Flutter Entertainment agrees FanDuel buy-out for $4.2bn

Business News

Flutter Entertainment has agreed to buy the entire 37.2% interest in US gaming company FanDuel currently held by Fastball Holdings for US $4.2bn.

The Transaction is conditional on Flutter shareholder approval. A circular will be posted to shareholders in due course to convene an extraordinary general meeting, which is expected to take place prior to the end of December 2020.

“Flutter’s initial acquisition of a controlling stake in FanDuel in 2018 has been transformational for the shape of the Group. Our number one position in the crucial US market is built on many of the assets we acquired through that transaction, supported by the broader Group’s capabilities. Our intention has always been to increase our stake in the business and I’m delighted to be able to do so earlier than originally planned and at a discount to its closest peer.

Commenting on the Transaction, Peter Jackson, Flutter Chief Executive, said “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners in Fastball for their tremendous support over the last 2½ years and for their ongoing commitment to Flutter as soon-to-be shareholders in the wider Group. We look forward to continuing to grow our US business, alongside our key media partner FOX, as further states move to regulate sports betting and gaming.”

Lachlan Murdoch, Executive Chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation said “We are delighted to participate in this capital raising. Maintaining our ownership stake in Flutter signifies our long-term commitment to Flutter, and ongoing confidence in management’s ability to execute against the fast growing US opportunity. FOX’s audiences have proven to be highly engaged with free to play and wagering content, and we are excited to offer them access to products from Flutter’s market leading stable of US brands.”

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