MGM Makes $11 Billion Provide for Ladbrokes Proprietor Entain

The Wall Avenue Journal first reported on MGM’s takeover approaches on Sunday earlier than Entain disclosed particulars in a regulatory submitting.

A mixture may create one of many few massive gaming firms on the earth with a major on-line and bricks-and-mortar presence. It might comply with different current consolidation within the trade.

Like its friends, MGM has been beneath stress because the coronavirus pandemic saved its largest moneymakers—casinos and resorts on the Las Vegas Strip—closed or working at sharply decreased capability for a lot of the yr.

The net-gaming market, in the meantime, already was booming earlier than the pandemic gave it a further enhance. That has prompted on line casino operators like MGM to pivot their companies even sooner than deliberate, usually by way of partnerships and acquisitions.

MGM at the moment derives a small portion of its income from on-line betting, which casinos lengthy considered as a menace however more and more see as a chance as folks socially distance at residence and the pandemic retains gamblers away from slot machines and blackjack tables. The development towards on-line playing isn’t anticipated to reverse any time quickly.

Entain, often known as GVC Holdings till not too long ago, is without doubt one of the U.Ok.’s largest gaming firms after it struck a roughly $5 billion deal that put Ladbrokes beneath its roof in 2018. Its shares rose not too long ago because the pandemic introduced on-line gaming heart stage.

It mentioned MGM indicated a suggestion of 0.6 MGM shares for every share held. Based mostly on its closing value of 1,133.50 pence on Dec. 31, the indicated provide values every Entain share at 1,383 pence. MGM has additionally mentioned {that a} restricted partial money different would even be accessible to accepting Entain shareholders.

It has additionally requested MGM to supply extra data in respect of the strategic rationale for a mixture of the 2 firms.

Las Vegas-based MGM has a market worth of about $16 billion and is finest recognized for its on line casino properties that embrace the Bellagio and Mirage.

Barry Diller’s web conglomerate IAC turned MGM’s largest shareholder in August, disclosing a roughly 12% stake then valued at roughly $1 billion. It mentioned on the time it deliberate to work with the corporate to broaden its online-gambling enterprise. Mr. Diller, IAC’s chairman, and Chief Government Joey Levin additionally joined MGM’s board.

One other of its high shareholders, Corvex Administration LP, additionally has a seat on the board held by the activist hedge fund’s founder, Keith Meister.

Caesars Leisure Inc. CZR 0.79% not too long ago struck a roughly $Four billion deal to purchase U.Ok.-based William Hill WMH -0.11% PLC, which already has a three way partnership with the MGM rival. Caesars shareholders cheered the deal, with its shares ending the yr up about 25%. The transaction is slated to shut in March.

Buyers, in the meantime, have been piling into firms with the potential to be main gamers within the rising online-gaming market, particularly within the U.S. Share costs of DraftKings Inc. DKNG -4.88% and Penn Nationwide Gaming Inc., PENN -0.83% for instance, soared virtually 340% and 240% in 2020, respectively.

DraftKings went public in April by way of a transaction with a blank-check firm and a merger with a small gambling-technology supplier concurrently. Penn Nationwide in early 2020 took a major stake in intently held Barstool Sports activities Inc. in a deal that gave it unique rights to make use of the media firm’s model in its sports-betting merchandise.

MGM’s shares ended the yr down about 5% whereas Entain’s closed up round 30%, probably in a nod to its potential as a takeover goal.

The administration groups of MGM and Entain have present ties. Since 2018, they’ve turn out to be unique companions on BetMGM, a small however rising online-gaming firm each events not too long ago moreover funded. BetMGM, which makes use of Entain’s know-how and MGM’s licenses and types, is working in additional than 10 states, together with Nevada, New Jersey and Indiana. It has plans to be in additional than 20 by the top of this yr.

—Ian Walker contributed to this text.

Write to Cara Lombardo at cara.lombardo@wsj.com