26 September 2019
Completion of acquisition of Gamesys
London (UK), 26 September 2019 – JPJ Group plc (“JPJ” or the “Company”) (LSE:JPJ), a leading global online bingo-led operator, is pleased to announce the completion of the acquisition of the business of Gamesys (Holdings) Limited (“Gamesys”), excluding sports brands and games (the “Acquisition”). The completion of the Acquisition (“Completion”) follows the announcement on 13 June 2019, that the Company had entered into a conditional agreement to effect the Acquisition, for a mixture of cash and New JPJ Shares. Shareholder approval for the Acquisition was granted at the Company’s General Meeting held on Wednesday 31 July 2019.
As the Acquisition constitutes a reverse takeover under the Listing Rules, admission of the Company’s existing ordinary shares to listing on the Premium Listing segment of the Official List and to trading on London Stock Exchange’s Main Market for listed securities will be cancelled and readmission will take place at 8.00am on or around 27 September 2019. Applications have now been made to the Financial Conduct Authority and London Stock Exchange, respectively, for the admission of 108,127,524 ordinary shares of £0.10 each, comprising of 33,653,846 New JPJ Shares and the re-admission of the Company’s 74,473,678 Existing JPJ Shares, to the Premium Listing segment of the Official List and to trading on London Stock Exchange’s Main Market for listed securities.
Change of Name and Ticker
Effective from Completion, the Company has been renamed Gamesys Group plc and is expected to trade under the ticker of “GYS” from 8.00am on or around 27 September 2019.
Board Changes
As set out in the Company’s combined circular and prospectus dated 27 June 2019 (the “Prospectus”), with effect from Completion certain changes to the board of the Company were to take effect. In that regard, the Board has today appointed Lee Fenton as Chief Executive Officer and Robeson Reeves as Chief Operating Officer.
In addition, as set out in the Prospectus, Simon Wykes has moved to the role of Transition Director, and will remain on the JPJ Board for a 12-month tenure.
In accordance with the Listing Rules, other than as set out in the Prospectus, the Company confirms that there are no further details that are required to be disclosed under paragraph LR 9.6.13 R of the Listing Rules in respect of Lee Fenton or Robeson Reeves.
New Website
With effect from 27 September 2019 and following the change in the name of the Company, the Company’s new website will be www.gamesysgroup.com.
Neil Goulden, Executive Chairman of Gamesys Group plc, commented:
“The completion of the acquisition of Gamesys marks an important milestone for the Company, creating a leading UK and international operator and offering customers an even greater choice of major brands and different games. For shareholders, the acquisition will deliver earnings accretion in the first full financial year of ownership whilst employees will also benefit from the combination of two companies with a strong commitment to responsible gaming. However, the completion of the acquisition and the creation of Gamesys Group plc marks just the start, and the Board and senior management team, led by Chief Executive Officer Lee Fenton, are now resolutely focused on integrating the two businesses and further enhancing our product and technology offerings. We are very excited about the opportunities and prospects ahead and look forward to providing further updates on the new Group.”
Lee Fenton, Chief Executive of Gamesys Group plc, commented:
“Following today’s successful completion, I am very excited to join the Enlarged Group as CEO. The combination of two leading and complementary businesses has created an organisation with greater scale and capability which stands the new Gamesys Group plc in good stead as the competitive and regulatory environment continues to evolve. With full operational control of technology and operations, an enhanced brand portfolio and our exceptional combined talent base, we are confident that we are well positioned to create significant opportunities for future growth.”
Unless defined otherwise, capitalised terms in this announcement shall have the same meaning as in the Prospectus.
About Gamesys Group plc (formerly JPJ Group plc)
Gamesys Group plc is the parent company of an online gaming group that provides entertainment to a global consumer base. Through its subsidiaries, Gamesys Group plc currently offers bingo and casino games to its customers using brands which include Jackpotjoy (www.jackpotjoy.com), Virgin Games (www.virgingames.com), Botemania (www.botemania.es), Vera&John (www.verajohn.com), Heart Bingo (www.heartbingo.co.uk) and Monopoly Casino (www.monopolycasino.com). For more information about Gamesys Group plc, please visit www.gamesysgroup.com.
| Enquiries Gamesys Group (formerly JPJ Group) | +44 (0) 203 907 4025 |
| Neil Goulden | |
| Keith Laslop | |
| Jason Holden (Investor Relations) | |
| Macquarie Capital (Europe) Limited (Lead Financial Adviser to JPJ) | +44 (0) 203 037 2000 |
| Sung Chun | |
| Alex Reynolds | |
| Canaccord Genuity Limited (Sponsor, Co-Financial Adviser & Broker to JPJ) | +44 (0) 207 523 8000 |
| George Fleet | |
| Richard Andrews | |
| Berenberg (Joint Broker to JPJ) | +44 (0) 20 3207 7800 |
| Chris Bowman | |
| Mark Whitmore | |
| Finsbury (PR Adviser to JPJ) | +44 (0) 20 7251 3801 |
