The long-rumored acquisition is nearing completion, with a formal announcement expected in May.
Acquisition Deal Nearing Final Stage
Aristocrat Leisure is close to finalizing a major acquisition that would bring electronic table game (ETG) specialist Interblock under its umbrella. Sources say the deal is valued at around $1 billion, though some industry insiders believe the final number could hit $1.3 billion. Investment bank Macquarie Capital is advising on the transaction.
Efforts to get confirmation from Aristocrat’s offices in Australia and the U.S. have been met with silence. That, combined with increasing chatter behind the scenes, suggests tight non-disclosure agreements are in place as the deal enters its final stretch.
A formal announcement is expected to align with Aristocrat’s next investor day, tentatively set for May 2025.
Push Into ETG Market
Aristocrat has long held a strong position in slots and digital gaming, operating in over 90 countries. But its presence in the ETG space has been minimal. Acquiring Interblock would change that, giving Aristocrat immediate access to a suite of automated table games that have seen rising demand worldwide.
Interblock’s portfolio includes electronic versions of classics like roulette, baccarat, and blackjack. The acquisition would allow Aristocrat to better compete with key players already active in the space, including Light & Wonder, Aruze, and Spintec.
Adding fuel to speculation, Interblock CEO John Connelly is set to appear on the cover of Gaming America’s May/June issue. While editorial coverage isn’t confirmation, the timing has caught the industry’s attention.
Part of a Larger Realignment
This isn’t an isolated move. In May 2024, Aristocrat began reshaping its portfolio, starting with the sale of mobile game developer Plarium and restructuring its Big Fish division. The company also recently inked a deal through Aristocrat Interactive with Incentive Games to expand its distribution of real-money and free-to-play content.
The Interblock deal fits that pattern. It’s another step toward strengthening Aristocrat’s presence in areas with long-term upside, and ETGs are firmly in that category. While the company has yet to comment publicly, momentum is building fast.
With the next investor event around the corner, all signs point to a May reveal. If confirmed, the acquisition would mark a major shift for Aristocrat as it moves to close the gap in one of gaming’s fastest-growing segments.
