SBM International, a Monegasque firm, has divested its complete 47.3% holding in the French online gaming enterprise Betclic Everest to the newly established media and gaming entity FL Entertainment. This transaction occurs as FL prepares for its public debut.
The announcement follows a press release issued on May 11th declaring the formation of FL Entertainment, which was established through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger.
FL Entertainment will shortly merge with Pegasus Entrepreneurial Acquisition Company Europe, which is already listed on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange.
FL Entertainment will comprise Betclic Everest and the television production company Banijay, which will constitute the majority of the company’s income.
The new entity is anticipated to have a valuation of €7.2 billion (£6.2 billion/$7.5 billion) and generate €3.5 billion in revenue and €609 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).
SBM will retain a stake in the new company, holding 4.95% of the voting rights and 10.39% of the economic rights. The company will be publicly listed on the regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam.
The winged horse has secured €100 million in non-refundable pledges, including €50 million from Financière Agache and Tikehau Capital, as well as an extra €250 million from the controlling shareholder Financière Lov, and €220 million in private equity (PIPE) financing.
The special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) intends to raise another €250 million in PIPE funding.
The winged horse stated it plans to utilize the funds to “attract new clients through innovation, enhance its offerings to clients, and improve the user experience, as well as invest in customer relationship management to retain clients and boost their loyalty.”
Overall, the company aims to expand Betclic’s customer base by 18% in 2022, from an average of 893,000 clients per month to over 1 million clients.
The chairman of the Banijay Group, Stéphane Courbit, is the chairman of the new venture, while the former CEO of Financière Lov, François Riahi, has become its chief executive officer.
Courbit stated in May: “The public listing of FL Entertainment through the partnership with Pegasus Entrepreneurs is a significant event in the history of the group. Due to this transaction, the group will benefit from a robust balance sheet and will be very well positioned to capitalize on the growth of the entertainment industry.
“One of the key strengths of FL Entertainment is its management team: François Riahi as CEO of FL Entertainment, Marco Bassetti as CEO of the Banijay Group, and Nicolas Béraud as CEO of the Betclic Everest Group.”
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