Scientific Games Joins Legal Action Against William Hill (Update)

Fights attempt by Brit bookie to oppose its acquisition of NYX Gaming

US-based online and land gambling supplier Scientific Games has joined the legal war being waged by NYX Gaming against Brit bookmaking group William Hill plc over the proposed acquisition of NYX by Scientific Games.

William Hill has indicated that it intends to use its shareholding in NYX to abort the deal, but faces the combined opposition of NYX and Scientific Games, who are determined to push the deal through (see previous InfoPowa reports).

In its submission filed in Nevada late last week Scientific Games reiterates claims made by NYX that accuse William Hill of trying to stifle competition, anticipating that the U.S. Supreme Court may soon legalise sports betting in the United States, overturning the restrictive Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.

The Scientific Games submission asserts that the acquisition of NYX is beneficial for the market in that it increases competition, providing more gambling and entertainment choices for customers. The company claims that such a development is “exactly what William Hill fears.”

William Hill has yet to comment on the Scientific Games lawsuit, but in response to NYX’s legal action last week a spokesman said that the bookmaker is simply looking out for the interests of its shareholders, and that its proposed restrictions on what the merged NYX-SG entity should be able to offer is not unreasonable.