CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-JKO makes takeover approach to Playtech

(Corrects story throughout to show Playtech received a takeover
approach from JKO and earlier from Gopher, not takeover bids or
offers)

Nov 18 (Reuters) - British online gambling software
developer Playtech Plc said it had been approached for
a potential takeover by JKO Play Ltd, following buyout interest
from Aristocrat Leisure and Gopher Investments.

The news was first reported by Sky News that said https://bit.ly/3DzmjEw
JKO co-owner Eddie Jordan was part of a consortium plotting a
more than 3 billion pound ($4.05 billion) bid for Playtech.

Last month, Australia's Aristocrat Leisure said it
would buy Playtech in a 2.1 billion pound deal, which was
followed by a takeover approach from Hong Kong-based Gopher
Investments, Playtech's second-biggest shareholder.

In response to JKO's preliminary approach, Aristocrat said
in a statement on Thursday that it continued to work together
with Playtech to complete the proposed acquisition, adding, the
regulatory approval process was on track.

JKO, controlled by former F1 boss Jordan and Keith
O'Loughlin, a former executive at U.S. slot machine maker
Scientific Games, is seeking access to due diligence
information in order to explore the terms of a potential
takeover offer, Playtech said.

The company said it put out the statement on Wednesday in
response to media speculation of the possible takeover offer and
without JKO's prior consent. Discussions with JKO were at an
early stage and there was no certainty that they would result in
an offer, it added.

JKO had indicated to Playtech it was in discussions with New
York-based Centerbridge Partners L.P. to provide institutional
debt and structured capital funding, Playtech said.

JKO could not immediately be contacted for a comment, while
Centerbridge did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
($1 = 0.7416 pounds)
(Reporting by Juby Babu and Nishit Jogi in Bengaluru; Editing
by Ana Nicolaci da Costa, Rashmi Aich and Emelia
Sithole-Matarise)

Playtech