Caesars Entertainment Agrees to Sell World Series of Poker Brand to NSUS Group for $500 Million
Caesars Entertainment Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell its intellectual property rights for the World Series of Poker (WSOP) brand to NSUS Group Inc. (NSUS), a leading investment group in the iGaming space known for successfully launching several groundbreaking ventures, including the innovative online poker room, GGPoker. The transaction, valued at a total of $500 million, includes $250 million in cash and a $250 million promissory note due five years after the transaction’s closing date (the Closing) secured by the WSOP intellectual property assets being sold.
As a part of this transaction, Caesars has secured the right from NSUS to continue hosting the WSOP’s flagship live tournament series at its Las Vegas casinos for the next 20 years. In addition, brick-and-mortar poker rooms currently operated by Caesars will continue to feature WSOP branding, and Caesars destinations will continue to enjoy preferential rights to host live WSOP Circuit (WSOP-C) events going forward.
Caesars Digital will also receive a license from NSUS to continue operating its recently upgraded WSOP Online real-money poker business in Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania for the foreseeable future but will otherwise be restricted from operating online peer-to-peer real-money poker operations for a specified period of time and subject to certain exceptions.
“We’ve enjoyed a longstanding and successful partnership with GGPoker that has helped spur the growth of the WSOP brand. This transaction is an exciting step for Caesars as a company and the WSOP brand as it continues to evolve. We can’t wait to see what NSUS has in store for growing the WSOP’s legacy in poker, and we look forward to continuing to deliver an unmatched and familiar experience to poker players going forward,” Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital, said.
“After collaborating with Caesars Entertainment for years, NSUS Group, the operators of GGPoker, is thrilled to announce their new role in leading the World Series of Poker, the world’s most renowned poker brand. We will leverage GGPoker’s cutting-edge technology and industry expertise to create an exciting future for WSOP, ensuring players have an increasingly improved, safe, and seamless poker experience. Under the new leadership, NSUS intends to expand WSOP worldwide, positioning it at the forefront of poker’s growth,” Michael Kim, Chief Executive Officer of NSUS Group, said.
This sale is subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions and is expected to close prior to the end of 2024. Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided transactional counsel and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as finance counsel to Caesars, while NSUS was represented by Greenberg Traurig LLP.
