Summary
- CVC Capital Partners has expressed interest in acquiring GLI.
- The company has filed documents in Malta and Austria expressing its intention to acquire full ownership of the company.
- The transaction is being processed through a newly formed subsidiary, Avalon Buyer Limited.
CVC Capital Partners made news this week with their intention to acquire the entirety of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), a leading expert in testing the fairness of games and products in the gambling industry.
CVC Capital Partners makes play for the world’s leading gaming test lab
CVC Capital Partners is actively seeking to expand its portfolio, having already invested in the sports and entertainment sectors. The firm is eager to strengthen its position further. GLI is known for its expertise in game testing, pre-certification, test automation, research and development, training and education, and responsible gambling services. The acquisition is being pursued through Avalon Buyer Limited, a UK-based affiliate of CVC Capital Partners, which aims to take full control of GLI and its subsidiary companies, Worldwide Laboratories LLC and Kobetron LLC. If successful, CVC Capital Partners will become the sole owner of GLI and its associated businesses. Information from filings in Malta and Austria has verified Avalon Buyer's plan to fully acquire the target company. Avalon Buyer Limited is a newly established entity under the CVC Capital Partners umbrella and is directly funded by CVC Funds, which have investments across various industries. GLI employs over 1,800 people in 35 jurisdictions worldwide, making it one of the leading testing agencies in the gaming industry.
The recent acquisition of BMM Testlabs reveals a trend
The acquisition by CVC Capital Partners isn't entirely unexpected, especially in light of a similar move by Visualize Group, which recently purchased BMM Testlabs—GLI's direct competitor. CVC is broadening its reach in the gaming industry, building on its past experience with investments in high-profile gaming companies like Sisal, William Hill, and Sky Bet. The necessary documents were submitted to regulators on July 3 in Austria and July 11 in Malta, confirming CVC Capital Partners’ intent to take full ownership of the company. The Austrian filing specifies that any affected stakeholders have until July 31 to submit their written comments.
