CVC Capital Could Potentially Acquire Control Over GLI in Upcoming Times
In a significant move, CVC Capital Partners is in the advanced stages of acquiring 100% ownership and sole control of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and its affiliates Worldwide Laboratories LLC and Kobetron LLC. This acquisition, executed through Avalon Buyer Limited, a UK-based entity affiliated with CVC, was first publicly disclosed via antitrust filings submitted to regulatory authorities in Austria and Malta in early July 2025.
The acquisition targets multiple entities within the GLI group and aims to give CVC Capital control over a major player in the gaming industry's testing and compliance sector. The process began on July 3, 2025, and is expected to conclude by July 31, 2025.
Regarding regulatory approvals, the key requirements identified so far center on antitrust and competition clearances in European jurisdictions.
- Austria: The Federal Competition Authority published filings detailing the intended acquisition and invited any parties with legal or economic interests affected by the deal to submit written feedback by July 31, 2025. This filing confirms Avalon Buyer Limited’s intent to acquire sole control of GLI and its affiliates. The Austrian authority’s review aims to determine if the acquisition raises competition concerns in the Austrian market.
- Malta: Similarly, Malta’s Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority received filings about the acquisition, including a notification of sole control acquisition by Avalon Buyer Limited. Malta’s notification was filed on July 3 with the most recent update on July 11. It included a seven-day objection window for written comments, which has since closed.
No other specific regulatory bodies or approvals have been publicly mentioned at this stage. There are no disclosed financial terms or indications of other jurisdictions’ regulatory involvement. The acquisition remains subject to the successful completion of these antitrust reviews and any conditions imposed by the Austrian and Maltese authorities.
As of now, neither GLI nor Avalon Buyer Ltd has publicly commented on the acquisition plan. Avalon Buyer Ltd, a newly formed entity backed by CVC Funds, is the investment vehicle for the potential acquisition. The Austrian filing clarifies that the acquisition involves companies providing testing, inspection, and certification services to the global gaming industry.
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/cvc-capital-parts-plans-acquire-gaming-labs-international-2021-07-05/ [2] https://www.maltaindependent.com/news/national/cvc-to-acquire-gaming-labs-international-for-an-undisclosed-sum-294330/ [3] https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/cvc-capital-parts-to-acquire-gaming-labs-international-for-an-undisclosed-sum [4] https://www.gamingintelligence.com/news/102045-cvc-to-acquire-gaming-labs-international
- This acquisition deal, as uncovered in antitrust filings, may inflict charges on Avalon Buyer Limited, a UK-based entity related to CVC, in the realm of finance, should the Austrian and Maltese regulatory authorities approve the proposed purchase of Gaming Laboratories International and its affiliates.
- Given the purchase of Gaming Laboratories International is pending approval from regulatory authorities, the financial aspects of the transaction, such as the total cost, have not been publicly disclosed.
