Operator News
France – Belgian group Gaming1 launches takeover bid for Société Française de Casinos
By Phil - 6 January 2020
The Belgian group Gaming1 wants to take control of the Société Française de Casinos via its French subsidiary Circus Casino France.
Société Française de Casinos operates casinos in Gruissan, Port la Nouvelle, Collioure and Châtel-Guyon.
The SFC confirmed in a statement that Circus Casino France has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire 50.05 per cent of the capital of Société Française de Casinos from two of its main shareholders.
Circus Casino France has signed sale contracts with a view to acquiring a control block of 50.05 per cent of the capital and voting rights of the SFC. It will be buying the entire stake held in the company by Frameliris, equating to 37.05 per cent of the capital and voting rights, and part of the stake held by Foch Investissements representing approximately 13 per cent of the capital at a price of €1.44 per share.
The completion of the deal will need authorising by the Minister of the Interior.
The Belgian group Gaming1 has more than 1,000 employees. Its French subsidiary Circus Casino France operates casinos in Briançon, Carnac, Port Leucate and Allevard-Les-Bains. It has also been operating a games club in intramural Paris since last November.
Circus Casino France would take control of the SFC and “would submit a simplified takeover bid project in accordance with the regulations in force, at a price of €1.44 per share, relating to the all existing Société Française de Casinos shares not held by Circus Casino France. Circus Casino France mandated Portzamparc as the establishment presenting the offer.”
In December, Circus took control of the Vals les Bains in Ardèche in southern France.
The Circus group bought the majority stake from Mathieu and Jérôme Poli. In addition to the casino, the Vals complex includes a 4-star hotel with 27 rooms and a restaurant.
