Dorda has advised the Czech SAZKA Group in increasing its indirect stake in Casinos Austria AG to 34% by its acquisition of the shares of UNIQA Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH and Leipnik-Lundenburger Invest Beteiligungs AG in Medial Beteiligungs GmbH. The transaction is subject to Austrian antimonopoly and international gaming approvals and will be completed as soon as such approvals are obtained. UNIQA was advised by Schoenherr on the deal, and LLI was advised by Wolf Theiss.
In addition, the same Dorda team advised the SAZKA Group on its acquisition of 100% of the shares in BAIH Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH and 41.76% of the shares in LTB Beteiligungs GmbH from Novomatic AG, corresponding to an indirect stake of 11.56% in Oesterreichischen Lotteriengesellschaft GmbH. Novomatic was advised by Grohs Hofer on the acquisition, which was signed and completed in December 2016.
The SAZKA Group is the largest group specializing in operation of numerical lotteries in Europe. The aggregate annual amount of bets placed with companies in which the SAZKA Group owns an ownership interest is in excess of EUR 15 billion and the aggregate EBITDA amounts to over EUR 850 million. SAZKA Group is owned by KKCG and EMMA Capital investment companies, which hold 75% and 25% stakes, respectively, and which are equally responsible for the management and oversight of the Group.
Both Dorda teams were led by M&A Partner Jurgen Kittel, who commented that: "Our clients are delighted to successfully expand their presence in the Austrian gaming market and we at Dorda happily advise them on this interesting transaction. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved, with our clients aiming to contribute to further business growth of Casinos Austria in a sustainable way."
The Wolf Theiss team advising Leipnik-Lundenburger Invest Beteiligungs was led by Partner Markus Heidinger, while the Schoenherr team advising UNIQA was led by Partner Peter Feyl.
The Grohs Hofer team advising Novomatic was led by Partner Elisabeth Stern.
