EANS-Adhoc: bwin Interactive Entertainment AG / bwin to acquire Gioco Digitale, the leading Italian online poker and gaming operator -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ad-hoc disclosure transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14.09.2009 � bwin to become the leader in continental Europe�s largest online gaming market � Excellent value creation opportunity in booming Italian poker market � Total consideration of 2.3 million bwin shares and up to EUR 50 million in cash � Gioco Digitale management team to join bwin to develop poker and other products in European markets due for regulation Highlights � bwin and the owners of Gioco Digitale S.p.A. ("Gioco Digitale") have agreed that bwin will acquire 100% of the shares in Gioco Digitale S.p.A. ("Gioco Digitale") as follows: (i) Gioco Digitale shareholders will contribute 752,474 Gioco Digitale shares (56.30% of share capital) in exchange for 2,300,000 bwin shares; and (ii) bwin will acquire the remaining 43.70% of Gioco Digitale�s share capital for an initial consideration of EUR 25 million in cash on conclusion of the transaction, plus a further EUR 20 million in cash payable on presentation of Gioco Digitale�s audited accounts for 2009, and a further EUR 5 million in cash 18 months after closing subject to the achievement of certain financial performance targets in 2009. Gioco Digitale will be acquired on a cash- and debt-free basis. The Share Purchase and Contribution Agreement will be subject to the approval of bwin�s Supervisory Board. The transaction is scheduled to be concluded early in October 2009. � Gioco Digitale operates Italy�s leading poker website www.giocodigitale.it. This acquisition will position bwin as Italy�s leading online gaming operator, its firm number one position in online poker and lotteries complementing its top position in sports betting. � In the first half year of 2009, Gioco Digitale generated total income (net revenue) of EUR 20.1 million (full year 2008: EUR 13.7 million) and EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) of EUR 9.2 million (full year 2008: EUR 1.5 million). � The share exchange will be financed from authorized share capital excluding the subscription rights of existing shareholders, whilst the remaining Gioco Digitale shares will be acquired using existing cash resources. � Gioco Digitale is managed by a group of experienced entrepreneurs who will continue to develop all of bwin�s Italian business under the leadership of CEO and President Carlo Gualandri. Mr. Gualandri will also join Co-CEOs Norbert Teufelberger and Manfred Bodner to work at group level on the strategic development of poker and markets about to undergo liberalization and local regulation. The complete report can be found online on the bwin investor relations website at www.bwin.org, where it can also be downloaded in pdf format. Further inquiry note: Investors: Konrad Sveceny, Investor Relations bwin Interactive Entertainment AG Boersegasse 11, 1010 Vienna, Austria Tel.: +43 (0) 50 858-20017 E-mail:investorrelations@bwin.org http://www.bwin.org Press: Kevin O'Neal, Press Officer bwin Interactive Entertainment AG Boersegasse 11, 1010 Vienna, Austria Tel.: +43 (0) 50 858-24010 E-mail:press@bwin.org http://www.bwin.org emitter: bwin Interactive Entertainment AG B�rsegasse 11/Lift 3/Top floor A-1010 Wien phone: +43 (0) 50 858-0 FAX: +43 (0) 50 858-16 mail: investorrelations@bwin.org WWW: www.bwin.org sector: Casinos & Gambling ISIN: AT0000767553 indexes: ATX Prime, ATX stockmarkets: official dealing: Wien language: English