Gambling Authorities grant SAZKA Group permission to acquire shares in Casinos Austria AG

After the closing, the indirect stake of the SAZKA Group in Casinos Austria AG increases to 34%   

Vienna, December 27, 2017 - In December 2017, CAME Holding GmbH, which belongs to the Czech SAZKA Group, received the approvals of the outstanding national and international gambling authorities to acquire the indirect shares of LEIPNIK - LUNDENBURG INVEST Beteiligungs AG (LLI) and the UNIQA Beteiligungs - Holding GmbH (UNIQA) at Casinos Austria AG. With the positive decisions of the authorities in Austria, Australia, Canada and Switzerland, the necessary regulatory approvals have been granted for the share purchase of the SAZKA Group in Casinos Austria AG agreed in January 2017.

A general assembly of Casinos Austria AG was convened for 15 January 2018. This general assembly marks the final step towards the complete settlement of the share transaction with LLI and UNIQA.

"Obtaining the permits is a successful completion of one year of intensive work with the gaming, antitrust and other competent authorities. In our role as the largest strategic shareholder in the future, we want to continue the path of successful co-operation with all other shareholders and secure the long-term economic success of the company," said Robert Chvátal, CEO of the SAZKA Group, on the latest development.

SAZKA Group: Successful gaming company with many years of expertise

SAZKA Group is one of Europe’s largest lottery and gaming operators. The aggregate annual amount of bets placed with companies in which the SAZKA Group holds an ownership interest are in excess of EUR 15 billion and the aggregate EBITDA amounts to over EUR 850 million. Shareholders of SAZKA Group are investment companies KKCG (75% shareholding) and EMMA Capital (25% shareholding), who share an equal managerial control of the SAZKA Group. SAZKA Group currently holds interests in the Greek lottery OPAP, Italy’s LOTTOITALIA and the Sazka lottery in the Czech Republic, as well as a stake in Casinos Austria AG and in Österreichische Lotterien GmbH.