Amid speculation in the media about the proposed Playtech-Aristocrat merger, the third-largest shareholder in Playtech, Aberdeen Asset Investment, has come out in support of the bid.
Aberdeen went on record yesterday as saying that the Aristocrat offer was "a fair assessment of value." The sale, agreed subject to shareholder support last October, values Playtech at £2.7bn (€3.65bn).
Media speculation, however, suggested that the deal was in trouble and that Playtech would break up its business and sell it off in segments if shareholders did not approve the deal.
Prior to the Aberdeen statement, the Playtech board said that it was unsure how the larger shareholders would react. Aberdeen holds 3.05 per cent of the Playtech shares.
The press has been full of rumours, including a potential revolt by Asian investors who hold around 15 per cent of the group’s shares between them.
A meeting of shareholders is due to be held on Tuesday of next week.
