC have until 16 October to announce a firm offer.

They are likely to split Sportingbet's operations between them, with William Hill taking the Australian and other locally licensed Sportingbet businesses.

Sportingbet makes 90% of its profits in Australia and has about a third of the country's online gambling market.

William Hill said in a statement: "William Hill and GVC note the recent share price movement of Sportingbet and confirm that they are in the preliminary stages of considering a possible joint offer for Sportingbet.

"William Hill and GVC have committed to work exclusively with each other in this regard."

New Head of WLA

Details: September 25th, 2012

Loterie Romande’s CEO, Jean-Luc Moner-Banet, was unanimously elected on Wednesday, 12th September, as President of the World Lottery Association (WLA). He has been active on the WLA’s upper echelons, serving on its Executive Committee since March 2008. Loterie Romande is delighted at his election as, for the very first time, Switzerland will hold one of the topmost positions of importance and influence on the global stage for lotteries and lottery companies.

During the World Lottery Summit 2012 (WLS 2012), held between 9 and 12 September in Montreal, Canada, all lottery companies that are members of the World Lottery Association participated in elections to renew the WLA’s governing bodies. Jean-Luc Moner-Banet, first appointed to the WLA’s Executive Committee in March 2008, had put himself forward as a candidate for election as President. His great wealth of experience in the realm of lotteries and his dynamic vision of the key issues at stake on the international stage, particularly in the arena of sports betting, persuaded the assembled members to appoint him to the WLA’s highest office for a term of two years. For the record, the WLA numbers approximately 150 official lottery companies (authorised State lotteries) from 82 countries around the globe, most of whose revenues (over 200 billion francs) are redeployed for public utility. The WLA is the world body and authority for all subjects related to lotteries, overseeing compliance with the system of legal concessions and supervising the integrity of games and sports betting, and implementing the most exacting standards with regard to responsible gaming as the industry strives to prevent and combat gambling addiction. The WLA plays a highly significant role in a landscape that is evolving rapidly, acting as an international forum where experience and creative ideas relating to future development of lotteries operating for the public benefit can be freely exchanged. Loterie Romande is delighted with Mr Moner-Banet’s election as, for the very first time, Switzerland will hold one of the topmost positions of importance and influence on the global stage for lotteries and lottery companies. In an era when private companies active on the Internet, often operating illegally, are challenging the operating business model of State lotteries worldwide with their exclusively public-utility role, Switzerland will have an active voice in the all-important debate on this fundamental issue and be able to forge a professional network at the very highest level. This cooperation is likely to prove particularly fruitful considering the reform underway to Swiss Federal legislation on lotteries and betting as it will allow the integration of an international perspective and global regulatory best practices into the current drafting of the new law. The Board of Directors of the Loterie Romande have encouraged Jean-Luc Moner-Banet to accept this new mission, which will not affect his responsibilities as CEO in any way. In order to avoid any conflict of interest and to dispose of the necessary time required for this new presidency Jean-Luc Moner-Banet will resign from his current mandate as Member of the European Lotteries’ Executive Committee and President of the specialised committee for sports betting

William Hill granted US licence

Details: June 22nd, 2012

William Hill granted US licence

William Hill has been given the green light to launch its first US operations after being granted a licence by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Last year, the British bookmaker announced it was to buy three US companies, but the acquisitions were dependent on the awarding of a licence.

The deals are now expected to complete by the end of the month.

William Hill said it was the first British bookmaker to be licensed for sports wagering in the US.

Sports betting is legal under federal law in only four US states - Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon.

"A Nevada gaming licence is recognised around the world as a significant regulatory seal of approval and we are proud to have earned it," said chief executive Ralph Topping.

"We are now able to bring together these three businesses to create a leading position in the US sports betting market, combining our brand and product range with AWI, Brandywine and Cal Neva's extensive footprint, strong local relationships and trusted service.

"We look forward to working with our new colleagues to grow a leadership position in the US gaming industry."

Irish Gaming Conference Preview

Details: February 24th, 2012

The Irish Gaming Show

SEMINAR PROGRAM

Gaming Industry Conference

March 6th

13:00 Industry Update - Legislation & Industry Forum

In this session you will get an update on where legislation is and where it is expected to go with contributions from leading industry figures in Ireland. After the initial session, teh floor will be opened to discussion to contribute to the debate which will form the basis of a submission to the government on behalf of the industry.

14:00 Panel Session - Gaming Machines in Ireland

With machines changing continuously and innovation constantly offering new and more impressive offerings, find out in this session what is working and why. The Irish market has had a staple diet of machines for a reason, but should this change and what will it mean for your business. New business models from supliers will also change the complexion of the Irish industry, find out exactly how at this session.

15:00 Panel Session - Bingo & Lottery

With a recent high court ruling clarifying the operation of bingo (which is a lottery in Ireland) in a commercial environment, operators in Ireland simply can't ignore a high footfall revenue generator that will also contribute to existing business. Find out just how bingo operates in Ireland and how it could benefit you as well as exploring the concept of lottery in general with machines and other variant products that have yet to be realised in Ireland.

GambleAware Conference

March 7th

13:00 Introduction to GambleAware Website, Helpline, Service

Find out just exactly what GambleAware actually does and for whom. With the National Gambling Helpline in place and a full clinical treatment programme to back it up, this session will reinforce the need for problem gambling issues to be addressed in the Republic of Ireland, specifically by operators in the industry.

14:00 Responsible Gambling - Government Requirement, Public Need

As the Minister for Justice has explicitly stated, if the industry does not fund this initiative he will apply a levy to the industry to pay for it. There is a definitive public need to increase the awareness, education and treatment of problem gambling and the Irish industry needs to fulfil its social responsibility obligation and fund the initiative. This session will introduce the governmetn requirement which is expected to become a requirement in the new Gambling Bill.

15:00 Industry Responsibility - What you need to do in your facility.

Awareness and training are vital for any facility to ensure it does not contribute to problem gambling. With everything from literature for patrons, posters and helpline number machine stickers to a code of practice and training for staff, this session will reinforce what you will get to help you deliver social responsibility in your facility.

Irish Gaming Show Preview

Details: February 24th, 2012

The 33rd Annual Irish Gaming Show 2012

Pivotal Year for Irish Gaming Industry

Scroll down for link to floorplan and exhibitors.

2012 - the Year of the Irish industry? As the long awaited Irish legislative review advances in the corridors of power in Dublin, the Irish Gaming Industry looks forward to a regulated environment where operators can invest in their facilities, knowing they are licenced and regulated and as legally compliant as any other business in the country.

Thankfully, getting to this point will be a paper exercise for the vast majority of operators who run their business according to international best practice, making the Irish trade one of the best self regulated industries in any jurisdiction. However, the legislative review will not be all sweetness and light as the ambiguity around everything from stakes and prizes to casino operation and bingo to online betting. No one actually knows the parameters they will be able to operate under or specifically, what limitations there potentially may be on their business compared to today. Even with this uncertainty, life must go on and indeed business must go on as operators strive to reinvent their consumer offering to continue to attract the leisure spend that is the lifeblood of the gaming industry.

With talk of austerity ever pervasive in Ireland it is heartening to hear many operators say, “Its not as bad as people say it is”. This fact is borne by the amount of purchasing operators at the London shows and indeed by the full house expected at the Irish show with stand space sold out and a range of product on display never seen before in the Irish market. The staple diets of machines, amusement and gaming are all there as well as new offerings for the Irish industry in Bingo, Lottery and even a sneak peek at some online initiatives that land based operators in Ireland can get involved with.

We look forward to seeing you all at the Green Isle on the 6th & 7th!