After acquiring PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, Amaya Gaming began to cement themselves as a top company in the online gambling industry on an international level. Amaya Gaming has worked hard to build PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker back to the original glory, moving the sites to offer gaming in a variety of countries around the world. PokerStars is currently trying to offer services in New Jersey as well as showing interest in California if online poker legislation is passed.
The company has now made an additional acquisition that will further move the company into the forefront of gaming. Working with GVC Holdings, the two are now trying to become owners of bwin.party, a top gaming company that has been on the market for some time. The price tag for the bid was close to $1.4 billion, a major purchase for both gaming companies.
With the deal, GVC will be paying 110 pence per share which will represent 8.5% premium of the stock price based on the current market. GVC is based on the Isle of Man and specializes in sports gaming. The company is behind such top brands as Betboo and Sportingbet.
Kenneth Alexander stated that based on the company’s experience with the acquisition of Sportingbet and the restructuring of the brand, GVC believes that the potential combination of their company with bwin.party will result in a substantial financial and operating synergy.
It was back in November the bwin.party was known publicly to be up for sale after a statement was released by the company. Several companies were interested in acquiring the brand, with industry insiders believing that the Intertain Company would be the purchaser or Playtech, the top software developer for gambling sites.
In May, just a few weeks ago, 888 Holdings showed interest in bwin.party, making an offer for the company. However, the amount offered has not been disclosed. GVC stated that their bid to purchase bwin.party was backed by Amaya Gaming which certainly helped the company acquire the major gambling brand. Amaya has tried to enter the sports betting market, to offer more than just poker gaming, so the company can certainly benefit from a partnership with GVC.
The offer is on the table and could signify an even larger offer from 888 Holdings. Many companies want to get in on the action that bwin.party can provide such as access to the United States online poker market. Amaya Gaming has tried for some time to enter the US with PokerStars, but run into road block after road block. With the acquisition of bwin.party, Amaya would have an approved way to offer gaming in the US.
PokerStars first tried to offer services in New Jersey but were denied. Once Amaya Gaming acquired the company, officials in New Jersey decided to review the poker site’s application once again. No approval has been given as of yet. PokerStars has also tried to become involved in California online poker, which has yet to be approved. Lawmakers have bills on the table but no movement as of yet. The online poker site has partnered with card rooms and Indian tribes in the hopes of offering online poker gaming is legislation is passed that approves licensing and regulation of the game.
Bwin.party already operates a gaming network in New Jersey and this would give Amaya Gaming the perfect opportunity to get in on the action. It will be interesting to see if the deal by GVC, backed by Amaya will be approved by bwin.party or if another company will swoop in, becoming a major player in the online poker and gaming industry across the world.