A Game-Changing Move in the Global Gaming and Lottery Industry
In a major development set to reshape the global gaming and lottery landscape, Intralot S.A. has announced the acquisition of Bally’s International Interactive business in a deal valued at approximately €2.7 billion (US $3.2 billion). This strategic transaction is expected to close by Q4 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
With this move, Intralot is not just expanding—it’s transforming into a dominant player in both online gaming and lottery technology markets, backed by increased financial scale and international reach.
What’s Included in the Deal?
Here are the key highlights of the agreement:
- $1.8 billion in cash consideration for Bally’s
- $1.1 billion worth of newly issued Intralot shares
- $1.9 billion in debt financing commitments secured by Intralot from leading financial institutions including Citizens Bank, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Jefferies
This capital will help Intralot refinance its existing debt while providing Bally’s with enough liquidity to repay its secured debts.
Strategic Vision: Building a Global Gaming Powerhouse
Intralot’s Chairman Speaks Out
Sokratis Kokkalis, Founder and Chairman of Intralot, emphasized the dual significance of this acquisition:
“This marks a milestone moment—not only for Intralot, as we scale into the online gaming sector, but also for Greece. The Athens Stock Exchange will now host a global gaming giant, attracting strong foreign investment and reinforcing Greece’s position as a trustworthy business hub.”
Bally’s Perspective
Soohyung Kim, Bally’s Chairman and Vice Chairman of Intralot, echoed the strategic intent:
“This is a bold step forward that positions us as a true leader in the lottery and online gaming sector globally. Partnering with Intralot gives us the scale and financial strength to pursue new opportunities across international markets.”
Leadership Reshuffle: Who’s Leading the New Chapter?
To ensure a smooth transition and sustained growth post-merger, both companies are aligning leadership roles:
- Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s, will take over as CEO of Intralot
- Nikolaos Nikolakopoulos, current Intralot CEO, will lead the Lotteries Division as President and CEO
- Chrysostomos Sfatos will become the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Intralot
What This Means for Investors
Post-transaction, Intralot will remain publicly listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. Additionally, the company is preparing to launch an equity share offering of up to $471.5 million, pending shareholder and regulatory approval.
With Bally’s already holding a significant stake, it’s expected to become the majority shareholder, further strengthening its influence on Intralot’s direction.
A Broader Shift in Gaming Partnerships
Interestingly, this merger follows Hasbro’s announcement of multi-year licensing deals with major gaming companies, including Bally’s, Aristocrat Technologies, Evolution, and Galaxy Gaming. The industry is clearly moving toward strategic alliances to push innovation in gaming content, lottery tech, and interactive experiences.
A New Era for Lottery and Online Gaming
Bally’s CEO Robeson Reeves summed it up best:
“We are uniting Bally’s cutting-edge gaming and data platforms with Intralot’s lottery expertise to build something truly unique. This is more than a merger—it’s a launching pad for global growth and innovation.”
Ready for the Future of Gaming?
This landmark acquisition sets the stage for unprecedented growth in the online gaming and lottery sectors. As Intralot and Bally’s combine their strengths, the gaming industry—and its players—can expect big things ahead.