Bally Technologies Inc. (BYI) Has Eyes on Online Gaming With SHFL entertainment Inc (SHFL) Purchase

Bally logoConsolidation among gaming suppliers is continuing, and now it’s with an eye on the future of online gaming. Earlier this year, Scientific Games Corp (NASDAQ:SGMS) said it would buy WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE:WMS) for $1.5 billion, creating a company with lottery equipment and slot machines. Today, Bally Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BYI) agreed  to buy SHFL entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:SHFL) for $1.3 billion, or $23.25 per share, creating a casino supplier that can offer nearly all products or services needed to run a casino.

They pointed to the typical synergies and complimentary products in the announcement, but when you think about the future of gaming, this is about online gaming. Both companies are approved to build online games in Nevada and, as online gaming spreads state by state around the country, they will be able to leverage their capabilities to expand that business.

As it stands now, the gaming supplier market for online gaming is going to play a key role. Companies like Bally Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BYI), SHFL entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:SHFL), or International Game Technology (NYSE:IGT) won’t offer betting directly to customers, they’ll supply technology to casinos, who will own licenses. This is similar to a casino but, since the game itself is the draw, the game itself is key.

In that respect, scale and a wide range of offerings will be important to suppliers. Bally Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BYI)’s iGaming Platform is already offering online slot games in the U.K., and online poker will likely be key domestically. After SHFL entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:SHFL) entertainment dropped its Ongame purchase last year, it appeared that the company would have to develop its own technology, making scale important. This acquisition allows Bally Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BYI) and SHFL entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:SHFL) to build a complete platform of games at a cost that will be shared among a larger organization.

There’s no doubt that Bally Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BYI)’s paid a heavy price for SHFL entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:SHFL) at 16 time EBITDA, but it sees an opportunity to be a go-to supplier for both land-based casinos and online gaming. Now the company is set up to win no matter where the industry is headed.

The article Bally Technologies Has Eyes on Online Gaming With SHFL Purchase originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Travis Hoium has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

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