In the last few years, the whole U.S. casino industry has seen some industry-shaping changes. Just a couple of days ago in June, Nevada regulators officially approved Apollo Global Management’s $6.3 billion acquisition of IGT’s global gaming and digital businesses. Alongside these businesses was a slot machine manufacturer, Everi. This merger, which is now finally finalized, marks one of the most significant moments in the land-based gaming sector. Thanks to this move, Apollo positions itself as a powerhouse in the North American casino supply market, especially when it comes to slot machines and technologies related to them. While online gaming is still actively gaining popularity and expanding, this deal can be seen as a sign of renewed confidence.

At the center of the deal is the union of two well-respected names, which are IGT and Everi. IGT’s casino hardware division and Everi’s slots and fintech products are known worldwide across the industry. Combined, they now form the largest supplier of slot machines in North America. This means that they will probably overtake other key companies like Aristocrat and Light & Wonder. Unlike in the rapidly growing and changing iGaming world, these kinds of deals that regard physical products are important. Shortly, the gaming floors of Las Vegas and beyond will be filled with new physical cabinets and self-service kiosks.

However, this still doesn’t mean that iGaming’s popularity is losing its traction. In the world of iGaming, innovations, whose effectiveness can be compared to this huge deal, are constantly introduced. For example, there is a great list made by pokerstrategy.com, which showcases Bitcoin poker sites. These are relatively new platforms that offer players new kinds of anonymity and speed. Though different in form, they also mark a huge development within the industry.

What makes this merger interesting isn’t just the scale but also its strategic structure. Apollo has formed a privately held company to house the merged assets. This frees it from the quarterly scrutiny of public markets. In fact, according to executives, this kind of private model enables deeper, long-term investments in product innovation and customer service. Additionally, since there are fewer distractions from shareholder demands, the company can focus on integrating Everi’s fintech capabilities with IGT’s proven hardware platforms. By doing this, they create a new streamlined offering for casino operators. This offering includes everything from upgraded bill validators to smart loyalty systems, designed to help develop the efficiency and appeal of land-based casinos.

Even the leadership structure or roadmap looks impressive. Currently, Nick Khin, who is from IGT, is acting as interim CEO. According to plans, Hector Fernandez, who is the former CEO of Aristocrat, will take over later in the year. Fernandez’s track record in scaling gaming operations globally is something to be proud of. It will also be crucial as the new IGT-Everi company is trying to stabilize its North American dominance and explore different long-term expansion opportunities. Currently, an IPO, also known as an initial public offering, isn’t off the table, but Apollo intends to wait until operational synergies are in place and market conditions are favorable.

Nevada’s regulatory approval process was thorough, as it usually is when it comes to a deal of this size. The Nevada Gaming Control Board gave its green light in early June, followed by the Nevada Gaming Commission’s unanimous final approval later that month. Regulators praised Apollo’s transparency and commitment to supporting Nevada’s central role in the national gaming industry. The new company’s headquarters will be located in Las Vegas, which ensures continuity and strengthens ties with the state’s manufacturing and gaming talent pool.

Financially, the merged company is expected to draw half of its revenue from recurring sources, such as casino management systems, payment platforms, and maintenance services. This means that they won’t be entirely relying on the sale of slot machines. This kind of plan offers a steadier income stream and reduces volatility during industry cycles. Additionally, Apollo’s leadership has emphasized the recurring revenue structure as a pillar of stability and growth.

For the whole industry of land-based casinos, this merger reinforces vitality, which is important, especially since the iGaming industry is steadily gaining more popularity each day. Even though players will most likely explore innovations inside the world of iGaming, physical casino floors are keeping up by evolving thanks to deals like the IGT-Everi merger. Right now, it’s hard to say anything about the futures of both industries, since new legislation is actively being discussed.