Once completed, the $4.9 billion transaction will result in Amaya becoming the world’s largest publicly-traded
online gaming company, including the online poker platforms PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker
MIAMI (June 13, 2014) -- The international law firm Greenberg Traurig represented Amaya Gaming Group Inc., a Canadian public company, as lead M&A counsel in the negotiation of a merger agreement with Oldford Group Limited, the privately held parent company of Rational Group, the world’s largest poker business and owner and operator of the PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker brands. Once completed, the $4.9 billion transaction will result in Amaya becoming the world’s largest publicly-traded online gaming company, including the online poker platforms PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, which combined are the world’s most popular and profitable brands, with more than 85 million registered players on desktop and mobile devices.
In connection with the acquisition, Greenberg Traurig also advised Amaya with respect to commitments for $2.1 billion of senior secured debt facilities underwritten by Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Barclays Bank PLC and Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc., and commitments for $800 million senior secured second lien term loan underwritten by the same lenders with participation from GSO Capital Partners LP and an investment manager on behalf of its clients.
The Greenberg Traurig team was led by Gary M. Epstein (Miami) and Lorne S. Cantor (Miami), with Yosbel A. Ibarra (Miami), Gary Cooper (London) and Drew M. Altman (Miami) on the acquisition and Cindy J.K. Davis (Atlanta) on the financing. Greenberg Traurig worked closely with Amaya’s Canadian counsel, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, led by Eric M. Levy, Antonella Penta and Manon Thivierge. The team also included Jacqueline Becerra (Miami), Rob Collier-Wright (London), Evan Georgopoulos (Boston), Justin Hamer (London), Russell D. Lamb (London), Lisa Navarro (London), John A. Pappalardo (Boston), Daniel I. Schloss (New York), Joey T. Shabot (Tel Aviv), Alan N. Sutin (New York), Nicoleta Timofti (Washington, D.C.), Thomas van der Vliet (Amsterdam) and Paul Westhoff(Amsterdam).