RENO AND LAS VEGAS, NEV. — Eldorado Resorts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERI) and Caesars Entertainment Corp. (NASDAQ: CZR) have agreed to merge operations in a cash and stock deal valued at $17.3 billion. Eldorado plans to purchase the assets and operations of Caesars, creating the world’s largest gaming company. If approved and executed, the combined company would operate under the Caesars name and continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The combined company would own and operate approximately 60 casino-resorts and gaming facilities across 16 states. The combined company will also oversee the completion of the $1.2 billion room remodeling program of Caesars’ Las Vegas Strip assets. Eldorado will acquire all the outstanding shares of Caesars using $7.2 billion in cash, approximately 77 million Eldorado common shares and the assumption of Caesars outstanding net debt, excluding face value of the existing convertible note (i.e. short-term debt that converts to equity). Eldorado and Caesars shareholders will hold approximately 51 percent and 49 percent of the combined company’s outstanding shares, respectively. The combined company’s board of directors will consist of 11 members, six from Eldorado’s board of directors and five from Caesars’ board of directors. The board of directors for both …
