EUROPE IN FOCUS
Allwyn’s OPAP Increases Stoiximan Ownership to 100 Percent
On July 18, Allwyn agreed to acquire the remaining 15.5 percent minority interest in Stoiximan. Brokered through its OPAP subsidiary, the deal is valued at €191.6 million ($225 million) on a cash-free, debt-free basis.
OPAP acquired an initial 36.8 percent stake in Stoiximan in September of 2018. It has gradually increased its holding over the past seven years. At present, it owns 84.5 percent of the business.
Should the minority stake acquisition proceed as expected, OPAP would take full ownership of Stoiximan in Q3. Completion remains subject to approval from regulatory authorities in Cyprus, with the deal to be financed by cash resources and liquidity facilities at OPAP.
UEFA Issues Ban to Montenegro’s FK Arsenal Tivat Over Match-fixing
European football governing body UEFA has handed a 10-year ban to Montenegrin club FK Arsenal Tivat and several of its players and officials for their role in match-fixing activities.
The case relates to a 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying tie with Armenian side Alashkert in June 2023. The first leg resulted in a 1-1 draw, but Arsenal Tivat lost 6-1 at home in the second leg.
According to UEFA, Arsenal Tivat violated article 11 of its disciplinary regulations, referring to “general principles of conduct.” Arsenal Tivat was also ruled to have breached article 12, in relation to the integrity of matches and competitions and match-fixing.
UEFA did not go into further detail on the matter. However, it did confirm a lengthy ban for the club, making it ineligible to play in any UEFA team competitions for the next 10 years, until the end of the 2033-34 season.
Greek State Lotteries Tender Draws Interest From Brightstar And OPAP
Brightstar, the new brand of the IGT lottery business, and OPAP have both expressed interest in a tender to operate the Greek State Lotteries.
Launched on June 23, the tender covers the exclusive right to produce, manage, operate and promote the Greek State Lotteries. The successful bidder would oversee the lottery for a period of at least 10 years.
Offerings and products included in the tender are the Instant State Lottery, State Housing Lottery, Popular Lottery, Special Social National Lottery, National Lottery and Extraordinary or Special Lottery drawn by the European Association of State Lotteries.
The deadline for expressions of interest was July 23, with both Brightstar and OPAP lodging their interest. This was confirmed by GrowthFund, the national investment fund of Greece, which is overseeing the tender.
