UK Bookmaker William Hill Gains Approval For MRG Acquisition
Leading UK bookmaker William Hill has gained approval for its acquisition of MRG.
The popular betting firm was given the go-ahead from gambling regulators to complete its purchase of MRG, the operator behind the Mr Green online casino brand.
The deal was announced last October and is expected to complete on January 25 when William Hill buys the brand for SEK2.82 billion (Around £241.8 million).
William Hill was given approval from gambling authorities in jurisdictions MRG operates including Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Malta Sweden, the UK and Ireland.
Shareholders of MRG have been offered SEK69 per share and, according to reports, the MRG board of directors recommended shareholders accept the offer. According to William Hill, they have until January 17th to accept.
The Future of William Hill & MRG
Alongside the official announcement of the deal, it was revealed that Ulrik Bengtsson, the Chief Digital Officer at William Hill, will be responsible for the integration of MRG within William Hill.
Meanwhile, the William Hill announced that its UK and Ireland team will be moving to Gibraltar where they will also set up an international hub at MRG’s base in Malta.
Back in October, William Hill’s CEO Philip Bowcock said in a statement: “The proposed acquisition accelerates the diversification of William Hill – immediately making us a more digital and more international business.
“MRG will provide William Hill with an international hub in Malta with market entry expertise and strong growth momentum in a number of European countries. William Hill will move from a single brand to a suite of brands that can maximise growth opportunities moving forward in new and existing markets.”