Melco International mulls upping stakes in Entertainment Gaming Asia

Lawrence Ho’s Melco International Development Ltd. is considering a complete takeover of electronic gaming machines supplier Entertainment Gaming Asia.

Nasdaq-listed Entertainment Gaming Asia announced in a filing that its biggest shareholder, Melco International, “is reviewing potential strategic alternatives” that may include “making an offer… to acquire all of the outstanding common stock” of the company that it does not already own.

Melco International, which holds approximately 64.8 percent of Entertainment Gaming Asia, is drumming up a proposal to stockholders “in the range of approximately US$2.10 to US$2.25 per share, in cash via a tender offer.”

“Any such Proposed Transaction would be subject to a number of conditions, including the valid tender of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding Common Stock, excluding Common Stock owned by EGT Entertainment,” the company said. “Any such transaction would be financed using available cash on hand.”