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Tatts and Tabcorp go all in

Australian gambling giants Tatts Group and Tabcorp have received approval for a multibillion-dollar merger.

user iconTom Lodewyke 26 June 2017 Big Law
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Firms: Gilbert + Tobin and Herbert Smith Freehills (Tabcorp); Clayton Utz (Tatts Group)

Deal: Tabcorp and Tatts received approval to merge from the Australian Competition Tribunal.

Value: $11.3 billion

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Area: M&A

Key players: The Gilbert + Tobin team advising Tabcorp was led by competition and regulation partners Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Luke Woodward and Simon Muys, supported by Jeremy Jose, Laura Tompkins, Genevieve Rahman, Melissa Graham, Sophie Millett, Mat Argy and James Campisi. 

The Herbert Smith Freehills team advising Tabcorp was led by partners Grant Marjoribanks, Chris Jose and Patrick Gay, supported by senior associates Merryn Quayle and Sarah Benbow.

Clayton Utz partner Andrew Walker led the corporate aspects for Tatts, while partner Michael Corrigan led the competition approval process, including the successful application to the Australian Competition Tribunal for approval of the merger.

Deal significance: Tabcorp and Tatts Group have received approval to merge from the Australian Competition Tribunal, in a move that will create a powerful entity in the Australian gambling industry.

Despite concerns about the competition implications of the merger from Racing Victoria, the ACCC and rival gambling companies, Justice John Middleton of the Australian Competition Tribunal found that it would have “substantial public benefits” and that the detriments identified were either unlikely to occur or insignificant.

The merger was approved on the condition that Tabcorp divests Odyssey Gaming Services, its pokie monitoring business in Queensland.

Gilbert + Tobin and Herbert Smith Freehills formulated a competition clearance strategy in a complex factual environment involving a range of interested parties and stakeholders, and two separate clearance processes, according to a joint statement from the firms.

The merger has been hotly debated since it was announced last October, but with the Tribunal’s approval it is expected to be completed within two months.

 

Pictured L-R: Herbert Smith Freehills partner Grant Marjoribanks; Clayton Utz partner Michael Corrigan

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