Nevada gaming regulators OK Bally’s acquisition of Shfl

People try out new Titanic slot machines by Bally Technologies during the G2E convention at the Sands Expo Center Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013. The slots are themed after the 1997 “Titanic” movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

State gaming regulators quickly approved Bally Technologies’ $1.3 billion buyout of Shfl Entertainment in a pair of special meetings Thursday.

In back-to-back meetings, the state Gaming Control Board recommended approval and the Nevada Gaming Commission gave the final OK in unanimous votes. Shfl shareholders approved the deal Wednesday.

Bally expects to capitalize on Shfl’s expertise in table games. Shfl’s signature products — automatic card-shuffling machines — are key components to the company’s catalog of games.

Bally officials said the acquisition would result in annual cost savings of $30 million.

Shfl has 350 Nevada employees and 900 worldwide while Bally has 1,300 in the state and 3,400 globally.

The deal was first announced in July. It has been cleared by federal antitrust regulators, but still needs approval from some state gaming boards.

Gaming

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