(Reuters) – U.S. fantasy sports betting company DraftKings has made a takeover proposal that values Entain at $22.4 billion, months after the British gambling firm rejected an offer from MGM Resorts International.
Analysts said much now would depend on MGM, Entain’s joint venture partner in the United States, which has accumulated more cash since its approach.
MGM has said any deal that would leave Entain with a competing U.S. business would require its consent.
Below is a timeline of events since January:
JANUARY 4: ENTAIN CONFIRMS MGM’S APPROACH ON POSSIBLE OFFER, SAYS BID SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERVALUED
The Ladbrokes owner called an $11 billion takeover approach from MGM Resorts as “significantly undervalued”.
MGM said a proposed merger would be “compelling” and a deal among other things, would help grow BetMGM, its U.S.-based online sports betting operating.
JANUARY 7: ENTAIN OFFERS TO BUY SWEDISH RIVAL ENLABS
Days after rejecting MGM’s bid, Entain offered to buy Sweden-based sports betting firm Enlabs AB for about $343 million.
JANUARY 8: IAC BACKS MGM’S POTENTIAL OFFER
Billionaire Barry Diller’s InterActiveCorp, the largest shareholder in MGM, said it supported MGM’s approach for Entain.
JANUARY 11: ENTAIN’S CEO QUITS
Entain said its then Chief Executive Officer Shay Segev was leaving the company after just seven months in the role.
JANUARY 19: MGM DROPS TAKEOVER PLAN
MGM ditched plans to buy Entain.
JANUARY 21: ENTAIN APPOINTS NEW CEO
Entain named non-executive director and industry veteran Jette Nygaard-Andersen as its CEO, making her the first woman to lead a UK gambling company.
FEBRUARY 2: ENTAIN CONFIRMS OFFER TO ACQUIRE AUSSIE BETTING FIRM TAPCORP’S UNIT
Entain confirmed it had offered to buy Australian betting firm Tabcorp Holdings’ struggling wagering and media business.
MARCH 1: ENTAIN RAISES OFFER FOR ENLABS
Entain raised its cash offer for Enlabs to value it at around 3.7 billion crowns ($440.16 million).
APRIL 27: ENTAIN SWEETENS OFFER FOR TABCORP’S UNIT
Entain sweetened its offer to A$3.5 billion ($2.72 billion) for Tabcorp’s wagering and media business.
AUGUST 4: VICI PROPERTIES TO BUY MGM RESORT-CONTROLLED MGM GROWTH
MGM Growth Properties, majority controlled by MGM Resorts, to sell itself to VICI Properties Inc in a $17.2 billion deal.
MGM Resorts to get $4.4 billion for its stake and is part of its ‘asset light’ strategy to invest in areas such as sports betting and casino development in Japan.
SEPTEMBER 21: ENTAIN RECEIVES TAKEOVER PROPOSAL FROM DRAFTKINGS
Entain confirmed DraftKings’ takeover proposal that valued it at $22.4 billion. DraftKings plans to offer 28 pounds per share in cash and share after its earlier proposal of 25 pounds a share was rejected by Entain.
DraftKings has until Oct. 19 to make a firm offer.
(Reporting by Akanksha Rana in Bengaluru; Editing by Keith Weir and Sriraj Kalluvila)
