Sportech acquires North American horse racing company

Sportech plc has announced the acquisition of eBet Online Inc, a US business to business online betting operator and technology and services provider focused on the North American horseracing betting market.

Total consideration, dependent upon future performance, is to be up to $12.6 million (approximately GBP 7.8 million).

The acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing in its first full year of ownership, a company spokesman said Thursday, explaining that eBet is one of the largest online horserace wagering operators in the US, processing $106 million of bets through its account wagering systems in the year to 30 June 2012.

“The acquisition of eBet reinforces Sportech’s position as one of the largest operators and providers of online and mobile betting technologies and services across North America,” the spokesman said.

“The combination of eBet with Sportech’s US interactive business is expected to create significant strategic and operational synergies.

“eBet brings an incremental customer base with strong year-on-year revenue growth that will broaden Sportech’s share of the account betting market in North America.”

Following the acquisition, Sportech’s enlarged US interactive operation will provide customised websites, mobile applications, interactive voice response (IVR) systems and telephone betting services to 29 licensed gaming and racing customers across the US.

Mark Gregory, a principal and the current CEO of eBet, will assume the role of managing director of Sportech’s Interactive Products & Services division, whilst  Andrew Gaughan, the current managing director of the division, will become managing director, Business Development – The Americas. Both Mark and Andrew will report to David Schreff.

For the year ended 30 June 2012, eBet reported turnover of $4.3 million producing an EBITDA before exceptional items of $1.6 million and a profit before tax and exceptional items, of $1.4 million.

Gross assets at 30 June 2012 were $2.3 million. Sportech has identified a total of $250,000 of synergies it would expect to achieve in 2013 increasing to annualised synergies of $500,000 from 2014 onwards.

Sportech has agreed to acquire eBet for a total consideration of up to $12.6 million, which will be funded from Sportech’s existing banking facilities.

This comprises an initial consideration of $9.35 million in cash, deferred cash consideration of $1.5 million, payable in two tranches, ($400,000 one year and $1.1 million two years after completion); plus a further deferred payment of up to $1.75 million in cash payable in the event that Sportech’s enlarged interactive division in the United States meets certain growth performance targets in the year to 31 December 2015.

Ian Penrose, CEO at Sportech, said: “The acquisition of eBet is an important further development in our North American business, following approval last week to provide exclusive online betting on horseracing in the State of Connecticut and the recent appointment of David Schreff as Chief Operating Officer – The Americas.

“eBet brings Sportech a significantly enlarged online customer base, a licence in Oregon and an experienced new managing director for our interactive division. The addition of eBet significantly enhances our reach across horseracing in the United States.”

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