Inspired completes acquisition of Novomatic UK's Gaming Technology Group

Inspired Entertainment announced Tuesday that it has completed the acquisition of the Gaming Technology Group (NTG) of Novomatic UK, a division of international supplier Novomatic Group. 

This acquisition combines Inspired's position and expertise in server-based gaming, virtual sports and interactive with NTG's diversified gaming products and popular content, across a complementary customer base.

Inspired is a supplier of Category B2/B3 gaming terminals, and NTG is a supplier of Category B3, C and D gaming terminals to pubs, arcades, motorway service areas and holiday resorts in the UK.  Inspired will now supply (i) gaming systems with associated terminals and content for more than 58,000 gaming machines located in betting shops, pubs, gaming halls and other route operations, (ii) virtual sports products through more than 44,000 retail channels, (iii) digital games for 100+ websites and (iv) a variety of amusement entertainment solutions with a total installed base of more than 19,000 devices. The company continues to be well-positioned to supply an extensive range of products and services across the UK, Europe and beyond.

Inspired plans to draw on each organization's core strengths to broaden offerings, bring differentiated gaming products to new sectors and geographies, accelerate key growth initiatives and offer enhanced capabilities, systems, field service, and content.  The addition of NTG is expected to help diversify Inspired's UK business and enable the firm to expand into contiguous customer segments with very little overlap of existing customers. Inspired's position and expertise in server-based gaming is expected to accelerate NTG's development initiatives to transition the pub gaming sector from analog to digital gaming machines, systems, and content. Together, Inspired and NTG are well-positioned to capitalize on further converting NTG's game library for online deployment.

"This acquisition is transformational for Inspired as it unites two highly complementary businesses to create a company that we expect to be a leader in the gaming industry with innovative content, state-of-the-art technology and an expansive footprint," said Lorne Weil, Executive Chairman of Inspired.  "We see significant opportunities across the combined companies to accelerate our growth, expand our reach and set new standards for innovation and service in the industry."

Mr. Weil continued, "The larger scale of the combined organization will offer a one-stop service for gaming, virtual sports, interactive and leisure products – and a complete gaming solution that operators can use to reach players wherever they are, whenever they want to play and in any channel they choose.  We expect to be able to deliver meaningful value to our shareholders as the acquisition is integrated."

To acquire NTG, Inspired paid approximately €104.6 million in cash.  In connection with the acquisition, Inspired entered into a new term loan facility for £140 million and €90 million and a £20 million revolving credit facility. The term loan facility was used, in part, to finance the acquisition, to pay off existing indebtedness and to pay fees and expenses related to the acquisition and related financing.  The refinancing of the current debt is expected to result in a reduction in cost of debt capital.