Gaming technology provider Scientific Games has struck a deal to acquire Canadian rival DEQ Systems.
On Wednesday, Sci-Games announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Toronto-listed DEQ for C$0.38 per share. The deal, which requires the support of 2/3 of DEQ shareholders at a vote in late October or early November, is expected to close in Q4 2016 or Q1 2017.
The deal values DEQ at around C$27.2m (US $20.7m). In the 12-month period ending May 31, DEQ reported revenue of C$9.5m.
Roger Snow, Sci-Games senior VP of Table & Utility Products, said his company was eager to gain access to DEQ’s library of table games, table progressives and random bonusing systems.
DEQ has a presence in over 30 countries, led by its market-leading EZ Baccarat product, which boasts nearly 800 table games across 150 casinos. DEQ earns the bulk of its bones in the US and Canada, but also has a presence in Panama and Asia (the latter market via a deal with LT Game).
DEQ CEO Joseph Bertolone said the deal was “a very good transaction” for his company, and he looked forward to working with his new Sci-Games overlords to ensure a smooth transition.
In other Sci-Games news, the company has teamed with Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun on the North American debut of its Stadium Blackjack game on the Shuffle Master Fusion Hybrid electronic table.
Mohegan Sun’s Casino of the Sky will feature a 41-seat Stadium Blackjack offering while the adjoining Casino of the Earth will offer roulette and Dragon Bonus Baccarat via an additional 20-seats across two podiums. Each casino’s patrons can access all four games concurrently via their respective terminals.
Such stadium-style arrays, already well established in Asian casinos, are becoming increasingly popular in the west. In July, Las Vegas Sands’ Pennsylvania casino Sands Bethlehem launched a 150-seat Stadium Gaming zone featuring IGT’s Dynasty electronic table game cabinets.
