Regulator investigating Barcrest purchase

Based in Ashton-Under-Lyne near Manchester, Barcrest is currently a subsidiary of International Game Technology (IGT) and supplies gaming content and machines throughout Europe and post-purchase would be integrated into Scientific Games’ The Global Draw and Games Media gaming divisions.

New York-based Scientific Games signed a definitive agreement with IGT to purchase Barcrest last month but stated at the time that the deal was conditional upon obtaining UK competition approvals and ‘certain third-party consents’.

The Office of Fair Trading is investigating whether the purchase would ‘result in a substantial lessening of competition’ in the UK gaming and amusement machines sector. Scientific Games also owns Hounslow-based The Global Draw, which claims a 43 percent market share and runs 18,000 machines in more than 3,500 venues including major bookmakers, and Wolverhampton’s Games Media operator.

Barcrest employs around 300 people and supplies amusement machines to pubs, bingo halls, betting shops, arcades and private members’ clubs throughout the UK while also providing content for games on mobile phones, the Internet and interactive digital television.

“This transaction represents a major step forward in strengthening and expanding our server-based gaming content,” said Ian Timmis, CEO for The Global Draw and Games Media. “In addition, it will provide the opportunity for us to bring the advanced capabilities of our state-of-the-art gaming systems and operational expertise to new wide area gaming venues such as UK-based gaming centres and bingo halls along with venues in Italy and the Czech Republic.”

Scientific Games stated that the acquisition is anticipated to enhance its business by adding Barcrest’s ‘expansive library of gaming titles’ to its existing content portfolio and digital delivery network while extending its UK server-based gaming presence to new betting shop and pub locations in addition to complementary venues such as bingo halls and gaming centres.