(AsiaGameHub) –   Bally’s Intralot and evoke have extended the deadline for their discussions regarding a potential takeover, though the specific reason for this extension has not been officially confirmed.

For some time, there have been reports suggesting that Bally’s Intralot was considering acquiring evoke at a price of 50p per share.

When the initial announcement of this potential deal was made towards the end of April, Bally’s Intralot was granted the option to extend the offer beyond the original deadline of May 18, 2026. This extension has now been agreed to by evoke.

Bally’s Intralot now has until 5:00 PM BST on June 8, 2026, to decide whether to proceed with the acquisition.

However, this deadline can be further extended with the agreement of the operator, which also manages brands such as William Hill, 888, and Mr Green.

Any offer submitted by the Athens-listed company will be subject to standard conditions and necessary approvals. Bally’s Intralot also retains the right to modify the terms of its offer, including the price, the form and mix of consideration, and the overall transaction structure.

“This is an opportunity we are pursuing with conviction.”

Robeson Reeves, Chief Executive Officer at Bally’s Intralot

Robeson Reeves, Chief Executive Officer at Bally’s Intralot, commented at the time of the initial potential offer announcement: “We have established a business with a margin profile that distinguishes itself within this industry. evoke possesses the necessary scale.

“We perceive a significant opportunity to apply our operating model to a considerably larger business, with the potential to enhance its financial performance through substantial synergies that we are uniquely positioned to deliver. This is an opportunity we are pursuing with conviction.”

evoke has been conducting a strategic review of its operations since December of the previous year. During the company’s recent FY2025 earnings call, Group CEO Per Widerström indicated that discussions with Bally’s Intralot concerning a possible offer ‘remain active’.

Attractive markets

While the timeline for the evoke deal has been extended, Bally’s Intralot has released its preliminary results for the first quarter of 2026. Group revenue increased to €268.1 million compared to the same period last year (Q1 2025: €95.6 million), and adjusted EBITDA rose to €100.2 million (Q1 2025: €30.2 million).

During Bally’s Intralot’s FY2025 earnings call last month, Reeves elaborated on the markets that attracted the company’s attention when the possibility of an offer for evoke emerged.

The CEO acknowledged that while Italy might not have initially stood out due to market dynamics, it does hold appeal for Bally’s Intralot. Romania and Spain were also identified as key markets.

evoke operates the brands 888casino, 888sport, 888poker, and William Hill in Italy and Spain. The group also features 888 and Winner in Romania.

Reeves stated at the time: “Romania is an attractive market and was on our radar. There’s also a complementary aspect, as they are a solid player in Spain, where we already have a presence, so there is a logical connection.

“With any M&A opportunities, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary. We must undertake all appropriate steps. I view some of these as ways to accelerate our growth. To achieve the international footprint they possess would take many years, and at that scale, so we will examine all possibilities. It represents a sensible alignment.”