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29th February, 2024 
IGT's Global Gaming and PlayDigital Businesses to Combine with Everi, Creating a Comprehensive Global Gaming and FinTech Enterprise 
  - Business combination creates a comprehensive and diverse portfolio of high-performing land-based, digital, and fintech gaming products and services
 
  - Complementary offering coupled with global reach provides compelling growth prospects with significant synergy opportunities
 
  - Attractive recurring revenue profile and strong profit margins, balance sheet, and cash flows provide flexibility to allocate capital to drive long-term shareholder value creation
 
  - IGT CEO Vince Sadusky to lead combined company with executives from both companies in key leadership roles; Everi Executive Chairman Michael Rumbolz to serve as chairman of the board of directors of the combined company
 
  - IGT Global Lottery business to operate as a pure play global lottery player with focused, compelling business model and optimized capital structure to drive long-term shareholder value
 
 
LONDON and LAS VEGAS, Feb. 29, 2024  /PRNewswire/ -- International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE: IGT)  and Everi Holdings Inc. (NYSE: EVRI) ("Everi") today announced their  entry into definitive agreements pursuant to which IGT will separate its Global  Gaming and PlayDigital businesses by way of a taxable spin-off to IGT  shareholders and then immediately combine such businesses with Everi to create  a comprehensive and diverse global gaming and fintech enterprise. Under the  terms of the agreements, at closing, IGT shareholders are expected to own  approximately 54% and Everi stockholders are expected to own approximately 46%  of the shares in the combined company. The transaction has been approved  unanimously by all voting members of the IGT Board of Directors and Everi Board  of Directors. The deal values the combined businesses at approximately $6.2  billion on an enterprise value basis. 
   
  "As previously announced, IGT's  Board of Directors embarked on a review of strategic alternatives for our  Global Gaming and PlayDigital businesses as a way to unlock the intrinsic value  of our portfolio of industry-leading assets," said Marco Sala, IGT Executive Chair of the Board. "The transaction  announced today is a key milestone in that process. The transaction will  combine two robust gaming platforms with complementary capabilities, geographic  footprints, and enhanced growth opportunities. It also facilitates the  separation of IGT's Global Gaming and PlayDigital businesses from our Global  Lottery business, resulting in a pure play global lottery business. After  closing, IGT's shareholders will continue to own one hundred percent of IGT's  Global Lottery business, which is positioned for long-term success, and will  own a majority of a combined company that offers global gaming, digital and  fintech." 
   
  "We are bringing together two  businesses with complementary strengths that are stronger and more valuable  together," added Vince Sadusky, IGT  CEO. "The combination results in a comprehensive and diverse  product offering, addressing more aspects of the gaming ecosystem across  land-based gaming, iGaming, sports betting, and fintech. The creation of  separate gaming and lottery companies, each with experienced management teams  and simplified business models, better positions each company to service  customers and create significant value for stakeholders."  
  "We believe this merger combines  two highly complementary businesses in a transformational manner, creating a  global, land-based and digital gaming, fintech and systems business. We expect  the combined company will deliver a comprehensive range of products and  services that will engage gaming patrons and drive efficiencies and revenues to  our customers," stated Michael Rumbolz,  Everi Executive Chairman. 
   
  Key Strategic and Financial Benefits 
The combination is expected to generate  significant long-term value for stockholders of the combined company along many  dimensions, including: 
  - A comprehensive and diverse product portfolio – a one-stop-shop       offering across land-based gaming, iGaming, sports betting, and       fintech
 
  - Impressive financial scale with projected pro forma 2024       revenue of approximately $2.7 billion and projected pro forma 2024       Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1 billion
 
  
    - Large installed base with approximately 70,000 EGMs today        generating significant recurring revenues
 
   
  - Compelling growth profile with significant synergies,       including:
 
  
    - Premier IP portfolio comprised of some of the most        successful game franchises across product verticals
 
    - Opportunity to leverage the global sales team and distribution        network of IGT's Global Gaming and PlayDigital businesses to bring        Everi's existing content and fintech solutions to customers outside the        United States
 
    - Approximately $85 million of identified cost savings and        opportunities for capital expenditure efficiencies
 
   
  - Strong balance sheet and substantial cash flow generation to       provide flexibility to pursue organic and inorganic investments and return       capital to stockholders
 
  
    - Projected pro forma 3.2-3.4x net debt to 2024 Adjusted EBITDA        leverage ratio (including run-rate cost synergies) with a path to rapid        de-leveraging
 
    - Expect to generate over $800 million of annual Adjusted cash        flow in the second year following the closing, including realized        synergies
 
   
  - Best-in-class team
 
 
Summary of the Transaction 
  The transaction will be executed through a  series of steps pursuant to which IGT will spin off a subsidiary owning its  Global Gaming and PlayDigital businesses to IGT shareholders. That entity will  then combine with Everi, with IGT shareholders receiving shares of Everi common  stock and Everi continuing as the parent company. IGT shareholders will receive  approximately 103.4 million Everi shares, resulting in an approximate 54%  ownership interest in the combined company with existing Everi stockholders  owning the balance. After closing, Everi will change its name to International  Game Technology, Inc. and will trade on the NYSE under the ticker IGT. 
   
  In connection with the transaction, IGT  will receive approximately $2.6 billion in cash that will be funded with the  proceeds of debt incurred by the combined company. IGT expects to allocate  approximately $2 billion to IGT debt repayment with the remaining amount  allocated to separation and divestiture expenses, tax leakage and general  corporate purposes. The transaction implies an enterprise value for IGT's  Global Gaming and PlayDigital businesses of approximately $4.0 billion, and an  enterprise value for Everi of approximately $2.2 billion. 
   
  Financing commitments of $3.7 billion, plus  a $500 million revolver, are being provided by Deutsche Bank and Macquarie  Capital to the combined company. Approximately $1.0 billion of the proceeds  will be used to refinance Everi's existing debt, approximately $2.6 billion of  the proceeds will be distributed to IGT, and the remainder will be used to pay  the combined company's financing fees. 
  The transaction has been approved  unanimously by all voting members of the IGT Board of Directors and Everi Board  of Directors. The transaction is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals,  the approval by Everi stockholders and IGT shareholders, and satisfaction of  other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in late 2024 or  early 2025. De Agostini S.p.A., which controls approximately 60% of the voting  power of IGT shares, has entered into a Voting and Support Agreement in  connection with the transaction. 
   
  The spin-off of IGT's Global Gaming and  PlayDigital businesses is expected to be taxable to IGT shareholders for U.S.  federal income tax purposes. 
   
  Leadership, Governance & Structure 
  Post-closing, current IGT PLC CEO Vince  Sadusky will lead the combined company, which will be headquartered in Las  Vegas and managed by a best-in-class management team and top operational  leadership from IGT and Everi. Current IGT EVP Strategy and Corporate  Development Fabio Celadon will serve as CFO of the combined company. Current  Everi CEO Randy Taylor will be a member of the combined company board of  directors. Current Everi CFO Mark Labay will assume the role of Chief  Integration Officer. 
   
  Michael Rumbolz, Everi Executive Chairman,  will be chairman of the board of directors of the combined company, which will  have eleven total members including six independent directors as required by  New York Stock Exchange listing standards. Six of the eleven members will be  initially appointed by IGT, including CEO Vince Sadusky, and three of which  will be appointed by De Agostini S.p.A., pursuant to an investor rights  agreement. The balance of the directors will be initially appointed by Everi,  and will include Everi President and CEO Randy Taylor. 
   
  IGT Global Lottery Profile 
  Upon the successful completion of the  transaction, IGT's remaining operations will be comprised of its current Global  Lottery business and corporate support functions which are well positioned for  long-term success: 
  - Large, growing and resilient industry with significant       tailwinds from iLottery adoption
 
  - Premier pure play lottery business with a diversified contract       mix, the broadest global reach, and a strong presence across markets
 
  - Industry leadership supported by scope of capabilities, a       high-performing suite of products and value-added solutions, and proven       ability to maximize proceeds for lottery customers
 
  - Focused and compelling business model with infrastructure-like       characteristics, including recurring revenue streams backed by long-term       contracts and long-standing customer relationships
 
  - Attractive financial profile with simplified capital structure,       low pro forma net debt leverage shortly following closing (~2.5x),       significant free cash flow generation, and substantial liquidity to       support balanced and focused capital allocation
 
  - Marco Sala will continue as executive chair of the IGT       Board of Directors. Vince Sadusky will continue as IGT PLC CEO until the       transaction closes while the Board searches for IGT PLC's next Global CEO.       Max Chiara will continue in his role as CFO and IGT's remaining executive       leadership will remain unchanged with the exception that Renato Ascoli       will serve as CEO of IGT's Global Lottery business
 
  - IGT will change its name and continue to trade on the NYSE       under a new ticker symbol
 
 
Advisors 
  Global Leisure Partners LLC is serving as  the exclusive financial advisor to Everi, and Houlihan Lokey is rendering a  fairness opinion to Everi's Board of Directors. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman  LLP is serving as legal counsel. 
  Macquarie Capital, Deutsche Bank, and  Mediobanca are serving as financial advisors to IGT, with Deutsche Bank and  Macquarie Capital providing financial commitments. Sidley Austin LLP, White  & Case LLP and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz are serving as legal  counsel. 
   
  About IGT 
  IGT (NYSE:IGT) is a global leader in  gaming. We deliver entertaining and responsible gaming experiences for players  across all channels and regulated businesses, from Lotteries and Gaming  Machines to Sports Betting and Digital. Leveraging a wealth of compelling  content, substantial investment in innovation, player insights, operational  expertise, and leading-edge technology, our solutions deliver unrivaled gaming  experiences that engage players and drive growth. We have a well-established  local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than  100 jurisdictions around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest  standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has approximately  10,500 employees. For more information, please visit www.igt.com. 
   
  About Everi 
  Everi's mission is to lead the gaming  industry through the power of people, imagination, and technology. As one of  the largest suppliers of technology solutions for the casino floor that also  has an expanding focus in adjacent industries, our commitment is to continually  develop products and services that provide gaming entertainment, improve our  customers' patron engagement, and help our customers operate their businesses  more efficiently. We develop entertaining game content, gaming machines, and  gaming systems to serve our land-based, iGaming and bingo operators. Everi is a  leading innovator and provider of trusted financial technology solutions that  power casino floors, improve casinos' operational efficiencies, and fulfill  regulatory compliance requirements. The Company also develops and supplies  player loyalty tools and mobile-first applications that drive increased patron  engagement for our customers and venues in the casino, sports, entertainment,  and hospitality industries. For more information, please visit www.everi.com. 
   
  Additional Information and Where to Find  It 
  In connection with the proposed transaction  (the "Proposed Transaction") between Everi, IGT, Ignite Rotate LLC  ("Spinco") and Ember Sub LLC ("Merger Sub"), Everi, IGT and  Spinco will file relevant materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission  ("SEC"). Everi will file a registration statement on Form S-4 that  will include a joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Proposed  Transaction, which will constitute a proxy statement and prospectus of Everi  and a proxy statement of IGT. A definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be  mailed to stockholders of Everi and a definitive proxy statement will be mailed  to shareholders of IGT. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF EVERI ARE URGED TO  READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL  OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AND  INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF IGT ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE  FILED WITH THE SEC, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN  IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EVERI, IGT AND SPINCO, AND THE PROPOSED  TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies  of the registration statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when  available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Everi or IGT through the  website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the  SEC by Everi will be available free of charge on Everi's website at www.everi.com or by contacting Everi's Investor Relations  Department at Everi Holdings Inc., Investor Relations, 7250 S. Tenaya Way,  Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89113. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by  IGT will be available free of charge on IGT's website at www.igt.com or by contacting IGT's Investor Relations  Department at International Game Technology PLC, Investor Relations, 10  Memorial Boulevard, Providence, RI 02903. 
   
  No Offer or Solicitation 
  This communication is for informational  purposes only and not intended to and does not constitute an offer to subscribe  for, buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for, buy or  sell, or an invitation to subscribe for, buy or sell, any securities of Everi,  IGT, Spinco or Merger Sub, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any  jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the Proposed Transaction or  otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in  any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall  be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10  of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and  otherwise in accordance with applicable law. 
   
  Participants in the Solicitation 
  This communication is not a solicitation of  a proxy from any security holder of Everi or IGT. However, Everi and IGT and  each of their respective directors and executive officers may be considered  participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Proposed  Transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Everi  may be found in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its most  recent proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders, in each case as  filed with the SEC. Information about the directors, executive officers and  members of senior management of IGT is set forth in its most recent Annual  Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC. Other information regarding the  participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and  indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the  joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with  the SEC when they become available. 
   
  Forward-Looking Statements 
  This press release contains  "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as  amended, related to Everi, IGT and the proposed spin-off of IGT's Global Gaming  and PlayDigital Businesses (the "Spinco Business"), and the proposed  acquisition of the Spinco Business by Everi. All statements other than  statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements for purposes of  federal and state securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve  risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect the financial or  operating results of Everi, IGT, the Spinco Business, or the combined company.  These forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as  "anticipate," "believe," "foresee,"  "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan,"  "project," "forecast," "may," "will,"  "would," "could" and "should" and the negative of  these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this  press release include, among other things, statements about the potential  benefits and synergies of the Proposed Transaction, including future financial  and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; and the  anticipated timing of closing of the Proposed Transaction. In addition, all  statements that address operating performance, events or developments that  Everi or IGT expects or anticipates will occur in the future — including  statements relating to creating value for stockholders and shareholders,  benefits of the Proposed Transaction to customers, employees, stockholders and  other constituents of the combined company and IGT, separating and integrating  the companies, cost savings and the expected timetable for completing the  Proposed Transaction — are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking  statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual  results, including the actual results of Everi, IGT, the Spinco Business, or  the combined company, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by  such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things,  risks related to the possibility that the conditions to the consummation of the  Proposed Transaction will not be satisfied (including the failure to obtain  necessary regulatory, stockholder and shareholder approvals or any necessary  waivers, consents, or transfers, including for any required licenses or other  agreements) in the anticipated timeframe or at all; risks related to the  ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction,  including the possibility that Everi and IGT may be unable to achieve the  expected benefits, synergies and operating efficiencies in connection with the  Proposed Transaction within the expected timeframes or at all and to  successfully separate and/or integrate the Spinco Business; the ability to  retain key personnel; negative effects of the announcement or the consummation  of the proposed acquisition on the market price of the capital stock of Everi and  IGT and on Everi's and IGT's operating results; risks relating to the value of  Everi's shares to be issued in the Proposed Transaction; the occurrence of any  event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of  the merger agreement relating to the Proposed Transaction (the "Merger  Agreement"); changes in the extent and characteristics of the common  stockholders of Everi and ordinary shareholders of IGT and its effect pursuant  to the Merger Agreement for the Proposed Transaction on the number of shares of  Everi common stock issuable pursuant to the Proposed Transaction, magnitude of  the dividend payable to Everi's stockholders pursuant to the Proposed  Transaction and the extent of indebtedness to be incurred by Everi in connection  with the Proposed Transaction; significant transaction costs, fees, expenses  and charges (including unknown liabilities and risks relating to any unforeseen  changes to or the effects on liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenue,  expenses, synergies, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future  prospects); expected or targeted future financial and operating performance and  results; operating costs, customer loss, and business disruption (including,  without limitation, difficulties in maintaining employee, customer, or other  business, contractual, or operational relationships following the Proposed  Transaction announcement or closing of the Proposed Transaction); failure to  consummate or delay in consummating the Proposed Transaction for any reason;  risks relating to any resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public  health crises; risks related to competition in the gaming and lottery industry;  dependence on significant licensing arrangements, customers, or other third  parties; issues and costs arising from the separation and integration of  acquired companies and businesses and the timing and impact of accounting  adjustments; risks related to the financing of the Proposed Transaction,  Everi's overall debt levels and its ability to repay principal and interest on  its outstanding debt, including debt assumed or incurred in connection with the  Proposed Transaction; economic changes in global markets, such as currency  exchange, inflation and interest rates, and recession; government policies  (including policy changes affecting the gaming industry, taxation, trade,  tariffs, immigration, customs, and border actions) and other external factors  that Everi and IGT cannot control; regulation and litigation matters relating  to the Proposed Transaction or otherwise impacting Everi, IGT, Spinco, the  combined company or the gaming industry generally; unanticipated liabilities of  acquired businesses; unanticipated adverse effects or liabilities from business  divestitures; effects on earnings of any significant impairment of goodwill or  intangible assets; risks related to intellectual property, privacy matters, and  cyber security (including losses and other consequences from failures,  breaches, attacks, or disclosures involving information technology infrastructure  and data); other business effects (including the effects of industry, market,  economic, political, or regulatory conditions); and other risks and  uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in Everi's Annual  Report on Form 10-K on file with the SEC and from time to time in other filed  reports including Everi's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and those described  in IGT's Annual Report on Form 20-F on file with the SEC and from time to time  in other filed reports including IGT's Current Reports on Form 6-K. 
  A further description of risks and  uncertainties relating to Everi can be found in its most recent Annual Report  on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K,  and relating to IGT can be found in its most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F  and Current Reports on Form 6-K, all of which are filed with the SEC and  available at www.sec.gov.  
  Neither Everi nor IGT intends to update  forward-looking statements as the result of new information or future events or  developments, except as required by law. 
   
  Non-GAAP Financial Measures  
  Adjusted EBITDA represents net income  (loss) (a GAAP measure) before income taxes, interest income (expense), foreign  exchange gain (loss), other non-operating income or expenses (e.g.,  gains/losses on extinguishment and modifications of debt, etc.), depreciation,  impairment losses, amortization (service revenue, purchase accounting, and  non-purchase accounting), accretion of contract rights, restructuring expenses,  stock-based compensation, litigation expense (income), and certain other  non-recurring items. Other non-recurring items are infrequent in nature and are  not reflective of ongoing operational activities. Projected pro forma Adjusted  EBITDA estimates depend on future levels of revenues and expenses which are not  reasonably estimable at this time. Accordingly, we cannot provide a  reconciliation between projected pro forma Adjusted EBITDA and the most  comparable GAAP metric without unreasonable effort. 
   
  Net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure  that represents debt (calculated as long-term obligations plus short-term  borrowings) minus capitalized debt issuance costs plus settlement liabilities  minus settlement receivables minus cash and cash equivalents. 
  Pro forma net debt leverage is a non-GAAP  financial measure that represents the ratio of net debt as of a particular  balance sheet date to Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months  ("LTM") prior to such date. 
   
  Projected pro forma net debt is a  forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure that represents the ratio of net  debt as of a particular balance sheet date to Adjusted EBITDA for the LTM prior  to such date. 
   
  Adjusted cash flow is a non-GAAP financial  measure that represents Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures.  | 
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