Standard General Completes $4.6B Bally’s Acquisition

Bally’s and Standard General confirmed the completion of a $4.6 billion acquisition. Standard General, Bally’s largest shareholder, initially offered $15 per share, later increasing to $18.25 in July 2024. The deal was funded through a mix of secured notes and existing capital.

Casino Expansions and Riverboat Conversions

As part of the transaction, Queen Casino’s Belle of Baton Rouge and Casino Queen Marquette in Iowa join Bally’s. Both riverboat casinos are transitioning to land-based venues, with completion expected later this year. Queen Casino also operates DraftKings at Casino Queen and Queen Baton Rouge.

Bally’s Stock Structure Post-Acquisition

Unlike typical buyouts, Bally’s stock remains publicly traded. Investors had the option of cash or retaining shares, with 17.9 million shares held. Bally’s will trade under the ticker “BALY.T” before reverting to “BALY” on February 10, 2025.

Future Outlook and Expansion Plans

Bally’s now operates​ 19 casinos across​ 11 states,​ a golf course​ іn NYC, and​ a racetrack​ іn Colorado. The company​ іs pursuing​ a New York City casino license. While rumors suggest​ a potential sale​ оf its sports betting unit,​ nо deal has been confirmed. Standard General remains focused​ оn completing the Bally’s Chicago casino, its largest project​ tо date.