Aristocrat has agreed to acquire Playtech for $3.7 billion

Australian gaming machine and gambling software giant Aristocrat has announced the completion of its largest acquisition to date, acquiring the esteemed company Playtech for $3.7 billion. The deal's valuation is based on the current asset price of the renowned brand.
The offer values Playtech shares at $9.35 each, representing a premium of approximately 58% over the last closing price on October 15. This information was confirmed by the press office of the Australian developer.
Aristocrat stated that the acquisition will enhance the distribution, technology, and content capabilities of both ITS and Playtech, allowing them to better meet the diverse needs of clients and users. Additionally, Playtech's Snaitech will strengthen its presence in several European markets. The combined business will employ staff across 24 countries and operate in 30 regulated jurisdictions with 170 global licensees.
"This deal represents a compelling alignment of strategic interests and reaffirms our long-held belief in the value of Playtech," said Jason Ader, CEO of SpringOwl Asset Management and one of Playtech's largest shareholders.
Aristocrat CEO Trevor Croker added, "The proposed combination will unite Aristocrat's world-class gaming content, customer relationships, and regulatory expertise with Playtech's industry-leading global online real-money gaming platform."
Notably, in the wake of this somewhat sensational news, shares of British gambling software developer Playtech Plc surged nearly 60%.
According to estimates from the Australian brand, the global gambling sector reached $70 billion in 2020, with figures improving compared to the previous year and expected to continue growing through 2025.
Additionally, it was announced that Oryx Gaming slots will be available on the Playtech Games Marketplace.