Aristocrat Leisure, the Australian gaming giant, is reportedly exploring the possibility of selling off its social gaming subsidiaries Plarium and Big Fish.
Plarium, a developer of mobile and browser-based games, was acquired by Aristocrat in 2017 for $500 million. The company is known for creating popular titles such as Vikings: War of Clans and Raid: Shadow Legends. Big Fish, on the other hand, was purchased by Aristocrat in 2018 for $990 million. Big Fish is a prominent distributor of casual games, offering a range of titles across various platforms.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Aristocrat is looking to offload Plarium and Big Fish in order to focus on its core business of land-based and online gambling. The potential sale of these social gaming subsidiaries could fetch a substantial amount for Aristocrat, as both companies have seen impressive growth in recent years.
In a statement, Aristocrat confirmed that it is exploring strategic options for Plarium and Big Fish, including the possibility of a sale. The company emphasized that it remains committed to delivering value for its shareholders and optimizing its portfolio of businesses.
Industry analysts speculate that potential buyers for Plarium and Big Fish could include other gaming companies looking to expand their reach in the social gaming market. Companies such as Zynga, King, and Glu Mobile are considered potential suitors for the two subsidiaries.
The news of Aristocrat’s potential sale of Plarium and Big Fish comes amid a surge in interest in the gaming sector, driven by the increasing popularity of mobile gaming. With the global gaming market expected to reach $200 billion by 2023, companies are looking to capitalize on this trend by acquiring and expanding their gaming portfolios.
Aristocrat’s decision to potentially sell off Plarium and Big Fish reflects the company’s strategic focus on its core business operations. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this potential sale will impact Aristocrat’s future growth and expansion.
