Acquisition of Tribeca
Playtech Limited
13 November 2006
Playtech Limited
('Playtech' or 'the Company')
Acquisition of leading poker network to enhance Playtech's poker offering
Playtech (AIM: PTEC), the listed international designer, developer and licensor
of software for the online and land-based gaming industry, is pleased to
announce today that it has agreed to acquire certain assets and undertaking of
Tribeca Tables Europe Limited ('Tribeca'). The acquisition is subject to the
satisfaction of a number of conditions.
Tribeca is a software designer that provides a poker network solution to a
number of the world's most respected online poker operators such as VCPoker,
PaddyPower Poker and Blue Square Poker. In addition to software development,
Tribeca also specialises in e-marketing and the development of online poker
communities. Most recently, Tribeca announced that the Tain poker network would
be joining the Tribeca network, of which the Scandinavian group, Expekt, is the
largest customer.
In the 12 months to 31 December 2005, the assets to be acquired generated
turnover of c. US$6.2m and gross profits of c. US$5.3m and in respect of the
last three calendar months preceding the date of the acquisition, the assets to
be acquired generated a turnover of c. US$3.9m and gross profits of
c. US$3.4m.*
Following Tribeca's decision to block certain territories, including the US, the
entire Tribeca network will cease its operations in six months from the date of
the agreement, by which time the migration of the online poker operators to
Playtech's platform is planned to be complete.
Playtech expects that synergies between the two companies will lead to
significant savings in respect of the additional costs involved in supporting
the migrated licensees. Additionally, the Company expects higher revenues to be
generated by the increased player liquidity, as well as the introduction of
Playtech's casino games to the migrated licensees.
The acquisition significantly strengthens Playtech's share of the global online
poker gaming market and is in line with the Company's continued strategy to
diversify its portfolio and geographical reach.
*Unaudited Figures provided by Tribeca.
Avigur Zmora, Chief Executive Officer of Playtech, comments:
'This is a landmark deal for Playtech, which in one move, transforms the Company
into the world's leading poker network that excludes US players. Tribeca is an
outstanding fit for us and the company's licensees are operating, for the most
part, in different geographical locations to Playtech's current poker licensees.
'We look forward to welcoming Tribeca's licensees and offering them the best
combination of poker knowledge and world leading technology. Both Tribeca and
Playtech are committed to a smooth transitional period to ensure that migrating
licensees can continue to offer the most attractive poker environment for their
players.'
Further details of the acquisition
The consideration for the acquisition is calculated according to a formula based
on Playtech's earnings from the acquired assets. On the basis that the Company
will generate c. US$16m over the coming year from the migration date, the
consideration to be paid for Tribeca will be US$75m. The final consideration
will be adjusted upon Playtech's realised revenues. The maximum consideration
that the Company will be liable to pay is US$139m, which will be paid in the
event that the revenue generated from this acquisition exceeds US$29m over the
coming year from the migration date.
Playtech will pay the consideration in cash in four instalments. The first is
payable upon satisfaction of specific conditions. The second, third and fourth
payments are to be made on the 9th, 18th and 24th month intervals, after the
date of the agreement, respectively.
- ends -
For further information:
Avigur Zmora, Chief Executive Officer, Playtech Limited
c/o Bell Pottinger Tel: 020 7861 3232
www.playtech.com
David Rydell / Amy Rajendran
Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial Tel. 020 7861 3232
Notes to Editors
About Tribeca Tables Europe, Limited:
Tribeca Tables Europe, Limited is registered in the Channel Island of Alderney.
Founded in 2001, Tribeca is the world's first online poker room aggregator.
Today, Tribeca Tables is partnered with 10 major gaming companies and supports
over 100 brands with millions of customers.
Tribeca received corporate finance advice from McNamee Lawrence & Co. LLC and
Montrose Partners LLP.
Playtech Limited
Playtech develops unified software platforms for the online gambling industry,
primarily targeting existing online operators wanting to upgrade their system;
sports books looking to diversify and land-based operators making their online
debut.
Playtech gaming applications include online casino, poker, bingo, live gaming,
land-based kiosk networks, fixed-odds games and video betting terminals.
Founded in 1999, Playtech has over 300 personnel located globally.
The Company listed on the AIM market in March 2006.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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