Supplier News
US – Scientific signs multi-channel Hasbro deal
By Phil - 10 January 2014
Scientific Games and Hasbro amended its agreements to provide Scientific Games with access to new channels of distribution, additional brands and extended geographic territories.
The amendments expand the existing Scientific Games lottery and WMS Gaming slot machine license agreements to expand the brands for real-money internet wagering and to now include many Hasbro brands in social casino gaming channels of distribution. The agreements feature a number of popular Hasbro brands, including the Monopolybrand, one of the most well-recognised and successful licensed gaming entertainment brands in the world. The duration of these licensing agreements has also been extended from 2017 through 2020, with a potential additional three-year extension.
“Expanding our licensing agreements and working more comprehensively with one of our most valued licensees allows us to build on our strong brand presence in the lottery and casino gaming world,” said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President, Digital Gaming and Corporate Development at Hasbro. “We’ve enjoyed a long and mutually rewarding relationship with both Scientific Games and WMS and their combination presents us with exciting opportunities as we centralise key brands with one licensee across multiple gaming distribution channels.”
WMS and Scientific Games have independently had portfolio licensing agreements with Hasbro since 1997 and 2003, respectively. The Monopoly brand has been the number one licensed brand in the lottery industry and among the top licensed brands in slot machines during the course of these licenses. Under the expanded license agreements, Scientific Games has secured the rights to license a number of Hasbro brands, including the Monoply brand, in the real-money internet wagering and social casino gaming channels of distribution. Scientific Games will gain access to additional Hasbro brands in these channels over the term of the agreement. Scientific Games has also secured the rights to license seven additional Hasbro brands for its slot machine portfolio and expanded the territories for its lottery licensing rights.
“We know the importance of convergence in today’s marketing environment, so we are gratified to expand our relationship with Hasbro and leverage opportunities that will arise from employing Hasbro brands with strong consumer appeal across multiple channels simultaneously,” said Steve Saferin, President, Properties Group and Chief Creative Officer for Scientific Games. “The acquisition of WMS has enabled Scientific Games to extend and expand its licenses with Hasbro and to create a one-stop solution for lottery, casino and online gaming for gaming operators.”
Scientific Games has also announced the sale of 39,742,179 shares of Sportech for gross cash proceeds of £27.8m. The sale represents all of the shares of Sportech owned by the Company. The shares are being sold pursuant to Regulation S of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Settlement is expected to take place on January 14, 2014.
