{"id":9601,"date":"2025-08-06T04:35:27","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T04:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/06\/vgw-shareholders-back-escalante-buyout-as-firm-prepares-to-go-private\/"},"modified":"2025-08-06T04:35:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T04:35:27","slug":"vgw-shareholders-back-escalante-buyout-as-firm-prepares-to-go-private","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/06\/vgw-shareholders-back-escalante-buyout-as-firm-prepares-to-go-private\/","title":{"rendered":"VGW Shareholders Back Escalante Buyout as Firm Prepares to Go Private"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) is heading for a major transition after shareholders approved a buyout proposal from founder Laurence Escalante, clearing the path for the Australian gaming firm to go private. The decision comes as VGW faces increased regulatory challenges, particularly in the U.S., and looks to regain strategic flexibility.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><em><strong>Good to know<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong>Escalante\u2019s A$5.05 per share offer values VGW at A$3.2 billion (US$2.1 billion).<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong>85.04% of shareholders, including 91.31% of minority shareholders, voted in favor of the deal.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong>VGW expects court approval on August 5, with full buyout execution set for August 20.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr>\n<p>The buyout, which was formalized in a <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/vgw-shareholders-to-vote-on-final-buyout-offer-from-escalante\/\">vote<\/a> held on August 1, allows Escalante to acquire the remaining 30% of VGW shares he doesn\u2019t already own. The transaction will proceed through Ocean BidCo Limited, a Guernsey-based special purpose vehicle, giving investors the option to receive cash, shares in Ocean BidCo, or a mix of both.<\/p>\n<p>The approved offer of A$5.05 per share sits comfortably within the independent valuation range provided by Kroll Australia and represents a premium over Escalante\u2019s initial November 2024 offer of A$3.50\u20134.00 per share.<\/p>\n<h2>Tensions and Governance Questions<\/h2>\n<p>The vote brings closure to what had become a tense standoff between Escalante and minority shareholders, many of whom had raised concerns about governance transparency, valuation, and U.S. regulatory exposure.<\/p>\n<div class=\"main-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-items box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"box-100 space-org-3-item relative border-tb mt-1 \">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-logo-title-box box-100 text-left relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-box box-25 relative img-radius\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/katsubet-casino\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<amp-img alt=\"Katsubet\" src=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Katsubet.png.webp\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\" layout=\"fixed\"><br \/>\n\t\t<\/amp-img><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-title box-25 relative py-10\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/katsubet-casino\/\" title=\"Katsubet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Katsubet<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t<strong>5BTC or 111% + 111 Free Spins!<\/strong><br \/>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"pt-1\">New players only. Exclusive 111% Welcome Bonus  + 111 Free Spins<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating box-25 relative mb-10\">\n<div class=\"rating-box text-center box-100  relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating-box relative\">\n<div class=\"stars\"><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-rating-notice relative\">Casino<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/katsubet-casino\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\tVisit Site<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Earlier reports surfaced of Escalante pushing back aggressively at investor criticism, telling dissenters to \u201csell their shares\u201d if they lacked confidence in his leadership. Some shareholders also highlighted a potential conflict of interest related to his involvement in Kickr Games, a social gaming project that overlaps with VGW\u2019s core business.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the friction, Escalante has remained steadfast in arguing that taking the company private is essential to protecting long-term growth.<\/p>\n<p>VGW\u2019s flagship brands\u2014Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker\u2014operate under a sweepstakes-based dual-currency model, which has come under increasing legal pressure in the United States.<\/p>\n<p>The company has withdrawn from 11 U.S. states, including <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/new-jersey-bill-pushes-vgw-to-shut-down-games\/\">New Jersey<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/unanimous-146-0-vote-puts-connecticut-ban-on-online-sweepstakes-in-motion\/\">Connecticut<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/vgw-pulls-sweepstakes-casino-play-from-mississippi\/\">Mississippi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/vgw-luckyland-cease-order-issued\/\">Delaware<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/vgw-ends-promotional-play-in-new-york-amid-legal-tensions\/\">New York<\/a>, and Nevada. In addition, its games remain unavailable in Idaho, Montana, <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/regulatory-challenges-lead-vgw-to-exit-michigan-market\/\">Michigan<\/a>, and Washington, with legal action ongoing in Alabama and regulatory risk growing in Maryland and West Virginia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"main-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-items box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"box-100 space-org-3-item relative border-tb mt-1 \">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-ins box-100 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-logo-title-box box-100 text-left relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-box box-25 relative img-radius\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/katsubet-casino\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><br \/>\n\t\t<amp-img alt=\"Katsubet\" src=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Katsubet.png.webp\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\" layout=\"fixed\"><br \/>\n\t\t<\/amp-img><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-logo-title box-25 relative py-10\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/katsubet-casino\/\" title=\"Katsubet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Katsubet<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-terms-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t<strong>5BTC or 111% + 111 Free Spins!<\/strong><br \/>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"pt-1\">New players only. Exclusive 111% Welcome Bonus  + 111 Free Spins<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating box-25 relative mb-10\">\n<div class=\"rating-box text-center box-100  relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-rating-box relative\">\n<div class=\"stars\"><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><span class=\"star on\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-rating-notice relative\">Casino<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button box-25 relative\">\n<div class=\"space-org-3-item-button-ins box-100 text-center relative\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/site\/katsubet-casino\/\" title=\"Visit Site\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\tVisit Site<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>By moving operations under a Guernsey-registered entity, VGW will no longer be required to release public financial statements in Australia. However, Escalante has committed to maintaining a domestic tax presence and remaining based in Australia.<\/p>\n<h2>Financial Performance Still Strong<\/h2>\n<p>Despite the regulatory setbacks, VGW has posted impressive financial results. For the fiscal year ending June 2024, the company brought in A$6.1 billion (US$3.94 billion) in revenue and A$491.6 million (US$317.75 million) in net profit\u2014up 27% and 33%, respectively, year-over-year.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, VGW projects FY2025 profits between A$555 million and A$570 million, citing strong first-half performance and expectations for similar results through the rest of the year.<\/p>\n<p>Escalante says that private ownership will help the company remain agile and better navigate an evolving legal environment without the burden of public disclosures.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/casino-news\/vgw-shareholders-back-escalante-buyout-as-firm-prepares-to-go-private\/\">VGW Shareholders Back Escalante Buyout as Firm Prepares to Go Private<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/igaming.org\/\">iGaming.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) is heading for a major transition after shareholders approved a buyout proposal from founder Laurence Escalante, clearing the path for the Australian gaming firm to go private. The decision comes as VGW faces increased regulatory challenges, particularly in the U.S., and looks to regain strategic flexibility. Good to know Escalante\u2019s A$5.05 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9601"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9601\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}