The New Jersey Casino Control Commission last week granted a casino license to Golden Nugget Online Gaming LLC, and approved the internet casino subsidiary’s request to merge with a purpose acquisition company to become a public company traded on the Nasdaq exchange.
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The move was approved at a special meeting of the commission the day before Thanksgiving, requested by Golden Nugget casino owner Tilman Fertitta. Federal regulators must still sign off on the deal.
The approval comes as Golden Nugget Atlantic City continues to be the market leaders in online gambling in New Jersey. In 2019, Golden Nugget reported more than $177 million in online gaming revenue. The land-based casino only generated $22 million more than online for the entire year. Through the first 10 months of 2020, Golden Nugget has won more than $263 million from online gaming.
The license granted to GNOC makes the entity an internet gaming affiliate of Golden Nugget casino. The entity itself will merge with publicly traded Landcadia Holdings II Inc., a “blank check” acquisition company established by Fertitta that currently trades under the symbol LCA. After the merger, the new public company would trade under the symbol GNOC.
At the special meeting, Golden Nugget Vice President and Treasurer Richard Liem testified that the merger would allow Golden Nugget Online, New Jersey’s top online gaming site, to access capital to enable it to compete with larger operators in the expanding U.S. iGaming market.
“You need to have adequate access to capital to be able to grow and compete effectively in this nascent and very quickly growing industry,” Liem said, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
A representative of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, Dylan Thompson, expressed concerns at the hearing that the deal could hurt Golden Nugget Atlantic City, which has benefited greatly from the iGaming revenue boost.
“The transaction would deprive (the casino) of the much-needed cash flow from internet gaming on a permanent basis,” Thompson said.
Because of this CCC Chairman James Plousis recommended conditions be added to the merger agreement to protect the land-based casino’s revenues.
“While there may continue to be variations in Golden Nugget’s online gaming versus land-based gaming revenue, particularly as the industry as a whole works to recover from the impact of Covid-19, I am satisfied with the petitioners’ assurances that they are committed to Golden Nugget Atlantic City’s ongoing financial stability,” Plousis said, according to the Press. “I am convinced that Mr. Fertitta will protect Golden Nugget’s brand of excellence and elegance, and will do so by supporting, maintaining and ultimately growing the Atlantic City casino hotel facility.”
In related news, Golden Nugget Online Gaming entered into a definitive agreement with Danville Development on November 19 to provide online sports wagering and iGaming in Illinois when it becomes legal.
Golden Nugget also agreed to a joint venture with Wilmot Gaming Illinois to build a new casino in Danville, Illinois, pending regulatory approvals. The casino, when opened, will be branded Golden Nugget. Danville Development is a joint venture between Wilmot and GN Danville, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Golden Nugget.
In addition to the online component, GNOG will provide a mezzanine loan in the amount of $30 million to Danville Development for development of the casino. The 20-year agreement required GNOG to pay Danville Development a percentage of its online net gaming revenue, subject to minimum royalty payments over the term.
“The Golden Nugget is a nationally recognized brand and strengthens the submission, provides additional opportunities, and upgrades the overall project,” said James A. Wilmot, vice president of Wilmot.
This marks the Golden Nugget’s first joint venture on a casino project, Fertitta said. “We are honored to be the one selected amongst numerous bidders for this opportunity by the Wilmot family after a highly competitive process.”
Golden Nugget Online Gaming also struck a deal November 23 with Greenbrier Hotel Corporation in West Virginia for the right to offer mobile sports and online casino wagering under the Greenbrier’s licenses, again subject to regulatory approvals. As with Danville, GNOG will pay the Greenbrier a percentage of its online net gaming revenue, subject to minimum royalty payments over the term.
“The partnership with the Greenbrier is an important milestone for Golden Nugget Online Gaming expansion plans,” Fertitta said.
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Greenbrier President Dr. Jill Justice said Golden Nugget has proven itself as a market leader in the industry. “We’re confident it will deliver a product that matches the standard that defines ‘America’s Resort,’” Justice said.