CVC agrees €1bn acquisition deal for Sisal

Private equity group CVC Capital Partners has secured a deal worth €1 billion ($1.1 billion) to acquire Italian gaming and payments operator Sisal Group. Founded in 1946, Sisal was the first Italian firm to operate in the gaming sector and currently has a network of 45,000 points of sales, while offering the public more than 500 payment services. Currently employing approximately 2,000 staff, Sisal is owned by Apax Partners, Permira and Clessidra. “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to invest in Sisal; the company is a well diversified entertainment business with a historical brand in Italy and strong market positions across gaming, lotteries, betting and convenience payments,” CVC partner and head of the firm’s Italian team, Giampiero Mazza, said. “Under its previous shareholders and the management team led by Emilio Petrone, Sisal was able to grow and reshape its business perimeter thorough a period of difficult macro conditions and regulatory uncertainty. “Sisal today is ideally positioned to capture growth in a number of areas. “We look forward to supporting Emilio and his team to consolidate Sisal’s leadership in the payments space, continue to develop its online gaming and betting platform and further innovate its proposition in proximity retail.” Emilio Petrone, chief executive of Sisal, added: “I would like to congratulate the entire CVC Milan team for finalising a great acquisition. Sisal, celebrating its 70th anniversary, is a very important Italian company that is enjoying a period of fantastic growth and overall results. “I am confident that with CVC, we will make a formidable team enabling Sisal to fully exploit its potential, becoming even stronger and more competitive. “Personally, I am thrilled to lead this new, exciting phase in the company’s history.” The agreement will further strengthen CVC’s portfolio, after the company last month agreed a deal to acquire a majority stake in Tipico. Related article: CVC to acquire majority stake in Tipico