MONTREAL, Nov. 14, 2016
/PRNewswire/ - Amaya Inc. (NASDAQ: AYA; TSX: AYA) confirmed today
that it has received a non-binding all cash offer from its former
Chief Executive Officer, David
Baazov, on behalf of an entity to be formed to acquire Amaya
at a price of CAD$24.00 per common
share. Amaya also confirms that the offer provides for a
USD$200 million deposit into escrow
upon execution of a definitive agreement in respect of a potential
transaction that would be converted into a one-year structurally
subordinated, interest bearing debt obligation to fund a portion of
the USD$400 million deferred purchase
price for Amaya's acquisition of the Rational Group in August 2014, such amount to be convertible into
equity following the closing of such potential
transaction.
The Board of Directors of Amaya, with the assistance of its
advisors, will consider Mr. Baazov's offer. Shareholders of
Amaya do not need to take any action with respect to any offer at
this time. Amaya intends to provide updates if and when necessary
in accordance with applicable securities laws.
As of the time of this release, there can be no assurance that
Mr. Baazov's offer or that any future bid or offer will
ultimately result in a completed transaction.
About Amaya
Amaya is a leading provider of technology-based products and
services in the global gaming and interactive entertainment
industries. Amaya ultimately owns gaming and related consumer
businesses and brands including PokerStars, Full Tilt, BetStars,
StarsDraft, PokerStars Casino and the PokerStars Championship and
PokerStars Festival live poker tour brands (incorporating the
European Poker Tour, PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, Latin American
Poker Tour and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour). These brands have more
than 105 million cumulative registered customers globally and
collectively form the largest poker business in the world,
comprising online poker games and tournaments, live poker
competitions, branded poker rooms in popular casinos in major
cities around the world, and poker programming created for
television and online audiences. Amaya, through certain of these
brands, also offers non-poker gaming products, including casino,
sportsbook and daily fantasy sports. Amaya, through certain of its
subsidiaries, is licensed or approved to offer, or offers under
third party licenses or approvals, its products and services in
various jurisdictions throughout the world, including in
Europe, both within and outside of
the European Union, the Americas and elsewhere. In particular,
PokerStars is the world's most licensed online gaming brand,
holding licenses or related operating approvals in 16
jurisdictions.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, as it
relates to a potential transaction between Amaya and an entity to
be formed by Mr. Baazov, the potential funding of the deferred
purchase price, and certain expectations with respect to the same.
Forward-looking statements can, but may not always, be identified
by the use of words such as "may", "will", "would", "intend",
"potential" and similar references to future periods or the
negatives of these words and expressions. These statements, other
than statements of historical fact, are based on management's
current expectations, assumptions and estimates, which it believes
are reasonable, but which are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to
differ materially. Other applicable risks and uncertainties include
those identified in filings and documents that Amaya has made and
may make publicly available. Investors are cautioned not to put
undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking
statement speaks only as of the date hereof, and Amaya undertakes
no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as required by applicable law.
SOURCE Amaya Inc.