Everi Bolsters Payments Platform With $25 Million Acquisition of Micro Gaming Technologies

Posted on: December 30, 2019, 10:00h. 

Last updated on: December 30, 2019, 12:05h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More

Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.

Everi Holdings Inc. (NYSE:EVRI), a provider of gaming machines and payment systems to casinos, today added to its roster of loyalty and financial technology (fintech) offerings with a $25 million purchase of privately held Micro Gaming Technologies Inc. (MGT).

Las Vegas-based MGT develops software used by gaming companies to track various promotions. The company makes kiosk hardware and software and computer programs used to run virtual drawings and raffles, among other products. MGT clients include Eldorado Resorts, among other gaming operators, according to the firm’s web site.

Under the terms of the deal, Everi is paying $15 million up front to acquire MGT with another $5 million coming due in April 2020, and $5 million to be paid on Dec. 24, 2021. Everi said it expects to pay for the transaction out of current and future cash flow.

We see a significant opportunity for growth in the player loyalty market, and the planned acquisition of the MGT assets represents a significant step forward in our goal to establish loyalty and marketing-based services as a meaningful growth driver for our business,” said Everi Executive Vice President Darren Simmons in a statement.

On the back of a fourth-quarter gain of about 55 percent, Everi shares are up 158.48 percent year-to-date, making the stock one of this year’s best-performing small-cap gaming names.

Evaluating Everi

Earlier this month, Las Vegas-based Everi sold 10 million shares of stock, netting $107 million in proceeds in the process.

While the shares slumped on the news because new share offerings dilute current investors, the name has bounced back. Analysts applauded the move because the company is using $30 million of that capital to reduce an outstanding term loan, and another 75 percent of the proceeds repay some senior notes. Those actions that will save Everi about $10 million in annual interest expenses.

We remain constructive on EVRI shares on the other side of the recent equity raise, as we believe the deal accomplished two important items that should support further share price appreciation over the intermediate-to-longer term,” said Stifel analyst Brad Boyer in a recent note obtained by Casino.org.

Boyer said the share offering allowed management to reduce leverage while giving existing and new investors the opportunity to add to or start positions of Everi at favorable prices.

A Good Deal?

Everi didn’t say when the MGT transaction will close, or if it will add to the company’s bottom line. But the market for enhanced loyalty programs and accessible financial solutions at gaming properties is growing.

Boyer is bullish on the positioning of Everi’s slots and fintech businesses.

“Within the slot business, our recent checks confirm demand for the company’s latest products remains solid, particularly within the premium and mechanical reel segments, while consistent regional GGR trends, an emerging terminal replacement cycle and growing demand for recently-acquired Atrient kiosk technology favorably position the FinTech business,” said the analyst.

The analyst has a $16 price target on the stock, implying upside of 19.4 percent from where it trades at this writing.