Scientific Games Announces Decisive Steps as Part of its Strategic Review

Rhea-AI Summary

Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS) announced plans to divest its Lottery and Sports Betting businesses with support from its Board of Directors. The company is exploring strategic alternatives such as an IPO, SPAC merger, or outright sale. Executive Chair Jamie Odell emphasized the aim to de-leverage the balance sheet and enhance company value. CEO Barry Cottle indicated that these initiatives will strengthen the company’s portfolio, focusing on growth opportunities in both digital and land-based markets. There are no assurances that these strategies will lead to transactions.

Positive

• Strategic divestiture of Lottery and Sports Betting businesses could unlock shareholder value.
• Focus on de-leveraging aims to improve financial stability.
• Targeting digital business growth to match size of land-based operations within three years.

Negative

• No guarantees that divestiture will result in favorable transactions.
• The company may face uncertainties during the divestiture process.

LAS VEGAS, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS) ("Scientific Games," "SGC" or the "Company") announced that the Company, with the support of its Board of Directors, including Executive Chair Jamie Odell and Executive Vice Chair Toni Korsanos, intends to divest its Lottery and Sports Betting businesses. Scientific Games is evaluating strategic alternatives to execute the divestitures for each business, respectively, including an initial public offering ("IPO") or a combination with a special purpose acquisition company ("SPAC"), or a sale or a strategic combination with another business.

Jamie Odell, Executive Chair of Scientific Games, said "When I joined the Board in September 2020, I told stakeholders that we were focused on rapidly de-leveraging the balance sheet, unlocking the value of the Company's products and technologies and creating a flexible, nimble company positioned to deliver above-market returns to investors. Today, we have announced major initiatives aimed at achieving each of these key objectives, recognizing significant value in each of the businesses and positioning the Company for sustainable growth, all as a result of the dedicated work of our teams."

Barry Cottle, President and Chief Executive Officer of Scientific Games, said "Today's announcement reflects key steps to optimize our portfolio and strengthen our balance sheet by significantly de-levering while also targeting investments in our largest growth opportunities. These steps will accelerate our path to become a content-led growth company focused on leading in both land-based and digital markets. Our company will be positioned to build great games that define the future of gaming, supported by platforms that power the best operators in the world. We believe these steps will enable us to capitalize on the high growth potential of each of our businesses, including their expanding digital content offerings and platforms, unlocking value for shareholders, customers, and employees. Each of our businesses will be better positioned to partner with their respective customers and to deliver long-term growth and profitability."

Mr. Cottle continued, "At the conclusion of this process, the new company will consist of leading Gaming, iGaming and SciPlay businesses, all of which have great momentum and will collectively deliver great value. We will capitalize on the increasing convergence of these businesses, as players look to play their favorite games wherever and whenever they want to play. As the leading cross-platform global game company, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the incredible industry transition that is underway. Given this significant opportunity, we are targeting our digital businesses to be comparable in size to the land-based gaming business within three years. I'm confident that, with these steps, we are well positioned for future growth prospects."

There can be no assurances that Scientific Games' exploration of alternatives for its Lottery and Sports Betting businesses will result in any transactions or other actions by the Company. The Company does not intend to comment on or provide updates regarding these matters unless and until it determines that further disclosure is appropriate or required based on the then-current facts and circumstances.

Advisors

Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc. and Oakvale Capital LLP are serving as financial advisors and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is serving as legal counsel to Scientific Games.

Investor Conference Call Information

Scientific Games will host a conference call to discuss the announcement and its go-forward strategy today, June 29, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the call live via a listen-only webcast. To access the call by telephone, please dial +1 (877) 842-4249 for the U.S. or +1 (412) 317-5420 for International and ask to join the Scientific Games Corporation call. A replay of the webcast will be archived in the Investors section on www.scientificgames.com.

About Scientific Games

Scientific Games Corporation (NASDAQ: SGMS) is the world leader in offering customers a fully integrated portfolio of technology platforms, robust systems, engaging content and services. The Company is the global leader in technology-based gaming systems, digital real-money gaming and sports betting platforms, table games, table products and instant games, and a leader in products, services and content for gaming, lottery and social gaming markets. Scientific Games delivers what customers and players value most: trusted security, creative entertaining content, operating efficiencies and innovative technology. For more information, please visit www.scientificgames.com, which is updated regularly with financial and other information about the Company. You can access our filings with the SEC through the SEC website at www.sec.gov or through our website, and we strongly encourage you to do so. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.scientificgames.com/investors/, and we use our website as a means of disclosing material information to the public in a broad, non-exclusionary manner for purposes of the SEC's Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD).

Investor Inquiries:
Jim Bombassei
Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
IR@scientificgames.com

Media Inquiries:
Nick Lamplough / T.J. O'Sullivan / Lucas Pers, Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher, +1 212 355 4449

Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release, Scientific Games makes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will," "may," "expect," "believe," "potential," "intended," and "should." These statements are based upon management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of timing, future results or performance. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated in these statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those factors described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including Scientific Games' current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its latest annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021 (including under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors"). Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except for Scientific Games' ongoing obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws, Scientific Games undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No Offer
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there by any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which any such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any securities to be offered may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

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SOURCE Scientific Games Corporation

FAQ

What major announcement did Scientific Games make on June 29, 2021?

Scientific Games announced its intent to divest its Lottery and Sports Betting businesses.

What are the potential methods for divesting the Lottery and Sports Betting businesses of SGMS?

The company is exploring options such as an IPO, merger with a SPAC, or a sale.

What is the aim of Scientific Games' strategic review?

The strategic review aims to unlock company value and strengthen the balance sheet.

How does Scientific Games plan to enhance its growth opportunities?

By focusing on digital business growth to become comparable in size to its land-based operations.

Is there any assurance that the divestiture will result in transactions?

No, the company has stated there are no guarantees regarding the outcomes of the divestiture.