Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Capital are co-winners of the American Gambling Awards Dealmaker of the Year Golden Eagle for their role as lead financial advisors in the sale of IGT Gaming and Digital Business to Apollo Funds.

The Gambling.com Group, producer of the American Gambling Awards, will host the winners, judges and other invited guests at an exclusive VIP dinner on Nov. 21 at Torrisi, an acclaimed Michelin Star (2023) restaurant in New York City.

 Major Transaction In U.S. Gaming

Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Capital acted as joint financial advisors to IGT for the agreement to sell IGT’s Gaming and Digital Business to Apollo funds for $6.3 billion, replacing the previously announced February 2024 spinoff and merger with Everi Holdings.

The transaction generated $4.05 billion in cash and is a culmination of a strategic review that IGT’s Board of Directors initiated in June 2023. With this move, IGT is positioned as a pure-play global lottery operator.

The deal was announced in July 2024. Under the terms, IGT Gaming and Everi will be privately owned companies under one combined enterprise, according to Reuters. The newly formed combined company will be headquartered in Las Vegas.

The transaction creates a scaled private gaming operator allowing IGT to refocus management and capital on the company’s lottery endeavors.

Vince Sadusky, IGT’s chief executive officer, worked on the separation of the gaming and lottery units. Sadusky continues in his role leading the lottery-focused company.

Randy Taylor, Everi president and CEO, said the transaction provides significant value to its stockholders.

“By joining forces with IGT Gaming, we expect to continue to lead, innovate, and provide unparalleled value to our customers as a stronger player in the global gaming, FinTech, and digital industry,” he said.

Daniel Cohen, partner at Apollo, said the transaction “establishes a leading, diversified solutions provider that is well positioned across the entire gaming ecosystem.”

“As an active investor in the gaming and leisure sector for many years, we have long admired both companies and their highly talented teams,” he said.

David Berman, co-head of Macquarie Capital, Americas and global head of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure, said Macquarie Capital “is honored to have acted as a trusted advisor to IGT and its Board on this hallmark transaction.”

“We’re privileged to be recognized as a thought leader in the industry and will continue to leverage our unique insights and proven expertise to deliver first-class advice to our clients across the gaming ecosystem,” he said.

Sung Chun, senior managing director of Consumer, Gaming & Leisure at Macquarie Capital, said, “The IGT transaction is representative of our commitment to and perseverance in delivering optimal solutions to our clients and this award reinforces Macquarie Capital’s position as a leading gaming M&A franchise.”

 Shaping The Future Of Global Gaming

Reza Akhavi, global co-head of Real Estate, Gaming, Lodging and Leisure of Deutsche Bank, said Deutsche Bank is “incredibly honored to be named Dealmaker of the Year for the second time at the 2024 American Gambling Awards, having first received this recognition in 2022.”

Vishal Lokre, managing director of Deutsche Bank, said the award highlights the bank’s “ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and tailored solutions, even in the most complex transactions.”

“We look forward to continuing to support our clients in navigating transformative opportunities and shaping the future of the global gaming industry,” Lokre said.

Charles Gillespie, Gambling.com Group co-founder and chief executive officer, congratulated Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Capital for being named as co-winners in the Dealmaker of the Year category.

“Their leadership in Apollo’s acquisition of IGT’s Gaming and Digital Business, enabled and delivered a complex transaction which created value for all stakeholders,” Gillespie said. “This $6.3 billion transaction not only redefined IGT’s future as a pure-play global lottery operator but also exemplified Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Capital’s ability to navigate and execute highly complex, cross-border deals. Their expertise in providing strategic financial solutions is a key factor driving the continued growth within the U.S. online gambling industry.”

 Judges Select Winners In 12 Categories

The Gambling.com Group’s annual American Gambling Awards highlight the top companies, products and executives in the regulated U.S. online gaming market. The awards were first presented in 2019. Winners receive a Golden Eagle trophy in recognition of their achievements in the industry.

This year’s winners were selected by a panel of 20 judges, including FanDuel CEO Amy Howe, BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt and DraftKings CEO Jason Robins.

Below are the 12 categories in this year’s American Gambling Awards.

1. Online Casino of the Year

2.  Gaming Product of the Year

3.  Betting Product of the Year

4.  Online Sportsbook of the Year

5.  Platform Provider of the Year

6.  Data Service Provider of the Year

7.  Payment Service Provider of the Year

8.   Responsible Gaming Award

9.   Dealmaker of the Year

10. Policymaker of the Year

11. Regulator of the Year

12. C-Suite Gaming Executive of the Year

 For more information, visit www.gambling.com/us/awards.