Bally’s Acquisition Steams Ahead, Avoiding FTC Scrutiny

Bally’s Corporation, a leading player in US gaming and entertainment, recently announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement with its largest shareholder, Standard General L.P. The deal, valued at $18.25 per share, appears poised to move forward without facing federal antitrust scrutiny, as the regulatory waiting period has expired without objections from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The Merger Must Overcome Several More Hurdles

The proposed acquisition involves the merger of Bally’s with The Queen Casino & Entertainment Inc., a regional gaming operator. This strategic move should significantly expand Bally’s presence across the US, positioning the company to capitalize on new growth opportunities. Standard General hopes to close the purchase in the first half of 2025, opening another chapter in the growth of Bally’s.

With federal regulators seemingly uninterested in altering the deal, Standard General’s next hurdle will be securing approval from state regulators in jurisdictions where Bally’s operates land-based casinos. Currently, Bally’s operates properties in nine US states and maintains a significant presence abroad, cementing its position as one of the world’s leading operators.

Unlike other high-profile mergers in the gaming industry, which have often required asset sales or job cuts to satisfy regulatory concerns, the takeover of Bally’s by Standard General seems unlikely to attract such scrutiny. One of the primary reasons behind this observed indifference is that Standard General is a hedge fund rather than another industry player.

Bally’s Should Emerge Stronger than Ever

Passing FTC scrutiny marks a significant milestone for this high-profile deal. State regulators should also pose no challenge to the merger since this transaction isn’t expected to change the competitive balance in those markets. While securing individual state approvals will take some time, the two companies remain set on completing this deal as quickly as possible.

Bally’s remains tight-lipped regarding the upcoming merger, with CEO Robeson Reeves stating the company would not discuss details regarding the deal. The company’s financials remain stable ahead of this milestone acquisition. Q2 results revealed a modest 2.5% year-over-year uptick in company-wide revenue, which reached  $621.7 million.

A successful conclusion to this highly anticipated merger would bolster Bally’s US footprint, extending it to 19 venues across 11 states. The company’s improved portfolio will further enable it to keep offering top gaming and entertainment experiences to patrons nationwide and remain at the forefront of industry innovations.