Chavdar Vasilev is a gambling news writer with several years of experience in the iGaming industry. He started creating promotional content but soon found he loved reporting on the industry itself. Since then, he’s delivered...
Read Full BioInternational Game Technology Plc (IGT) is rebranding its lottery division as Brightstar Lottery as the company finalizes the planned merger between its Gaming and Digital divisions with Everi Holdings.
The shift comes as IGT restructures to become a lottery-only business. As part of that strategy, Voyager Parent, LLC, an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, will simultaneously acquire Everi and IGT’s two other divisions to create a new private company.
IGT expects the transaction to close by July 1, 2025.
Brightstar to Emerge as a Standalone Lottery Company
Upon the closing of the Voyager acquisition, IGT’s legal name will change to Brightstar Lottery Plc, registered in the UK. Its ordinary shares will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BRSL. The company projects that it will commence BRSL around July 2.
Vince Sadusky, Brightstar’s CEO, emphasized the company’s nearly 50-year legacy of dependable innovation. He says that will serve as the foundation for a “future-forward” Brightstar that will help lottery clients navigate digital adoption, evolving player expectations, and broader gaming options.
Executive Chair Marco Sala added: “Brightstar will be well-positioned to focus on driving innovation and growing the potential of the lottery business responsibly for the entertainment of players, the success of our customers, and the support of the good causes they fund in their communities.”
Brightstar Lottery will continue to serve about 90 lotteries across six continents, including seven of the world’s largest lotteries. In the US, Brightstar will serve 26 of the 46 state lotteries. That includes several online lotteries such as in Connecticut, Kentucky, and Rhode Island.
IGT and Everi Merger Creates Slot Manufacturing Powerhouse
In the spring of 2024, IGT announced that it would become solely a lottery company. That plan included spinning off its PlayDigital and Global Gaming divisions through a merger with Everi. Under the original terms, IGT shareholders would own 54% of the combined company, while Everi’s stockholders would own 46%.
However, that was unappealing to some investors amid potential regulatory concerns. Then, after revisions, Apollo, through its affiliates, created Voyager to serve as the parent company for both businesses. IGT and Everi investors approved the new formula.
Under the new structure, the newly formed company will become private, with shareholders receiving a cash payout. Once the transaction closes, the new private company will combine two of the largest slot manufacturers.
Some of IGT’s most popular slots include the Wheel of Fortune series, Cleopatra, Double Diamond, Wolf Run, and Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania.
Meanwhile, Everi is renowned for its classic stepper slots, which are popular in retail casinos. The company also creates digital versions of some of these games, such as Cash Machine and Black Diamond.
Combining all these titles under one roof will give the new company an advantage, as it will enhance its value and image among operators.
