With the communication from the AGCM, the deadline of 29 March 2024 for sending observations on the acquisition operation by Lottomatic, through the subsidiary GBO SpA, of the entire share capital and therefore of the exclusive control of SKS365, currently controlled 74,57% by Stichting JaMi, 6.43% by DMEP INV-II BV, and the remaining 19% by Gatesville Corporation Ltd.
The operation affects the Italian gaming and betting collection market, and in particular the markets for collection from betting, online games and, to a very marginal extent, from entertainment and amusement machines, in which there is an overlap between the activities of the Parties.
In addition, the transaction gives rise to limited horizontal overlaps and/or current or potential vertical relationships with reference to the upstream market for the production, development and supply of betting and lottery games and services and the downstream market for the management of gaming halls. game. In any case, the Transaction does not raise any competitive concerns, given that Lottomatica will continue to be subject to significant competitive pressure from major and qualified operators active in all relevant markets.
Previously, on 20 December last, the operation had been communicated to the Competition Directorate of the European Commission.
For the European authority, the AGCM, as per the communication of last February, is the most appropriate authority to evaluate the possible concentration by virtue of its expertise in evaluating the markets in the sector in question. The Commission has recently referred several other cases in the gambling sector to the AGCM.
In fact, the Commission observed that “the AGCM has in-depth experience in the analysis of the gaming and betting services market, so it was well equipped to deal with the case”.
