The company declined to name the bidder

UK: us$ 547 million bid for Inspired Gaming

2007-09-12
Reading time 1:05 min

The company recently told the stockmarket that it had received an indicative offer of us$ 0.78 a share from a "financial institution" and had decided to open its books to the potential bidder. The company joined the Aim market in June 2006 when the shares were priced at 0.36.

Inspired declined to name the bidder, but it is understood to be an Icelandic company with City sources pointing to FL Group. The Icelandic investment group took out a 10 per cent stake in the company in March.

Inspired manages more than 82,000 gaming machines across Britain and had sales of us$ 169 million in the 28 weeks to April 14. Yesterday's announcement caused the shares to jump us$ 0.49.2 to us$ 0.74, a new all-time high, although the company cautioned that there was no certainty that the approach would translate into an offer.

The announcement of the talks between the two parties were made with the approval of the potential bidder. It is potentially a good time to buy into gaming machine makers on the back of the Government's liberalisation of gambling laws. Part of this has removed the so-called "demand" test that required proof of demand for a new betting shop in any area before a licence is granted.

Analysts believe its removal will spark a rise in the number of licensed betting offices, for which the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals of the type made by Inspired are a key offering.The rules governing the machines have also been eased, enabling them to offer a wider range of product.

However, the machines have proved controversial with gambling charities, particularly those dealing with addiction, concerned over their spread.

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