Aristocrat Leisure Buys Video Gaming Technologies for $1.3 Billion

Australian video game machine supplier Aristocrat Leisure said it will buy Video Gaming Technologies for about $1.3 billion. The move stands to boost Aristocrat's presence in the United States, with its portfolio of slot and bingo machines in North America jumping to 28,400 from about 8,200. VGT says it is a leading provider of Class II gaming machines for the leased tribal gaming market in North America, with more than 20,000 machines in 145 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. It says since entering the Native American gaming market in 2001, it's doubled its size seven times. The deal is subject to regulatory approval and expected to be completed before the end of March.