Monte Carlo SBM International (SBM) has divested its complete 47.3% holding in its French online betting enterprise Betclic Everest to a newly established media and gaming business, FL Entertainment. This move comes as FL gears up for an initial public offering.
FL Entertainment itself is set to combine with Pegasus Entrepreneurs Acquisition Company Europe, which is already listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange. This news follows a public announcement issued on May 11th, declaring the formation of the new entity FL Entertainment as part of a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger.
FL will be made up of Betclic Everest and television production company Banijay, which will generate the majority of the business’s income. The new company is projected to have a market value of €7.2 billion (£6.2 billion/$7.5 billion), with €3.5 billion in revenue and €609 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).
SBM will maintain a share in the new company, holding 4.95% of the voting rights and 10.39% of the effective economic rights. It is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam.
The winged steed has secured a substantial sum of €100 million in an unchangeable agreement. This funding comes from a combination of sources, including €50 million from Financière Agache and Tikehau Capital, another €250 million from the majority stakeholder Financière Lov, and €220 million in private equity financing.
The special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) intends to raise an additional €250 million through private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing.
The winged steed has announced its plans to utilize these funds to attract new participants by innovating and enhancing the user experience through player-centric offerings. Furthermore, they aim to invest in customer relationship management to retain existing participants and foster their loyalty.
The company anticipates a significant increase in Betclic’s player base, aiming for an 18% growth in 2022, raising the average monthly player count from 893,000 to over 1 million.
The leadership of the new entity is comprised of Banijay Chairman Stéphane Courbit, who assumes the role of chairman, and former Financière Lov CEO François Riahi, who becomes the chief executive officer.
In May, Courbit expressed his views on the public listing of FL Entertainment through the partnership with Pegasus Entrepreneurs, calling it a pivotal moment in the group’s history. He highlighted that this transaction would provide the group with a robust financial position, enabling them to capitalize on the growth trajectory of the entertainment industry.
Courbit emphasized the strength of FL Entertainment’s management team, which includes 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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