Massive Land-based Force MGM Grand Set to Join Forces with Online Leader LeoVegas in Blockbuster Deal

A huge merger deal is moving forward between two gaming giants: land-based MGM resorts and iGaming's Leo Vegas.

The Deal

Unanimously recommended by the Leo Vegas Board, the deal calls for long-time land-based heavyweight MGM resorts to acquire online gambling operator LeoVegas for an approximate sum of $607m (£482.8m/€576.6m).

MGM will acquire LeoVegas' share capital for SEK61 (£4.90/€5.85/$6.16) per share, at a 44% premium agreed to by LeoVegas based on LeoVegas' closing share price on 29 April. According to MGM, the deal will be financed through existing cash reserves for a boost of liquidity to LeoVegas.

MGM Prez Speaks

MGM Resorts CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle identified the key benefit of the deal as reaching into the lucrative and thriving European iGaming market and beyond.

MGM's Entry into iGaming

Long-time land-based giant MGM first entered the online space in North America last year via a joint venture deal with Entain.

Organisational Vision

The LeoVegas Casino deal represents an expansion of MGM's greater strategic vision of becoming “the world’s premiere gaming entertainment company,” according to Hornbuckle:

“We have achieved remarkable success with BetMGM in the US, and with the acquisition of LeoVegas in Europe we will expand our online gaming presence globally.”

Joint Goals

The win for both MGM Resorts and Leo Vegas according to Hornbuckle is to accelerate global digital gaming growth for both companies within a greater shared omni-channel strategy.

Shareholder Support Breakdown

Key individual support for the deal came from LeoVegas leading shareholder and Chairman Gustaf Hagman, leading the shareholder group committed to voting in favour of the deal.

Prominent 4.6% shareholder and LeoVegas Board member Torsten Söderberg is not voting in favour of the deal, but acknowledged that he is “very supportive of the offer.”

LeoVegas Comments

In a joint statement, the LeoVegas board said the deal makes sense for both sides in the current gaming industry environment:

“LeoVegas operates in an industry which is characterised by, inter alia, high innovation pace, new regulation, and consolidation.”

Board Opinion

The board affirmed an attractive “strategic fit” and “industrial logic” between LeoVegas and MGM that should both companies and employees “well in the future.”

Final Details

The deal remains pending on an expected 90% supporting vote by LeoVegas shareholders that will bring the deal into official fruition sometime during H2 2022.

Outlook

Still to be resolved is MGM's relationship with Entain moving forward, but the foray into Europe with Leo Vegas stands as a major move by prevailing land-based superpower MGM to maintain its leading spot in the greater gaming space.