Stars Group Inc. has grown in leap and bounds – acquiring 62% equity interest in CrownBet

The Stars Group Inc. which provides technology-based products and services to the global gaming and interactive entertainment industries publicised the acquiring of a 62% equity interest in CrownBet Holdings Pty Limited for an aggregate amount of approximately $117.7 million, with all dollar ($) amounts in U.S. dollars.

CrownBet, which was launched in 2014 in Australia, claims to be the world’s second-largest regulated sports betting market, and one of Australia’s online sportsbooks which has grown in leap and bounds with unaudited annual revenues escalating  from approximately A$76.5 million in 2015 to approximately A$204.0 million in 2017 and unaudited EBITDA turning positive for the first time in 2017 at approximately A$7.9 million for the year.

In relation, Rafi Ashkenazi, the Chief Executive Officer of The Stars Group said: “We are excited to enter the regulated Australian sportsbook market with CrownBet.” CrownBet has become one of the fastest growing online sportsbooks in Australia through its strong management team, proprietary technology, mobile app, unique partnerships and market-leading loyalty program.”

The Stars Group acquired 62% interest in CrownBet from Crown Resorts Limited (ASX: CWN) in an all-cash transaction using cash on The Stars Group’s balance sheet. The Stars Group will go hand-in-hand with other shareholders of CrownBet, including the CrownBet management team led by Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Tripp, to complete the purchase and will persist to work directly with Mr Tripp, who will retain his position and continue to operate the business in Australia. As per the transaction agreements, The Stars Group is also entitled to appoint a majority of the directors on the Board of Directors of CrownBet.

The Northern Territory Racing Commission has approved the transaction subject to The Stars Group satisfying certain standard conditions.

 The Stars Group

The Stars Group is a leading provider of technology-based products and services in the global gaming and interactive entertainment industries. Through its Stars Interactive Group division, The Stars Group ultimately owns gaming and related consumer businesses and brands, including PokerStars, PokerStars Casino, BetStars, Full Tilt, and the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship, European Poker Tour, PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, Latin American Poker Tour, Asia Pacific Poker Tour, PokerStars Festival and PokerStars MEGA STACK live poker tour and event brands.

These brands together have millions of registered customers globally and collectively form the largest poker business in the world, comprising online poker games and tournaments, sponsored live poker competitions, marketing arrangements for branded poker rooms in popular casinos in major cities around the world, and poker programming and content created for television and online audiences. The Stars Group, through certain of these brands, also offers non-poker gaming products, including casino and sportsbook.

The Stars Group, through certain of its subsidiaries, is licensed to offer under third-party licenses or approvals, its products and services in various jurisdictions throughout the world, including Europe, both within and outside of the European Union, the Americas and elsewhere. In particular, PokerStars is the world’s most licensed online gaming brand, holding licenses or related operating approvals in 17 jurisdictions.