Gopher agrees to acquire Finalto for USD 250 million

HONG KONG--()--NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

Further to today’s announcement by Playtech plc (“Playtech”), Gopher Investments (“Gopher”), a 4.97% shareholder in Playtech, is pleased to confirm that it has entered into an agreement with Playtech to acquire its financial trading division, Finalto, for USD 250 million.

Gopher welcomes the unanimous support of the Playtech Board and expects to complete the transaction in H1 2022.

The transaction is subject to Playtech shareholder approval and regulatory clearances.

Teresa Teague, Partner at TT Bond Partners, commented:

Gopher has been impressed by the strength of Finalto’s business and management team and looks forward to working closely with the team to support the business in this exciting next stage of its evolution.

As a major shareholder in Playtech, Gopher is pleased to conclude a transaction delivering value for all shareholders and looks forward to working with the Playtech Board and continuing its constructive dialogue to support growth.”

About Gopher Investments and TT Bond Partners

Gopher is an investment vehicle backed by investors with experience in gaming and financials, and is an affiliate of TT Bond Partners (“TTB”). TTB, through its Hong Kong regulated entity, TTB Partners Limited, which is advising Gopher on this transaction, is an investment and advisory firm based in Hong Kong, whose founders and professionals have over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry investing and advising on over $250 billion of transactions in the US, Europe, and Asia.

TTB has significant experience in investing in assets in the technology-driven financial services sector. Recent investments include: Xen Financial, a next-generation investment platform providing fractionalised access to private markets; KASB, a stock brokerage in Pakistan, and creator of KTrade, Pakistan’s leading retail stock trading app; Finhabits, a US-based leading bilingual money app designed for Latinos’ financial success; Selfin, a digital microlending platform focused on financial inclusion of microenterprises in India; Aspen Digital, an innovative technology-driven platform that empowers asset and wealth managers to offer digital asset products with confidence, driving mass adoption of digital assets and blockchain technologies; Coherent, a Hong Kong based insurtech company building digital platforms for insurers; and M7 Real Estate, a UK and EU based real estate asset manager.

No offer or solicitation:

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, acquire, subscribe for, sell, dispose of or issue, or any solicitation to purchase, acquire, subscribe for, sell, dispose of or issue any securities in Playtech in any jurisdiction.

Overseas jurisdictions:

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or who are subject to the laws of other jurisdictions should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable restrictions or requirements. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of securities laws of any such jurisdictions. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Gopher and TTB disclaim all and any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions by such person.

No investment recommendation:

This announcement is not intended to be and does not constitute or contain any investment recommendation as defined by Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (as it forms part of the domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018). No information in this announcement should be construed as recommending or suggesting an investment strategy. Nothing in this announcement or in any related materials is a statement of or indicates or implies any specific or probable value outcome in any particular circumstance.

Disclaimer:

N.M. Rothschild and Sons Limited ("Rothschild & Co"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Gopher Investments and no one else in connection with the matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Gopher Investments for providing the protections afforded to clients of Rothschild & Co nor for providing advice in connection with any matter referred to herein or the other matters referred to herein.

Contacts

Investor Enquiries
Finalto@gopher-investments.com

Camarco (Media Contact)
Jennifer Renwick
jennifer.renwick@camarco.co.uk
020 3757 4994

Ed Gascoigne-Pees
ed.gascoigne-pees@camarco.co.uk
020 3757 4984

Rothschild & Co (Financial Adviser)
Edward Duckett
Ashley Gillard

Release Summary

Gopher agrees to acquire Finalto for USD 250 million

Contacts

Investor Enquiries
Finalto@gopher-investments.com

Camarco (Media Contact)
Jennifer Renwick
jennifer.renwick@camarco.co.uk
020 3757 4994

Ed Gascoigne-Pees
ed.gascoigne-pees@camarco.co.uk
020 3757 4984

Rothschild & Co (Financial Adviser)
Edward Duckett
Ashley Gillard