Casino Operator Enjoy Eyes Asset Sale Following Dreams Merger Collapse

Posted on: August 7, 2023, 03:27h. 

Last updated on: August 7, 2023, 02:45h.

Erik Gibbs Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

Days after initially denying the rumors, casino operator Enjoy has confirmed that it’s interested in selling part of its casino operation. The company sent a statement to Chile’s Commission for the Financial Market (CMF, for its Spanish acronym) in which it confirms that it’s working with potentially interested parties to sell its assets outright, or parts of them, through the acquisition of shares.

The decision comes after Enjoy couldn’t complete its merger with Dreams because of accusations that the two operators, along with others, colluded to rig the market. Now, according to a memo Enjoy sent to the CMF, it’s revisiting its “long-term strategic plans” in order to resume profitability.

Rumors surfaced less than two weeks ago that Enjoy was considering the sale of at least one of its properties. The company immediately rejected the news, although has retracted that rejection.

All Options on the Table

The previous rumors focused on the possible sale of the casino that the company has been operating in Punta del Este, Uruguay, since 2013. However, the new mandate appears to be broader. Enjoy will consider a merger or sale for all of its assets, or a particular property.

Enjoy’s largest shareholders (Euroamerica with 15.25% and Penta with 11.26%), have contracted with financial consultancy Asset Chile to manage the search. Asset has reportedly contacted local and foreign investment funds, but mainly international casino operators.

After the failed merger with Dreams, it was estimated the company would try to recover at least part of what was invested in the Punta del Este property in 2013. That year, it bought 45% of the property for $139 million, and in 2017, bought the rest for $189 million.

Eliseo Gracia Martínez, Enjoy’s CEO, stated that the company is considering all “possible alternatives for a strategic transaction,” according to the CMF memo. He added that Asset Chile will explore the existence of possible interest from potential investors” who might want to back the company in return for shares, or in exchange for one or more of its assets.

Difficult Road Ahead

The potential deal includes the rights to operator properties in nine jurisdictions in Chile. Despite the deal’s potential value, finding an outright buyer likely won’t be an easy task.

It’s difficult for international gaming operators to enter new geographies for various reasons, including compliance issues and financial requirements. Neither the Chilean nor the Uruguayan market is strong enough for major operators in the U.S. that are accustomed to returns of 10-12%.

In March of this year, Enjoy’s return on equity (ROE), according to data from its financial statements, was around -5.62%. A year earlier, it was 2.74%.

For the first quarter of 2023, according to the company’s information, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) reached CLP10.5 billion (US$12.3 million). This is significantly lower than the CLP18.48 billion (US$21.65 million) recorded for the same period last year.

For the first quarter of the year, the company reported losses of CLP7.58 billion (US$8.88 million). This offset the profit of CLP5.64 billion (US$6.61 million) recorded in the first quarter of last year.

Chile’s gaming industry is rebounding, however. The country recently reported a rise in visitation and gambling spend, which may help Enjoy find investors.