Australian casino operator Crown Resorts said on Sunday it had received an “unrequested non-binding and directive offer” from private equity management firm Blackstone Group to acquire all shares in Crown Resorts. 안전한 파워볼사이트
Crown Resorts said the offer was “a marked price of A$11.85 ($9.15) in cash per share,” according to a filing with the Australian Stock Exchange on Monday. Blackstone's offer values the deal at more than A$8.02 billion ($6.18 billion) based on the Australian company's issued shares.
Crown Resorts shares jumped to A$11.71 when trading resumed in Australia on Monday morning.
Blackstone is no stranger to investing in the casino industry. The company's current portfolio includes a 9.99% stake in Crown Resorts. It was acquired in April 2020 from casino development and operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment Inc.
Blackstone currently owns properties at several casino hotels in Las Vegas, including MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Bellagio.
Crown Resorts, which until 2016 was a partner in the Macau gaming market with the Melco brand, has faced rigorous regulatory scrutiny in Australia. In February, the company was found unfit to operate a new Sydney casino in Barangaroo, New South Wales. Local regulators have suggested adopting a number of recommendations by the company in order to be deemed fit to be granted a gaming license.
Crown Resorts chief executive Ken Barton and several other directors have since quit, with a new management team appointed to run the businesses.
Crown Resorts is also under regulatory scrutiny in Victoria, Australia, which operates Crown Melbourne, and Western Australia, which operates Crown Perth (pictured), over the suitability of companies to hold casino licenses.
Australian businessman James Packer is Crown Resorts' largest shareholder with a stake of about 36%.
