DraftKings has proposed a USD22 billion money and inventory takeover of Entain, the businesses confirmed Tuesday.
The bid was first reported by CNBC’s David Faber, and later verified by each corporations.
Entain mentioned it rejected an preliminary supply from DraftKings at 2,500p per share, and DraftKings got here again final week with a 2,800p supply.
That works out at a USD20.5 billion valuation for Entain.
Round 1 / 4 of that worth could be paid in money, with the remaining in DraftKings inventory
DraftKings mentioned it couldn’t remark additional because of the UK takeover code.
What we all know to date about DraftKings bid for Entain
The value tag marked round a 46% premium to Entain’s closing share worth on 20 September.
Entain mentioned its board would contemplate the proposal and an additional announcement could be made as applicable.
What’s in it for DraftKings?
Third Bridge analyst Harry Barnick mentioned the bid indicated DraftKings’ willingness to “go head-to-head with Flutter owned FanDuel.”
As Faber famous, it is smart for DraftKings to accumulate aggressively with its inventory so richly valued.
It might additionally probably profit from valuation arbitrage. That’s, Entain’s revenues may command the next a number of on the US inventory market than within the UK.
Online playing experience
DK additionally positive aspects entry to the web playing experience embedded within the Entain enterprise.
That have is arguably one of many key edges BetMGM and FanDuel at the moment have over DraftKings.
Entain, whereas recognized for sporting manufacturers like Ladbrokes and Coral, is now extra of an internet online casino chief, in response to Eilers & Krejcik analyst Alun Bowden.
DraftKings might definitely use extra of that experience in-house, even after buying Golden Nugget Online Gaming.
What occurs to BetMGM?
Entain owns half of BetMGM, alongside MGM. It additionally supplies the web betting and gaming expertise to the three way partnership.
Would MGM enable a key rival to personal half of its US sportsbook betting enterprise. Or might it purchase out BetMGM?
That appears like an possibility. MGM mentioned in an announcement that having management of BetMGM was an essential strategic goal.
The online casino big additionally mentioned it must give its consent to any deal whereby Entain would personal a competing enterprise within the US.
There shall be M&A attorneys
“MGM will have interaction with Entain and DraftKings, as applicable, to discover a answer to the exclusivity preparations which meets all events’ aims,” MGM mentioned.
A secondary transaction might make sense if DraftKings is just after the Entain revenues and expertise relatively than the expertise. DraftKings already owns proprietary sportsbook betting tech.
In that case, DraftKings might take a leaf out of the Caesars/William Hill playbook and unload some property it doesn’t need. Entain is a sprawling operation with playing licenses in 27 international locations, and 24,000 workers throughout 5 continents.
Defensive acquisition?
Eilers & Krejcik analyst Chris Grove recommended DraftKings was making a defensive play.
“[This] looks like a blocker guess,” Grove wrote. “Tons of worth destruction should you’re DK. However you in all probability get a pleasant rebate promoting the JV curiosity again to MGM. No matter what something thinks, you must admire the sheer audacity and the truth that DK is within the place to make this supply in any respect.”
Recall, MGM tried to purchase Entain earlier this yr for round USD11 billion, however Entain mentioned that bid “dramatically undervalued” it.
It has been confirmed spectacularly appropriate.
How the market reacted
Entain’s share worth was final up 16.6% to 2,240p. That’s a fraction beneath the reported 2,500p supply worth.
DraftKings inventory was down 4% to USD54.64.
Representatives from DraftKings had not returned requests for remark at time of writing.