Amaya Inc releases statement regarding today's media reports

Amaya Inc. confirms that it is aware of today's media report regarding David Baazov's proposal that he publicly reported on 14 November 2016. Amaya, with the assistance of its advisors, continues to carefully assess Mr. Baazov's proposal, including the information contained in the media report, but has no further comment at this time. Amaya intends to provide updates if and when necessary in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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Amaya granted renewal of approval to operate PokerStars and Full Tilt in New Jersey

Amaya Inc. announced Friday that the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has renewed its approval to operate the PokerStars and Full Tilt brands in the New Jersey regulated real money online gaming market.

Amaya initially received its approval to operate PokerStars and Full Tilt in New Jersey on Sept. 30, 2015, and PokerStars New Jersey, the locally operated site of the world's most popular online poker brand, went live in the state on March 21, 2016.

Amaya currently estimates that since its launch, PokerStars New Jersey has contributed to the growth of the New Jersey real money online poker market and has quickly become the market leader in online poker, with players responding positively to the quality of the software, selection of games, and the integrity and security of the platform. The site has also seen promising engagement with its casino offering.

"While it's very early, we're extremely pleased with the initial launch of PokerStars in New Jersey and the positive working relationship that Amaya has with the DGE," said Amaya Interim CEO Rafi Ashkenazi. "I'm very proud of our employees, including those we have hired in New Jersey, who have worked diligently to prepare for the launch of a robust, stable platform backed by great customer service. We hope to continue our early positive momentum in the market as PokerStars NJ continues to roll out additional marketing and promotions."

Like the initial approval granted on Sept. 30, 2015, the renewal is for an additional term of six months, subject to further renewals.

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Amaya CEO David Baazov charged with insider trading

Amaya Inc. today provided an update regarding the previously reported investigation by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), the securities regulatory authority in the Province of Quebec. The AMF has charged Amaya's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Baazov, for aiding with trades while in possession of privileged information, influencing or attempting to influence the market price of Amaya securities and communicating privileged information but has made no allegation of wrongdoing by Amaya or any of its subsidiaries or other directors or officers. The charges related to communicating privileged information involve allegations relating to a former financial advisor to Amaya, and the charges relating to influencing or attempting to influence the market price of Amaya securities involve allegations relating to that same advisor and an employee. Mr. Baazov denies the allegations against him, and Amaya believes they are without merit and expects Mr. Baazov will be fully exonerated. Amaya does not anticipate the charges will have any impact on the management or day-to-day affairs of the operating business. Operations continue as usual and there will be no change to the PokerStars or Full Tilt product offerings, either in customer experience, player fund security or game integrity. Amaya will continue to communicate with its regulators and does not currently anticipate any material negative impact on its current or potential licenses, approvals or partnerships as a result of the allegations against Mr. Baazov. "David Baazov has the full support of the independent members of the board," said Dave Gadhia, Amaya's Lead Director and independent board member, and the former Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Inc. "As noted previously, Amaya conducted an external internal review, supervised by its independent board members with the assistance of external legal counsel from Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Canada and Greenberg Traurig LLP in the U.S., which thoroughly reviewed the relevant internal activities surrounding the Oldford Group acquisition. This review found no evidence of any violations of Canadian securities laws or regulations. The independent members of the board received and reviewed the information and concluded that no action should be taken. We have not been provided with any new information upon which the AMF's allegations of infractions are based." Amaya continues to cooperate with the AMF and has done so since the AMF first began its investigation in 2014, which is consistent with company practice. Amaya previously provided the AMF with a large amount of publicly accessible information related to in the time period leading up to the transaction, specifically the period the AMF is investigating.

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Amaya granted U.K. license for PokerStars, Full Tilt, B2B business

Amaya Inc. announced today that it has received licenses from the UK Gambling Commission for PokerStars.com and Full Tilt to operate online poker and other gaming within the United Kingdom. Since late 2014, the brands had been operating under temporary continuation licenses. Previously, they were white-listed under their Isle of Man gaming licenses. Amaya’s B2B online casino business has also received licenses to continue supplying UK-facing online gaming operators with online gaming content and technology.

“We are very pleased to receive operating licenses in the UK, which is a large and growing market for us,” said Eric Hollreiser, Head of Corporate Communications for Amaya and PokerStars. “We continue to build upon PokerStars’ leadership in poker in the UK and intend to leverage our scale and expertise to become market leaders in casino and sports betting".

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Amaya buys PokerStars and Full Tilt for $4.9 billion

Amaya Gaming Group Inc. (TSX: AYA) (“Amaya” or the “Corporation”) and privately held Oldford Group Limited (“Oldford Group”), the parent company of Rational Group Ltd. (“Rational Group”), the world’s largest poker business and owner and operator of the PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker brands, announced today they have entered into a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) for the Corporation to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Oldford Group in an all-cash transaction for an aggregate purchase price of $4.9 billion (the “Purchase Price”), including certain deferred payments and subject to certain other customary adjustments (the “Transaction”). All $ figures are in US dollars unless noted otherwise.

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