UK businesses news sources have put a potential price of FTSE-listed William Hill Plc and Toronto based Amaya Inc. at a combined value of £4.5-5 billion.
About the deal
Late last week, governances of both parties announced that initial talks had commenced, discussing plans for an “all stock merger of equals”.The potential merger, which aims to create a ““clear international leader across online sports betting, poker and casino” is consistent with both parties’ “strategic ambitions” according to the statement from the two governances.
Amaya and William Hill
Amaya, which operates market leading poker operator PokerStars, is currently valued at around £1.9 billion.William Hill has had a difficult 2016, the company has been negatively affected by increased taxes and a decline in digital performance, as well as an awkward and ultimately unsuccessful takeover bid from 888 and Rank, which has dropped its worth. But William Hill is still a huge name in the UK, and is valued at £2.6 billion at this point.
The future
The two companies face tough market conditions, and this has caused many different companies to explore merger opportunities as proven by Paddy Power Betfair, and Ladbrokes-Coral’s huge mergers recently.The £3 billion attempted takeover by 888 Holdings and Rank PLC was ultimately deemed as too risky as William Hill, but the company made it clear that it was open to discussions, and with Amaya, William Hill has clearly found a discussion they have more interest in.With a possible merged company worth up to £5 billion, and market presence instantly in the UK and in Amaya’s home of Canada, this is unlikely to be the last that we here of this discussion to create the latest huge merger, but it is doubtful that this will be the last.