UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
CASINO DATA SYSTEMS
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement,
if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/ / No fee required.
/X/ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
Common Stock
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
20,282,921
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how
it was determined):
The filing fee was determined based upon the product of
(a) the 20,282,921 shares of common stock outstanding on a
fully diluted basis (assuming exercise of all outstanding
options), and (b) the merger consideration of $9.25. The
payment of the filing fee, calculated in accordance with
Regulation 240.0-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, equals one-fiftieth of one percent of the
total consideration.
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
$187,617,019.25
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(5) Total fee paid:
$37,523.40
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/X/ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which
the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule
and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
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CASINO DATA SYSTEMS
3300 BIRTCHER DRIVE
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89118
MERGER PROPOSED--YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
Dear CDS Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of
Casino Data Systems, to be held at the Alexis Park Resort at 375 East Harmon,
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, on May 18, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
At the annual meeting you will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal
to approve an agreement and plan of merger under which a wholly owned indirect
subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Limited will merge with and into CDS. If the
merger is completed, for each share of CDS common stock you own you will receive
$9.25 in cash. Following the merger, CDS will be a wholly owned indirect
subsidiary of Aristocrat.
At the annual meeting, you will also be asked to consider and vote on the
election of three directors to serve on the CDS board of directors for a
two-year term, and to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as CDS's
independent auditors. Once the agreement and plan of merger is approved,
however, the CDS board of directors will be replaced by directors appointed by
Aristocrat.
AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND EXTENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS, THE CDS BOARD OF
DIRECTORS HAS APPROVED THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND HAS DETERMINED THAT
THE MERGER AND MERGER AGREEMENT ARE FAIR TO, AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF, CDS
STOCKHOLDERS. The CDS board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote
"FOR" the merger proposal. The CDS board of directors also recommends that you
vote "FOR" the election of all nominees for director, and that you vote "FOR"
the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent
auditors.
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own.
Please vote your shares as soon as possible so that your shares are represented
at the annual meeting.
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please take the time
to vote on the proposals submitted by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy
card to us. To vote your shares please complete, sign and date the enclosed
proxy card and promptly return it in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope.
The accompanying proxy statement and notice of annual meeting contain
important information about the merger, the directors to be elected at the
annual meeting and the ratification of the appointment of CDS's auditors. We
encourage you to read this entire document carefully.
Sincerely,
/s/ Steven A. Weiss
Steven A. Weiss
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
THE MERGER HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATORS NOR HAS THE SEC OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES REGULATOR PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THE MERGER OR
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
The proxy statement and form of proxy are dated April 10, 2001 and are first
being mailed to stockholders on or about April 10, 2001.
CASINO DATA SYSTEMS
3300 BIRTCHER DRIVE
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89118
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 18, 2001
To the Stockholders of Casino Data Systems:
Please take notice that the annual meeting of stockholders of Casino Data
Systems will be held, pursuant to due call by the CDS board of directors, at the
Alexis Park Resort located at 375 East Harmon, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, on
May 18, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. local time, or at any adjournment or adjournments
thereof, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal recommended by the CDS board of
directors to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 17,
2001, among CDS, Aristocrat Leisure Limited, an Australian company, and
Cedar Acquisition Corp., a Nevada corporation and an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Aristocrat. A copy of the merger agreement is attached as
Annex A to the accompanying proxy statement. The merger agreement is also
described in the attached proxy statement.
2. To elect three directors to serve terms of two years.
3. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as CDS's
independent auditor.
4. To transact any other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The CDS board of directors has fixed the close of business on April 5, 2001
as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and
to vote at, the annual meeting and any adjournment(s) and postponement(s) of the
annual meeting. A complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting will
be available at and during the annual meeting.
THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, "FOR" THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR,
AND "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
Whether or not you expect to attend the annual meeting in person, please
complete, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card without delay in the
enclosed postage prepaid envelope. This will not limit your right to vote in
person at the annual meeting.
By order of the CDS board of
directors,
/s/ Steven A. Weiss
Steven A. Weiss
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
Las Vegas, Nevada
April 10, 2001
Please vote your shares promptly. Please do not send your CDS common stock
certificates at this time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY TERM SHEET.......................................... 1
THE PARTIES................................................. 8
Casino Data Systems....................................... 8
Aristocrat Leisure Limited................................ 8
Cedar Acquisition Corp.................................... 8
THE MEETING................................................. 8
General................................................... 8
Record Date and Quorum Requirement........................ 9
Required Vote............................................. 9
Adjournment............................................... 10
Voting Agreements......................................... 10
Solicitation, Proxy Solicitor, Revocation and Use of
Proxies................................................... 10
Surrender of Share Certificates........................... 11
Cautionary statements regarding forward-looking
statements................................................ 11
THE MERGER.................................................. 13
Background of the Merger.................................. 13
Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the CDS Board
of Directors.............................................. 15
CDS Board of Directors' Recommendation.................... 16
Opinion of CDS's Financial Advisor........................ 16
Termination of Registration............................... 21
Funding of the Transaction................................ 21
Appraisal Rights.......................................... 21
Federal Income Tax Consequences........................... 22
Litigation................................................ 23
THE MERGER AGREEMENT........................................ 25
Effective Time............................................ 25
Payment for CDS common stock and Options.................. 25
Employees of CDS.......................................... 25
Representations and Warranties............................ 25
Certain Covenants......................................... 26
Conditions to Consummation of Merger...................... 27
No Solicitation of Transactions; Right to Enter Into a
Superior Proposal......................................... 27
Termination............................................... 28
Termination Fee........................................... 28
Regulatory Requirements................................... 29
Antitrust Regulations................................... 29
Gaming Regulations...................................... 29
Expenses of the Transaction............................... 34
Directors and Officers of CDS Following the Merger........ 34
Amendment and Waiver...................................... 35
Voting Agreements......................................... 35
Indemnification........................................... 35
Conduct of CDS Business After the Merger.................. 35
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER.................. 36
Indemnification........................................... 36
Employment or Consulting Agreements with Steven A. Weiss
and Michael D. Rumbolz.................................... 36
Treatment of Options...................................... 36
Fees Payable to the Financial Advisor..................... 36
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS............................ 37
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS....................................... 37
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION...................................... 39
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year......................... 40
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal
Year-end Option Values.................................... 40
Employment Agreements..................................... 40
Consulting Agreement...................................... 41
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation............................................. 41
Director Compensation..................................... 41
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE...................................... 42
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation... 42
Stock Performance Graph................................... 44
AUDIT COMMITTEE............................................. 45
Report of the Audit Committee............................. 45
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF............. 46
PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS................................... 47
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS..... 47
OTHER MATTERS............................................... 48
CDS Board of Directors and Committees..................... 48
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934............................................... 48
Solicitation.............................................. 48
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION......................... 49
ANNEX A AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER........................ A-1
ANNEX B FINANCIAL ADVISOR'S FAIRNESS OPINION................ B-1
ANNEX C AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER............................. C-1
FORM OF PROXY CARD.......................................... 1
SUMMARY TERM SHEET
The following is a summary of the terms of the proposed merger of an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Limited with and into
Casino Data Systems, with CDS surviving as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary
of Aristocrat, and other information relating to the annual meeting.
This summary may not contain all of the information that is important to
you. For a more complete understanding of the merger and the other information
contained in this proxy statement, you should read this entire proxy statement
carefully, as well as the additional documents to which it refers. A copy of the
agreement and plan of merger among CDS, Aristocrat and Cedar Acquisition Corp.,
dated January 17, 2001, is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. For
instructions on obtaining more information, see "Where You Can Find More
Information."
THE PARTIES
CDS (see page 8)....................... CDS is a designer and manufacturer of technology-driven
products for the gaming industry. CDS's primary products
and services include (1) design and manufacture of casino
management information systems, including CDS's historical
core product, the OASIS-II (On-Line Accounting and Slot
Information System) System and its successor, OASIS
Windows (Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft
Corporation); (2) operation of multi-site link progressive
systems which link gaming machines in different casinos to
allow patrons to compete for large, lifestyle-changing
progressive jackpots; (3) design and manufacture of gaming
machines; and (4) design and manufacture of meters, signs
and graphics. CDS provides these products and services
through operation of four segments: OASIS Systems, games,
signs and software.
The principal executive offices of CDS are located at 3300
Birtcher Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 and CDS's
telephone number is (702) 269-5000.
Aristocrat (see page 8)................ Aristocrat is an Australian gaming entertainment company
that develops and markets gaming software and systems and
gaming cabinets. Aristocrat's primary products include (1)
casino-style games, which Aristocrat develops and
manufactures, (2) multi-level progressive jackpot systems,
including Hyperlink, (3) systems to monitor the
performance of networked gaming machines, including the
TAB Central Monitoring System and (4) the conversion and
sale of second-hand games. Aristocrat is a public company
that is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and is
licensed to operate in most gaming jurisdictions in the
United States, Europe, Japan, South America and Australia.
Aristocrat has over 100 gaming licenses and operates in
over 20 countries worldwide.
The principal executive offices of Aristocrat are located
at 71 Longueville Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066 Australia.
Aristocrat's telephone number is 011-61-2-9413-6300.
Cedar (see page 8)..................... Cedar is a Nevada corporation and wholly owned subsidiary
of Aristocrat that was formed for the purpose of effecting
the merger. Cedar has no other operations.
1
THE MEETING
General (see pages 8 to 9)............. This proxy statement is being furnished to holders of
shares of CDS common stock for use at the annual meeting
in connection with the approval of the agreement plan and
plan of merger, the election of three directors and other
business and at any adjournments or postponements of the
annual meeting. The annual meeting will be held at the
Alexis Park Resort, 375 East Harmon, Las Vegas, Nevada
89109 on May 18, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Vote Required to Approve the Agreement
and Plan of Merger (see page 9)...... The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of CDS
common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting must
vote to approve the agreement and plan of merger. IF YOU
DO NOT VOTE YOUR SHARES, THE EFFECT WILL BE A VOTE AGAINST
THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
MERGER.
Vote Required for the Election of
Directors (see pages 9 to 10)........ Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes
cast. Only votes cast for a nominee will be counted,
except that the accompanying proxy will be voted for each
of the nominees named in the proxy in the absence of
instructions to the contrary. Abstentions and instructions
on the accompanying proxy card to withhold authority to
vote for any one of the nominees will result in that
nominee(s) receiving fewer votes.
Vote Required for the Ratification of
the Appointment of Independent
Auditors (see pages 9 to 10)......... The appointment of the independent auditors will be
ratified by the vote for this proposal of a majority of
the shares entitled to vote present in person or by proxy
at the annual meeting.
Record Date and Quorum Requirement (see
page 9).............................. CDS has set April 5, 2001 as the record date for
determining those stockholders who are entitled to notice
of and to vote at the annual meeting.
One third of the shares of CDS common stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual meeting
must be present in person or represented by proxy to
constitute a quorum for transacting business at the annual
meeting.
Revocation of Proxies
(see page 10)........................ You have the unconditional right to revoke your proxy at
any time prior to its use at the annual meeting by:
- attending the annual meeting, submitting a written
revocation of your proxy and voting in person,
- delivering to CDS prior to the vote at the annual
meeting a duly executed proxy with a later date than your
original proxy, or
2
- giving written notice of revocation to CDS addressed to
Corporate Secretary, Casino Data Systems, 3300 Birtcher
Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 prior to the vote at the
annual meeting.
Interests of Directors and Officers
(see pages 36 to 41 and 46 to 47).... Some of the officers and directors of CDS have interests
and arrangements that may be different from, or in
addition to, your interests as CDS stockholders. These
interests include, among other things, provisions in the
merger agreement relating to indemnification and insurance
and the acceleration and payout of options to purchase
shares of CDS common stock. All unvested CDS stock
options, including those held by directors and officers,
will become vested and cancelled in exchange for a cash
payment in the merger. As a result, CDS's seven directors
and executive officers will receive an aggregate cash
payment of $5,234,423, less applicable withholding taxes,
in respect of the 1,007,750 unvested CDS stock options
held by those directors and executive officers.
THE MERGER
The Merger (see pages 13 to 24)........ Aristocrat will acquire CDS through a merger of Cedar with
and into CDS. Following the merger, CDS will be a wholly
owned indirect subsidiary of Aristocrat.
What You Will Receive in the Merger
(see page 25)........................ Upon the closing of the merger, you will be entitled to
receive $9.25 in cash, without interest, for each share of
CDS common stock you hold.
The CDS Board of Directors Recommends
That You Vote For the Agreement and
Plan of Merger (see page 16)......... After careful consideration and extensive negotiations the
CDS board of directors has approved the agreement and plan
of merger and has determined that the merger and merger
agreement are fair to, and in the best interests of, CDS
stockholders. THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE AGREEMENT AND
PLAN OF MERGER.
Reasons for the Merger
(see pages 15 to 16)................. The CDS board of directors considered a number of factors
in reaching its determination to approve the agreement and
plan of merger. The factors are discussed in detail
beginning on page 15, "Reasons for the Merger and
Recommendation of the CDS Board of Directors."
3
Options (see page 25).................. Each option to purchase CDS common stock outstanding
immediately prior to the effective time (whether vested or
unvested) will be canceled and each holder of an option
will receive a cash payment equal to the product of (1)
the difference between $9.25 and the option exercise price
multiplied by (2) the total number of shares subject to
the option, less any applicable withholding taxes.
Opinion of Financial Advisor
(see pages 16 to 21)................. Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc., financial advisor to CDS,
has provided an opinion to the CDS board of directors that
the cash price of $9.25 per share provided in the merger
agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to
holders of CDS common stock as of the date of that
opinion. The full text of Wasserstein Perella's written
opinion, which sets forth the assumptions made, the
matters considered, the scope and limitations of the
review undertaken and the procedures followed by
Wasserstein Perella in rendering such opinion, is attached
to this proxy statement as Annex B. Wasserstein Perella's
opinion was provided for the information and assistance of
the CDS board of directors and is not a recommendation as
to how CDS stockholders should vote at the annual meeting.
We urge you to read Wasserstein Perella's opinion
carefully and in its entirety.
Funding of the Transaction
(see page 21)........................ The merger is not subject to a financing contingency.
Aristocrat will fund the merger through a combination of
existing cash reserves and new capital facilities.
Aristocrat has provided CDS with a copy of an executed
written commitment letter from a bank of international
repute to provide funds sufficient for the payment of the
aggregate merger consideration.
CDS common stock information (see page
20).................................. The closing price of CDS common stock on January 16, 2001,
which was the trading day immediately preceding CDS's
announcement that it had signed the merger agreement, was
$8.125. The average trading price for shares of CDS common
stock for the four weeks preceding CDS's announcement that
it had signed the merger agreement was $6.71. The closing
price of CDS common stock on April 9, 2001, which was the
last trading day for which a closing sales price was
available before this proxy statement was mailed, was
$8.90 per share. As a result of the merger, CDS will
become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Aristocrat
and its shares will cease to trade in any public trading
market.
Appraisal Rights (see page 21)......... Under Nevada law, CDS stockholders will not have appraisal
or dissenters' rights.
4
Who Can Help Answer Other Questions
(see page 10)........................ If you have more questions about the merger or would like
additional copies of this proxy statement, you should
contact: MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(800) 322-2885
(212) 929-5500
Federal Income Tax Consequences (see
pages 22 to 23)...................... The receipt of cash by holders of CDS common stock will be
a taxable transaction. All stockholders are urged to
consult their own tax advisors to determine the effect of
the merger on the stockholder under federal law and under
their own state and local tax laws.
Litigation(see pages 23 to 24)......... On January 23, 2001, Dwayne Alberts, allegedly a
stockholder of CDS, filed a purported class action
complaint against CDS and the CDS board of directors in
the District Court of Clark County in the State of Nevada,
alleging a claim of breach of fiduciary arising out of the
announced transaction between CDS and Aristocrat.
Mr. Alberts is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief,
as well as attorneys' fees and expenses. CDS and the CDS
board of directors have filed a formal answer to the
complaint in which they deny all of Mr. Alberts' charging
allegations. It is the intention of CDS to vigorously
defend against the charges made in the Alberts complaint.
This matter is discussed in detail beginning on page 23
under "Litigation."
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
Conditions to the Merger
(see page 27)........................ The merger will be completed only if a number of
conditions are satisfied or waived by CDS, Cedar and
Aristocrat, as applicable. These conditions include, among
other things:
- The approval by CDS's stockholders of the agreement and
plan of merger;
- The material accuracy of the parties' representations
and warranties contained in the merger agreement and the
performance of all agreements that are required to be
performed by them;
- The absence of any judgment, injunction or order
prohibiting the merger;
- The absence of a material adverse effect on CDS; and
- The receipt of necessary third party, governmental and
regulatory (including gaming) approvals.
5
No Solicitation of Transactions; Rights
to Enter Into a Superior Proposal
(see pages 27 to 28)................. The merger agreement provides that, subject to specified
exceptions, CDS will not solicit or engage in any
discussions or negotiations with, or provide non-public
information to, any third party in connection with a
possible takeover proposal involving CDS.
The non-solicitation provision contained in the merger
agreement permits CDS to participate in discussions and
negotiations with a third party that has made a takeover
proposal to the extent it is required to do so by its
fiduciary obligations, as determined in good faith by a
majority of the members of CDS board of directors
following the advice of outside legal counsel. If any of
these activities results in a takeover proposal that the
CDS board of directors concludes is superior to the merger
based on the advice of its independent financial advisor,
the CDS board of directors may recommend the superior
proposal to CDS's stockholders and withdraw its
recommendation of the merger proposal. In that event, CDS
will have to pay Aristocrat a termination fee and
reimbursement for expenses, and the agreement and plan of
merger, with limited exceptions, will be terminated and be
of no further force and effect.
Termination (see page 28).............. The merger agreement can be terminated at any time prior
to the effective time:
- by mutual consent of the board of directors of CDS and
Aristocrat;
- by either CDS or Aristocrat, in the event that the
approval of the agreement and plan of merger fails to
receive the requisite stockholder approval;
- subject to the right to cure, by either party if the
other party has materially breached its representations,
warranties and covenants;
- by Aristocrat if CDS's board of directors withdraws,
modifies or amends adversely its recommendation that
stockholders approve the agreement and plan of merger;
- by CDS upon written notice to Aristocrat at any time
prior to the annual meeting if CDS has entered into a
definitive agreement in connection with a superior
proposal and pays to Aristocrat the termination fee and
reimbursement expenses; or
- by either CDS or Aristocrat if the merger has not been
completed by July 31, 2001, which date may be extended
by either party, subject to limitations, to
November 30, 2001, to the extent the merger has not been
consummated because the requisite governmental approvals
have not been obtained.
6
Termination Fee (see pages 28
to 29)............................... Under the merger agreement, CDS must pay Aristocrat a
termination fee of $6.25 million (plus up to $1.75 million
in expenses), if the merger agreement is terminated for
any of the following reasons:
- CDS terminates the merger agreement prior to obtaining
stockholder approval because the CDS board of directors
determines to enter into a definitive agreement with
respect to a written superior proposal;
- Aristocrat terminates the merger agreement because the
CDS board of directors (1) withdraws or modifies or amends
adversely its recommendation of the merger following
receipt of a takeover proposal, or (2) recommends a
takeover proposal to the stockholders, or (3) determines
to accept a superior proposal; or
- Aristocrat terminates the merger agreement because CDS
has materially breached the no-solicitation provisions of
the merger agreement.
In addition, if the merger agreement is terminated under
other specified circumstances described more fully in the
merger agreement, CDS must pay Aristocrat's expenses, and,
if CDS within 9 months after the termination enters into
an agreement with another party with respect to a takeover
proposal, then CDS must pay the termination fee and any
other expenses not previously paid.
Gaming and other Regulatory and
Third-Party Approvals (see pages 29
to 34)............................... Approval of various gaming authorities is required in
order to consummate the merger, as well as approvals of
various third parties.
7
THE PARTIES
CASINO DATA SYSTEMS
CDS is a designer and manufacturer of technology-driven products for the
gaming industry. CDS's primary products and services include the (1) design and
manufacture of casino management information systems, including CDS's historical
core product, the OASIS-II (On-Line Accounting and Slot Information System)
System and its successor, OASIS Windows (Windows is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation); (2) operation of multi-site link progressive systems
which link gaming machines in different casinos to allow patrons to compete for
large, lifestyle-changing progressive jackpots; (3) design and manufacture of
gaming machines; and (4) design and manufacture of meters, signs and graphics.
CDS provides these products and services through operation of four segments:
OASIS Systems, games, signs and software.
ARISTOCRAT LEISURE LIMITED
Aristocrat is an Australian gaming entertainment company that develops and
markets gaming software and systems and gaming cabinets. Aristocrat's primary
products include (1) casino-style games, which Aristocrat develops and
manufactures, (2) multi-level progressive jackpot systems, including Hyperlink,
(3) systems to monitor the performance of networked gaming machines, including
the TAB Central Monitoring System and (4) the conversion and sale of second-hand
games. Aristocrat is a public company that is listed on the Australian Stock
Exchange and is licensed to operate in most gaming jurisdictions in the United
States, Europe, Japan, South America and Australia. Aristocrat has over 100
gaming licenses and operates in over 20 countries worldwide.
CEDAR ACQUISITION CORP.
Cedar is a Nevada corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
Aristocrat that was formed for the purpose of effecting the merger. Cedar has no
other operations.
THE MEETING
GENERAL
This proxy statement is being furnished to you in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the CDS board of directors of CDS for use at the
annual meeting to be held at the Alexis Park Resort, 375 East Harmon, Las Vegas,
Nevada 89109 on May 18, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. local time, and any adjournments and
postponements of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, holders of CDS
common stock of record as of the close of business on the record date will be
eligible to vote upon the recommendation of the CDS board of directors:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal recommended by the CDS board of
directors to approve the agreement and plan of merger among CDS, Aristocrat and
Cedar, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Aristocrat. A copy of the merger
agreement is attached as Annex A to the accompanying proxy statement. The merger
agreement is also described in this proxy statement.
2. To elect three directors to serve terms of two years.
3. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as CDS's independent
auditors.
4. To transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
Under Nevada law, a plan of merger involving a Nevada corporation must
initially be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of
directors of the corporation prior to submission of the plan of merger to the
corporation's stockholders. In accordance with Nevada law, the CDS board of
directors has unanimously approved the agreement and plan of merger and has
directed that it be submitted to the stockholders for their approval.
THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, "FOR" THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR,
AND "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS CDS'S
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
8
A proxy for the meeting is enclosed with this notice. You are requested to
fill in and sign the proxy, which is solicited by the CDS board of directors,
and mail it promptly in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. Return of an
executed proxy with no instructions indicated on this proxy will result in the
shares represented by the proxy being voted "FOR" approval of the agreement and
plan of merger, "FOR" the election of all nominees for director, and "FOR" the
ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as CDS's independent
auditors. Failure to return a properly executed proxy card or to vote at the
meeting will have the effect of a vote "against" approval of the agreement and
plan of merger.
RECORD DATE AND QUORUM REQUIREMENT
The CDS board of directors has fixed the close of business on April 5, 2001
as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice
of, and to vote, at the annual meeting and any adjournments and postponements of
the annual meeting. On the record date, there were 18,573,121 shares of CDS
common stock outstanding, which shares were held by approximately 255
stockholders of record. As of the record date, CDS directors and officers and
their affiliates owned 2,036,592 shares of CDS common stock, entitling them to
cast approximately 10.96% of the votes entitled to be cast at the annual meeting
(does not include 788,249 shares as to which Mr. Weiss disclaims beneficial
ownership. See page 46, footnote 3). Shares of CDS common stock are the only
authorized and outstanding voting securities of CDS.
One third of the shares of CDS common stock issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote must be present in person or represented by proxy to constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. If a quorum is
not present, the annual meeting may be adjourned from time to time until a
quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the annual meeting for the
transaction of business.
REQUIRED VOTE
Each holder of CDS common stock as of the record date is entitled to cast
one vote per share, exercisable in person or by properly executed proxy, upon
each matter properly submitted for the vote of the stockholders at the annual
meeting. Votes at the annual meeting will be tabulated by an Inspector of
Election appointed by CDS. The election of directors requires a vote of a
plurality of the votes cast at the election. Approval of the agreement and plan
of merger requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of CDS common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP requires a vote of the
majority of shares entitled to vote present at the meeting or represented by
proxy. An abstention from voting, or a broker non-vote, will be counted for
purposes of determining a quorum. A failure to vote, an abstention from voting,
or a broker non-vote will not be counted and will have no legal effect with
respect to the election of directors except (in the case of abstentions and
broker non-votes) to the extent used to determine the presence of a quorum. A
failure to vote will not be counted and will have no legal effect with respect
to the ratification of CDS's independent auditors, but an abstention from voting
or a broker non-vote will have the same legal effect as a vote cast against the
ratification of CDS's independent auditors. A failure to vote, an abstention
from voting, or a broker non-vote will have the same legal effect as a vote cast
against approval of the agreement and plan of merger. Executed but unmarked
proxies will be voted "FOR" approval of the agreement and plan of merger, "FOR"
the election of each of Mr. Weiss, Mr. Gardner and Mr. Harvey to the CDS board
of directors, and "FOR" the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as CDS's independent auditors. Brokers, and in many cases nominees, will not
have discretionary power to vote on the proposals to be presented at the annual
meeting. Accordingly, beneficial owners of shares must instruct their brokers or
nominees how to vote their shares with respect to the merger proposal,
ratification of the appointment of the independent auditors, and election of
directors at the annual meeting.
9
Stockholders are urged to read and carefully consider the information presented
in this proxy statement and to complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy
card and return it promptly to CDS in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope.
ADJOURNMENT
Although it is not expected, the annual meeting may be adjourned for the
purpose of soliciting additional proxies to a date not later than 60 days after
the date of the annual meeting without fixing a new record date. As long as the
meeting is adjourned for no longer than 30 days, such adjournment may be made
without notice, other than by an announcement made at the annual meeting, by
approval of the holders of a majority of the shares of CDS common stock present
in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting, whether or not a quorum
exists. Any adjournment of the annual meeting for the purpose of soliciting
additional proxies will allow CDS stockholders who have already sent in their
proxies to revoke them at any time prior to their use.
VOTING AGREEMENTS
Steven A. Weiss and Michael D. Rumbolz have entered into voting agreements
with Aristocrat, dated as of January 17, 2001, whereby each has agreed to vote
certain of their respective shares of CDS common stock in favor of approval of
the agreement and plan of merger. These shares represented approximately 9.5% of
the total number of shares of CDS common stock at the time the merger agreement
was entered into.
Under the terms of the voting agreements, each of Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz
agreed to vote the shares covered by the voting agreement in favor of approval
of the agreement and plan of merger and against any proposal for any
recapitalization, other merger, sale of assets or other business combination
between CDS and any person or entity other than Aristocrat or Cedar. The voting
agreements are only binding on each of Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz in their
capacity as stockholders of CDS and not with respect to voting as directors of
CDS. The voting agreements terminate at the time of the termination of the
merger agreement.
SOLICITATION, PROXY SOLICITOR, REVOCATION AND USE OF PROXIES
CDS will bear all expenses of the solicitation of proxies in connection with
this proxy statement, including the cost of preparing and mailing this proxy
statement. CDS will reimburse brokers, fiduciaries, custodians and other
nominees for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in sending this proxy
statement and other proxy materials to, and obtaining instructions relating to
such materials from, beneficial owners of CDS common stock. CDS stockholder
proxies may be solicited by directors, officers and employees of CDS in person
or by telephone, facsimile or by other means of communication.
CDS has hired MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in soliciting proxies in
connection with the annual meeting. MacKenzie will receive a fee of
approximately $10,000 plus reimbursement of expenses in connection with their
engagement to solicit proxies for the annual meeting.
A stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before
it is exercised by (1) filing with the Secretary of CDS written notice revoking
it before the annual meeting; (2) executing a proxy with a later date; or
(3) attending the annual meeting, then filing with the secretary of CDS written
notice revoking it, and voting in person. Any written notice of revocation
should be delivered to Casino Data Systems, 3300 Birtcher Drive, Las Vegas,
Nevada 89118, Attention: Secretary. Subject to proper revocation, all shares of
CDS common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting and represented at the
annual meeting by properly executed proxies received by CDS will be voted in
accordance with the instructions contained in such proxies.
10
SURRENDER OF SHARE CERTIFICATES
Wells Fargo Shareowner Services has been designated to act as paying agent
for the benefit of holders of shares of CDS common stock in connection with the
merger. Aristocrat will deposit with Wells Fargo amounts sufficient in the
aggregate to provide all funds necessary for Wells Fargo to make payments to CDS
stockholders, and also to option holders as described below.
Promptly after the date on which the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement are consummated, Wells Fargo will send to each holder of shares of CDS
common stock a letter of transmittal and instructions for use in effecting the
surrender of stock certificates. The letter of transmittal will specify that the
delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and title will pass, only upon
delivery of the stock certificates representing shares of CDS common stock to
Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo will receive a fee of approximately $26,900 as
compensation for its services, plus reimbursement of its out-of-pocket expenses
in connection with such services. CDS has agreed to indemnify Wells Fargo
against certain liabilities arising out of or in connection with its engagement.
Each holder of a share of CDS common stock that has been converted into the
right to receive the cash payment of $9.25 per share, upon surrender to Wells
Fargo of a stock certificate or certificates representing such shares, together
with a properly completed letter of transmittal covering such shares, shall
receive the cash payment. Until surrendered in this manner, each such stock
certificate will, after the effective time, represent for all purposes only the
right to receive this cash payment. No interest will be paid or will accrue on
the cash payment.
If any portion of the cash payment is to be paid to a person other than the
registered holder of the stock certificate surrendered in exchange therefor, the
stock certificate being surrendered must be properly endorsed or otherwise be in
proper form for transfer. In addition, the person requesting such payment must
pay to Wells Fargo any transfer or other taxes required as a result of such
payment, or establish that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.
Beginning 180 days after the closing date, holders of CDS common stock who have
not surrendered their stock certificates will be entitled to look to Aristocrat
only as general creditors for payment of their claim for cash.
At and after the closing date, there will be no further registration of
transfers of CDS common stock on the records of CDS or its transfer agent. From
and after the closing date, the holders of CDS common stock will cease to have
any rights with respect to such shares except as provided in the merger
agreement or applicable law.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements contained in this proxy statement or in documents
incorporated by reference herein with respect to CDS that are not historical
facts are "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements include, but
are not limited to, statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates,"
"intends," "expects," "projects," "may," "estimates," "seek" or "continue" and
words of similar import. These forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results,
performance or achievements of CDS or industry to be materially different from
any future results, performance or achievements contemplated, projected,
forecasted, estimated or budgeted in, or expressed or implied by, projections
and forward-looking statements.
The factors identified in this cautionary statement are important factors
(but not necessarily all the important factors) that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made
by, or on behalf of, CDS. Where any such forward-looking statement includes a
statement of the assumptions or bases underlying such forward-looking statement,
CDS cautions that, while it believes such assumptions or bases to be reasonable
and makes them in good faith, assumed facts or bases almost always vary from
actual results, and the differences between
11
assumed facts or bases and actual results can be material, depending on the
circumstances. Where, in any forward-looking statement, CDS, or its management,
expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or
belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but
there can be no assurance that the statement of expectation or belief will
result, or be achieved or accomplished. Taking into account the foregoing, the
following are identified as important risk factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statement made by, or on behalf of, CDS:
- A decline in demand for, or appeal of, CDS's products, or a decline in the
rate of growth of new and existing markets for CDS's products.
- The inability of CDS to develop new competitive products in a timely
fashion.
- An increase in popularity of competitor's products.
- The entry into the market by new competitors and competition with more
well established manufacturers and distributors.
- The loss or retirement of our key executives.
- Approval of competitor's patent applications resulting in an inability to
use intellectual property upon which CDS relies to manufacture and sell
its products or denial of approval of CDS's patent applications.
- Unfavorable public referendums or anti-gaming legislation.
- Unfavorable legislation affecting or directed at manufacturers or
operators of gaming products and systems.
- The effect of regulatory and governmental actions including, without
limitations, delays in regulatory approval for CDS's products, or the
limitation, conditioning, suspension or revocation of any of CDS's
licenses or approvals.
- Unfavorable determination of suitability by gaming regulatory authorities
with respect to our officers, directors, key employees or business
partners.
- With respect to legal actions pending against CDS, the discovery of facts
not presently known to CDS or determination by judges, juries or other
finders of fact which do not accord with CDS's evaluation of the possible
liability or outcome of existing litigation.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking
statements. CDS assumes no obligation to update any such factors or make any
revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or projections contained
herein to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other
factors affecting such forward-looking statements or projections other than as
required by law.
12
THE MERGER
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
In June 2000, executives of another company in the gaming industry (which we
refer to as "Company B") contacted Steven A. Weiss, Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of CDS, in order to arrange a meeting with Mr. Weiss.
Later in June, Mr. Weiss and Michael D. Rumbolz, a director and Vice Chairman of
CDS, met with executives of Company B in Las Vegas, Nevada and were informed
that Company B had an interest in exploring the possibility of acquiring CDS. On
June 27, 2000, Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz engaged in subsequent discussions with
the Chairman of Company B. These discussions were followed by additional
telephone conversations over the next few weeks between executives of both
companies to discuss the terms of a possible acquisition of CDS by Company B. On
July 5, 2000, the parties entered into a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Shortly
afterward, however, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Company B
advised Mr. Weiss by telephone that Company B did not believe the parties could
reach agreement on price or any other terms at that time.
In late September/early October 2000, Desmond Randall, Managing Director and
Chief Executive Officer of Aristocrat, contacted Mr. Weiss in order to arrange a
meeting during an upcoming gaming convention in Las Vegas to discuss a possible
acquisition of CDS by Aristocrat. On October 18, 2000, Mr. Randall, Gavin
Isaacs, General Manager, Corporate Services and Marketing of Aristocrat, Gareth
Phillips, Technologies General Manager of Aristocrat, among others, met with
Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz at CDS's offices to discuss the possible acquisition
of CDS by Aristocrat. On October 19, 2000, representatives of CDS, including
Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz, again met with Messrs. Randall, Isaacs, Phillips and
others at the gaming show, and offered them a demonstration of various CDS
products.
On October 20, 2000, Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz met with representatives of
another gaming company (which we refer to as "Company C") in Las Vegas.
Subsequently, on November 2, 2000, Mr. Weiss met with an executive of Company C
to begin preliminary discussions concerning a possible business transaction. On
November 9, 2000, Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz met with executives of Company C and
discussed a variety of possible transactions, including a strategic alliance,
merger or acquisition of CDS by Company C. CDS and Company C entered into a
Non-Disclosure Agreement on November 28, 2000. Following the execution of the
Non-Disclosure Agreement, Ronald Rowan, Chief Financial Officer of CDS, and the
Chief Financial Officer of Company C met in order to create several financial
models to evaluate the projected financial results of the combined entity. On
December 5, 2000, Messrs. Weiss, Rumbolz and Rowan met with representatives of
Company C to discuss a possible merger, but Company B did not make any formal
proposals.
On December 11, 2000, an executive of Company B met with Mr. Weiss to
inquire whether further discussions would be productive. Mr. Weiss indicated a
willingness to maintain contact with Company B, but both Mr. Weiss and the
executive from Company B again determined that it did not appear agreement could
be reached on price and other terms at that time.
On December 12, 2000, Messrs. Weiss, Rumbolz and Rowan met with various
executives of Aristocrat, including Messrs. Randall, Isaacs, Phillips and Lionel
Jeyaraj, Chief Financial Officer of Aristocrat. The Aristocrat executives were
given a tour of CDS's facilities, and afterward expressed a strong interest in
continuing discussions relating to the possible acquisition of CDS.
On December 19, 2000 Messrs. Weiss, Rumbolz and Rowan had further
discussions with executives of Company C. Mr. Weiss generally discussed a
possible purchase price and other terms, but no agreements were reached.
On December 21, 2000, Mr. Weiss was contacted by representatives of CIBC
World Markets Corp., Aristocrat's financial advisor, who relayed, on behalf of
Aristocrat, Aristocrat's proposed
13
purchase price and request for an "exclusivity period" in which to negotiate
with CDS. Mr. Weiss did not agree to either suggestion, but expressed a
willingness to continue to discuss these matters. CDS and Aristocrat entered
into a Non-Disclosure Agreement on December 22, 2000. On December 26, 2000,
Aristocrat again requested (but was not granted) an exclusivity period before
proceeding with its due diligence examination of CDS.
On December 26, 2000, an executive of Company B called Mr. Weiss to indicate
that Company B was still interested in exploring the possibility of acquiring
CDS, and that Company B intended to retain a financial advisor to review a
possible acquisition.
At a December 27, 2000 meeting of the CDS board of directors, the directors
were informed of the details of management's discussions with Aristocrat and
others. The CDS board of directors discussed various business opportunities and
strategic alternatives in addition to the pending discussions. The CDS board of
directors met again on December 28, 2000 and was given a further update on the
status of discussions regarding the possible sale of CDS. The CDS board of
directors instructed Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz to contact the most likely
bidders and solicit proposals. Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz were requested to have
any proposals available by the following Tuesday, January 2, 2001.
On December 29, 2000, CDS verbally retained Wasserstein Perella as its
financial advisor in connection with the possible sale of CDS. The engagement
was subsequently confirmed in writing on January 5, 2001. Also during the first
week of January 2001, CDS retained Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP as counsel to CDS
in connection with any possible negotiations relating to a sale of CDS.
On January 2, 2001, the CDS board of directors voted to formally retain both
Wasserstein Perella and Gibson Dunn in connection with the potential sale to
Aristocrat and extensively reviewed in detail the status of the various ongoing
discussions with Aristocrat, Company B and Company C. Since Aristocrat was the
only potential acquiror that had submitted a firm proposal, and since it did not
appear that either Company B or Company C were at that time in a position to
make firm proposals superior to the Aristocrat proposal, Aristocrat was invited
to commence its due diligence investigation of CDS on January 8, 2001. However,
this invitation was subject to Aristocrat's verbal agreement to a more limited
period of exclusivity than it had originally requested. Aristocrat also verbally
agreed to permit CDS to contact other potential acquirors during Aristocrat's
period of exclusivity for the purpose of scheduling due diligence examinations
to follow the expiration of such period.
On January 7, 2001, Gibson Dunn delivered a draft merger agreement on CDS's
behalf to Aristocrat and Aristocrat's legal counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP. The parties commenced negotiating the terms of the proposed
merger agreement on the morning of January 11, 2001 and continued until late in
the evening on January 16, 2001. During the course of these negotiations,
Aristocrat requested that the closing of any possible transaction would be
contingent on Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz signing new employment agreements to
take effect after the closing. After CDS's objection, Aristocrat agreed to
withdraw its request if Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz would verbally agree in good
faith to consider the possibility of entering into new employment or consulting
agreements prior to closing. During these negotiations, the parties also
discussed draft disclosure schedules which had been prepared by CDS and Gibson
Dunn.
On January 15, 2001, the CDS board of directors met to receive a report from
CDS management and from CDS's legal and financial advisors on the status of
negotiations. The period of Aristocrat's exclusive negotiations, which had been
agreed to verbally, was due to expire at the end of that day. Aristocrat
requested to extend the exclusivity period but CDS refused to do so. However,
both Aristocrat and CDS agreed to continue negotiations, although now on a
non-exclusive basis. Wasserstein Perella had previously contacted
representatives of Company B and invited them to visit CDS's corporate offices
starting on January 16, 2001 to conduct a due diligence investigation.
Representatives of Company B arrived in Las Vegas in the morning of January 16,
2001, at which time
14
Gibson Dunn also delivered a draft merger agreement to representatives of
Company B. Company B did not make an acquisition proposal at that time.
On January 17, 2001, each of Aristocrat and CDS held a meeting of their
respective boards of directors to review the terms of the merger with their
management teams and respective legal and financial advisors, and to vote upon
the merger agreement. Late in the afternoon of January 17, 2001, each of the
respective boards of directors approved the merger agreement, and the parties
executed the merger agreement and immediately issued a press release announcing
the terms of the transaction.
Representatives of Company B were informed that an agreement had been signed
between CDS and Aristocrat. Representatives of Company B were directed to cease
their due diligence examination at that time.
REASONS FOR THE MERGER AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
At a CDS board of directors meeting on January 17, 2001, the CDS board of
directors determined that the merger is fair to and in the best interests of CDS
and its stockholders and, by the unanimous vote of all the directors, approved
the agreement and plan of merger and the transaction contemplated thereby.
ACCORDINGLY, THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT CDS STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
"FOR" APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER. In reaching its decision to
approve the agreement and plan of merger, the CDS board of directors considered
a number of factors, including the following:
1. The merger will permit stockholders to realize current consideration
greater than recent market prices for CDS stock.
2. CDS, with the assistance of its financial advisor and management,
considered strategic alternatives, including seeking offers of greater value.
CDS had discussions with other potential strategic buyers.
3. The financial presentation of Wasserstein Perella (including the
assumptions and methodologies underlying its analyses and presentations of the
stand-alone value of CDS) made to the CDS board of directors and the opinion of
Wasserstein Perella to the effect that, as of January 17, 2001, the cash payment
of $9.25 per share was fair to CDS's stockholders from a financial point of view
as described under "The Merger--Opinion of CDS's Financial Advisor."
4. The premium which the cash payment represents over the historical and
recent market prices for shares of CDS common stock, as described under "The
Merger--Opinion of CDS's Financial Advisor."
5. The CDS board of directors examined current financial market conditions
and historical market prices, volatility and trading information with respect to
shares of CDS common stock. In particular, the CDS board of directors noted the
recent fluctuations in CDS's stock price, from lows such as $3.375 as recently
as April 17, 2000, to a high of $8.125 on January 16, 2001.
6. The CDS board of directors compared the consideration to be paid in the
merger with the consideration paid in various comparable merger transactions.
The details of this comparison are set forth below under "The Merger--Opinion of
CDS's Financial Advisor."
7. The combined company, as compared to CDS on its own, will have greater
financial resources and provide increased opportunities to expand CDS's products
and market and to withstand competition from existing and potential domestic and
international competitors in the same market that have substantially greater
financial and operational resources than CDS currently has.
8. The CDS board of directors considered the merger's impact on CDS's
customers and employees. Generally, the CDS board of directors viewed the impact
on employees as positive, in that they would become part of a geographically
diversified industry leader and participate in a successful
15
company that has substantially greater resources than CDS. The CDS board of
directors also generally viewed the impact on CDS's customers as positive, in
that they also would benefit from having a much larger participant in the
industry standing behind CDS's products.
9. The CDS board of directors considered the absence of a financing
condition to Aristocrat's proposal and Aristocrat's ability to obtain regulatory
approvals needed to consummate the merger in a timely fashion.
10. The terms and conditions of the merger agreement, including the parties'
respective representations, warranties and covenants, the conditions to closing
and the fact that the merger agreement permits the CDS board of directors, in
the exercise of its fiduciary duties, under certain conditions, to furnish
information to, or engage in negotiations with, third parties in response to
unsolicited acquisition proposals, and to terminate the merger agreement if the
CDS board of directors determines that a superior proposal has been made,
subject to payment of a break-up fee and certain expenses. See "The Merger
Agreement--Termination Fee".
11. A review of CDS's business, management, financial performance and
condition, strategic objectives, prospects and competitive position.
12. The CDS board of directors determined that there was a limited
likelihood of receiving a proposal at that time that was more favorable to CDS
and its stockholders than the proposal that had been submitted by Aristocrat.
In approving the agreement and plan of merger, the CDS board of directors
was aware that as a result of the merger, CDS common stock will no longer be
publicly traded.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the
CDS board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of the wide
variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the proposed
merger, the CDS board of directors did not find it practical to, and did not,
quantify or otherwise attempt to assign relative weights to the specific factors
considered in reaching its determination. Individual members of the CDS board of
directors may have given differing weights to differing factors.
CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATION
The CDS board of directors has unanimously approved the agreement and plan
of merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and
recommends that the stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the agreement and plan
of merger. The CDS board of directors has determined that the merger and the
merger agreement are fair to and in the best interests of CDS stockholders.
OPINION OF CDS'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR
CDS verbally retained Wasserstein Perella on December 29, 2000 to assist it
in its analysis and consideration of various financial and strategic
alternatives. CDS and Wasserstein Perella executed a written engagement letter
on January 5, 2001 whereby CDS engaged Wasserstein Perella to act as its
financial advisor in connection with a possible sale of CDS. Wasserstein Perella
received a fee of $100,000 upon execution of the engagement letter and, upon
consummation of the Merger, will be paid an additional $1.4 million by CDS. In
addition, CDS has agreed to reimburse Wasserstein Perella for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with rendering financial advisory
services, including fees and disbursements of its legal counsel. CDS has also
agreed to indemnify Wasserstein Perella and its respective directors, officers,
agents, employees and controlling persons, for certain costs, expenses, losses,
claims, damages and liabilities related to or arising out of their rendering of
services under their engagement as financial advisors. In the 18 month period
prior to the execution of the merger agreement, Wasserstein Perella did not
receive fees from either CDS or Aristocrat.
16
In connection with the merger, the CDS board of directors requested that
Wasserstein Perella render its opinion as to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to CDS stockholders of the merger consideration to be received by
CDS Stockholders.
At the January 17, 2001 meeting of the CDS board of directors,
representatives of Wasserstein Perella made a presentation with respect to the
Merger and rendered to the CDS board of directors its oral opinion that the
Merger Consideration to be received by the CDS stockholders was fair, from a
financial point of view, to such stockholders. This opinion is based on the
assumptions made, matters considered and limits of the review undertaken by
Wasserstein Perella and was subsequently confirmed in a written opinion dated as
of January 17, 2001.
THE FULL TEXT OF WASSERSTEIN PERELLA'S WRITTEN OPINION DATED JANUARY 17,
2001, WHICH SETS FORTH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ASSUMPTIONS MADE, PROCEDURES
FOLLOWED, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND LIMITS OF THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN, IS ATTACHED TO
THIS PROXY STATEMENT AS ANNEX B AND IS INCORPORATED INTO THIS PROXY STATEMENT BY
REFERENCE. WE URGE YOU TO READ WASSERSTEIN PERELLA'S OPINION CAREFULLY AND IN
ITS ENTIRETY. WASSERSTEIN PERELLA'S OPINION IS DIRECTED TO THE CDS BOARD OF
DIRECTORS AND ADDRESSES ONLY THE FAIRNESS OF THE MERGER CONSIDERATION TO CDS'S
STOCKHOLDERS FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW. IT DOES NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER
ASPECT OF THE MERGER AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO ANY CDS
STOCKHOLDER AS TO HOW TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. WASSERSTEIN PERELLA'S
OPINION WAS RENDERED TO THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ITS CONSIDERATION IN
DETERMINING WHETHER TO APPROVE THE MERGER AGREEMENT. THE DISCUSSION OF
WASSERSTEIN PERELLA'S OPINION IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF WASSERSTEIN PERELLA'S OPINION.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Wasserstein Perella reviewed a
draft of the merger agreement and assumed that the final form of the merger
agreement would not differ in any material respect from that draft. Wasserstein
Perella also:
- reviewed and analyzed certain publicly available business and financial
information relating to CDS for recent years and interim periods;
- reviewed and analyzed certain internal financial and operating
information, including financial forecasts, analyses and projections
prepared by or on behalf of CDS and provided to it for purposes of its
analysis; and
- met with management of CDS to review and discuss the information described
above and, among other matters, CDS's business, operations, assets,
financial condition, and future prospects.
Wasserstein Perella reviewed and considered certain financial and stock
market data relating to CDS, and compared that data with similar data for
certain other publicly traded companies that it believed may have been relevant
or comparable in certain respects to CDS or one or more of its businesses or
assets. Wasserstein Perella also reviewed and considered the financial terms, to
the extent publicly available, of certain recent acquisitions and business
combination transactions in the gaming equipment industry and in other
industries that it believed to be reasonably comparable to the Merger or
otherwise relevant to its inquiry. Wasserstein Perella also performed such other
financial studies, analyses, and investigations and reviewed such other
information as it considered appropriate for purposes of its opinion.
In its review and analysis and in formulating its opinion, Wasserstein
Perella assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the
financial and other information provided to or
17
discussed with it or that was publicly available. Wasserstein Perella did not
assume any responsibility for independent verification of any of that
information. Wasserstein Perella also assumed and relied upon the reasonableness
of the financial projections, forecasts and analyses provided to it, and assumed
that such projections, forecasts and analyses were reasonably prepared in good
faith and on bases reflecting the best currently available judgments and
estimates of CDS's management. Wasserstein Perella expressed no opinion with
respect to the projections, forecasts and analyses or the assumptions upon which
they are based. In addition, Wasserstein Perella did not review any of the books
and records of CDS, or assume any responsibility for conducting a physical
inspection of the properties or facilities of CDS, or for making or obtaining an
independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of CDS.
Wasserstein Perella also assumed that the transactions described in the merger
agreement would be consummated without waiver or modification of any material
terms or conditions. Wasserstein Perella's opinion is based on economic and
market conditions and other circumstances as they existed and could be evaluated
by it as of the date of the opinion.
The following is a brief summary of certain of the quantitative analyses
performed and factors considered by Wasserstein Perella in connection with
rendering its opinion and reviewed with the CDS board of directors at its
January 17, 2001 meeting. In rendering its opinion, Wasserstein Perella reviewed
and analyzed historical financial information of CDS which included, but was not
limited to, CDS's (1) balance sheets, (2) annual income statements, (3) cash
flow statements, (4) operating margins, and (5) historical growth rates. Such
review served as the basis for the financial analysis described below.
ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN OTHER PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANIES. Wasserstein Perella
compared certain financial information and the results of commonly used
valuation measurements for CDS to corresponding information for a group of eight
publicly traded gaming equipment companies. These gaming equipment companies
were selected based upon the similarity of their operations to those of CDS and
include:
- Alliance Gaming Corporation
- Anchor Gaming
- Autotote Corporation
- GTECH Holdings Corporation
- International Game Technology
- Mikohn Gaming Corporation
- Shuffle Master, Inc.
- WMS Industries, Inc.
The gaming equipment companies were analyzed based upon financial
information, including a ratio of their Firm Value as of January 12, 2001 to
their EBITDA in order to imply a range of equity values for CDS and a ratio of
their Firm Value to the merger consideration ("Merger Multiples"). Firm Value is
defined as the market value of the applicable company's common equity ("Equity
Value") as adjusted to include debt less cash.
18
The financial information used in connection with the multiples provided
below was based on projected EBITDA and other estimated financial projections
derived from publicly available equity research analysis.
IMPLIED EQUITY
RELEVANT IMPLIED EQUITY VALUE (PER SHARE)
CALENDAR RANGE OF RANGE OF MERGER VALUE INCLUDING CONTROL
YEAR MULTIPLES MULTIPLES MULTIPLES (PER SHARE) PREMIUM(1)
- --------------------- ---------- --------- --------- -------------- ------------------
2000E 3.4x-12.9x 5.5x-7.0x 9.6x $5.56-$6.91 $6.95-$8.98
2001P 3.0x-11.4x 4.5x-6.0x 6.6x $6.52-$8.49 $8.15-$11.04
- ------------------------
(1) Includes control premium of 25%-30%
Based on the foregoing comparisons, Wasserstein Perella noted that the
Merger Multiples and merger consideration implied in the Merger were above the
ranges of trading multiples and equity values implied by the gaming equipment
companies. Wasserstein Perella also noted that the Merger Multiples and merger
consideration implied in the Merger were above and within the ranges of trading
multiples and equity values implied by the gaming equipment companies after
including a 25%-30% control premium. Wasserstein Perella noted that these facts
supported a determination that the merger consideration was fair, from a
financial point of view, to the CDS stockholders.
ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PRECEDENT TRANSACTIONS. Wasserstein Perella reviewed
the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of the following
announced and/or completed mergers and acquisitions since 1995 in the gaming
equipment industry which it deemed comparable to the merger based upon the
similarity of the transactions:
ANNOUNCEMENT DATE ACQUIROR TARGET
- --------------------- -------- ------
5/19/00 Autotote Corporation Scientific Games
3/11/99 International Game Technology Sodak Gaming Inc.
3/10/99 Anchor Gaming Powerhouse Technologies Inc.
10/18/95 Alliance Gaming Corporation Bally Gaming Inc.
Wasserstein Perella calculated various financial multiples based on certain
publicly available information for each of the transactions listed above and
compared them to the Merger Multiples. Wasserstein Perella noted that all
multiples for the those transactions were based on information available at the
time of announcement of each of such transactions, without taking into account
differing market and other conditions during the period during which each of
such transactions occurred.
RELEVANT IMPLIED EQUITY
RANGE OF RANGE OF MERGER VALUE
MULTIPLES MULTIPLES MULTIPLES (PER SHARE)
--------- --------- --------- --------------
Last Twelve Months................................ 6.6x-9.6x 7.0x-8.0x 9.6x $6.91-$7.80
Next Fiscal Year................................ 6.1x-7.4x 6.0x-6.5x 6.6x $8.49-$9.15
Wasserstein Perella noted that based on the foregoing comparisons, the
Merger Multiples and merger consideration were above the ranges of multiples and
equity values implied by the transactions listed above and that this fact
supported a determination that the merger consideration was fair, from a
financial point of view, to the CDS stockholders.
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Wasserstein Perella performed discounted
cash flow analyses for CDS using financial projections for fiscal years 2001
through 2004 provided by the management of CDS and calculated present values per
share of common stock. Wasserstein Perella aggregated the present values of the
cash flows from 2001 through 2004 with the present value of a range of terminal
values.
19
Wasserstein Perella arrived at discount rates based on its judgment of the
weighted average cost of capital of selected publicly traded gaming equipment
companies and arrived at terminal values based on its review of the trading
characteristics of the common stock of selected publicly traded gaming equipment
companies.
The analyses generated the following theoretical equity values per share for
CDS:
TERMINAL MULTIPLE
DISCOUNT
RATE 5.0X 5.5X 6.0X 6.5X
- --------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
11.0% $8.20 $8.77 $9.34 $9.91
12.0% $7.95 $8.50 $9.05 $9.60
13.0% $7.71 $8.24 $8.77 $9.30
Wasserstein Perella noted that the merger consideration was within the
foregoing valuation range and this fact supported a determination that the
merger consideration was fair, from a financial point of view, to the CDS
stockholders.
MERGER CONSIDERATION PREMIUM OVER HISTORICAL STOCK PRICE. Wasserstein
Perella reviewed and analyzed the average closing prices per share for CDS
common stock for various periods prior to January 5, 2001, in order to compute
the premium over these average prices that the Merger Consideration would
represent. These premiums were compared to those in transactions of $175 to
$225 million in size over the past three calendar years for similar periods
prior to the announcement date (the "Transaction Group").
ONE DAY ONE WEEK FOUR WEEKS
------- -------- ----------
Transaction Group Range.................... (13.8)%-125.6% (17.0)%-128.0% (36.0)%-170.9%
Transaction Group Premium (Mean)........... 27.9% 36.5% 48.4%
Transaction Group Premium (Median)......... 24.3% 34.2% 42.1%
Premium to CDS Share Price................. 33.9% 34.1% 46.8%
Wasserstein Perella presented this information to the CDS board of directors
to give it background information regarding the stock price performance of CDS
common stock over the periods indicated. In addition, the fact that the Merger
Consideration exceeded the price per share at which CDS common stock traded
during the periods reviewed was consistent with a determination that the Merger
Consideration was fair to the CDS Stockholders.
RELEVANT MARKET AND ECONOMIC FACTORS. In rendering its opinion, Wasserstein
Perella considered, among other factors, the condition of the U.S. equity and
debt markets and the current level of economic activity, particularly in the
gaming industry. No company used in the analysis of certain other publicly
traded companies nor any transaction used in the analysis of selected mergers
and acquisitions summarized above is identical to CDS or the Merger. In
addition, Wasserstein Perella believes that both the analysis of certain other
publicly traded companies and the analysis of selected mergers and acquisitions
are not simply mathematical. Rather, such analyses must take into account
differences in the financial and operating characteristics of these companies
and other factors, such as general economic and market conditions in the
locations in which such companies compete and strategic and operating plans for
such companies, that could affect the public trading value and acquisition value
of these companies.
While the foregoing summary describes the analyses and factors that
Wasserstein Perella deemed material in its presentation to the CDS board of
directors, it is not a comprehensive description of all analyses and factors
considered by Wasserstein Perella. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and
relevant methods of
20
financial analysis and the applications of these methods to the particular
circumstances. Therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to summary
description. Wasserstein Perella believes that its analyses must be considered
as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and of the factors
considered by it, without considering all analyses and factors, would create an
incomplete view of the evaluation process underlying its opinion. In performing
its analyses, Wasserstein Perella considered general economic, market and
financial conditions and other matters, as they existed as of the date of its
opinion, many of which are beyond the control of CDS. The analyses performed by
Wasserstein Perella are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future
results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested
by such analyses. Accordingly, such analyses and estimates are inherently
subject to substantial uncertainty. Additionally, analyses relating to the value
of a business do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which
the business actually may be sold. Furthermore, no opinion is being expressed as
to the prices at which CDS common stock may trade at any future time.
The terms of the Merger were determined through negotiations between CDS and
Aristocrat and were approved by the CDS board of directors. Although Wasserstein
Perella provided advice to CDS during the course of these negotiations, the
decision to enter into the merger agreement was solely that of the CDS board of
directors. Wasserstein Perella's opinion and its presentation to the CDS board
of directors was only one of a number of factors taken into consideration by the
CDS board of directors in making its determination to approve the Merger. The
Wasserstein Perella's opinion was provided to the CDS board of directors to
assist it in connection with its consideration of the Merger and does not
constitute a recommendation to any holder of CDS common stock as to how to vote
with respect to the Merger. See "The Merger--Reasons for the Merger and
Recommendation of the CDS Board of Directors."
The CDS board of directors retained Wasserstein Perella to act as its
advisor based upon Wasserstein Perella's qualifications, reputation, experience
and expertise. Wasserstein Perella is an internationally recognized investment
banking firm and, as a customary part of its investment banking business, is
engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with
mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwriting transactions, private
placements and valuations for corporate and other purposes. In the ordinary
course of its business, Wasserstein Perella may actively trade the debt and
equity securities of CDS and Aristocrat for its own account and for the account
of its customers and accordingly may at any time hold a long or short position
in such securities.
TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION
Current CDS stockholders will not have an opportunity to continue their
equity interest in CDS after the merger. Upon completion of the merger, CDS
common stock will no longer be quoted on NASDAQ, trading information will no
longer be available and the registration of CDS common stock under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, will be terminated.
FUNDING OF THE TRANSACTION
The merger is not subject to a financing contingency. Aristocrat will fund
the merger through a combination of existing cash reserves and new capital
facilities. Aristocrat has provided CDS with a copy of an executed written
commitment letter from a bank of international repute to provide funds
sufficient for the payment of the aggregate merger consideration.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Under Nevada law, CDS stockholders will not have appraisal or dissenters'
rights.
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FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion is a general summary of the material United States
federal income tax consequences of the merger. This discussion is based upon the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), final and temporary
regulations promulgated by the United States Treasury Department, judicial
authorities, and current rulings and administrative practice of the Internal
Revenue Service (the "Service"), as currently in effect, all of which are
subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion
assumes that the CDS common stock is held as a capital asset by each holder and
does not address all aspects of federal income taxation that might be relevant
to particular holders of CDS common stock in light of their status or personal
investment circumstances, such as foreign persons, dealers in securities,
regulated investment companies, life insurance companies, other financial
institutions, tax-exempt organizations, pass-through entities, taxpayers who
hold CDS common stock as part of a "straddle," "hedge" or "conversion
transaction" or who have a "functional currency" other than the United States
dollar, persons who have received their CDS common stock as compensation or
otherwise in connection with the performance of services of individuals subject
to the "alternative minimum tax." Further, this discussion does not address the
state, local or foreign tax consequences of the merger.
For United States federal income tax purposes, the merger of Cedar with and
into CDS will be treated as an acquisition by Aristocrat of all the outstanding
stock of CDS. Each holder of shares of CDS common stock will be treated as
exchanging such shares for cash.
The receipt of the cash payment of $9.25 per share by holders of CDS common
stock will be a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. Each
holder's gain or loss per share will be equal to the difference between $9.25
and the holder's adjusted tax basis per share in CDS common stock. A holder's
gain or loss from the exchange will be a capital gain or loss. This gain or loss
will be long-term if the holder holds CDS common stock for more than twelve
months. Under current law, net long-term capital gains of individuals are
subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of 20% (not taking into account any
phase-out of tax benefits such as personal exemptions and certain itemized
deductions) whereas the maximum federal income tax rate on ordinary income and
net short-term capital gains (i.e., gain on capital assets held for not more
than twelve months) of an individual is currently 39.6% (not taking into account
any phase-out of tax benefits such as personal exemptions and certain itemized
deductions). For corporations, capital gains and ordinary income are taxed at
the same maximum rate of 35%. Capital losses are currently deductible only to
the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of taxpayers other than
corporations, $3,000 of ordinary income ($1,500 in the case of married
individuals filing separate returns). In the case of individuals and other
non-corporate taxpayers, capital losses that are not currently deductible may be
carried forward to other years, subject to certain limitations. In the case of
corporations, capital losses that are not currently deductible may generally be
carried back to each of the three years preceding the loss year and forward to
each of the five years succeeding the loss year, subject to certain limitations.
A holder of CDS common stock may be subject to backup withholding at the
rate of 31% with respect to payments of cash consideration received pursuant to
the merger, unless the holder (a) provides a correct taxpayer identification
number ("TIN") in the manner required or (b) is a corporation or other exempt
recipient and, when required, demonstrates this fact. To prevent the possibility
of backup federal income tax withholding, each holder must provide the
disbursing agent with his or her correct TIN by completing a Form W-9 or
Substitute Form W-9. A holder of CDS common stock who does not provide Wells
Fargo with his or her correct TIN may be subject to penalties imposed by the
Service, as well as backup withholding. Any amount withheld will be creditable
against the holder's federal income tax liability. CDS (or its agent) will
report to the holders of CDS common stock and the Service the amount of any
"reportable payments," as defined in Section 3406 of the Code, and the amount of
tax, if any, withheld with respect thereto.
22
The foregoing discussion is for general information only and is not a
complete description of all of the potential tax consequences that may occur as
a result of the merger. Each CDS stockholder should therefore consult his, her
or its tax advisors regarding the federal tax consequences of the merger, as
well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or other
jurisdiction of the above described transactions.
LITIGATION
On January 23, 2001, Dwayne Alberts, allegedly a stockholder of CDS, filed a
purported class action complaint against CDS and the CDS board of directors in
the District Court of Clark County in the State of Nevada, Case
No. A429714 IX, alleging that CDS's board of directors breached their fiduciary
duties owed to CDS's shareholders by agreeing to enter into the transaction
between CDS and Aristocrat which was publicly announced January 17, 2001.
Mr. Alberts is represented by the law firm of Albright, Stoddard, Warnick &
Albright and the law firm of Couley, Geller, Bowman & Coates LLP. CDS and the
CDS board of directors are represented in the action by the law firms of Gibson,
Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Hunterton & Associates.
In the action, Mr. Alberts has alleged, generally, that the CDS board of
directors "breached its fiduciary duties by taking actions designed to deter
higher offers from other potential acquirers so as to ensure Casino Data
insiders receive personal benefits at the expense of Casino Data shareholders."
Mr. Alberts is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as attorneys'
and experts' fees and expenses. Specifically, the "Complaint for Breach of
Fiduciary Duty" alleges as follows:
"29. The merger announcement was timed to come just before or near the time
the Company would be obligated to disclose its financial results for the fourth
quarter 2000.
30. The transaction negotiated with Aristocrat was in breach of defendants'
obligation of good faith and fair dealing because, among other things:
(a) The defendants timed the announcement of the merger to place an
artificial cap on the price for Casino Data's stock to enable them to
acquire the stock at the lowest possible price; and
(b) The defendants timed the announcement to come within days before
they would disclose Casino Data's fourth quarter 2000 results.
31. If the acquisition is consummated, plaintiff and the other members of
the Class will no longer own shares in a 'growth company', but rather will be
cashed out of their Casino Data shares for just $9.25 per share.
32. The shareholders have been denied the fair process and arm's-length
negotiated terms to which they are entitled in a sale of THEIR COMPANY. The
officers and directors are obligated to MAXIMIZE shareholders value, not
structure a preferential deal for themselves where they will receive benefits
following the consummation of this proposed merger.
33. The Class members are being deprived of their right to a fair and
unbiased process to sell the Company, and the opportunity to obtain maximum
value and terms for their interests, without preferential treatment to the
insiders.
34. By reason of their positions with Casino Data, the defendants are in
possession of non-public information concerning the financial condition and
prospects of Casino Data (including certain information in a confidential
document defendants have termed as a 'Company Disclosure Schedule'), and
especially the true value and expected increased future value of Casino Data and
its assets, which they have not disclosed to Casino Data's public stockholders,
including, but not limited to Casino Data's fourth quarter 2000 results. Thus,
the defendants have failed to ensure that Casino Data shareholders obtain the
highest value reasonably available prior to entering into the merger agreement."
23
Counsel for Mr. Alberts filed a motion for temporary restraining order on
March 29, 2001, with a hearing scheduled to take place on April 23, 2001. In his
motion, Mr. Alberts seeks to restrain CDS and its board of directors from
complying with Sections 5.2 (Other Potential Acquirors) and 7.5 (Termination
Fee) of the merger agreement, set a briefing schedule for a motion for
preliminary injunction, and conduct expedited discovery. Specifically,
Mr. Alberts has requested orders from the court: "(i) temporarily restraining
any payment pursuant to Section 7.5 of the merger agreement and/or any transfer
of information mandated by Section 5.2 of the merger agreement; (ii) compelling
limited expedited discovery . . . ; and (iii) setting a briefing schedule on a
preliminary injunction." If Mr. Alberts' motion is successful it could,
depending on the relief granted, affect whether the transaction between
Aristocrat and CDS proceeds, and, if so, on what terms.
CDS and the CDS board of directors have filed an answer to the complaint in
which they deny all of Mr. Alberts' charging allegations and his entitlement to
the relief requested in his complaint. It is the position of the CDS board of
directors that they did not breach any fiduciary duties and that, as outlined
more fully in this Proxy Statement, they took reasonable steps under the
circumstances to maximize the value for the stockholders of CDS, evaluated and
allowed for the possibility of entering into a merger or similar agreement with
companies other than Aristocrat, solicited bids from at least two other
companies, took reasonable steps to allow other potential bids to be made, and
that they have in fact obtained the maximum value for CDS's stockholders under
the circumstances.
The CDS board of directors' answer denied that any director received any
"preferential treatment" or that they approved of the merger agreement for any
reason other than to maximize value for the stockholders of CDS under the
circumstances set forth above. None of the directors of CDS has entered into any
new or different employment or consulting agreement with CDS or Aristocrat in
anticipation of, or as consideration for, the proposed merger.
The CDS board of directors believes that it was guided by highly capable and
skilled investment bankers and attorneys throughout the transaction. As set
forth above, Wasserstein Perella undertook an analysis of appropriate evaluative
material and presented it to the CDS board of directors in both written and
verbal form. The proposed transaction with Aristocrat will provide consideration
for CDS stockholders greater than recent market prices obtainable for CDS stock.
While the CDS board of directors was aware of and enthusiastic about potential
growth of CDS, the merger agreement allows CDS stockholders to realize that
value while avoiding any uncertainty that would be created by such factors as
the existing competition in the market, including competition from potential
domestic and international competitors and the normal and customary fluctuations
in the U.S. securities markets and the economy.
It is the intention of CDS to vigorously defend against the charges made in
the Alberts Complaint. In connection with its defense of such charges, CDS may
argue that voting in favor of the merger agreement by any stockholder will
constitute a waiver of any right that stockholder may have had to be a member of
any class certified by the court or to otherwise participate in the action in
any way.
24
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the merger agreement, a copy of which is
attached as Annex A to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by
reference. You are urged to review the merger agreement carefully in its
entirety.
EFFECTIVE TIME
The merger will become effective upon the filing of the articles of merger
with the Nevada Secretary of State or at such later time within 90 days
thereafter as may be specified in the articles of merger. Subject to approval of
the agreement and plan of merger at the annual meeting, the filing of the
articles of merger is expected to occur promptly following the satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions set forth in the merger agreement.
PAYMENT FOR CDS COMMON STOCK AND OPTIONS
At the time of the merger:
- each share of CDS common stock outstanding as of the record date will be
canceled and converted into the right to receive $9.25 per share in cash;
- all outstanding options to purchase CDS common stock, whether or not then
vested or exercisable, will be canceled and thereafter the former holder
thereof will be entitled to a payment from CDS (subject to any applicable
withholding taxes, as the case may be) equal to the product of (1) the
total number of shares of CDS common stock subject to such CDS stock
option and (2) the difference between $9.25 and the option exercise price
for such CDS stock option, payable in cash immediately following the
merger; and
- each share of Cedar common stock will be canceled and converted into one
share of common stock of CDS.
EMPLOYEES OF CDS
CDS will be the surviving corporation in the merger, and employees of CDS
prior to the merger will be CDS employees after the merger.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The merger agreement contains customary representations and warranties of
Cedar and Aristocrat. The merger agreement also contains customary
representations and warranties of CDS relating to its business, operations and
financial condition, including representations and warranties relating to:
- organization and qualification of CDS and its subsidiaries;
- capitalization of CDS and its subsidiaries;
- authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of the merger
agreement;
- reports and financial statements filed with the SEC and the accuracy of
the information in those documents;
- conflicts under charter documents, violations of any instruments or law,
and required consents and approvals;
- absence of a material adverse effect on CDS;
- litigation;
- no violation of law;
25
- compliance with agreements and applicable law;
- tax matters;
- employee benefit plans and labor matters;
- environmental laws and regulations;
- taxes;
- intellectual property;
- brokers' and finders' fees with respect to the merger; and
- real property.
CERTAIN COVENANTS
The merger agreement provides, among other things, that:
- Aristocrat and CDS will use their reasonable best efforts to obtain any
necessary authorizations, consents and approvals of any governmental or
regulatory body;
- Aristocrat agrees that following the effective time, the employees of the
surviving corporation will become eligible within six months of the
effective time to participate in the employee benefit plans and
arrangements maintained by Aristocrat. Aristocrat will grant the employees
credit for all service credited by CDS for purposes of eligibility,
vesting and the determination of benefits under vacation and severance pay
plans. Aristocrat will offer employment to all employees of CDS employed
by CDS as of the effective time;
- CDS will not take any action outside the ordinary course of business,
including the following:
- amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
- issue any stock except for shares pursuant to options previously granted,
or subsequently granted with an exercise price at fair market value and
in the ordinary course;
- split, combine or reclassify any shares of stock or declare or pay any
dividend or other distribution;
- adopt a plan of liquidation or other reorganization of CDS;
- alter the corporate structure or ownership of any subsidiary;
- change any of the accounting principles or practices used by it;
- revalue any of its assets;
- acquire or agree to acquire any other business;
- enter into any contract or agreement, other than in the ordinary course
of business that would be material to CDS and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole;
- enter into any collective bargaining agreement;
- make any payments (other than regular compensation payable to officers
and employees in the ordinary course of business) or other distributions
to any affiliates, officers, directors or stockholders;
- modify any material contract or waive any material rights or claims;
- fail to make any scheduled principal or interest payment on indebtedness;
26
- take any action that would revoke or otherwise restrict any permit
issuable by a gaming authority or breach a filing of suitability or
otherwise fail to comply with any gaming law; or
- take any action that would result in any of its representations and
warranties set forth in the merger agreement becoming untrue;
- CDS will give Aristocrat reasonable access to CDS's premises, properties,
personnel, books, and records, contracts and documents;
- CDS and Aristocrat will hold any confidential or proprietary data or
information of the other in strict confidence; and
- The parties have agreed to cooperate with each other and to use their
reasonable best efforts to do all things necessary, proper or advisable in
order to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF MERGER
The obligations of CDS, Cedar and Aristocrat to consummate the merger are
subject to the following conditions:
- the representations and warranties made by each party contained in the
merger agreement will be true and correct in all material respects at and
as of the effective time;
- the agreement and plan of merger will have been approved by the
stockholders of CDS in accordance with Nevada law;
- each of CDS, Aristocrat and Cedar will have performed and complied with
all of its covenants under the merger agreement in all material respects;
- there will not be any judgment, order, decree or injunction in effect
preventing consummation of the transactions; and
- all applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act will have expired or been
terminated and the parties will have received all other governmental
authorizations, consents and approvals necessary to conduct their
respective businesses following the effective time in substantially the
same manner as before the effective time.
In addition, the obligation of Aristocrat to consummate the merger is
subject to the satisfaction by CDS of the following conditions:
- all material consents required to be obtained by CDS will have been
obtained; and
- the absence of a material adverse effect on CDS.
NO SOLICITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; RIGHT TO ENTER INTO A SUPERIOR PROPOSAL
The merger agreement provides that, subject to exceptions described below,
CDS will not engage in any discussions or negotiations with, or provide
non-public information to, any third party in connection with a possible
takeover proposal involving CDS. A takeover proposal means any bona fide
proposal or offer from any person other than Aristocrat, Cedar or any of their
affiliates to acquire ownership of all or a material portion of the assets of
CDS or 20% or more of any class of equity securities of CDS. Within 48 hours of
the receipt of any takeover proposal, CDS is required to notify Aristocrat and
provide relevant information relating to the takeover proposal.
The non-solicitation provision permits CDS to participate in discussions and
negotiations regarding, or furnish information with respect to, or assist or
participate in or facilitate in any other manner, any effort or attempt by a
third party to pursue a takeover proposal to the extent this is
27
required by the fiduciary obligations of the CDS board of directors, as
determined in good faith by a majority of the members of the CDS board of
directors following the advice of outside legal counsel. If any of these
activities result in a takeover proposal which the CDS board of directors
reasonably concludes is superior to the merger, based upon the advice of its
independent financial advisor, the CDS board of directors can recommend that
superior proposal to CDS's stockholders and withdraw its recommendation of the
merger agreement and the merger. In that event CDS will have to pay Aristocrat a
termination fee and reimbursement for expenses, and the merger agreement, with
limited exceptions, will be terminated and of no further force and effect. See
"Termination Fee" below.
TERMINATION
The merger agreement may be terminated at any time before the effective time
(notwithstanding any approval of the merger agreement by the stockholders of
CDS):
- by mutual consent of the board of directors of CDS and Aristocrat;
- by either CDS or Aristocrat, if the agreement and plan of merger does not
receive stockholder approval;
- subject to CDS's right to cure, by Aristocrat if there has been a material
misrepresentation or material breach on the part of CDS in the
representations, warranties or covenants of CDS in the merger agreement;
- subject to Aristocrat's right to cure, by CDS if there has been a material
misrepresentation or material breach on the part of Aristocrat or Cedar in
the representations, warranties or covenants of Aristocrat or Cedar in the
merger agreement;
- by Aristocrat if the CDS board of directors withdraws, modifies or amends
adversely its unanimous recommendation that stockholders approve the
merger agreement and the merger;
- by CDS upon written notice to Aristocrat at any time prior to the annual
meeting if CDS has determined to enter into or has entered into a
definitive agreement in connection with a superior proposal and
simultaneously pays the termination fee to Aristocrat; or
- by either CDS or Aristocrat if the merger has not been completed by
July 31, 2001, which date may be extended by either party to November 30,
2001, to the extent the merger has not been consummated because the
governmental approvals have not been obtained, unless the failure to
obtain the governmental approval resulted from a breach of the merger
agreement by the party attempting to terminate the merger agreement
(provided that Aristocrat does not have the right to extend the outside
date if the governmental approval that has not been obtained is an
approval of a gaming authority in a state where CDS is licensed but
Aristocrat is not).
If the merger agreement is terminated, no party will have any liability or
obligation to any other party except with regard to ongoing confidentiality and
publicity obligations and as described under "The Merger Agreement--Termination
Fee."
TERMINATION FEE
Under the merger agreement, CDS must pay Aristocrat a termination fee of
$6.25 million (plus up to $1.75 million in expenses), if the merger agreement is
terminated for any of the following reasons:
- CDS terminates the merger agreement before obtaining stockholder approval
because the CDS board of directors determines to enter into a definitive
agreement with respect to an unsolicited written superior proposal; or
- Aristocrat terminates the merger agreement because the CDS board of
directors (1) withdraws or modifies or amends adversely its recommendation
of the merger following a takeover
28
proposal, or (2) recommends a takeover proposal to CDS's stockholders, or
(3) determines to accept a superior proposal or has entered into a
definitive agreement with regard to a takeover proposal; or
- CDS has materially breached the no-solicitation provisions of the merger
agreement.
In addition, if the merger agreement is terminated:
- by either Aristocrat or CDS as permitted by the merger agreement because
the outside date has been reached; or
- by Aristocrat if stockholder approval has not been obtained at the annual
meeting; or
- by Aristocrat upon a material breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement on the part of CDS set forth in the merger agreement
which has not been cured,
then CDS in the case of last two clauses above must immediately pay Aristocrat's
expenses, and, if CDS within 9 months after the termination enters into an
agreement with respect to a takeover proposal, then in the case of a termination
under any of the three clauses immediately above, CDS must pay the termination
fee and any other expenses not previously paid, provided that no termination fee
or expenses will be due in the event of a termination pursuant to the first of
the three clauses immediately above unless prior to any such termination, a
takeover proposal has been made and not withdrawn, and the termination is not
solely the result of a failure to obtain required gaming approvals.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
ANTITRUST REGULATIONS
Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended
(the "HSR Act"), certain acquisition transactions may not be consummated unless
notice has been given and certain information furnished to the Antitrust
Division of the United States Department of Justice (the "Antitrust Division")
and the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and specified waiting period
requirements have been satisfied, unless earlier termination has been granted.
CDS and Cedar each filed with the Antitrust Division and the FTC a
Notification and Report Form with respect to the merger on January 31, 2001. The
FTC has notified CDS and Cedar that the waiting period under the HSR Act has
been terminated. The merger could not have been consummated until, among other
things, the waiting period under the HSR Act had expired or been terminated.
Private parties may seek to take legal action under the antitrust laws under
certain circumstances.
GAMING REGULATIONS
CDS's manufacturing, distributing and gaming operations are subject to
extensive regulation, and CDS now holds gaming licenses or permits in the
jurisdictions in which it conducts gaming, manufacturing and distributing
activities (Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Colorado,
Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Ontario, Canada and other jurisdictions with
regulatory authority over Native American gaming). In each such jurisdiction,
certain regulatory requirements must be complied with, applications filed,
and/or certain approvals must be obtained in connection with the merger. The
parties' obligations to consummate the merger are subject, among other things,
to the condition that all necessary gaming licenses, permits, registrations,
findings of suitability and other regulatory approvals and authorizations shall
have been obtained. No assurances can be given that the necessary gaming
regulatory approvals and authorizations will be obtained or that they will be
obtained on a timely basis. Review of the merger by gaming regulatory
authorities will involve examination of the structure of CDS and its financial
stability after the merger and will require the demonstration of qualifications
and suitability of key individuals associated with Aristocrat and Cedar. The
failure to
29
obtain the required approval of the merger, or the failure to comply with the
procedural requirements prescribed by any applicable gaming regulatory
authority, or the failure of CDS or such key individuals to qualify or make
disclosure or license applications as required, or a determination that any
affiliate or shareholder of Aristocrat is obligated to make any filings or be
found suitable under the laws and regulations of any applicable gaming
regulatory authority, may result in the loss of license or denial of application
for licensure registration, or other approval in one or all jurisdictions.
The following is an abbreviated description of the various gaming regulatory
requirements applicable to the merger. For a more detailed description of gaming
regulatory requirements applicable to CDS generally, please see "Additional
Information About The Company--Government Regulation" in this proxy statement
and "Regulatory Matters" in Item 1 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Casino
Data Systems for the year ended December 31, 2000.
NEVADA GAMING REGULATIONS. CDS's operations in Nevada are subject to the
Nevada Gaming Control Act and the regulations of the Nevada Gaming Commission
and the Nevada State Gaming Control Board (collectively, the "Nevada Act") and
various local ordinances and regulations. CDS's operations are subject to the
licensing and regulatory control of the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Nevada
State Gaming Control Board and various local licensing authorities
(collectively, the "Nevada Gaming Authorities").
Regulations of the Nevada Gaming Commission provide that control of a
registered publicly traded corporation such as CDS cannot be acquired through a
tender offer, merger, consolidation, acquisition of assets, management or
consulting agreements or any form of takeover whatsoever without the prior
approval of the Nevada Gaming Commission. Aristocrat has filed applications
seeking the necessary approvals with the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and
the Nevada Gaming Commission. The Nevada State Gaming Control Board reviews and
investigates applications for approval and makes recommendations on those
applications to the Nevada Gaming Commission for final action. There can be no
assurance that these approvals will be granted or will be granted on a timely
basis or without burdensome conditions. Furthermore, any such approval, if
granted, does not constitute a finding, recommendation or approval by the Nevada
State Gaming Control Board or the Nevada Gaming Commission as to the merits of
the merger. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.
In seeking approval to acquire control of CDS, Aristocrat must satisfy the
Nevada Gaming Commission as to a variety of stringent standards. The Nevada
State Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission will consider all
relevant material facts in determining whether to grant this approval, and may
consider not only the effects of the merger but also any other facts that are
deemed relevant. Such facts may include, among others, (1) the business history
of the applicant, including its record of financial stability, integrity and
success of its operations, as well as its current business activities, (2) the
adequacy of the proposed financing, and (3) whether the merger will create a
significant risk that CDS or its subsidiaries will not satisfy their financial
obligations as they become due or satisfy all financial and regulatory
requirements imposed by the Nevada Act.
The Nevada State Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission will
also consider whether the acquisition of control of CDS is in the best interests
of the State of Nevada under the multiple licensing criteria in the Nevada Act.
Among other factors set forth in such multiple licensing criteria, they may
consider whether there has been an adequate period of performance by Aristocrat,
whether Aristocrat has sufficient key personnel so that there will not be a
dilution of effective managerial capacity and control of existing operations,
whether the acquisition would pose problems or create a monopoly, and what the
result of the acquisition of control will be in respect of the percentage of
interest of CDS to similarly situated competitors on a statewide, countrywide
and geographical basis in the following categories: total number of slot
machines, gross revenue, percentage tax, number of employees hired and total
payroll.
30
Aristocrat and its subsidiary, Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. have filed an
application with the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming
Commission seeking approval to acquire control of CDS and seeking that
Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. be found suitable as the sole stockholder of CDS
at the time of completion of the merger. In addition, certain officers,
directors and key employees of Aristocrat at the time of completion of the
merger who will be actively and directly involved in CDS's gaming activities may
also be required to be found suitable or licensed by the Nevada Gaming
Authorities. The Nevada Gaming Authorities may deny an application for
licensing, a finding of suitability or registration for any cause that they deem
reasonable. A finding of suitability is comparable to licensing, and both
require the submission of detailed personal and financial information followed
by a thorough investigation. All individuals required to file applications for
findings of suitability as officers and directors of CDS and its subsidiary, CDS
Gaming Company at the time of completion of the merger will file applications
with the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Certain approvals may also be required to be obtained in connection with the
Financing and such approvals will be applied for. There can be no assurances
that these approvals will be granted or will be granted within this time.
MISSISSIPPI GAMING REGULATIONS. The ownership and operation of casino
gaming facilities in Mississippi are subject to the Mississippi Gaming Control
Act and various local regulations. CDS's gaming operations in Mississippi are
subject to the licensing and regulatory control of the Mississippi Gaming
Commission.
Regulations of the Mississippi Gaming Commission provide that control of a
registered publicly traded corporation such as CDS cannot be acquired through a
tender offer, merger, consolidation, acquisition of assets, management or
consulting agreements or any form of takeover whatsoever without the prior
approval of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Aristocrat has filed an
application seeking the necessary approvals with the Mississippi Gaming
Commission. There can be no assurance that these approvals will be granted or
will be granted on a timely basis or without burdensome conditions. Furthermore,
any such approval, if granted, does not constitute a finding, recommendation or
approval by the Mississippi Gaming Commission as to the merits of the merger.
Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.
In seeking approval to acquire control of CDS, Aristocrat must satisfy the
Mississippi Gaming Commission as to a variety of stringent standards. The
Mississippi Gaming Commission will consider all relevant material facts in
determining whether to grant this approval, and may consider not only the
effects of the merger but also any other facts that are deemed relevant. Such
facts may include, among others, (1) the business history of the applicant,
including its record of financial stability, integrity and success of its
operations, as well as its current business activities, and (2) whether the
merger will create a significant risk that CDS or its subsidiaries will not
satisfy their financial obligations as they become due or satisfy all financial
and regulatory requirements imposed by the Mississippi Gaming Control Act.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission must approve Aristocrat as a holding
company of CDS. Following receipt of the necessary approvals of the Mississippi
Gaming Commission and completion of the merger, CDS will be registered by the
Mississippi Gaming Commission as a subsidiary of Aristocrat.
Certain officers, directors and key employees of CDS prior to the merger, or
Aristocrat after completion of the merger, who will be actively and directly
involved in CDS's gaming activities may also be required to be found suitable or
licensed by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The Mississippi Gaming Commission
may deny an application for licensing, a finding of suitability or registration
for any cause that it deems reasonable. A finding of suitability is comparable
to licensing, and both require the submission of detailed personal and financial
information followed by a thorough investigation. All individuals required to
file applications for findings of suitability as officers and directors of
Aristocrat and CDS at the time of completion of the merger will file
applications with the
31
Mississippi Gaming Commission. Certain approvals may also be required to be
obtained in connection with the Financing and such approvals will be applied
for. There can be no assurances that these approvals will be granted or will be
granted within this time.
NEW JERSEY GAMING REGULATIONS. Casino gaming in New Jersey is regulated by
the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (the "New Jersey Commission") pursuant
to the New Jersey Casino Control Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder
(the "New Jersey Act"). A regulation of the New Jersey Commission provides that
a change in ownership voids a license. As a result, the license of CDS will be
voided upon the completion of the merger. However, the New Jersey Act permits an
unlicensed company to transact business with casinos as long as it has filed a
complete application for licensing and the New Jersey Commission approves each
transaction with a casino. In order to avail itself of this provision,
Aristocrat has filed an application for the licensing of CDS, and any necessary
officers, directors, or key employees of it or Aristocrat, prior to the
completion of the merger.
The New Jersey Commission may deny an application for licensing or
permission to transact business with casinos prior to licensing for any cause it
deems reasonable. There can be no assurances that CDS will be issued a license
or that approvals to transact business prior to licensing will be granted.
MISSOURI GAMING REGULATIONS. CDS's operations in Missouri are subject to
regulation under the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Act and the regulations
promulgated by the Missouri Gaming Commission governing licensed gaming
suppliers. CDS is licensed as a supplier under the Missouri Riverboat Gaming
Act. Aristocrat is not licensed in Missouri. Missouri regulations provide that
no transfer of control of a publicly traded licensee such as CDS may be
completed through an acquisition by tender offer, merger, consolidation,
acquisition of stock or assets, or any form of take over without prior approval
of the Missouri Gaming Commission. Aristocrat has filed with the Missouri Gaming
Commission an Application for Approval of Transfer of Interest and Change of
Control of CDS by merger with Aristocrat.
Aristocrat has filed applications, disclosures and all other necessary
materials with the Missouri Gaming Commission seeking the necessary approvals
and findings of suitability of Aristocrat and its affiliates. The Missouri
Gaming Commission Staff reviews and investigates such applicants as Aristocrat
for suitability as an entity key person of CDS, and makes recommendations to the
Missouri Gaming Commission for approval or disapproval of such entity, its key
persons, management, the merger transaction as proposed, the financing of the
merger transaction, and the general suitability of Aristocrat to own and operate
a licensed gaming business in Missouri. There can be no assurance that these
approvals will be granted, or will be granted on a timely basis, or will be
granted without burdensome conditions imposed upon the transaction and the
entities. Furthermore, any such approval, if granted, does not constitute a
finding, recommendation or approval by the Missouri Gaming Commission as to the
merits of the merger or any matter other than the suitability of the pertinent
licensee company for licensure by the Missouri Commission under Missouri law.
In seeking approval to acquire control of CDS through merger, Aristocrat
must satisfy the Missouri Gaming Commission as to a number of stringent
standards. The Missouri Gaming Commission will investigate and consider all
relevant material facts in determining whether to grant its approval, and may
consider the effects of the merger and other relevant facts such as the business
history of Aristocrat, including its record of financial stability, integrity
and the success of its operations; its current business activities; the adequacy
of the proposed financing for the merger; and whether the merger will create
significant risk that CDS or its subsidiaries will not satisfy their financial
obligations as they become due or satisfy all financial and regulatory
requirements imposed by the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Act. The Missouri Gaming
Commission must approve Aristocrat, and its indirect wholly owned subsidiary
Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., as entity key persons of CDS. Following receipt
of the necessary approvals of the Missouri Gaming Commission and the completion
of the
32
merger, CDS will remain a licensed gaming supplier in Missouri as a subsidiary
of Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., an intermediary company of Aristocrat.
Certain officers, directors and key employees of CDS and Aristocrat who will
be actively and directly involved in CDS' s Missouri activities may also be
required to be found suitable or licensed by the Missouri Gaming Commission
prior to the merger. The Missouri Gaming Commission may deny an application for
licensure or a finding of suitability for any person for any cause that it deems
reasonable. A finding of suitability in Missouri is comparable to licensing of
an individual or entity, and both require the submission of detailed personal
and financial information followed by a thorough investigation by the staff of
the Missouri Gaming Commission. The Missouri Gaming Commission may designate any
individual or business entity to file disclosure forms or applications for
findings of suitability as officers, directors or key persons of Aristocrat; and
CDS, Aristocrat and all persons required to file such applications for findings
of suitability or licensure prior to the time of completion of the merger will
file such applications with the Missouri Gaming Commission. Approvals will also
be required to be obtained in connection with the financing of the merger
transaction and such approvals will be applied for. There can be no assurance
that these approvals will be granted or will be granted on a timely basis or
will be granted for all entities and all individuals or will be granted without
burdensome conditions.
The Missouri Gaming Commission will also consider whether the acquisition of
control of CDS is in the best interests of the State of Missouri, under
licensing criteria contained in the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Act. Among the
criteria for consideration in determining whether the acquisition of control of
CDS by Aristocrat is in the best interests of the State of Missouri are the
financial and managerial capability of the merged company to successfully
control and operate existing operations in Missouri, whether the acquisition
creates a threat of monopoly, and the impact of the acquisition of control by
merger upon competitors and upon the gaming industry in Missouri. No assurance
can be given that the Missouri Gaming Commission will ultimately find that the
acquisition of control of CDS through merger by Aristocrat is in the best
interest of the State of Missouri.
COLORADO GAMING REGULATIONS. The ownership and operation of limited gaming
in Colorado is authorized by the Colorado State Statutes, subject to, among
others, the limitations as set forth in the Limited Gaming Act and the
regulations adopted pursuant thereto. The Colorado Division of Gaming's function
is to license, implement, regulate and supervise the conduct of limiting gaming
in the State of Colorado. The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission is
authorized to issue, suspend, or revoke licenses to those involved in the
ownership, participation or conduct of limited gaming in Colorado.
The statutes and rules in Colorado provide that control of a publicly
registered corporation, such as CDS, cannot be acquired through tender, offer,
merger, consolidation or acquisition without the prior approval of the
Commission. As a matter of practice in Colorado, such approval has always been
required before closing such transaction. Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. has
filed an application seeking the necessary approvals for its merger with CDS.
There can be no assurance that approvals will be granted on a timely basis. Any
such approvals, if granted, do not constitute any recommendation or approval by
the Commission as to the merits of the merger.
Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. must demonstrate to the Commission, among
other things, that the company and any key individuals are of good moral
character, honesty and integrity, and that their prior activities, criminal
record. reputation, habits and associations do not pose a threat to the public
interests of Colorado, or the control of gaming or creation or enhancement of
dangers of unsuitability, unfairness, or illegal practices, methods, and
activities in the conducting of gaming or the carrying on the business or
financial arrangements incident to the conduct of gaming. Further, Aristocrat
Technologies, Inc. must show that it, or related parties, have not served a
sentence upon a conviction of a felony in a correctional facility, City or
County jail, or communities correction facility, or under the
33
state board of parole, or any probationary department within ten years prior to
the date of applying for a license. Also, Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. cannot
have been found to have seriously or repeatedly violated the provisions of the
Colorado Gaming Act or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, and
cannot be found to have made a raise statement of material fact to the
Commission, its legal counsel, or any employees of the Division.
Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. must demonstrate that it is "suitable" to hold
such license. All officers, directors and key employees of CDS and Aristocrat
Technologies, Inc. are required to be found suitable under the Colorado Limited
Gaming Act. The Commission may deny an application upon a finding of
unsuitability. In order to determine suitability all officers, directors and key
employees, whether or not previously found to be suitable by the Commission;
Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. and such persons, may be required to resubmit
detailed personal and financial information, and be subject to a thorough
investigation by the Division.
Upon completion of the investigation of the facts and circumstances of the
proposed merger, and both involved parties, Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. and
CDS, the Division will make a recommendation to the Commission. The Commission
then must take action to approve or deny, or may apply conditions to the
proposed merger in order to grant approval. There can be no assurances that
these approvals will be granted, or will be granted on or before the deadline
imposed in the merger agreement, or that any imposed conditions will be
acceptable to the parties.
NATIVE AMERICAN JURISDICTIONS. Before the merger can be consummated,
Aristocrat must have obtained all material consents and approvals required under
any applicable rules and regulations promulgated by Native American
jurisdictions in which CDS operates and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as well as obtaining all of the
permits and licenses required by any applicable Native American regulatory
authority and the National Indian Gaming Commission.
OTHER JURISDICTIONS. There may be other jurisdictions that assert that
their prior consent or approval is required before the merger can be
consummated, and CDS gives no assurance that the above list of jurisdictions is
comprehensive. While CDS and Aristocrat do not know of any reason why they
should not obtain the regulatory approvals needed in a timely manner, there is
no certainty as to when, or if, such approvals will be given or obtained. In
addition to those jurisdictions in which the consent or approval of a
governmental gaming regulator is required before consummation of the merger,
most jurisdictions in which CDS operates will require that applications for
approval of directors, officers and key employees of Aristocrat be filed either
before, or within a fixed period after the merger has occurred.
EXPENSES OF THE TRANSACTION
All fees and expenses incurred in connection with consummating the merger
will be paid by the party incurring the expenses.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF CDS FOLLOWING THE MERGER
The officers of CDS immediately prior to the effective time of the merger
will be the officers of the surviving corporation at the effective time of the
merger. The directors of the surviving corporation at the effective time of the
merger will be the directors of Cedar immediately prior to the effective time,
each to hold office in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and the
Bylaws of the surviving corporation. See "The Merger Agreement--Conduct of CDS
Business After the Merger."
34
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
The merger agreement may be amended by CDS and Aristocrat in accordance with
applicable law. Either party may waive compliance by the other party with
respect to any of the agreements or conditions contained in the merger
agreement.
VOTING AGREEMENTS
Steven A. Weiss and Michael D. Rumbolz have entered into voting agreements
with Aristocrat, dated as of January 17, 2001, whereby each has agreed to vote
certain of their respective shares of CDS common stock in favor of approval of
the agreement and plan of merger. These shares represented approximately 9.5% of
the total number of shares of CDS common stock at the time the merger agreement
was entered into.
Under the terms of the voting agreements, each of Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz
agreed to vote the shares covered by the voting agreements in favor of approval
of the agreement and plan of merger and against any proposal for any
recapitalization, other merger, sale of assets or other business combination
between CDS and any person or entity other than Aristocrat or Cedar. The voting
agreements are only binding on each of Messrs. Weiss and Rumbolz in their
capacity as stockholders of CDS and not with respect to voting as directors of
CDS. The voting agreements terminate at the time of the termination of the
merger agreement.
INDEMNIFICATION
Subject to limitations imposed under applicable law, all rights to
indemnification available to the present and former officers and directors of
CDS and its subsidiaries with regard to acts or omissions occurring before the
merger will remain available to the maximum extent provided under CDS's Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws as in effect on the date of the merger agreement.
For four years after the merger, Aristocrat and CDS will maintain officers'
and directors' liability insurance for acts or omissions occurring before the
merger covering each person currently covered by CDS's officers' and directors'
liability insurance policy, and on terms substantially equivalent to those of
the current policy.
CDS's Articles of Incorporation contain provisions eliminating a director's
personal liability for monetary damages to CDS and its stockholders arising from
a breach of a director's fiduciary duty except for liability (1) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law; or (2) for the payment of dividends in violation of Nevada
Revised Statutes 78.300.
CONDUCT OF CDS BUSINESS AFTER THE MERGER
It is expected that neither CDS nor Cedar will change the composition of
management immediately following the merger, except as may be specifically
described in this proxy statement. See "Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger."
Other than the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, CDS does
not have, nor does it anticipate, any plans or proposals which would result in a
sale or transfer of a material amount of assets.
35
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
In considering the merger, CDS stockholders should be aware that the
directors, officers and certain members of management of CDS have interests in
the merger in addition to their interests solely as stockholders of CDS, as
described below. In addition, CDS will pay Wasserstein Perella a fee and
reimbursement of certain expenses incurred upon consummation of the merger.
INDEMNIFICATION
The merger agreement provides that CDS's officers and directors will have
rights to indemnification for acts or omissions occurring prior to the effective
time. See "The Merger Agreement--Indemnification". The SEC advises that
indemnification for securities law violations is against public policy and may
be unenforceable.
EMLOYMENT OR CONSULTING AGREEMENTS WITH STEVEN A. WEISS AND MICHAEL D. RUMBOLZ
While Steven A. Weiss has considered for some time the possibility of
resigning or retiring for personal reasons, Mr. Weiss and Michael D. Rumbolz
have entered into verbal agreements with Aristocrat to consider, in good faith,
the possibility of entering into new employment or consulting agreements with
Aristocrat prior to the consummation of the merger. The employment or consulting
agreements would be in conformity with standards in the industry.
TREATMENT OF OPTIONS
At the time of the merger, each CDS Stock Option outstanding immediately
prior to the effective time, whether or not then vested or unvested, will be
canceled and converted into the right to receive a payment from the surviving
corporation (subject to any applicable withholding taxes, as the case may be)
equal to the product of (1) the total number of shares of CDS common stock
subject to such CDS stock option and (2) the difference between $9.25 and the
option exercise price for such CDS stock option, payable in cash immediately
following the merger.
Executive officers and directors of CDS hold CDS Stock Options to purchase
the following number of shares of CDS common stock and will receive the
following amounts of cash as a result of the exchange:
NUMBER OF CASH AMOUNT
NAME OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR DIRECTOR OPTIONS TO BE RECEIVED
- ------------------------------------- --------- --------------
Steven A. Weiss...................................... 320,250 $1,950,790
Ronald Rowan......................................... 75,000 362,685
Michael D. Rumbolz................................... 522,500 2,503,281
Howard W. Yenke...................................... 22,500 92,812
Phil E. Bryan........................................ 28,125 107,576
Thomas E. Gardner.................................... 22,500 120,234
John F. Harvey....................................... 16,875 97,045
FEES PAYABLE TO THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Wasserstein Perella received a fee of $100,000 upon execution of an
engagement letter, and upon consummation of the merger, Wasserstein Perella will
be paid an additional $1.4 million by CDS. In addition, CDS has agreed to
reimburse Wasserstein Perella for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection with rendering financial advisory services, including fees and
disbursements of its legal counsel. Reimbursement of Wasserstein Perella's
out-of-pocket expenses is not contingent upon the consummation of the merger.
CDS has agreed to indemnify Wasserstein Perella and its respective directors,
officers, agents, employees and controlling persons, for certain costs,
expenses, losses, claims, damages and liabilities related to or arising out of
their rendering of services under their engagement as financial advisors. See
"The Merger--Opinion of CDS's Financial Advisor."
36
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information as of the record date
concerning CDS's directors and executive officers:
NAME AGE POSITION WITH CDS DIRECTOR'S TERM EXPIRES
- ---- --- ----------------- -----------------------
Steven A. Weiss................ 38 Chairman, President and Chief Executive 2001
Officer
Ronald Rowan(1)................ 36 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Secretary
Michael D. Rumbolz............. 47 Vice-Chairman 2002
Howard W. Yenke................ 64 Director 2002
Phil E. Bryan.................. 61 Director 2002
Thomas E. Gardner.............. 63 Director 2001
John F. Harvey................. 78 Director 2001
Unless otherwise noted below, each person discussed below has engaged in his
principal occupation for more than the past five years.
- ------------------------
(1) Prior to May 2000, Mr. Rowan served as CDS's Vice President of Finance and
as CDS's Controller.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
CDS's Bylaws, as amended, provide for the division of the CDS board of
directors into two classes, each class serving for a term of two years. At the
2001 annual meeting of stockholders, three directors are to be elected to serve
until the 2003 annual meeting, or, in all cases, until their successors are
elected and qualified, or unless removed upon consummation of the merger.
Management proposes for re-election to the CDS board of directors
Messrs. Weiss, Gardner and Harvey who have consented to continue their service
on the CDS board of directors, if elected. If any nominee should withdraw or
otherwise become unavailable for reasons not presently know, the proxies which
otherwise would have been voted for such nominee will be voted for such
substitute nominee as may be selected by the CDS board of directors. Shares
entitled to vote at the annual meeting and represented at the meeting in person
or by proxy but not voted will nevertheless be counted for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum. Directors will be elected by a plurality
of the votes cast. Only votes cast for a nominee will be counted, except that
the accompanying proxy will be voted for each of the nominees named therein in
the absence of instructions to the contrary. Abstentions and instructions on the
accompanying proxy card to withhold authority to vote for any one of the
nominees will result in such nominee(s) receiving fewer votes.
THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF
ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
37
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AT THE 2001 MEETING:
STEVEN A. WEISS, age 38, founded CDS in June 1990 and has served as Chairman
of the CDS board of directors from June 1990 to August 1994, and from
November 1994 to the present. Mr. Weiss has served as an executive officer of
CDS since its inception, and currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Weiss designed the prototype slot accounting and player tracking system that
later developed into CDS's OASIS information management system in 1991. Prior
thereto, Mr. Weiss was employed by Bally as a consultant in connection with its
slot information system.
THOMAS E. GARDNER, age 63, is President of LJT Associates, a consulting firm
which provides strategic planning, financial and management services to
corporations and assists investors in late stage venture capital opportunities
and acquisitions, a position he has held since 1993. From 1990 to 1992,
Mr. Gardner was Director Treasury Management Information with BankBoston
Corporation. From 1979 to 1990 Mr. Garner was Senior Vice President and a member
of the senior management committee with a predecessor bank, Rhode Island
Hospital Trust National Bank, and acted as head of Treasury and Chairman of the
Asset and Liability Management Committee. Mr. Gardner is Chairman of the Board
of Directors of Access Solutions International, Inc. Mr. Gardner has served as a
director of CDS since 1999.
JOHN F. HARVEY, age 78, is an independent business consultant. He served on
the Board of Directors of Del Webb Corporation from 1988 to 1994. Mr. Harvey was
a lecturer and member of the finance faculty for the College of Business and
Economics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas from 1986 to 1992. Prior to his
retirement in 1986, Mr. Harvey was Senior Vice President, Treasurer, Chief
Financial Officer and a director of Summa Corporation (currently The Howard
Hughes Corporation) for a period of eight years. Mr. Harvey also served in
various executive positions with Time Incorporated, Schering-Plough Corporation
and the Times Mirror Company over a period in excess of 30 years. Currently
Mr. Harvey is a director and officer of six Nevada-based corporations that are
affiliates of Alabama National Bancorporation; and is a director and officer of
SouthwestUSA Corporation, a bank holding company in Nevada. Mr. Harvey has
served as a director of CDS since 1999.
OTHER DIRECTORS OF CDS:
MICHAEL D. RUMBOLZ, age 47, is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada ("EICON"), a position he has held since
January 2000. EICON is a mutual insurance company with over $2 billion in assets
and provides workers compensation insurance coverage to Nevada employers. From
1995 to early 2000, Mr. Rumbolz held the positions of President and Chief
Executive Officer of Anchor Gaming, a diversified gaming company. Mr. Rumbolz
was appointed Chief Deputy Attorney General for Nevada in 1983. In 1985, he was
appointed by the governor of Nevada to the Nevada State Gaming Control Board as
the member in charge of the Enforcement and Special Investigations Divisions. He
then served as Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Executive
Director for the agency from June 1987 through December of 1988. Mr. Rumbolz has
served as a director of CDS since 2000.
HOWARD W. YENKE, age 64, served CDS as Chief Executive Officer from June
1998 to February 1999, and has served as a director since June 1998. Prior to
joining CDS, Mr. Yenke served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Silent
Systems, Inc., a private company providing thermal and acoustic products to the
personal computer industry, a position he began in November 1997. From June 1996
to November 1997, Mr. Yenke served as President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director of LANart Corporation, a privately held company providing LAN
connectivity solutions to the computer industry. Mr. Yenke was also President
and CEO of Enterprise Development Corporation of Palm Beach County, a
not-for-profit consulting services company from November 1994 to November 1996.
During the same time period, Mr. Yenke was President, CEO and Director of
Technology Deployment
38
Holdings Company, Inc., a for profit investment firm. From May 1994 to October
1994, Mr. Yenke served as President, CEO and Director of ARCO Computer Products
Company, a privately held company providing PC peripheral products to the
computer industry. From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Yenke was employed by Boca Research,
Inc. in several capacities including President and CEO. Prior thereto, Mr. Yenke
was employed by IBM Corporation for over 25 years in various executive and
management positions. Mr. Yenke also sits on the boards of directors of IVI
Checkmate Electronics, Inc. and Communications Systems International.
PHIL E. BRYAN, JR., age 61, served as Chief Executive Officer of CDS from
April 1995 to April 1996. Mr. Bryan was the Chief Operating Officer, President
and a director of Boomtown, Inc. from April 1996 to February 1999. Since
February 1999, Mr. Bryan has been employed by the Club Cal-Neva in Reno, Nevada
as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bryan has more than thirty
years' experience in the gaming industry, including service as the President and
Chief Executive Officer of Gold River Operating Corp. from January 1993 to
February 1995. Prior thereto, Mr. Bryan served as President of the Sands Hotel
and Casino in Las Vegas from January to April 1992 and as Chief Executive
Officer of the Peppermill Casino Resort in Reno, Nevada from August 1982 to
January 1992. Club Cal-Neva is a customer of CDS. Mr. Bryan has served as a
director of CDS since 1995.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for each
of the last three fiscal years awarded to or earned by each executive officer of
CDS whose salary and bonuses exceeded $100,000 during the year ended
December 31, 2000.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARD
------------------------------------- ------------
ALL OTHER SECURITIES
FISCAL ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY ($) BONUS ($) COMPENSATION OPTIONS COMPENSATION
- --------------------------- -------- ---------- --------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Steven A. Weiss........................ 2000 350,000 173,700 9,600(1) 167,500 --
Chief Executive Officer and 1999 300,000 -- 9,600(1) -- --
Chairman of the Board (2) 1998 300,000 -- 9,600(1) 100,000 --
Ronald Rowan........................... 2000 150,300 69,500 6,400(1) 60,000 --
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer 1999 104,000 -- -- -- --
and Secretary (3) 1998 90,750 -- -- 6,750 --
- ------------------------
(1) Represents automobile allowances provided to CDS's executive officers.
(2) Mr. Weiss became CDS's Chief Executive Officer in February 1999.
(3) Mr. Rowan became CDS's Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary in
May, 2000.
39
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VALUE AT ASSUMED
PERCENT OF ANNUAL RATES OF
NUMBER OF TOTAL OPTIONS STOCK PRICE
SECURITIES GRANTED TO EXERCISE APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES OR BASE OPTION TERM
OPTIONS IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------
NAME GRANTED(1) YEAR(2) ($/SH)(3) DATE 5%($)(4) 10%($)(4)
---- ---------- ------- --------- ---- -------- ---------
Steven A. Weiss..................... 167,500 18.5 3.875 1/13/10 408,192 1,034,438
Ronald Rowan........................ 10,000 1.1 4.00 1/1/10 25,156 63,750
Ronald Rowan........................ 50,000 5.5 4.9375 5/1/10 155,258 393,455
- --------------------------
(1) These options become exercisable as follows: (i) 25% of the options become
exercisable one year after the date of grant, and (ii) an additional 25% of
the options become exercisable each year thereafter until fully vested.
(2) The total number of options granted to employees in fiscal 2000 was 904,438.
(3) The exercise price per share of options granted represented the fair market
value of the underlying shares of common stock on the dates the respective
options were granted.
(4) As required under the SEC's rules, amounts represent hypothetical gains that
could be achieved for the respective options if exercised at the end of the
option term. These gains are based on assumed rates of stock price
appreciation of 5% and 10% compounded annually from the date the respective
options were granted to their expiration date. These assumptions are not
intended to forecast future appreciation of our stock price. The potential
realizable value computation does not take into account federal or state
income tax consequences of option exercises or sales of appreciated stock.
If our stock price does not actually increase to a level above the
applicable exercise price at the time of exercise, the realized value to the
named executive officers from these options will be zero.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION
VALUES
The following table summarizes information with respect to options held by
the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and the value of
the options held by such persons as of the end of the last fiscal year.
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE MONEY
ACQUIRED ON VALUE OPTIONS AT FY-END (#) OPTIONS AT FY-END ($)
EXERCISE REALIZED --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME (#) ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Steven A. Weiss.................... -- -- 195,250 125,000 742,210 497,625
Ronald Rowan....................... -- -- 10,250 64,750 41,712 154,472
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Mr. Weiss is employed by CDS pursuant to an oral agreement which provides
for a minimum base salary of $350,000 per year and a base annual bonus of
50 percent of his base salary as a percentage of the base annual bonus amount
equal to the percentage of the annual EBITDA target as established by the CDS
board of directors (the "EBITDA Target") achieved by CDS if the annual EBITDA
equals or exceeds 90% of the EBITDA Target. No bonus is paid if CDS fails to
achieve at least 90% of the EBITDA Target. Mr. Weiss' agreement does not provide
for provisions relating to severance or non-competition and non-disclosure of
confidential information. Mr. Weiss received options to purchase 167,500 shares
of CDS's common stock on January 13, 2000. The options will accelerate and vest
immediately upon a change in control. In the event the merger is consummated,
the merger shall constitute such a change in control.
40
Mr. Rowan is employed by CDS pursuant to an agreement which expires on
November 17, 2003. Such agreement provides for a minimum base salary of $175,000
per year and a base annual bonus of 40 percent of his base salary as a
percentage of the base annual bonus amount equal to the percentage of the EBITDA
Target achieved by CDS if the annual EBITDA equals or exceeds 90% of the EBITDA
Target. No bonus is paid if CDS fails to achieve at least 90% of the EBITDA
Target. Either CDS or Mr. Rowan may terminate the agreement for any reason prior
to its expiration. In the event that CDS terminates the agreement without cause
(as defined) or Mr. Rowan terminates his employment due to an adverse change in
his working conditions, CDS shall pay Mr. Rowan an amount equal to $175,000 plus
a bonus equal to the previous year's bonus. Mr. Rowan's employment agreement
also contains customary provisions relating to non-competition and
non-disclosure of confidential information. Mr. Rowan received options to
purchase 10,000 shares of CDS's common stock on January 1, 2000 and options to
purchase 50,000 shares of CDS's common stock on May 1, 2000. The options will
accelerate and vest immediately upon a change in control. In the event the
merger is consummated, the merger shall constitute such a change in control.
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
Mr. Rumbolz acts as a consultant to CDS pursuant to a consulting agreement
which expires on June 1, 2001, but which automatically renews for successive
one-year terms thereafter. Such agreement provides for a minimum fee of $100,000
per year. Mr. Rumbolz will receive a minimum fee of $100,000 during the year
ending December 31, 2001. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of an option
agreement dated June 1, 2000, Mr. Rumbolz received options to purchase 500,000
shares of CDS's common stock at an exercise price of $4.375. These options shall
vest as to 100,000 shares on June 1, 2001, and thereafter ratably in quarterly
increments over an additional four-year period. The options shall accelerate and
vest immediately upon a change in control. In the event the merger is
consummated, the merger shall constitute such a change in control. Either CDS or
Mr. Rumbolz may terminate the consulting agreement for any reason prior to its
expiration. Mr. Rumbolz's consulting agreement also contains customary
provisions relating to non-competition and non-disclosure of confidential
information.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
CDS's Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Yenke and Thomas
E. Gardner.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Directors who are not also employees of CDS receive a $35,000 annual
director's fee and are reimbursed for costs and expenses they incur to attend
the CDS board of directors meetings. Directors who are not also employees of CDS
are entitled to participate in CDS's 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option
Plan. This plan is a formula stock option plan that provides for the initial
grant of a stock option covering 11,250 shares upon a person joining the CDS
board of directors and an annual stock option grant covering 5,625 shares at
each annual meeting of stockholders. Any person joining the CDS board of
directors as a Vice Chairman receives an initial grant of a stock option
covering 22,500 shares. Each option granted has a ten-year term, vests equally
over a two year period and has an exercise price equal to the fair market value
on the date of grant.
41
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Messrs. Yenke and Gardner served on the Compensation Committee during the
fiscal-year 2000. Mr. Yenke is a former officer of CDS.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Decisions on compensation of CDS's executives generally have been made by
the Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the "Compensation Committee") of
the CDS board of directors. Each member of the Compensation Committee is a
non-employee director. All decisions by the Compensation Committee relating to
the compensation of CDS's executive officers are reviewed by the full CDS board
of directors. Each executive officer who also serves as a director of CDS is
excused from deliberations of the CDS board of directors during the discussion
and vote relating to his or her compensation. Pursuant to rules designed to
enhance disclosure of CDS's policies toward executive compensation, set forth
below is a report prepared by the Compensation Committee addressing CDS's
compensation policies for the year ended December 31, 2000 as they affected
CDS's executive officers. The following report of the Compensation Committee, as
well as the Performance Graph set forth herein, are not soliciting material, are
not deemed filed with the SEC and are not incorporated by reference in any
filing of CDS under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this
proxy statement and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any
such filing.
The Compensation Committee's executive compensation policies are designed to
provide competitive levels of compensation that integrate pay with CDS's annual
objectives and long-term goals, reward above-average corporate performance,
recognize individual initiative and achievements, and assist CDS in attracting
and retaining qualified executives. The Compensation Committee intends to set
executive compensation at levels that the Compensation Committee believes to be
consistent with others in CDS's industry.
There are three elements in CDS's executive compensation program, including
compensation for the CEO, all determined by individual and corporate
performance.
- Base salary compensation
- Annual incentive compensation
- Stock options
Base salary compensation and increases are determined by the potential
effect the individual has on CDS, the skills and experiences required by the
job, and the performance and potential of the incumbent in the job.
Effective in April 1996, the Compensation Committee instituted a bonus
incentive compensation plan which allows each executive to earn a percentage of
such executive's base salary, payable quarterly, dependent upon CDS's earnings
performance and the individual's performance for such fiscal year.
Awards of stock grants under CDS's 1993 Stock Option and Compensation Plan
(the "Plan") are designed to promote the identity of long-term interest between
CDS's executives and its stockholders, and assist in the retention of
executives. The Plan also permits the Committee to grant stock options to key
personnel. Options become exercisable based upon criteria established by CDS.
42
While the value realizable from exercisable options is dependent upon the
extent to which CDS's performance is reflected in the market price of CDS's
common stock at any particular point in time, the decision as to whether such
value will be realized in any particular year is determined by each individual
executive and not by the Compensation Committee. Accordingly, when the Committee
recommends that an option be granted to an executive, that recommendation does
not take into account any gains realized that year by that executive as a result
of his or her individual decision to exercise an option granted in a previous
year.
The Compensation Committee does not anticipate that any of the compensation
payable to executive officers of CDS in the coming year will exceed the limits
and deductibilities set forth in section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. The Compensation Committee has not established a policy
regarding compensation in excess of these limits, but will continue to monitor
this issue.
By the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee
Howard W. Yenke
Thomas E. Gardner
43
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The SEC requires that CDS include in this proxy statement a line-graph
presentation comparing cumulative, five-year return to CDS's stockholders (based
on appreciation of the market price of CDS's common stock) on an indexed basis
with (1) a broad equity market index and (2) an appropriate published industry
or line-of-business index, or peer group index constructed by CDS. The following
presentation compares CDS's common stock price from December 29, 1995 to
December 31, 2000, to the S&P 500 Stock Index and a "peer group" index created
by CDS over the same period. The "peer group" index that CDS believes is
representative of its industry includes Acres Gaming, Inc., Alliance Gaming
Corporation, Anchor Gaming, GTech Holdings Corp., International Game Technology,
Shuffle Master, Inc., WMS Industries, Silicon Gaming, Inc., and Mikohn Gaming
Corp.
In the graph, the presentation assumes that the value of an investment in
each of CDS's common stock, the S&P 500 Index, and the two peer group indices
was $100 on December 29, 1995, and that any dividends paid were reinvested in
the same security.
TOTAL RETURN TO STOCKHOLDERS
(ASSUMES $100 INVESTMENT ON 12/29/95)
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
Dollars
12/29/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98 12/31/99 12/29/00
Casino Data Systems $100.00 $41.25 $17.25 $12.00 $23.99 $42.18
Peer Group $100.00 $132.65 $165.77 $171.08 $165.41 $343.04
S&P 500 $100.00 $123.00 $164.02 $210.27 $254.52 $231.33
TOTAL RETURN ANALYSIS 12/29/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98 12/31/99 12/29/00
- --------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Casino Data Systems.......................... $100.00 $ 41.25 $ 17.25 $ 12.00 $ 23.99 $ 42.18
Peer Group................................... $100.00 $132.65 $165.77 $171.08 $165.41 $343.04
S&P 500...................................... $100.00 $123.00 $164.02 $210.27 $254.52 $231.33
44
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The CDS board of directors appointed Mr. John F. Harvey and Mr. Phil E.
Bryan to serve on CDS's audit committee and approved and adopted the audit
committee charter. The CDS board of directors appointed Mr. Harvey to serve as
chair of the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee is
"independent" as defined in the National Association of Securities Dealers'
listing standards. The charter appears as Annex C to this proxy statement.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The audit committee reviews CDS's financial reporting process on behalf of
the CDS board of directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the
financial statements and the reporting process. CDS's independent auditors are
responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited financial
statements to generally accepted accounting principles.
In this context, the audit committee has reviewed and discussed with
management and the independent auditors the audited financial statements. The
audit committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required
to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with
Audit Committees). In addition, the audit committee has received from the
independent auditors the written disclosures required by Independence Standards
Board No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and discussed with
them their independence from CDS and its management. And, the audit committee
has considered whether the independent auditors provision of other non-audit
services to CDS is compatible with the auditor's independence.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the audit
committee recommended to the CDS board of directors that the audited financial
statements be included in CDS's Annual Report on SEC Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2000, for filing with the SEC.
Submitted by the Casino Data System Audit
Committee
John F. Harvey--Chair
Phil E. Bryan
45
VOTING SECURITIES AND
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
CDS has outstanding one class of voting securities, common stock, no par
value, of which 18,573,121 shares were outstanding as of the close of business
on April 5, 2001. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all
matters put to a vote of stockholders. The following table sets forth, as of
April 9, 2001, certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares
of common stock by each director of CDS, each of the executive officers listed
in the Summary Compensation Table, each person known to CDS to be the beneficial
owner of more that five percent of the outstanding shares, and all directors and
executive officers as a group.
BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP (1)
--------------------------------------------------
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER NUMBER PERCENT
- ------------------------ -------------------------- ---------------------
Steven A. Weiss (2) (3)..................................... 2,620,380 11.6
Ronald Rowan (4)............................................ 29,152 *
Michael D. Rumbolz (5)...................................... 131,250 *
Howard Yenke (6)............................................ 11,249 *
Phil E. Bryan (6)........................................... 22,499 *
Thomas E. Gardner (6)....................................... 19,874 *
John F. Harvey (6).......................................... 8,437 *
SLS Management (7).......................................... 1,286,604 6.94
Dimensional Fund Advisors (8)............................... 1,200,050 6.48
Franklin Resources, Inc. (9)................................ 1,173,000 6.3
All current executive officers, directors and director
nominees, as a group
(7 persons) (10).......................................... 2,389,616 12.8
- ------------------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the SEC and
includes generally voting power and/or investment power with respect to
securities. Shares of CDS's common stock subject to options currently
exercisable or exercisable with 60 days of the date hereof, are deemed
outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding
such option but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage
ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise indicated, CDS believes
that the beneficial owners of the common stock listed above, based on
information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power
with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where
applicable, and that there are no other affiliations among the stockholders
listed in the table.
(2) The address of such person is 3300 Birtcher Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118.
(3) Includes 453,225 shares which are held by a trust for the benefit of
Mr. Weiss' spouse and 353,024 shares which are held by a trust of which
Mr. Weiss's spouse is one of the beneficiaries. Mr. Weiss disclaims
beneficial ownership of these shares.
(4) Includes options to purchase 12,500 shares that are exercisable within
60 days.
(5) Includes options to purchase 111,250 shares that are exercisable within
60 days.
(6) Includes options to purchase 2,812 shares that are exercisable within
60 days.
(7) The address of such entity is 140 West 57th Street, Suite 7B, New York, NY
10019. Beneficial ownership is based on the most recent Schedule 13G filed
with the SEC on February 14, 2001.
(8) The address of such entity is 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor, Santa Monica,
CA 90404. Beneficial ownership is based on the most recent Schedule 13G
filed with the SEC on February 2, 2001.
46
(9) The address of such entity is 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA
94404. Beneficial ownership is based upon the most recent Schedule 13G filed
with the SEC on February 1, 2001.
(10) Includes options to purchase 134,998 shares that are exercisable within
60 days.
PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS
The matters to be considered at the annual meeting are limited to that set
forth in the Notice of annual meeting accompanying this proxy statement.
Any stockholder proposal intended to be considered for inclusion in the
proxy statement for presentation at the 2002 annual meeting must be received by
CDS by December 10, 2001. The proposal must be in accordance with the provisions
of SEC Rule 14a-8. It is suggested that the proposal be submitted by certified
mail, return receipt requested.
Stockholders who intend to present a proposal at the 2002 annual meeting
without including such proposal in CDS's proxy statement must provide CDS notice
of such proposal no later than February 26, 2002. CDS reserves the right to
reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any
proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.
If CDS does not receive notice prior to February 26, 2002 of any matters to
be raised by stockholders, the persons named in CDS's proxy cards for that
annual meeting will have the discretion to vote the proxies on such matters in
accordance with their best judgment.
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
CDS's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2000 have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors. The CDS board of
directors has reappointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as CDS's independent auditors
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2001.
THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP.
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, and their respective
affiliates (collectively, "Deloitte") for professional services rendered for the
audit of CDS's annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2000 and for the reviews of the financial statements included in
CDS's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for that fiscal year were $102,300.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES
CDS did not incur any fees billed by Deloitte for professional services
rendered for information technology services relating to financial information
systems design and implementation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
ALL OTHER FEES
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to CDS, other
than the services described above under "Audit Fees" and "Financial Information
Systems Design and Implementation Fees", for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2000 were $157,435. The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of
non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's
independence.
47
Representatives of Deloitte will have an opportunity to make a statement at
the annual meeting and will be available at the annual meeting to answer
appropriate questions asked by CDS stockholders.
OTHER MATTERS
CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
The CDS board of directors held ten (10) meetings and took one action in
writing during the last fiscal year. CDS has an audit committee and a
compensation and stock option committee, but does not have a nominating
committee of the CDS board of directors.
During 2000, CDS's audit committee consisted of Messrs. Bryan and Harvey.
The audit committee recommends to the full CDS board of directors the engagement
of the independent accountants, reviews the audit plan and results of the audit
engagement, reviews the independence of the auditors, and reviews the adequacy
of CDS's system of internal accounting controls. The audit committee met once
during the last fiscal year.
During 2000, CDS's compensation committee, which consisted of Messrs. Yenke
and Gardner, held one meeting during the last fiscal year. The compensation and
stock option committee reviews CDS's remuneration policies and practices, makes
recommendations to the CDS board of directors in connection with all
compensation matters affecting CDS and administers the Plan.
During 2000, each member of the CDS board of directors attended at least
75 percent of the meetings of the CDS board of directors and the CDS board of
directors committees of which he was a member.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires CDS's officers
and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class
of CDS's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the SEC and the Nasdaq National Market. Officers, directors and
greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish
CDS with copies of all Sections 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on review of
the copies of such forms furnished to CDS, or written representations that no
Forms 5 were required, CDS believes that during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2000, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its
officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were
satisfied.
SOLICITATION
CDS will bear the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy, proxy
statement, Annual Report and other material which may be sent to the
stockholders in connection with this solicitation.
Brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries may be
requested to forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of stock, in
which case they will be reimbursed by CDS for their expenses in doing so.
Proxies are being solicited primarily by mail, but, in addition, officers and
regular employees of CDS may solicit proxies personally, by telephone, by
telegram or by special letter.
The CDS board of directors does not intend to present to the meeting any
other matter not referred to above and does not presently know of any matters
that may be presented to the meeting by others. However, if other matters come
before the meeting, it is the intent of the persons named in the enclosed proxy
to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
48
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
CDS files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. The annual reports include CDS's audited financial
statements. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information
that CDS files at the SEC's public reference rooms which are located at Room
1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the SEC's regional offices located at: Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor,
New York, New York 10048. Copies of such materials are also available from the
Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C.
20549 at prescribed rates. Copies of such materials may also be accessed through
the SEC Internet web site at http://www.sec.gov. Once the merger is completed,
CDS will no longer be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
This proxy statement incorporates by reference "Regulatory Matters" in Item 1 of
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Casino Data Systems for the year ended
December 31, 2000.
THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON
FORM 10-K, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
SCHEDULES, FILED WITH THE SEC FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000 TO ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER OF
CDS COMMON STOCK AS OF THE RECORD DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO CASINO DATA
SYSTEMS, 3300 BIRTCHER DRIVE, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89118, ATTENTION: STOCKHOLDER
RELATIONS. THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH A BENEFICIAL OWNER WITH ANY EXHIBIT NOT
CONTAINED THEREIN UPON PAYMENT OF A REASONABLE FEE.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this proxy statement to vote your shares of CDS common stock at the
annual meeting. CDS has not authorized anyone to provide you with information
that is different from what is contained in this proxy statement.
This proxy statement is dated April 10, 2001. You should not assume that the
information contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other
than such date, and the mailing of this proxy statement to stockholders will not
create any implication to the contrary.
RETURN OF AN EXECUTED PROXY WITH NO INSTRUCTIONS INDICATED ON THIS PROXY
WILL RESULT IN THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY BEING VOTED "FOR" APPROVAL OF
THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, "FOR" ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR,
AND "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
FAILURE TO RETURN A PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXY CARD OR TO VOTE AT THE MEETING WILL
HAVE THE EFFECT OF A VOTE "AGAINST" APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
MERGER.
IF YOU RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY CARD BECAUSE YOU OWN SHARES REGISTERED IN
DIFFERENT NAMES OR AT DIFFERENT ADDRESSES, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN EACH PROXY
CARD.
IMPORTANT
PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CDS COMMON STOCK
CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME.
49
ANNEX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
DATED AS OF JANUARY 17, 2001
BY AND AMONG
ARISTOCRAT LEISURE LIMITED,
CEDAR ACQUISITION CORP.
AND
CASINO DATA SYSTEMS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
--------
ARTICLE I THE MERGER........................................................ A-1
SECTION 1.1. The Merger.................................................. A-1
SECTION 1.2. Closing..................................................... A-1
SECTION 1.3. Effective Time.............................................. A-1
SECTION 1.4. Effects of the Merger....................................... A-2
SECTION 1.5. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws........................ A-2
SECTION 1.6. Directors................................................... A-2
SECTION 1.7. Officers.................................................... A-2
SECTION 1.8. Additional Actions.......................................... A-2
ARTICLE II EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT
CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES........................... A-2
SECTION 2.1. Effect on Capital Stock..................................... A-2
SECTION 2.2. Exchange of Certificates.................................... A-3
SECTION 2.3. Stock Options............................................... A-4
SECTION 2.4. No Liability................................................ A-4
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY................... A-4
SECTION 3.1. Organization and Qualification; subsidiaries................ A-5
SECTION 3.2. Capitalization of the Company and its subsidiaries.......... A-5
SECTION 3.3. Authority Relative to this Agreement; Recommendation........ A-6
SECTION 3.4. SEC Reports; Financial Statements........................... A-7
SECTION 3.5. Information Supplied........................................ A-7
SECTION 3.6. Consents and Approvals; No Violations....................... A-7
SECTION 3.7. No Default.................................................. A-8
SECTION 3.8. Absence of Changes.......................................... A-8
SECTION 3.9. Litigation.................................................. A-8
SECTION 3.10. Compliance with Applicable Law.............................. A-9
SECTION 3.11. Employee Benefit Plans; Labor Matters....................... A-10
SECTION 3.12. Environmental Laws and Regulations.......................... A-11
SECTION 3.13. Taxes....................................................... A-12
SECTION 3.14. Intellectual Property....................................... A-13
SECTION 3.15. Vote Required............................................... A-16
SECTION 3.16. Opinion of Financial Adviser................................ A-16
SECTION 3.17. Brokers..................................................... A-16
SECTION 3.18. Property.................................................... A-16
SECTION 3.19. Contracts................................................... A-17
SECTION 3.20. State Takeover Statutes..................................... A-17
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND ACQUISITION.........
A-17
SECTION 4.1. Organization................................................ A-17
SECTION 4.2. Authority Relative to this Agreement........................ A-18
SECTION 4.3. Information Supplied........................................ A-18
SECTION 4.4. Consents and Approvals; No Violations....................... A-18
SECTION 4.5. Adequate Funds.............................................. A-18
SECTION 4.6. No Prior Activities......................................... A-18
SECTION 4.7. Ownership of Securities..................................... A-19
SECTION 4.8. Financial Statements........................................ A-19
A-i
PAGE
--------
ARTICLE V COVENANTS......................................................... A-19
SECTION 5.1. Conduct of Business......................................... A-19
SECTION 5.2. Other Potential Acquirors................................... A-22
SECTION 5.3. Preparation of the Proxy Statement; Stockholders' Meeting... A-24
SECTION 5.4. Access to Information; Confidentiality...................... A-25
SECTION 5.5. Reasonable Efforts; Notification............................ A-26
SECTION 5.6. Takeover Statutes; Inconsistent Actions..................... A-26
SECTION 5.7. Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance.................. A-26
SECTION 5.8. Fees and Expenses........................................... A-28
SECTION 5.9. Public Announcements........................................ A-28
SECTION 5.10. Status of Company Employees; Employee Benefits.............. A-28
SECTION 5.11. Governmental Approvals...................................... A-28
ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT............................................. A-29
Conditions to Each Party's Obligations to Effect the
SECTION 6.1. Merger.................................................... A-29
Additional Conditions to Obligations of Parent and
SECTION 6.2. Acquisition............................................... A-29
SECTION 6.3. Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company......... A-30
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER............................... A-31
SECTION 7.1. Termination................................................. A-31
SECTION 7.2. Effect of Termination....................................... A-32
SECTION 7.3. Amendment................................................... A-32
SECTION 7.4. Extension; Waiver........................................... A-32
SECTION 7.5. Termination Fee............................................. A-32
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................. A-33
SECTION 8.1. Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties............... A-33
SECTION 8.2. Notices..................................................... A-33
SECTION 8.3. Definitions................................................. A-34
SECTION 8.4. Interpretation.............................................. A-34
SECTION 8.5. Counterparts; Facsimile..................................... A-34
SECTION 8.6. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.............. A-34
SECTION 8.7. Governing Law............................................... A-34
SECTION 8.8. Assignment.................................................. A-35
SECTION 8.9. Enforcement................................................. A-35
SECTION 8.10. Waiver of Jury Trial........................................ A-35
SECTION 8.11. Personal Liability.......................................... A-35
SECTION 8.12. Severability................................................ A-35
SECTION 8.13. Financing................................................... A-36
SECTION 8.14. Materiality................................................. A-36
A-ii
TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS
TERM CROSS REFERENCE IN AGREEMENT PAGE
- ---- ---------------------------- --------
Acquisition...................................... Preamble.................................. 1
Agreement........................................ Preamble.................................. 1
Budget........................................... Section 3.1(c)............................ 6
Certificates..................................... Section 2.2(a)............................ 4
Closing Date..................................... Section 1.2............................... 2
Code............................................. Section 3.11(b)........................... 12
Company Common Stock............................. Preamble.................................. 1
Company Disclosure Schedule...................... Art. III.................................. 6
Company Employees................................ Section 5.10(a)........................... 34
Company Financial Adviser........................ Section 3.16.............................. 20
Company Intellectual Property Rights............. Section 3.14(c)........................... 17
Company Letter of Transmittal.................... Section 2.2(a)............................ 4
Company Material Adverse Effect.................. Section 3.1(c)............................ 6
Company Permits.................................. Section 3.10(a)........................... 11
Company.......................................... Preamble.................................. 1
Company SEC Reports.............................. Section 3.4............................... 8
Company Securities............................... Section 3.2(a)............................ 7
Company Stock Option(s).......................... Section 2.3............................... 5
Company Stockholders' Meeting.................... Section 3.5............................... 9
Confidentiality Agreement........................ Section 5.2(a)............................ 27
Contractor....................................... Section 5.4(b)(iii)....................... 31
Copyrights....................................... Section 3.14(a)(i)........................ 17
Effective Time................................... Section 1.3............................... 2
Employee Plans................................... Section 3.11(a)........................... 12
ERISA Affiliate.................................. Section 3.11(a)........................... 12
ERISA............................................ Section 3.11(a)........................... 12
Exchange Act..................................... Section 3.2(c)............................ 8
Exchange Agent................................... Section 2.2(b)............................ 4
Excluded Shares.................................. Section 2.1(a)(i)......................... 3
Expenses......................................... Section 7.5............................... 40
Governmental Approvals........................... Section 5.11(a)........................... 35
Governmental Entity.............................. Section 3.6............................... 9
HSR Act.......................................... Section 3.6............................... 9
Income Tax....................................... Section 3.13(a)(i)........................ 15
Indemnified Liabilities.......................... Section 5.7(b)............................ 33
Indemnified persons.............................. Section 5.7(b)............................ 33
Leased Property.................................. Section 3.18(b)........................... 20
Leases........................................... Section 3.18(b)........................... 20
Lien............................................. Section 3.2(b)............................ 8
Merger Consideration............................. Section 2.1(a)(i)......................... 3
Merger........................................... Preamble.................................. 1
Notifying Party.................................. Section 5.11(a)........................... 35
NRS.............................................. Preamble.................................. 1
Opinion.......................................... Section 3.16.............................. 20
Outside Date..................................... Section 7.1(e)............................ 38
Owned Property................................... Section 3.18(a)........................... 20
Parent Benefit Plans............................. Section 5.10(a)........................... 34
Parent Disclosure Schedule....................... Article IV................................ 21
A-iii
TERM CROSS REFERENCE IN AGREEMENT PAGE
- ---- ---------------------------- --------
Parent Financial Statements...................... Section 4.8............................... 23
Parent Material Adverse Effect................... Section 4.1(b)............................ 22
Parent........................................... Preamble.................................. 1
Patents.......................................... Section 3.14(a)(i)........................ 16
PBGC............................................. Section 3.11(c)........................... 13
Principal Stockholders........................... Preamble.................................. 1
Property......................................... Section 5.4(b)(i)......................... 31
Proxy Statement.................................. Section 3.5............................... 9
SEC.............................................. Section 3.4............................... 8
Securities Act................................... Section 3.4............................... 8
Stock Option Plans............................... Section 2.3............................... 5
Stockholder Approval............................. Preamble.................................. 1
Surviving Corporation............................ Section 1.1............................... 2
Tax Return....................................... Section 3.13(a)(iii)...................... 15
Tax/Taxes........................................ Section 3.13(a)(ii)....................... 15
Termination Fee.................................. Section 7.5............................... 40
Third Party...................................... Section 5.2(e)............................ 28
Trademarks....................................... Section 3.14(a)(i)........................ 16
Voting Agreement................................. Preamble.................................. 1
A-iv
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of January 17, 2001 (this
"AGREEMENT"), by and among ARISTOCRAT LEISURE LIMITED, an Australian company
("PARENT"), CEDAR ACQUISITION CORP., a Nevada corporation and an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Parent ("ACQUISITION"), and CASINO DATA SYSTEMS, a Nevada
corporation (the "COMPANY").
BACKGROUND
A. The respective Boards of Directors of Parent, Acquisition and the Company
have approved, and deem it fair to and in the best interests of their respective
shareholders and stockholders to consummate, the merger of Acquisition with and
into the Company (the "MERGER"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the Nevada Revised Statutes
("NRS"), whereby each issued and outstanding share of common stock of the
Company, no par value per share (the "COMPANY COMMON STOCK"), other than shares
to be cancelled in accordance with Section 2.1(c), will be converted into the
right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined below).
B. This Agreement and the Merger are required to be approved by the holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock (the
"STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL").
C. As a condition and inducement to Parent and Acquisition entering into
this Agreement and incurring the obligations set forth herein, concurrently with
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent and certain stockholders of
the Company ("PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS") are simultaneously entering into a Voting
Agreement (the "VOTING AGREEMENT") pursuant to which, among other things, such
stockholders have agreed to vote certain of the shares of Company Common Stock
owned by such stockholders (aggregating approximately 9.5% of the outstanding
capital stock of the Company) in favor of the approval of this Agreement and the
Merger.
D. Parent, Acquisition and the Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree
as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
SECTION 1.1 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with Chapter 92A of the NRS,
Acquisition shall be merged with and into the Company at the Effective Time (as
defined in Section 1.3). As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate
existence of Acquisition shall cease and the Company shall continue as the
surviving corporation (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION").
SECTION 1.2 CLOSING. The closing of the Merger will take place at
10:00 a.m. on a date to be specified by the parties, which shall be no later
than the second business day after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set
forth in Article VI (the "CLOSING DATE"), at the offices of Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 300 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California
90071, unless another time, date or place is agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto.
SECTION 1.3 EFFECTIVE TIME. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
as soon as practicable on the Closing Date, the parties shall prepare, execute
and acknowledge and file articles of merger in such form as is required by
Section 92A.200 of the NRS and shall make all other filings or recordings as are
required under the NRS. The Merger shall become effective at such time as such
A-1
filing or filings are made with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada,
or at such other time on or within 90 days after such filing as Parent and the
Company shall agree and as is specified in such filings (the date and time of
such effectiveness, being the "EFFECTIVE TIME").
SECTION 1.4 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. The Merger shall have the effects set
forth in Section 92A.250 of the NRS and all other effects specified in the
applicable provisions of the NRS.
SECTION 1.5 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS. At the Effective Time,
the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Surviving Corporation shall be
amended to be identical to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws,
respectively, of Acquisition as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time (except that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be the same as the
name of the Company), until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or
by applicable law.
SECTION 1.6 DIRECTORS. At the Effective Time, except as set forth on
EXHIBIT 1.6, each of the directors of the Company and its subsidiaries shall
resign or be removed from the Board of Directors of the Company and its
subsidiaries, respectively. The directors of Acquisition immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, until
the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors
are duly elected and qualified at the Effective Time, as the case may be.
SECTION 1.7 OFFICERS. Except as set forth on EXHIBIT 1.7, the officers of
the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the
Surviving Corporation at the Effective Time and shall hold office until the
earlier of their death, resignation or removal or until their successors are
duly appointed and qualified.
SECTION 1.8 ADDITIONAL ACTIONS. If, at any time after the Effective Time,
the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of
sale, assignments, assurances or any other actions or things are necessary or
desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving
Corporation its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights,
properties or assets of Acquisition or the Company or otherwise to carry out
this Agreement, the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be
authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of Acquisition or
the Company, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and to
take and do, in the name and on behalf of Acquisition or the Company, all such
other actions and things as may be necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or
confirm any and all right, title and interest in, to and under such rights,
properties or assets in the Surviving Corporation or otherwise to carry out this
Agreement.
ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
SECTION 2.1 EFFECT ON CAPITAL STOCK. At the Effective Time, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, Acquisition, the
Company or the holders of any shares of Company Common Stock or any shares of
capital stock of Acquisition:
(a) CONVERSION OF COMMON STOCK.
(i) At the Effective Time, each share of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares of
Company Common Stock owned by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company,
or Parent, Acquisition or any other subsidiary of Parent (the "EXCLUDED
SHARES") shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
of the holder thereof, be converted into the right to receive, without
interest, $9.25 in cash (the "MERGER CONSIDERATION").
(ii) As of the Effective Time, all shares of Company Common Stock shall
no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired
and shall cease to exist, and each certificate previously representing any
such shares shall thereafter represent the right to receive the Merger
Consideration upon surrender of such certificates in accordance with
Section 2.2. The
A-2
holders of such certificates previously evidencing such shares of Company
Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease
to have any rights with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock as of
the Effective Time except as otherwise provided herein or by law.
(b) CAPITAL STOCK OF ACQUISITION. Each share of the capital stock of
Acquisition issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
be converted into one fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of the
Surviving Corporation.
(c) CANCELLATION OF TREASURY STOCK AND PARENT OWNED STOCK. Each share of
Company Common Stock that is owned by the Company or by any subsidiary of the
Company and each share of Company Common Stock that is owned by Parent,
Acquisition or any other subsidiary of Parent immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist
without any conversion thereof and no consideration shall be delivered with
respect thereto.
SECTION 2.2 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.
(a) Promptly after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent (as defined below)
shall mail to each holder of record of Company Common Stock immediately prior to
the Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares) (i) a letter of transmittal (the
"COMPANY LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL") (which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to the Company certificates representing
shares of the Company Common Stock (the "CERTIFICATES") shall pass, only upon
delivery of such Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form
and have such other provisions as Parent shall reasonably specify) and
(ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in
exchange for the Merger Consideration with respect to the shares of Company
Common Stock formerly represented thereby.
(b) Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall cause to be deposited with the
party specified by Parent as the exchange agent (the "EXCHANGE AGENT") amounts
sufficient in the aggregate to provide all funds necessary for the Exchange
Agent to make payments pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i) hereof to holders of
Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time who are entitled to receive the Merger Consideration. Any interest,
dividends, or other income earned on the investment of cash deposited by Parent
with the Exchange Agent in accordance with this Section 2.2(b) shall be for the
account of and payable to Parent.
(c) Upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of Certificates, together with the
Company Letter of Transmittal, duly executed and completed in accordance with
the instructions thereto, and only upon such surrender, the holder of such
Certificate shall be entitled to receive, in exchange therefor, and Parent shall
cause the Exchange Agent to promptly cause to be delivered to such holder a
check in an amount equal to the Merger Consideration payable for each such share
of Company Common Stock represented by such Certificate, after giving effect to
any required tax withholdings or transfer taxes or other similar taxes. The
Certificates surrendered pursuant to this Section 2.2(c) shall forthwith be
cancelled. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen, mislaid or
destroyed, then upon receipt of an affidavit of that fact from the holder
claiming such Certificate to be lost, mislaid, stolen or destroyed and a lost
certificate indemnity (in each case reasonably satisfactory to Parent and the
Exchange Agent), the Exchange Agent shall issue to such holder the Merger
Consideration into which the shares represented by such lost, stolen, mislaid or
destroyed Certificate shall have been converted, after giving effect to any
required tax withholdings or transfer taxes or other similar taxes.
(d) No interest will be paid or will accrue on the amount payable upon the
surrender of any Certificate. If payment is to be made to a person other than
the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, it shall be a condition of
such payment that the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and
otherwise in proper form for transfer, as determined by the Exchange Agent or
Parent, and that the person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or
other taxes required by reason of the payment to a person other than the
registered holder of the Certificate surrendered or establish to the
satisfaction of the Parent or the Exchange Agent that such tax has been paid or
is not
A-3
payable. One hundred eighty (180) days following the Effective Time, Parent
shall be entitled to cause the Exchange Agent to deliver to it any funds
(including any interest received with respect thereto) made available to the
Exchange Agent which have not been disbursed to holders of certificates formerly
representing shares of Company Common Stock outstanding on the Effective Time,
and thereafter such holders shall be entitled to look to the Parent only as
general creditors thereof with respect to cash payable upon due surrender of
their Certificates.
(e) In the event of a transfer of ownership of Company Common Stock which is
not registered in the transfer records of the Company, Merger Consideration may
be paid or issued to a person other than the person in whose name the
Certificate so surrendered is registered, if such Certificate, accompanied by
all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer, shall be properly
endorsed with signature guarantees or otherwise be in proper form for transfer,
and the person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes
required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a person other
than the registered holder of such Certificate or establish to the satisfaction
of Parent that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.
(f) The Merger Consideration paid upon the surrender for exchange of
Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article II shall be deemed to
have been paid and issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the
shares of Company Common Stock theretofore represented by such Certificates. At
the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed, and
there shall be no further registrations of transfers of shares of Company Common
Stock thereafter on the records of the Company.
SECTION 2.3 STOCK OPTIONS. (a) At the Effective Time, each outstanding
option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock (a "COMPANY STOCK OPTION" or,
collectively, the "COMPANY STOCK OPTIONS") issued pursuant to the Company's 1993
Stock Option and Compensation Plan and the Company's 1994 Non-Employee Director
Stock Option Plan or otherwise (collectively, the "STOCK OPTION PLANS"), whether
vested or unvested, shall be canceled and each holder of a Company Stock Option
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor cash in an amount equal to the
product of (a) the difference between the Merger Consideration and the exercise
price per share of such Company Stock Option, multiplied by (b) the number of
shares subject to such Company Stock Option, less any applicable Taxes withheld
by the Company under applicable law.
(b) In connection with such cancellation, the Company shall use reasonable
best efforts to obtain any required consents from holders of Company Stock
Options as required pursuant to the Stock Option Plans. The Company shall use
reasonable best efforts to take all other actions necessary and appropriate so
that all stock option and other equity-based plans maintained with respect to
the Company Common Stock, including, without limitation, the Stock Option Plans,
shall terminate as of the Effective Time, and the provisions of any other
Employee Plan (as defined in Section 3.11(a) hereof) providing for the issuance,
transfer or grant of any capital stock of the Company or any interest in respect
of any capital stock of the Company shall be deleted as of the Effective Time,
and the Company shall ensure that following the Effective Time no holder of a
Company Stock Option or any participant in any Stock Option Plan shall have any
rights thereunder to acquire any capital stock of the Company, Parent or the
Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 2.4 NO LIABILITY. None of Parent, Acquisition, the Company or the
Exchange Agent shall be liable to any holder of shares of Company Common Stock
for any cash otherwise payable to such holder of shares of Company Common Stock
or paid to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar law.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as publicly disclosed by the Company in the Company SEC Reports filed
with the SEC prior to the date hereof and except as set forth on the Disclosure
Schedule (it being agreed that
A-4
disclosure of any item in such schedule shall be deemed disclosure with respect
to any section of this Agreement) previously delivered by the Company to Parent
(the "COMPANY DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE"), the Company hereby represents and warrants
to each of Parent and Acquisition as follows:
SECTION 3.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION; SUBSIDIARIES.
(a) Section 3.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete
and accurate list of each subsidiary of the Company as of the date hereof and
its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as the case may
be. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or
organization and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease
and operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as now being
conducted. The Company has heretofore delivered to Parent accurate and complete
copies of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (or similar governing
documents), as currently in effect, of the Company and its subsidiaries.
(b) The respective articles of incorporation and bylaws or other
organizational documents of the subsidiaries of the Company do not contain any
provision limiting or otherwise restricting the ability of the Company to
control such subsidiaries, other than as required by Gaming Laws. The Company
does not directly or indirectly beneficially own any securities or other
beneficial ownership interests in any other entity (including through joint
ventures or partnership arrangements) other than (i) the subsidiaries of the
Company identified on Schedule 3.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or
(ii) as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 3.1(b) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule.
(c) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed
and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the property
owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it
makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in such jurisdictions
where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good standing would
not be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The term
"COMPANY MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means any change or effect that, individually
or in the aggregate, is or is reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the
business, assets, operations, results of operations, prospects (as identified in
the Company's 2001 Preliminary Budget dated January 6, 2001 ("BUDGET")) or
financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as whole, other
than any changes or effects arising out of (i) conditions generally affecting
industries in which the Company operates,(ii) the entering into or the public
announcement or disclosure of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby, (iii) general economic conditions, or (iv) the financial markets.
SECTION 3.2 CAPITALIZATION OF THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100 million
shares of capital stock, of which, as of January 16, 2001, 18,558,065 shares of
Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding, and no shares of Company
Common Stock were held in the Company's treasury. All of the outstanding shares
of Company Common Stock have been validly issued and are fully paid,
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. As of January 17, 2001, 1,724,856
shares of Company Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to
outstanding Company Stock Options. Except as set forth in this Section 3.2, as
of January 17, 2001, there were outstanding (i) no shares of capital stock or
other voting securities of the Company, (ii) no stock appreciation rights,
phantom stock units, restricted stock grants, contingent stock grants or
Employee Plans which grant awards of any of the foregoing, and no other
outstanding contractual rights to which the Company is a party the value of
which is based on the value of Company Common Stock, (iii) no bonds, debentures,
notes or other indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary having the right to
vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to
vote) on any matters on which stockholders of the Company may vote, (iv) no
securities of the Company or its subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable
for shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company, (v) no options
or other rights to acquire from the Company or its subsidiaries and, no
obligations of the Company or its subsidiaries to issue any capital stock,
voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
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capital stock or voting securities of the Company and (iv) no equity equivalent
interests in the ownership or earnings of the Company or its subsidiaries
(collectively "COMPANY SECURITIES"). Section 3.2 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule lists each outstanding Company Stock Option, showing in each case the
exercise price, the number of shares of Company Common Stock into which each
such Company Stock Option is exercisable, and the expiration date of such
Company Stock Option. As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding
obligations of the Company or its subsidiaries to repurchase redeem or otherwise
acquire any Company Securities. There are no stockholder agreements, voting
trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company is a party or
by which it is bound relating to the voting or registration of any shares of
capital stock of the Company. To the knowledge of the Company, as of the date of
this Agreement, there are no irrevocable proxies and no voting agreements (other
than the Voting Agreement) with respect to any shares of capital stock or the
other voting securities of the Company to which the Company is a party.
(b) All of the outstanding capital stock of the Company's subsidiaries
(other than director's qualifying shares in the case of foreign subsidiaries,
each of which is set forth on section 3.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule)
is owned by the Company, or one of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly,
free and clear of any Lien or any other material limitation or restriction
(including any restriction on the right to vote or sell the same except as may
be provided as a matter of law). There are no securities of the Company or its
subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for, no options or other rights to
acquire from the Company or its subsidiaries and no other contract,
understanding, arrangement or obligation (whether or not contingent) providing
for, the issuance or sale, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries of any capital stock or other ownership interests in or any other
securities of any subsidiary of the Company. There are no outstanding
contractual obligations of the Company or its subsidiaries to repurchase redeem
or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership
interests in any subsidiary of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement,
"LIEN"means any mortgage, lien, pledge, conditional sale agreement, default of
title, easement, encroachment, encumbrance, hypothecation, reservation,
restriction, security interest, title retention or other security arrangement,
or any adverse right or interest, charge or claim of any nature whatsoever of,
on, or with respect to, any asset, property or property interest.
(c) The Company Common Stock constitutes the only class of equity securities
of the Company or its subsidiaries registered or required to be registered under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT").
SECTION 3.3 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT; RECOMMENDATION.
(a) The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company and no
other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
except the Stockholder Approval. This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution
and delivery by Parent and Acquisition, constitutes a valid, legal and binding
agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
terms.
(b) The Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously resolved to
recommend that the stockholders of the Company approve and adopt this Agreement.
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SECTION 3.4 SEC REPORTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Company has filed all
required forms, reports and documents ("COMPANY SEC REPORTS") with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") since December 31, 1998, each of
which has complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC
promulgated thereunder (the "SECURITIES ACT") and the Exchange Act, each as in
effect on the dates such forms, reports and documents were filed. None of such
Company SEC Reports contained when filed any untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or incorporated by
reference therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein in light
of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading. The audited
consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC
Reports and the unaudited financial statements contained in the Company's
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000 have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on
a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), and fairly
present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their
consolidated results of operations and changes in financial position for the
periods then ended, except, in the case of unaudited interim financial
statements, for normal year-end audit adjustments and the fact that certain
information and notes have been condensed or omitted in accordance with the
applicable rules of the SEC. Except as set forth on Section 3.4 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule and except as set forth in the Company SEC Reports filed and
publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement, and except for
liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice since the date of the most recent consolidated
balance sheet included in the Company SEC Reports filed and publicly available
prior to the date of this Agreement and except for liabilities and obligations
which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Company Material
Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any
liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent
or otherwise).
SECTION 3.5 INFORMATION SUPPLIED. None of the information supplied or to
be supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
proxy statement (the "PROXY STATEMENT") relating to the meeting of the Company's
stockholders to be held in connection with the Merger (the "COMPANY
STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING") will, at the date the Proxy Statement or any amendments
or supplements thereto are mailed to stockholders of the Company or at the time
of the Company Stockholders' Meeting or at the Effective Time, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary, in order to make the statements therein in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, except
that no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information
supplied by Parent or Acquisition for inclusion or incorporation by reference
therein. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects
with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
SECTION 3.6 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS. Except as set forth in
Section 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and except for filings, permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required under, and other
applicable requirements of, the Exchange Act, state securities or blue sky laws,
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR
ACT"), foreign antitrust laws and the filing and recordation of the articles of
merger as required by the NRS, no filing with or notice to and no permit,
authorization, consent, order, license, certificate, declaration, filing with or
approval of any supranational, national, state, municipal, county or local
government, any instrumentality, subdivision, court, governmental, regulatory,
judicial or administrative agency or commission or other authority thereof, any
quasi-governmental or private body exercising any regulatory, taxing, importing
or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority, or any Gaming Authority
(as defined below) (each, a "GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY") or other person is necessary
for the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, except
where the failure to obtain such permits, authorizations,
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consents or approvals or to make such filings or give such notice would not,
individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect or prevent or significantly delay consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby. Neither the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by the Company nor the consummation by the Company
of the transactions contemplated hereby will (a) conflict with or result in any
breach of any provision of the respective Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws
(or similar governing documents) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
(b) result in a violation or breach of or constitute (with or without due notice
or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination,
amendment, cancellation or acceleration or Lien) under any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, license,
contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their
respective properties or assets may be bound and which contemplates a payment to
or from the Company in any twelve month period of an amount in excess of
$100,000 or (c) except as set forth in Section 3.6 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, to the Company's knowledge, violate any order, writ, injunction,
decree, law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets except, in the case
of (b) or (c), for violations, breaches or defaults which, individually or in
the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect. The term "GAMING AUTHORITY" means all foreign, federal, state,
local or supranational governmental, regulatory or licensing authorities or the
National Indian Gaming Commission, or other aboriginal or tribal authority,
which issues or grants any License or approval or admits persons to any roll or
list, necessary or appropriate for the lawful operation of gaming and related
businesses and operations engaged in by the Company or its subsidiaries. The
term "LICENSE" means a license, registration, finding of suitability, permit,
order, consent or other regulatory approval necessary for the lawful operation
or conduct of gaming, manufacturing, distributing and related business or
businesses (including specific contractual relations) engaged in by the Company
or any subsidiary in any jurisdiction issued or given by a Gaming Authority or
Governmental Entity.
SECTION 3.7 NO DEFAULT. None of the Company or its subsidiaries is in
breach, default or violation (and no event has occurred which with notice or the
lapse of time or both would constitute a breach default or violation) of any
term, condition or provision of (a) its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws (or
similar governing documents), (b) any Company Material Contract or Company
Permit (as hereinafter defined) or (c) any order, writ, injunction, decree, law,
statute, rule or regulation of any Governmental Entity applicable to the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets
except, in the case of (b) or (c), for violations, breaches or defaults that
would not individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect or prevent or significantly delay consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.8 ABSENCE OF CHANGES. Since September 30, 2000, there have been
no events, changes or effects with respect to the Company or its subsidiaries
that would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or that are outside the
ordinary course of business.
SECTION 3.9 LITIGATION. Except as set forth on Section 3.9 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there is no suit, claim, action, proceeding or
investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened (in
writing, with respect to matters other than Intellectual Property Rights, and,
to the Company's knowledge, whether or not in writing, with respect to
Intellectual Property Rights) against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
any of their respective properties or assets before any Governmental Entity or
arbitrator which would be reasonably expected to result in costs, losses, fines,
penalties, settlements (payable in royalties or otherwise), awards, or other
financial damages to the Company, if determined adversely, in an amount of
$100,000 or more, result in an injunction preventing the company from offering
any current or presently contemplated products or services, or affect the
validity, enforceability or ownership of any Company Intellectual Property
Rights or would reasonably be expected to prevent or significantly delay the
consummation of the transactions
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contemplated by this Agreement. None of the Company or its subsidiaries is
subject to any outstanding order, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental
Entity that would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or would reasonably be
expected to prevent or significantly delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.10 COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW.
(a) Except where the failure to hold the same, or the invalidity or
revocation thereof, would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the
Company and its subsidiaries hold all permits, Licenses, variances, exemptions
and approvals from all Governmental Entities necessary for the lawful conduct of
their respective businesses as presently conducted, (the "COMPANY PERMITS") all
of which are valid and in full force and effect, subject to any conditions or
limitations imposed by any such authority, and no notice of revocation or
suspension has been received or, to the knowledge of the Company, is pending or
threatened in writing in respect thereof and no event has occurred which
permits, or upon the giving of notice or passage of time or both would permit,
revocation, non-renewal, modification, suspension, limitation or termination of
any Company Permit that currently is in effect. The Company and its subsidiaries
are in compliance with the terms of the Company Permits except where the failure
so to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected
to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or prevent or significantly delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) The businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries are not being
conducted in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any Governmental
Entity, except that no representation or warranty is made in this Section 3.10
with respect to Environmental Laws (as defined in Section 3.12 below) and except
for violations or possible violations which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and
PROVIDED HOWEVER that certain such Company Permits as are listed in
Section 3.10(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule are in the process of being
renewed. To the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, no investigation
or review by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or its
subsidiaries is pending or threatened, nor to the knowledge of the Company and
its subsidiaries, has any Governmental Entity indicated an intention to conduct
the same, other than such investigations or reviews as would not be reasonably
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The Company and its subsidiaries are currently operating in substantial
compliance with the terms of all Company Permits issued by Gaming Authorities,
and to the extent there has not been such compliance in the past all such
non-compliances have been rectified. No Gaming Authority is restricting or
prohibiting the continuation of the business of the Company or any of the
Company's subsidiaries as presently conducted through any order, decree or
otherwise. Except as disclosed in Section 3.10(c) of the Company's Disclosure
Schedule, (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director,
officer, key employee, person performing management functions similar to
officers or, to the Company's knowledge, partners of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has received any written claim, demand notice, complaint, court
order or administrative order from any Governmental Entity in the past three
years under or relating to any violation or possible violation of any Gaming
Laws (as defined below) which did or would be reasonably likely to result in
fines or penalties of $50,000 or more; (ii) to the knowledge of the Company,
there are no facts which, if known to the Gaming Authorities under the Gaming
Laws, could reasonably be expected to result in the revocation, limitation or
suspension of a Company Permit, or any officer, director, key employee, other
person performing management functions similar to an officer or partner, under
any Gaming Laws and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any
reason to believe that any Gaming Authority is considering, or has any basis
for, restricting or prohibiting the continuation of the business of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries as presently conducted through any order, decree or
otherwise, and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
suffered a suspension or revocation of any Company Permit held under or pursuant
to the Gaming Laws. The term "Gaming Laws" means any
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law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, License, judgment, order, decree,
injunction or other authorization of a Governmental Entity, including any
condition or limitation placed thereon, governing or relating to the current or
contemplated casino, gaming and related manufacturing and distributing
activities and operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.11 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; LABOR MATTERS.
(a) Section 3.11(a) contains a true and complete list of each deferred
compensation and each incentive compensation, stock purchase, stock option and
other equity compensation plan, program, agreement or arrangement; each
severance or termination pay, medical, surgical, hospitalization, life insurance
and other "welfare" plan, fund or program (within the meaning of section 3(1) of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")); each
profit-sharing, stock bonus or other "pension" plan, fund or program (within the
meaning of section 3(2) of ERISA); each employment, termination or severance
agreement; and each other employee benefit plan, fund, program, agreement or
arrangement, in each case, that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to or
required to be contributed to by the Company or by any trade or business,
whether or not incorporated (an "ERISA AFFILIATE"), that together with the
Company would be deemed a "single employer" within the meaning of
section 4001(b) of ERISA, or to which the Company or an ERISA Affiliate is
party, whether written or oral, for the benefit of any employee or former
employee of the Company or any subsidiary (the "EMPLOYEE PLANS"). Neither the
Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has any legally binding commitment to create any
additional employee benefit plan or modify or change any existing Employee Plan
that would affect any employee or former employee of the Company or any
subsidiary.
(b) With respect to each Employee Plan, the Company has heretofore delivered
to Parent true and complete copies of the Employee Plan and any amendments
thereto (or if the Employee Plan is not a written Employee Plan, a description
thereof), any related trust or other funding vehicle, any reports or summaries
required under ERISA or the Code and the most recent determination letter
received from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Employee Plan
intended to qualify under section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "CODE").
(c) None of the Employee Plans is a "multiemployer plan," as such term is
defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, nor is any Employee Plan subject to 302 or
Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. No liability under Title IV or
section 302 of ERISA has been incurred by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate
that has not been satisfied in full, and no condition exists that presents a
material risk to the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of incurring any such
liability, other than liability for premiums due the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation ("PBGC") (which premiums have been paid when due).
(d) Neither the Company or any subsidiary, any Employee Plan, any trust
created thereunder, nor any trustee or administrator thereof has engaged in a
transaction in connection with which the Company or any subsidiary, any Employee
Plan, any such trust, or any trustee or administrator thereof, or any party
dealing with any Employee Plan or any such trust could be subject to either a
material civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 409 or 502(i) of ERISA or a
material tax imposed pursuant to section 4975 or 4976 of the Code.
(e) Each Employee Plan has been operated and administered in all material
respects in accordance with its terms and applicable law, including but not
limited to ERISA and the Code.
(f) Each Employee Plan intended to be "qualified" within the meaning of
section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and the trusts maintained thereunder
are exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Code. Each Employee Plan
intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 501(c)(9) has satisfied such
requirements.
(g) No Employee Plan provides medical, surgical, hospitalization, death or
similar benefits (whether or not insured) for employees or former employees of
the Company or any subsidiary for
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periods extending beyond their retirement or other termination of service, other
than (i) coverage mandated by applicable law, (ii) death benefits under any
"pension plan," or (iii) benefits the full cost of which is borne by the current
or former employee (or his beneficiary).
(h) Except as disclosed in Section 3.11(h) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will not, either alone or in combination with another event, (i) entitle any
current or former employee or officer of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to
severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment, except as
expressly provided in this Agreement, or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or
vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee or
officer.
(i) There are no pending, threatened or anticipated claims of a material
nature by or on behalf of any Employee Plan, by any employee or beneficiary
covered under any such Employee Plan, or otherwise involving any such Employee
Plan (other than routine claims for benefits).
(j) There are no material controversies pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any of
their respective employees. Section 3.11(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
lists each collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract
applicable to persons employed by the Company or its subsidiaries in the United
States. The Company has no knowledge of any material activities or proceedings
of any labor union to organize any employees of the Company or its subsidiaries.
The Company has no knowledge of any material strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages,
lockouts or threats thereof by or with respect to any employees of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.12 ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
the Company and each of its subsidiaries is in full compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes, but is not limited to,
the possession by the Company and its subsidiaries of all permits and other
governmental authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws, and
compliance with the terms and conditions thereof. Except as set forth in
Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries has received any communication (written or oral), whether from
a governmental authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges
that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is not in such full compliance. All
permits and other governmental authorizations currently held by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Environmental Laws are identified in
Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
there is no Environmental Claim pending or threatened against the Company or any
of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries,
against any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the
Company or any of its subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed either
contractually or by operation of law.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
there are no past or present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions,
events or incidents involving the release, emission, discharge, presence or
disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern that could reasonably form the
basis of any Environmental Claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or, to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, against any person or
entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed either contractually or by
operation of law.
(d) Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) all
underground storage tanks, and the capacity and contents of such tanks, located
on property owned, operated, or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
are identified in Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and (ii) all
properties formerly owned or operated by the Company, or any subsidiary,
affiliate, or predecessor thereof are identified in Section 3.12 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule.
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For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
"Environmental Claim" means any claim, action, cause of action,
investigation or notice (written or oral) by any person or entity alleging
potential liability (including, without limitation, potential liability for
investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs, natural
resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, or penalties) arising
out of, based on or resulting from (a) the presence, or release into the
environment, of any Material of Environmental Concern at any location, whether
or not owned or operated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
(b) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of
any Environmental Law.
"Environmental Laws" means all federal, interstate, state, local and foreign
laws and regulations relating to pollution or protection of human health,
safety, or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface
water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), including, without
limitation, laws and regulations relating to emissions, discharges, releases or
threatened releases of Materials of Environmental Concern, or otherwise relating
to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern.
"Materials of Environmental Concern" means chemicals, pollutants,
contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, radioactive
materials, asbestos, petroleum and petroleum products.
SECTION 3.13 TAXES.
(a) Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) the term "INCOME TAX" shall mean any federal, state, local or
foreign Tax (A) based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to net
income or profits (including capital gains Taxes, alternative minimum Taxes
and Taxes on items of Tax preference), or (B) based upon, measured by, or
calculated with respect to multiple bases (including corporate franchise
Taxes), if one or more of the principal bases on which such Tax may be
based, measured by, or calculated with respect to is described in
clause (a)(i)(A).
(ii) the term "TAX" (including "TAXES") means (A) all federal, state,
local, foreign and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales,
use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service,
service use, withholding, estimated, payroll, employment, excise, severance,
stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or
other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, together
with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts
with respect thereto, (B) any liability for payment of amounts described in
clause (a)(ii)(A) whether as a result of transferee liability, of being a
member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any
period, or otherwise through operation of law, and (C) any liability for the
payment of amounts described in clauses (a)(ii)(A) or (B) as a result of any
tax sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement or any other express
or implied agreement to indemnify any other person; and
(iii) the term "TAX RETURN" means any return, declaration, report,
statement, information statement and other document required to be filed
with respect to Taxes.
(b) The Company and its subsidiaries have timely filed (taking into account
extensions) all material Income Tax Returns they are required to have filed. All
Income Tax Returns filed by the Company and its subsidiaries are accurate,
complete and correct in all material respects.
(c) The Company and its subsidiaries have timely paid all material Income
Taxes that have become due or payable (other than Taxes being contested in good
faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles) and have adequately reserved for in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles all material Income
Taxes (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) that have accrued but are not yet
due or payable.
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(d) No claim for assessment or collection of material Income Taxes is
presently being asserted against the Company or its subsidiaries and there is no
presently pending audit examination, refund claim, litigation, proceeding,
proposed adjustment or matter in controversy with respect to any material Income
Taxes due and owing by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(e) Neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company has filed any
waiver of the statute of limitations applicable to the assessment or collection
of any Income Tax or any other material Tax which remains open.
(f) Neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company is a party to any
tax indemnity agreement, tax sharing agreement, or other agreement under which
it reasonably expects to become liable to another person as a result of the
imposition of a material Income Tax upon any person, or the assessment or
collection of such a Tax.
(g) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have complied in all material
respects with all rules and regulations relating to the withholding of Income
Taxes.
(h) The representations contained in subparagraphs (b) through (d) and
subparagraphs (f) and (g) hereof are true and correct with respect to all Taxes
other than Income Taxes and all Tax Returns with respect to Taxes other than
Income Taxes, as applicable, except for such failures that would not be
material.
(i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any
agreement, contract, arrangement or plan that has resulted or would result,
separately or in the aggregate, in connection with this Agreement or any change
of control of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in the payment of any
"excess parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.
(j) The Company is not and has not been a United States real property
holding company within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.
SECTION 3.14 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) DEFINITIONS.
(i) For purposes of this Agreement "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" shall mean
all proprietary rights and other rights in and to: (i) trademarks, service
marks, brand names, certification marks, trade dress, assumed names, trade
names and other indications of origin, including all applications for
registration thereof and all renewals, modifications and extensions thereof
("TRADEMARKS") and the goodwill associated with each of the foregoing;
(ii) patents, including design patents and utility patents, reissues,
divisions, continuations-in-part and extensions thereof, in each case
including all applications therefor ("PATENTS"); (iii) inventor's
certifications and invention disclosures; (iv) works of authorship,
including computer systems, programs, software, object and source code,
databases, algorithms and documentation therefor, whether copyrightable or
not, copyrights, copyright registrations and applications of registration of
copyrights and all renewals, modifications and extensions thereof, moral
rights and design rights ("COPYRIGHTS"); (v) trade secrets and other
protectable information, including ideas, formulas, compositions, technical
documentation, operating manuals and guides, plans, designs, sketches,
inventions, product specifications, engineering reports and drawings,
manufacturing and production processes and techniques; drawings,
specifications, research records, invention records and technical data; and
all other know-how, protected by patent, copyright or trade secret law;
(vi) registrations of, and applications to register, any of the foregoing
with any governmental authority and any renewals or extensions thereof;
(vii) domain names; and (viii) any claims or causes of action arising out of
or related to any infringement or misappropriation of any of the foregoing,
in each case in any jurisdiction.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 3.14, "MATERIAL ADVERSE INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY EFFECT" shall mean, with reference to a particular event or
condition, that the occurrence or non-occurrence of
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such event or the absence or existence of such condition or, with reference
to a suit, claim, action, proceeding or investigation against the Company or
any of its subsidiaires, that an adverse result would reasonably be expected
to result in costs, losses, fines, penalties, settlements (payable in
royalties or otherwise), awards, or other financial damages to the Company
in an amount equal to or reasonably valued at $100,000 or more, or
reasonably be expected to prevent or significantly delay the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that otherwise has a
material adverse effect on the Company.
(b) The Company is the sole and exclusive owner of all Intellectual Property
used in the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries as currently
conducted that is not owned by and licensed from third parties. The Company has
the valid right to use all Intellectual Property used in the business of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries as currently conducted that is not
exclusively owned by the Company, excluding any Intellectual Property that, if
not owned by the Company or subject to a valid license in favor of the Company,
would not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Intellectual
Property Effect on the Company.
(c) None of the Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (the "COMPANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS"), or to the Company's
knowledge, used by or licensed to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is
subject to any outstanding judgment, order, decree, stipulation, injunction or
charge. To the Company's knowledge, there is no claim pending or threatened
which challenges the legality, validity, enforceability, or any of the Company's
or any of its subsidiaries' use or ownership of, any of the Company Intellectual
Property Rights or any of the Intellectual Property licensed to the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, excluding any such claim(s) that would not individually
or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Intellectual Property Effect on the
Company. None of the Company or any of its subsidiaries have agreed to indemnify
any person for or against any interference, infringement, misappropriation or
other conflict with respect to any Intellectual Property, except as may be
contained within the licenses or sale agreements, entered into by the Company in
the ordinary course of business in connection with sales of the Company's
products, or as set forth in Section 3.14(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
(d) To the Company's knowledge, no breach or default (or event which with
notice or lapse of time or both would result in an event of default) by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or has occurred under any license or
other agreement pursuant to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries uses
any Intellectual Property owned by a third party or has granted any third party
the right to use its Intellectual Property, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not violate or conflict with,
or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or
both, would constitute a default) or result in a forfeiture under, or constitute
a basis for termination of any such license or other agreement, excluding any
violation(s) or conflict(s) that individually or in the aggregate would not have
a Material Adverse Intellectual Property Effect on the Company.
(e) To the Company's knowledge, the Company or its subsidiaries owns or has
the right to use all items of Intellectual Property necessary to provide,
produce, sell and license the services and products currently provided,
produced, sold and licensed by the Company and its subsidiaries and to conduct
the business of Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and
clear of all Liens, excluding any items that, if not owned by the Company and
not subject to a valid license in favor of the Company, would not individually
or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Intellectual Property Effect on the
Company.
(f) To the Company's knowledge, the conduct of the Company's and its
subsidiaries' business, the Intellectual Property owned or used by the Company
and its subsidiaries, and the products or services produced, sold or licensed by
the Company and its subsidiaries, do not infringe any Intellectual Property
rights or any other proprietary right of any person or give rise to any claim or
obligations to
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any person as a result of co-authorship, co-inventorship, or an express or
implied contract for any use or transfer, excluding any infringement(s),
claim(s) or obligation(s) that would not individually or in the aggregate have a
Material Adverse Intellectual Property Effect on the Company. None of the
Company or its subsidiaries have received any notice of any written allegations
or written threats that the Company's or its subsidiaries' use of any of the
Intellectual Property infringes upon or is in conflict with any Intellectual
Property or proprietary rights of any other person.
(g) None of the Company or its subsidiaries have sent or otherwise
communicated to any other person or entity in the twenty-four month period prior
to the date hereof any written claim of any present, impending or threatened
infringement of any Intellectual Property of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
(h) To the Company's knowledge, none of the Company's or its subsidiaries'
products or services incorporate, are based upon or are derived or adapted from,
any Intellectual Property of any other person in violation of any statutory or
other legal obligation or any agreement to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound, excluding any violation(s) that
individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Intellectual
Property Effect on the Company.
(i) To the knowledge of the Company, all of Company's Patents, Trademarks
and Copyrights issued by, registered with or filed with the United States Patent
and Trademark Office or Register of Copyrights or the corresponding offices of
other countries and material to the business of the Company as currently
conducted have been duly registered, filed in or issued, as the case may be,
have been properly maintained and renewed in accordance with all applicable
provisions of law and administrative regulations, and the Company or its
subsidiary is the record owner thereof. The Company has used commercially
reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of its trade secrets and
other confidential Intellectual Property in accordance with industry standards,
and, to the Company's knowledge, there have been no acts or omissions by the
Company, the result of which would be to compromise the rights of the Company to
apply for, obtain or enforce appropriate legal protection of such Intellectual
Property, excluding any loss(es) or compromise(s) of rights that individually or
in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Intellectual Property Effect
on the Company.
(j) To the Company's knowledge, no present or former employee, officer, or
independent contractors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has any right,
title or interest, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in any of the
Company Intellectual Property Rights, and no current or former employee(s),
officer(s) or independent contractor(s) of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries have asserted any claim, or have any valid claim or valid right, to
any of the Company Intellectual Property Rights, which claim(s) or right(s)
would independently or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. To the Company's knowledge, no employee, officer or agent of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise bound by any
agreement with or obligated to any other person or entity (including, any former
employer) which conflicts in any material respect with any obligation or
commitment of such employee, officer or agent to the Company under any agreement
to which he or she is a party or otherwise. To the Company's knowledge, each
current and former employee, officer, agent and each independent contractor that
developed any Company Intellectual Property is obligated to transfer to the
Company, and will be obligated to transfer to the Surviving Company any patent
applications and invention disclosures, in consideration for no more than normal
salary and continued employment or consultant fees, as the case may be, all
inventions, developments and work product which during his or her employment or
consultancy with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, such employee, officer,
agent or independent contractor made or makes that related or relates to any
subject matter with which such employee's, officer's, agent's or independent
contractor's work for the Company or any of its subsidiaries was concerned and
which were made during such persons employment or course of agency as the case
may be.
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(k) To the knowledge of the Company, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will not result in the loss or impairment of any
Company Intellectual Property Rights, excluding any loss or impairment that
individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Intellectual
Property Effect on the Company.
(l) Section 3.14(l) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete
and accurate list of all existing material agreements granting to third parties
any material right to use or practice any material rights under the Company
Intellectual Property Rights, excluding any non-exclusive licenses granted to
customers in the ordinary course of business.
SECTION 3.15 VOTE REQUIRED. The Stockholder Approval is the only vote of
the holders of any class or series of the Company's capital stock necessary to
approve this Agreement and the Merger.
SECTION 3.16 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISER. Wasserstein Perella &
Co., Inc. (the "COMPANY FINANCIAL ADVISER") has delivered to the Board of
Directors of the Company its written opinion dated the date of this Agreement to
the effect that as of such date the Merger Consideration is fair to the holders
of shares of Company Common Stock from a financial point of view (the
"OPINION"). True and complete copies of the Opinion and the letter of engagement
between the Company and the Company Financial Adviser pursuant to which the
Company Financial Adviser has issued the Opinion and acted as financial adviser
to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
have been delivered to Parent on or prior to the date hereof.
SECTION 3.17 BROKERS. No broker, finder or investment banker other than
the Company Financial Adviser is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other
fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company.
SECTION 3.18 PROPERTY.
(a) The Company and each of its subsidiaries has good, valid and marketable
fee title to all of the real property and assets which it purports to own (the
"OWNED PROPERTY"). Each Owned Property is free of all Liens except for
(i) those Liens which are disclosed on title commitments or reports delivered to
Parent prior to the date hereof, (ii) those matters set forth on
Section 3.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (iii) Liens for taxes not
yet due and payable, or (iv) Liens which could not, individually, or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially impair the current use,
occupancy, value, financeability or marketability of title to the Real Property
on a property-by-property basis. The Owned Property and the Leased Property (as
defined below) constitute all such property necessary to permit the Company and
each of its subsidiaries to conduct, and continue to conduct, its business as
currently conducted in all material respects and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not alter or impair such ability in any
material respect.
(b) Section 3.18(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate
and complete list of all leases (the "LEASES") (setting forth the address of the
premises demised thereunder, the lessor and the lessee (and any sublessor or
sublessee, as appropriate)) pursuant to which the Company and each of its
subsidiaries leases real or personal property (the "LEASED PROPERTY"). The
Company and each of its subsidiaries holds good and valid leasehold title to all
of the Leased Property. All of the Leases are valid, binding and enforceable in
accordance with their terms, and are in full force and effect, and there are no
existing defaults by the Company or any of its subsidiaries thereunder; no event
of default has occurred which (whether with or without notice, lapse of time or
the happening or occurrence of any other event) would constitute a default
thereunder, except in any such case where the invalidity or default would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Section 3.18(b)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule all lessors under such Leases have consented
(where such consent is necessary) to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein without requiring modification
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in the rights or obligations of the lessee under such Leases. The Company or its
subsidiaries have delivered true, correct and complete copies of all of the
Leases.
SECTION 3.19 CONTRACTS. (a) Except as set forth in the Company's SEC
Reports or Section 3.19 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to or bound by (i) any "material
contract" (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the
SEC), (ii) any non-competition agreement or any other agreement or obligation
which purports to limit in any respect the manner in which, or the localities in
which, all or any material portion of the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, may be conducted, (iii) any transaction,
agreement, arrangement or understanding with any Affiliate (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) that would be required to be disclosed under
Item 404 of regulation S-K under the Securities Act, (iv) any voting or other
agreement governing how any Company Common Stock shall be voted, (v) any
material agreement with any stockholders of the Company, (vi) any acquisition,
merger, asset purchase or sale agreement (all contracts of the type described in
clauses (i)-(vi) being referred to herein as "Company Material Contracts"). Each
Company Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company (or, to the extent
a subsidiary of the Company is a party, such subsidiary) and is in full force
and effect, and the Company and each subsidiary of the Company have, in all
material respects, performed all obligations required to be performed by them to
date under each Company Material Contract, except where such noncompliance,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. Neither the Company nor any subsidiary of the Company has received
written notice of any violation or default under (nor, to the knowledge of the
Company, is there any existing condition which with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both would result in such a violation or default under) any
Company Material Contract.
SECTION 3.20 STATE TAKEOVER STATUTES. The Company's Board of Directors has
approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and has taken
all action required at this time such that the limitations on control share
acquisitions and business combinations contained in Sections 78.378 through
78.3793 inclusive and Sections 78.411 through 78.444 inclusive of the NRS (and
any similar provisions) are inapplicable to this Agreement, the Voting Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. No other "fair price,"
"merger moratorium," "control share acquisition" or other anti-takeover statute
or similar statute or regulation applies or purports to apply to this Agreement
or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
PARENT AND ACQUISITION
Except as publicly disclosed by Parent in the Parent SEC Reports and except
as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule (it being agreed that disclosure of any
item in such schedule shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any section of
this Agreement) previously delivered by Parent to the Company (the "PARENT
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE"), Parent and Acquisition hereby represent and warrant to
the Company as follows:
SECTION 4.1 ORGANIZATION.
(a) Each of Parent and Acquisition is duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of its respective state of incorporation and has
all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its businesses as now being conducted. Parent has
heretofore delivered to the Company accurate and complete copies of the
Constitution (or equivalent organizational documents) or Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws, as the case may be, as currently in effect of Parent
and Acquisition.
(b) Each of Parent and Acquisition is duly qualified or licensed and in good
standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased
or operated by it or the nature of the
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business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except
in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and
in good standing would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. The term
"PARENT MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means any changes or effects that, individually
or in the aggregate, are materially adverse to the ability of Parent and
Acquisition to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, other than any
changes or effects arising out of (i) conditions generally affecting industries
in which Parent operates or (ii) the entering into or the public announcement or
disclosure of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 4.2 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. Each of Parent and
Acquisition has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and the consummation by
Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary corporate action of Parent and Acquisition and by
Parent as the sole stockholder of Acquisition and no other corporate proceedings
on the part of Parent or Acquisition are necessary to authorize this Agreement
or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been
duly and validly executed and delivered by each of Parent and Acquisition and,
assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes a
valid, legal and binding agreement of each of Parent and Acquisition enforceable
against each of Parent and Acquisition in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 4.3 INFORMATION SUPPLIED. None of the information supplied by
Parent or Acquisition in writing for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will, at
the time that the Proxy Statement is mailed to the Company's stockholders or at
the time of the Company Stockholders' Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no
representation or warranty is made by Parent with respect to statements made or
incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by the Company
for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.
SECTION 4.4 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS. Except as set forth in
Section 4.4 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, and except for filings, permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required under and other
applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, Gaming Laws, the HSR Act, the
Exon-Florio Amendment to the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, as
amended, or any successor thereto, foreign antitrust laws and the filing and
recordation of the articles of merger as required by the NRS, no filing with or
notice to, and no permit authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental
Entity is necessary for the execution and delivery by Parent or Acquisition of
this Agreement or the consummation by Parent or Acquisition of the transactions
contemplated hereby, except where the failure to obtain such permits,
authorizations, consents or approvals or to make such filings or give such
notice would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Neither the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent or Acquisition nor the
consummation by Parent or Acquisition of the transactions contemplated hereby
will (a) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the
respective Constitution (or equivalent organizational documents) or Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws, as the case may be, of Parent or Acquisition or any
of Parent's other subsidiaries, (b) to Parent's knowledge, violate any order,
writ, injunction, decree, law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Parent
or Acquisition or any of Parent's other subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties or assets except, in the case of (b), for violations, breaches or
defaults which would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.5 ADEQUATE FUNDS. Parent will have at the Effective Time
sufficient funds for the payment of the aggregate Merger Consideration.
SECTION 4.6 NO PRIOR ACTIVITIES. Except for obligations incurred in
connection with its incorporation or organization or the negotiation and
consummation of this Agreement and the
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transactions contemplated hereby, Acquisition has neither incurred any
obligation or liability nor engaged in any business or activity of any type or
kind whatsoever or entered into any agreement or arrangement with any person.
SECTION 4.7 OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES. As of the date hereof, neither Parent
nor, to Parent's knowledge, any of the affiliates or associates (as such terms
are defined under the Exchange Act), (i) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, or (ii) is party to an agreement, arrangement or understanding
(other than this Agreement) for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing
of, in each case, shares of Company Common Stock.
SECTION 4.8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The audited consolidated financial
statements of Parent, together with the notes thereto, filed by Parent with the
Australian Stock Exchange since January 1, 2000 (the "PARENT FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS") present fairly in all material respects the financial position of
Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated, and the
statement of operations and cash flows of Parent and its consolidated
subsidiaries for the periods specified; except as otherwise disclosed in the
Parent Financial statements, the Parent Financial Statements have been prepared
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in Australia applied
on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
SECTION 5.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
(a) CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE COMPANY. Except as expressly set forth in
this Agreement or as consented to in writing by Parent during the period from
the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company shall, and shall
cause its subsidiaries to, carry on their respective businesses in the usual,
regular and ordinary course, consistent with past practice and the Budget and in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations,
and use all reasonable best efforts to (i) preserve intact their current
business organizations, (ii) keep available the services of their current
officers and employees and (iii) preserve their relationships consistent with
past practice with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, distributors and
others having business dealings with them.
(b) NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
and except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or as consented to in
writing by Parent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed)
between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time or until the earlier
termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms, the Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to:
(i) amend its articles of incorporation or Bylaws (or other similar
governing instrument);
(ii) authorize for issuance, issue, sell, deliver, grant, dispose of or
amend or agree or commit to any of the foregoing (whether through the
issuance or granting of options, warrants, calls, commitments,
subscriptions, rights to purchase, convertible or exchangeable securities or
otherwise) any stock of any class or any other securities or equity
equivalents (including, without limitation, any stock options or stock
appreciation rights), except for the issuance of shares of Company Common
Stock pursuant to options previously granted, or subsequently granted with
an exercise price at fair market value and in the ordinary course consistent
with past practice (as such past practice is evidenced by the memorandum
dated January 4, 1998, attached in Section 5.1 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule), under the Stock Option Plans;
(iii) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock,
declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in
cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its
capital stock, make any other actual, constructive or deemed distribution in
respect of its capital stock or otherwise make any payments to stockholders
in their capacity as such, or
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purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or amend the terms of any of its
securities or any securities of any of its subsidiaries or any rights,
warrants, options to acquire or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for any such securities;
(iv) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution,
merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other
reorganization of Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than the
Merger);
(v) alter, through merger, liquidation, reorganization, restructuring or
any other fashion, the corporate structure or ownership of any subsidiary;
(vi) except as set forth in Section 5.1(b)(vi) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, (A) incur or assume any long-term or short-term debt or issue or
sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt
securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except for working
capital borrowings under existing lines of credit in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, in an amount consistent with the
Budget in order to achieve the 2001 revenue plan contained therein, at any
one time outstanding; (B) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become
liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the
obligations of any other person; (C) make any loans, advances or capital
contributions to or investments in any other person (other than to
subsidiaries of Company or customary loans or advances to customers, in each
case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice);
(D) pledge or otherwise encumber shares of capital stock or any other
securities of Company or its subsidiaries; (E) mortgage, pledge or otherwise
encumber any of its properties or assets, tangible or intangible, or create
or suffer to exist any Lien thereupon; (F) amend, modify or forgive any debt
obligations of any person to the Company or its subsidiaries; (G) enter into
any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial statement
condition of another person (not including such agreements among the Company
and its subsidiaries); or (H) enter into any arrangement having the economic
effect of any of the foregoing;
(vii) except as set forth in Section 5.1(b)(vii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule or as may be required by law, enter into, adopt or amend
or terminate any Employee Plan in any manner or increase in any manner the
compensation payable or that may become payable to or fringe benefits of any
director, officer or employee (except, in the case of officers (other than
executive officers) and employees, in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice), agent consultant or person providing
management services or make any loans to any officers, directors, employees,
affiliates, agents or consultants or make any changes in its existing
borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of any of such persons
pursuant to an Employee Plan or otherwise; pay or make any accrual or
arrangement for payment of any pension, retirement allowance or other
employee benefit pursuant to any Employee Plan to any officer, director,
employee, consultant or affiliate or pay or agree to pay or make any accrual
or arrangement for payment to any officers, directors, employees,
consultants or Affiliates of the Company of any amount relating to unused
vacation days, except payments and accruals made in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice; adopt or pay, grant, issue,
accelerate or accrue salary or other payments or benefits pursuant to any
Employee Plan with or for the benefit of any director, officer, employee,
agent or consultant, whether past or present, other than as required under
the terms of any Employee Plans as in effect on the date hereof; or amend in
any material respect any Employee Plan in a manner inconsistent with the
foregoing;
(viii) except (1) as set forth in Section 5.1(b)(viii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule or (2) purchases of inventory, furnishings and equipment
in the ordinary course of business consistent with the Budget or
(3) expenditures consistent with the Budget, acquire, sell, lease, license,
swap, barter, transfer, dispose of or otherwise convey any properties or
assets, except transactions in the
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ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice but in no event
with an aggregate fair market value in excess of $500,000;
(ix) except as may be required as a result of a change in law or in
generally accepted accounting principles, change any of the accounting
principles or practices used by it;
(x) except for standard audit adjustments, revalue any of its assets,
including without limitation writing down the value of inventory or
writing-off notes or accounts receivable other than in the ordinary course
of business;
(xi) (A) acquire or agree to acquire (by merger, consolidation or
acquisition of stock or assets or by any other manner) any corporation,
partnership, joint venture association or other business organization or
division thereof or any equity interest therein; (B) enter into any contract
or agreement, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, that would be material to Company and its subsidiaries, taken
as a whole; or (C) authorize any new capital expenditure or expenditures
that individually is in excess of $100,000, PROVIDED that none of the
foregoing shall limit any capital expenditure required pursuant to contracts
existing as of the date hereof and disclosed to Parent as of the date of
this Agreement, and except (1) as set forth in Section 5.1(b)(xi) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule or (2) purchases of inventory, furnishings and
equipment in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
or (3) expenditures consistent with the Budget;
(xii) except as set forth in Section 5.1(b)(xii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, make any Tax election, amend any Tax Return (PROVIDED
HOWEVER that the Company may amend any such Tax Return without consent to
either seek a refund or to pay additional tax in an amount up to $100,000,
in each case upon the advice of its outside tax professionals) or settle or
compromise any Tax liability material to Company and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole;
(xiii) enter into any collective bargaining agreement;
(xiv) make any payments (other than regular compensation payable to
officers and employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice) or other distributions to, or enter into any transaction,
agreement or arrangement with, any of affiliates, officers, directors,
stockholders or their affiliates, associates or family members or do or
enter into any of the foregoing with respect to employees, agents or
consultants other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice;
(xv) modify, amend or terminate any Company Material Contract or waive,
release or assign any material rights or claims;
(xvi) fail to make any scheduled principal or interest payment on
indebtedness evidenced by debt instruments to which Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party;
(xvii) except as set forth on Section 5.1(b)(xvii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, pay, discharge, settle, compromise or satisfy any
pending or threatened claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued,
asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), (A) relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby; (B) described in the Company SEC Reports;
(C) outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
or (D) involving an admission of liability other than in accordance with the
terms of liabilities reflected or reserved against in the most recent
consolidated balance sheet included in the Company SEC Reports filed and
publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement.
(xviii) take any action that would reasonably be expected to revoke,
limit, suspend, terminate otherwise restrict or result in the failure to
have issued, rented or renewed, any Company Permit issuable by a Gaming
Authority or breach, violate, revoke a filing of suitability under or
otherwise
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fail to comply with any Gaming Law, or fail to take any action that would
reasonably be expected to prevent any of the foregoing consequences;
(xix) take any action that would result in any of its representations
and warranties set forth in this Agreement becoming untrue; or
(xx) authorize, take or commit or agree in writing or otherwise to take
any of the actions described in Section 5.1(b).
SECTION 5.2 OTHER POTENTIAL ACQUIRORS.
(a) The Company agrees that it shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize or permit any officer, director or
employee of, or any investment banker, attorney or other advisor or
representative of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, (i) solicit or initiate, or encourage any inquiries regarding, or
the submission of, any Takeover Proposal, (ii) participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information with respect
to, or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any
proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any
Takeover Proposal (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to any Takeover
Proposal or approve or resolve to approve any Takeover Proposal or (iv) grant
any waiver or release under any Standstill or similar agreement; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that nothing in this Section 5.2 shall prevent the Company or its Board
of Directors from furnishing non-public information to, or entering into
discussions or negotiations with, a person that makes an unsolicited written
bona fide Takeover Proposal, if and only to the extent that (i) such person has
made a bona fide Takeover Proposal in writing to the Board of Directors of the
Company, (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith
that such proposal would, if so completed, result in a Superior Proposal (as
defined below), (iii) the Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation
with outside legal counsel, by a majority vote determines in good faith that the
failure to take such action would likely constitute a breach of its fiduciary
duties to the holders of Company Common Stock under applicable law, and
(iv) prior to furnishing such information to, or entering into discussions or
negotiations with, such person or entity, the Board of Directors receives from
such person an executed confidentiality agreement in form and substance similar
to the Confidentiality Agreement dated December 11, 2000 between the Company and
Parent (the "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT").
(b) Upon execution of this Agreement, the Company will, and will cause its
subsidiaries to, and will cause their respective officers, directors, employees,
investment bankers, attorneys, and other advisors and representatives of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries to, cease and terminate any existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore
with respect to any possible Takeover Proposal.
(c) The Company will promptly (but in no case later than 48 hours) notify
Parent of the existence of any proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry
received by the Company regarding any Takeover Proposal, and the Company will
promptly (but in no case later than 48 hours) communicate to Parent the terms of
any proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry which it may receive regarding
any Takeover Proposal (and will promptly, but in no case later than 48 hours,
provide to Parent copies of any written materials received by the Company in
connection with such proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry) and the
identity of the party making such proposal or inquiry or engaging in such
discussion or negotiation. The Company will promptly (but in no case later than
48 hours) provide to Parent any non-public information concerning the Company
provided to any other person in connection with any Takeover Proposal which was
not previously provided to Parent. The Company will keep Parent informed of the
status and details of any such Takeover Proposal and of any amendments or
proposed amendments to any Takeover Proposal and will promptly (but in no case
later than 48 hours) notify Parent of any determination by the Company's Board
of Directors that a Superior Proposal has been made.
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(d) Except as set forth in this Section 5.2(d), neither the Board of
Directors of the Company nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw, modify or
amend, or propose to withdraw, modify or amend, in a manner adverse to Parent or
Acquisition, the approval or recommendation by the Board of Directors of the
Company or any such committee of this Agreement or the Merger, (ii) adopt,
approve or recommend, or propose to adopt, approve or recommend, any Takeover
Proposal, (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to any Takeover Proposal
or (iv) resolve or agree to take any of the actions set forth in clauses
(i) through (iii). Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to compliance with the
provisions of this Section 5.2, at any time prior to obtaining the Stockholder
Approval, the Board of Directors may (x) withdraw, modify or amend its approval
or recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger, (y) approve or recommend an
unsolicited written Superior Proposal, or (z) terminate this Agreement pursuant
to Section 7.2(i) hereof following the making of a unsolicited written Superior
Proposal, in each case, (1) if, and to the extent the Board of Directors, based
on the advice of outside legal counsel, by a majority vote determines in good
faith that the failure to take such action would constitute a breach of its
fiduciary duties to the holders of Company Common Stock under applicable law,
and (2) provided that, concurrently with any such termination of this Agreement
under clause (z) above, (a) the Company shall enter into a definitive agreement
with respect to such Superior Proposal and (b) the Company shall pay the
Termination Fee and Expenses in accordance with Section 7.5 hereof.
(e) "TAKEOVER PROPOSAL" means any bona fide proposal or offer, whether in
writing or otherwise and whether or not delivered to the Company's stockholders
generally, from any person other than Parent, Acquisition or any affiliates
thereof (a "Third Party") to acquire beneficial ownership (as determined
pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of all or a material portion of
the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or 20% or more of any class
of equity securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to a
merger, consolidation or other business combination, sale of shares of capital
stock, sale of assets, tender offer, exchange offer or similar transaction with
respect to either the Company or any of its subsidiaries, including any single
or multi-step transaction or series of related transactions, which is structured
to permit such Third Party to acquire beneficial ownership of any material
portion of the assets of or 20% or more of the equity interest in either the
Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(f) "SUPERIOR PROPOSAL" means any bona fide proposal by a Third Party to
acquire, directly or indirectly, for consideration consisting of cash and/or
securities, more than a majority of the shares of Company Common Stock then
outstanding or all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or to
acquire, directly or indirectly, the Company by merger or consolidation, and
otherwise on terms which the Board of Directors of the Company determines in
good faith to be more favorable to the Company's stockholders (taking into
account the time period reasonably believed necessary to consummate such
transaction) than the Merger (based on advice of the Company's independent
financial advisor that the value of the consideration provided for in such
proposal is superior to the value of the consideration provided for in the
Merger), for which financing, to the extent required, is then fully committed.
(g) Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Company from disclosing to
its stockholders the position or statement contemplated by Rules 14d-9 or
14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act with respect to a Takeover Proposal by means of
a tender offer.
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SECTION 5.3 PREPARATION OF THE PROXY STATEMENT; STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, and in
no event later than 30 days after the date hereof, the Company shall prepare and
file with the SEC the Proxy Statement. The Company shall obtain and furnish the
information required to be included in the Proxy Statement and shall respond
promptly to any comments made by the SEC with respect to the Proxy Statement and
cause the Proxy Statement and form of proxy to be mailed to the Company's
stockholders at the earliest practicable date. Parent shall cooperate in the
preparation of the Proxy Statement and shall as soon as practicable after the
date hereof furnish the Company with all information for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement as the Company may reasonably request. The Company agrees, as to
information supplied by the Company, its officers, directors, stockholders and
subsidiaries contained in the Proxy Statement, and Parent agrees, as to
information supplied by Parent and its officers, directors, stockholders and
subsidiaries contained in the Proxy Statement that such information, at the date
the Proxy Statement is mailed, (as amended or supplemented) at the time of the
Company Stockholders Meeting and the Effective Time, will not be false or
misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. Parent and
its counsel shall be given the reasonable opportunity to review the Proxy
Statement and all amendments or supplements thereof prior to their being filed
with the SEC, and the Company shall not make any such filing without consulting
with Parent. The Company will advise Parent, promptly after it receives notice
thereof, of the time when the Proxy Statement has been cleared by the SEC or any
request by the SEC for an amendment of the Proxy Statement or comments from the
SEC thereon and proposed responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional
information. The Company shall also promptly provide Parent with copies of any
correspondence received from SEC, and shall permit representatives of Parent to
participate in any telephone call with the SEC which discusses comments made by
the staff. The Company, on the one hand, and Parent, on the other hand, agree to
promptly correct any information provided by either of them for use in the Proxy
Statement if any, if and to the extent that it shall have become materially
false or misleading, and the Company further agrees to take all steps reasonably
necessary to cause the Proxy Statement as so corrected to be filed with the SEC
and to use all reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be
disseminated to the Company's stockholders, in each case, as and to the extent
required by applicable laws.
(b) Parent agrees promptly to advise the Company if at any time prior to the
Company Stockholders' Meeting any information provided by it in the Proxy
Statement is or becomes incorrect or incomplete in any material respect and to
provide the Company with the information needed to correct such inaccuracy or
omission. Parent will furnish the Company with such supplemental information as
may be necessary in order to cause the Proxy Statement, insofar as it relates to
Parent and its subsidiaries, to comply with applicable law after the mailing
thereof to the stockholders of the Company.
(c) The Company agrees promptly to advise Parent if at any time prior to the
Company Stockholders' Meeting any information provided by it in the Proxy
Statement is or becomes incorrect or incomplete in any material respect and to
provide Parent with the information needed to correct such inaccuracy or
omission. The Company will furnish Parent with such supplemental information as
may be necessary in order to cause the Proxy Statement, insofar as it relates to
the Company and its subsidiaries, to comply with applicable law after the
mailing thereof to the stockholders of the Company.
(d) As soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement,
the Company shall duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Company
Stockholders' Meeting for the purpose of obtaining the Stockholder Approval.
Subject to the fiduciary duties of its Board of Directors, the Company shall use
reasonable efforts to solicit proxies from its stockholders and to secure the
vote or consent of stockholders required by applicable law or otherwise to
obtain the Stockholder Approval.
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Subject to Section 5.2(d), the Company, through its Board of Directors, shall
recommend to its stockholders the approval of this Agreement and the Merger.
SECTION 5.4 ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY.
(a) Upon notice by Parent and permission by the Company, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, the Company shall, and shall cause its
subsidiaries to, afford Parent, and the officers, employees, accountants,
counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of Parent, reasonable
access during normal business hours during the period prior to the Effective
Time, and in a manner reasonably designed to minimize disruption to the
operations of the Company, to all their respective properties, books, contracts,
commitments, personnel and records and, during such period, the Company shall,
and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to, furnish promptly to Parent, (a) a
copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed
by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or state
securities laws and (b) all other information concerning its business,
properties and personnel as Parent may reasonably request. Except as required by
law, each of the Company and Parent will hold, and will cause its respective
officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisers and other
representatives and affiliates to hold, any confidential information in
accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.
(b)(i) Subject to the conditions set forth elsewhere in this Section 5.4,
Parent shall be entitled at its sole expense at reasonable times, and in a
manner reasonably designed to minimize disruption to the operations of the
Company, to conduct due diligence on the Company's owned or leased real
property ("PROPERTY") and building systems thereon, including but not
limited to, title, the interior of any improvements and the structural
elements thereof, and including but not limited to a Phase I and Phase II
environmental assessment of the Property, including testing and sampling for
the presence of any Materials of Environmental Concern, and any other test,
analysis or inspection of the Property deemed appropriate by Parent in
Parent's sole discretion, and the results of such inspection shall be
satisfactory to Parent in Parent's sole discretion.
(ii) The Company shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, fully
cooperate with Parent's due diligence and Parent shall have access to the
Property and to the Company's and its subsidiaries' personnel knowledgeable
about environmental matters at the Property during normal business hours to
perform the due diligence, including inspection and sampling by Parent or
Parent's employees, agents, representatives, contractors, or subcontractors.
(iii) Parent shall cause any contractor ("CONTRACTOR") retained to
conduct the Phase I or Phase II environmental assessment of the Property, or
to conduct any other physical inspections of the Property that requires
access thereto, to maintain with an insurance company or companies that are
properly licensed, the following types of insurance to cover the
Contractor's activities at the Property: (x) comprehensive general liability
insurance with a limit of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence;
(y) automobile liability insurance with a limit of not less than $2,000,000
per occurrence; and (z) errors and omission insurance with a limit of not
less than $2,000,000 per occurrence. Such insurance coverage shall list the
Company as an additional insured. Contractor shall also maintain or cause to
be maintained worker's compensation insurance with limits of liability not
less than those required by law.
(iv) Subsequent to performing any inspection or testing of the Property,
Parent shall promptly restore the Property to the condition that existed
immediately prior to Contractor's entrance upon the Property, and agrees to
repair, restore, or replace any and all damage to the Property caused by
Parent's or Contractor's activities. Parent shall be responsible to lawfully
dispose of any soil or groundwater removed by Contractor from the surface or
subsurface of the Property. Parent agrees that it shall indemnify and hold
Company harmless from any and all claims, damages (including personal injury
and property damage), and other liabilities arising out of and to the extent
caused by the acts of Contractor or Parent while present on the Property.
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(v) Parent agrees to provide Company with a copy of all Phase I and
Phase II environmental reports, and any other report arising from Parent's
inspection of the Property.
SECTION 5.5 REASONABLE BEST EFFORTS; NOTIFICATION.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, each of the Company, Parent and Acquisition agrees to use reasonable
best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to
be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate in the most expeditious manner
practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (i) the
making of all necessary applications, registrations and filings (including
filings with Governmental Entities, if any, and making the filings and taking
such other actions as are required by Section 5.11 hereof), (ii) the obtaining
of all necessary actions or nonactions, licenses, consents, approvals or waivers
from Governmental Entities and other third parties, including, without
limitation, all Governmental Approvals (as hereinafter defined), (iii) the
execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated by, and to fully carry out the purposes of, this
Agreement and (iv) the defending of any lawsuits or other legal proceedings,
judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, including the using of all reasonable best
efforts necessary to lift, rescind, vacate or mitigate the effect of any stay,
injunction or restraining order or other order adversely affecting the ability
of any party hereto to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) The Company shall give prompt written notice to Parent, and Parent shall
give prompt written notice to the Company, of (i) any representation or warranty
made by it contained in this Agreement becoming untrue or inaccurate in any
material respect, or (ii) the failure by it to comply with or satisfy in any
material respect any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or
satisfied by it under this Agreement. Each of Parent and Acquisition, on the one
hand, and the Company, on the other hand, hereby represent that, other than as
previously disclosed to each other on the Disclosure Schedule (which disclosure
shall not constitute a breach), as of the date hereof they do not have actual
knowledge of a breach of the representations and warranties being made by the
other party, PROVIDED HOWEVER that a party alleging a breach of the
representation or warranty made by the other party pursuant to this sentence
must reasonably demonstrate that such other party did in fact possess such
actual knowledge. Parent and Acquisition on the one hand and the Company on the
other hand each hereby represent that they have not provided any information to
the other or made any statements to the other which would (or with the passage
of time would) be reasonably likely to permit or allow such party to claim that
the other party did indeed possess such actual knowledge. No notice given
pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement for purposes of
determining satisfaction of any condition contained herein.
SECTION 5.6 TAKEOVER STATUTES; INCONSISTENT ACTIONS. If any "fair price,"
"moratorium," "control share," "business combination," "shareholder protection"
or similar or other anti-takeover statute or regulation (including, without
limitation, Sections 78.378 through 78.3793 and Sections 78.411 through 78.444
of the NRS) shall become applicable to the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated hereby or by the Voting Agreement, the Company and the
Board of Directors of the Company shall grant such approvals and take all such
actions so that the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and by
the Voting Agreement may be consummated on the terms contemplated hereby and
otherwise eliminate the effects of such statute or regulation on the Merger and
the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 5.7 INDEMNIFICATION, EXCULPATION AND INSURANCE.
(a) The Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation shall contain the provisions with respect to indemnification and
exculpation from liability set forth in the Company's Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws on the date of this Agreement, which provisions shall not be
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amended, repealed or otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely
affect the rights thereunder of individuals who on or prior to the Effective
Time were directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company, unless such
modification is required by law.
(b) For a period of the applicable statute of limitations after the
Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless (and
shall also advance expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable law to, subject to the provision by such person of an undertaking to
reimburse the amounts so advanced in the event of a final non-appealable
determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that such person is not
entitled thereto) each person who is or has been prior to the date hereof or who
becomes prior to the Effective Time an officer or director of the Company or any
of the Company's subsidiaries (the "INDEMNIFIED PERSONS") against (a) all
losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable counsel fees and out-of-pocket expenses), settlement payments or
liabilities arising out of or in connection with any claim, demand, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation based in whole or in part on or arising in
whole or in part out of the fact that such person is or was an officer or
director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, pertaining to any matter
existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time and whether or not
asserted or claimed prior to or at or after the Effective Time ("INDEMNIFIED
LIABILITIES") and (b) all Indemnified Liabilities based in whole or in part on
or arising in whole or in part out of or pertaining to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, in each case to the fullest extent required or
permitted under applicable law or under the Surviving Corporation's Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law.
The parties hereto intend, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, that
the indemnification provided for in this Section 5.7(b) shall apply without
limitation to negligent acts or omissions by an Indemnified person. Parent
hereby guarantees the payment and performance of the Surviving Corporation's
obligations in this Section 5.7(b). Each Indemnified person is intended to be a
third party beneficiary of this Section 5.7(b) and may specifically enforce its
terms. This Section 5.7(b) shall not limit or otherwise adversely effect any
rights any Indemnified person may have under any indemnification agreement
disclosed on Section 5.7(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or under the
Company's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.
(c) For four years from the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
maintain in effect directors' and officers' liability insurance in respect of
acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time covering those persons
who are currently covered by the Company's directors' and officers' liability
insurance policy (a copy of which has been heretofore made available to Parent)
on terms no less favorable to such indemnified parties than those of such policy
in effect on the date hereof; PROVIDED that, in satisfying its obligations under
Section 5.8(d) the Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated to pay premiums
in excess of 300% of the amount per annum the Company paid in its last full
fiscal year, which amount the Company has disclosed to Parent in writing prior
to the date hereof; PROVIDED FURTHER that if the premium for such coverage
exceeds such amount, the Surviving Corporation shall purchase a policy with the
greatest coverage reasonably available for such 300% of the annual premium;
provided however that Parent shall be entitled to satisfy its obligations under
this Section 5.7(c) by purchasing a "tail" policy providing for comparable
coverage.
(d) The obligations of the Company, the Surviving Corporation and Parent
contained in this Section 5.7 shall be binding on the successors and assigns of
Parent and the Surviving Corporation. If Parent, the Surviving Corporation or
any of their successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any
other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity
of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of
its properties and assets to any person, then and in each such case, proper
provisions shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent or the
Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, shall assume the obligations set
forth in this Section 5.7.
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SECTION 5.8 FEES AND EXPENSES. Except as provided in Section 7.5, whether
or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by
the party incurring such expenses.
SECTION 5.9 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Parent and Acquisition, on the one hand,
and the Company, on the other hand, will not issue any press release or other
public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including the Merger, without first obtaining the prior consent of
the other party; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in the event of any press release that may
be required by applicable law, court process, or by obligations pursuant to any
listing agreement with any national securities exchange, the Australian Stock
Exchange or the NASDAQ National Market, the parties will use reasonable best
efforts to consult with each other before issuing, and to provide each other the
opportunity to review and comment upon, any such press release or other public
statement.
SECTION 5.10 STATUS OF COMPANY EMPLOYEES; EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
(a) Parent agrees that following the Effective Time, the employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries who are employed by the Surviving Corporation or
its subsidiaries ("COMPANY EMPLOYEES") shall become eligible within six months
of Effective Time to participate in the employee benefit plans and arrangements
maintained by Parent or its subsidiaries for its U.S. employees ("PARENT BENEFIT
PLANS"), in the same manner as similarly situated employees of Parent. Prior to
the date the Company Employees become eligible to participate in Parent Benefit
Plans, they shall continue to participate in the employee benefit plans and
arrangements in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time. Parent or its
subsidiaries shall grant the Company Employees credit for all service credited
by the Company for purposes of eligibility, vesting and the determination of
benefits under vacation and severance pay plans. Parent shall, and shall cause
the Surviving Corporation to, offer employment to all employees of the Company
employed by the Company as of the Effective Time, and honor in accordance with
their terms all employee benefit obligations to current and former employees
under the Employee Plans in existence on the date hereof. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing contained herein shall affect Parent's or the Surviving
Corporation's right to terminate the employment of any Company Employee
following the Effective Time or to amend or terminate any Employee in accordance
with its terms.
(b) Any pre-existing condition exclusion under any Parent Benefit Plan
providing medical or dental benefits shall be waived for any Company Employee
who, immediately prior to commencing participation in such Parent Benefit Plan,
was participating in an Employee Plan providing medical or dental benefits and
had satisfied any pre-existing condition provision under such Employee Plan.
(c) Any expenses that were taken into account under an Employee Plan
providing medical or dental benefits in which the Company Employee participated
immediately prior to commencing participation in a Parent Benefit Plan providing
medical or dental benefits shall be taken into account to the same extent under
such Parent Benefit Plan, in accordance with the terms of such Parent Benefit
Plan, for purposes of satisfying applicable deductible, coinsurance and maximum
out-of-pocket provisions and life-time benefit limits.
SECTION 5.11 GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS.
(a) The parties hereto shall cooperate with each other and use their
reasonable best efforts (and shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause
their respective directors and officers to do so) to (i) promptly prepare and
file and, in any event, will file no later than 30 days after the date hereof,
all necessary documentation to effect all applications, notices, petitions and
filings necessary or advisable to consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) to obtain as promptly as
practicable all permits, registrations, licenses, findings of suitability,
consents, variances, exemptions, orders, approvals and authorizations of all
third parties and Governmental Entities (including Licenses in respect of any
Gaming Law) which are necessary or advisable to consummate the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all
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required initial application and documents in connection with obtaining
approvals under the Gaming Laws ("GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS"). The parties hereto
shall file initial applications and documents related to all other Governmental
Approvals within such time as necessary for such Governmental Approvals to be
granted on or before the effective date of the respective approvals required
under applicable Gaming Laws and (ii) comply (and cause their respective
directors and officers and employees to so comply) with the terms and conditions
of all such Governmental Approvals. Each of the parties hereto shall act
reasonably and promptly in responding to additional requests in connection with
filing for or otherwise attempting to obtain or renew any Governmental
Approvals. Without limiting the foregoing, each of Parent and the Company (the
"NOTIFYING PARTY") will notify the other promptly of the receipt of comments,
requests or other material communications from Governmental Entities relating to
Governmental Approvals, and will supply the other party with copies of all
material correspondence between the Notifying Party or any of its
representatives and Governmental Entities with respect to Governmental
Approvals; provided, however, that it shall not be required to supply the other
party with copies of correspondence relating to the personal applications of
individual applicants except for evidence of filing.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement,
Parent shall have no obligation or affirmative duty under this Section 5.8 to
cease or refrain from the ownership of any assets or properties, or the
association with any person or entity which association is material to the
operations of Parent, whether on the date hereof or at any time in the future.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
SECTION 6.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATIONS TO EFFECT THE
MERGER. The respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject
to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:
(a) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. The Stockholder Approval shall have been
obtained.
(b) NO INJUNCTIONS OR RESTRAINTS. No litigation brought by a Governmental
Entity shall be pending, and no litigation shall be threatened by any
Governmental Entity, which seeks to enjoin or prohibit the consummation of the
Merger, and no provision of applicable law or regulation, temporary restraining
order, decree, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any
court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition, in each
case preventing the consummation of the Merger, shall be in effect.
(c) HSR ACT. The applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof)
under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated.
SECTION 6.2 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PARENT AND
ACQUISITION. The obligations of Parent and Acquisition to effect the Merger are
also subject to the following conditions:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and warranties of
the Company set forth in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality or
Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects (taking into
account such qualifications as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect), and
those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects
(PROVIDED that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and
warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3.2 hereof shall be true and
correct in all respects), in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as
of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date (PROVIDED that
those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a
particular date shall be true and correct as of such date), and Parent shall
have received a certificate of an executive officer of the Company to that
effect.
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(b) AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS. The Company shall have performed or complied
in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing
Date, and Parent shall have received a certificate of an executive officer of
the Company to that effect.
(c) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. From the date of this Agreement through
and including the Effective Time, no event or events shall have occurred which,
individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Parent shall have received evidence, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to it, that such licenses, permits,
consents, approvals, waivers, findings of suitability, authorizations,
qualifications and orders of, and declarations, registrations, filings, notices
or other approvals (including, without limitation, all Licenses from applicable
Gaming Authorities), including Governmental Approvals, required to be made or
obtained by the Company, Acquisition or Parent from all Governmental Entities in
connection with the Merger and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, and to permit the parties to consummate the Merger and the Surviving
Corporation and its subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses in the
jurisdictions regulated by such Governmental Entities after the Effective Time
in substantially the same manner as conducted by the Company and its
subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time, have been obtained or made, as
applicable, by the Company, Acquisition or Parent and are in full force and
effect.
(e) THIRD PARTY CONSENTS. The Company shall have obtained the consent,
approval or waiver of each person that is not a Governmental Entity whose
consent is required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and to permit the Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries to
conduct their respective businesses after the Effective Time in the same manner
as conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time,
except those for which the failure to obtain such consent, approval or waiver
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(f) CERTIFICATES AND OTHER DELIVERIES. The Company shall have delivered,
or caused to be delivered, to Parent (i) a certificate of good standing from the
Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and of comparable authority in other
jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries are incorporated or
qualified to do business stating that each is a validly existing corporation in
good standing; (ii) duly adopted resolutions of the Board of Directors and
stockholders of the Company approving the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the instruments contemplated hereby, certified by the
Secretary of the Company; and (iii) a true and complete copy of the certificate
of incorporation or comparable governing instruments, as amended, of the Company
and its subsidiaries certified by the Secretary of State of the state of
incorporation or comparable authority in other jurisdictions, and a true and
complete copy of the Bylaws or comparable governing instruments, as amended, of
the Company and its subsidiaries certified by the Secretary of the Company and
its subsidiaries, as applicable.
SECTION 6.3 ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY. The
obligations of the Company to effect the Merger are also subject to the
following conditions:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the representations of Parent
and Acquisition contained in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality
or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects (taking
into account such qualifications as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect),
and those not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects as
of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (PROVIDED that
those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a
particular date shall be true and correct as of such date), and the Company
shall have received a certificate of an executive officer of Parent to such
effect.
(b) AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS. Parent shall have performed or complied in
all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing
Date. The Company shall have received a certificate of an executive officer of
Parent to such effect.
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ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 7.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Stockholder Approval
has been obtained:
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company, if the Board of
Directors of each so determines by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
members of its entire Board of Directors;
(b) by Parent (PROVIDED that Parent is not then in material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein), upon a
material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the
part of the Company set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation or
warranty of the Company shall have become untrue, in either case continuing
twenty (20) days following notice to the Company of such breach or untruth and
of a nature such that the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a) or
Section 6.2(b), as the case may be, would be incapable of being satisfied by the
then-scheduled Outside Date (as defined below);
(c) by the Company (PROVIDED that the Company is not then in material breach
of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein),
upon a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on
the part of Parent or Acquisition set forth in this Agreement, or if any
representation or warranty of Parent or Acquisition shall have become untrue, in
either case continuing twenty (20) days following notice to Parent of such
breach or untruth and of a nature such that the conditions set forth in
Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b), as the case may be, would be incapable of
being satisfied by the then-scheduled Outside Date;
(d) by either Parent or the Company if any Governmental Entity shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently
enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger
and such order, decree or ruling or other action shall have become final and
nonappealable;
(e) by either Parent or the Company, if the Merger shall not have occurred
by July 31, 2001 (as it may be extended, the "OUTSIDE DATE"), unless the failure
to consummate the Merger is the result of a breach of covenant set forth in this
Agreement or a material breach of any representation or warranty set forth in
this Agreement by the party seeking to terminate this Agreement; PROVIDED that
either party may extend the Outside Date, but no more than four times in the
aggregate, and each time by one month, but in no event beyond November 30, 2001,
by providing written notice thereof to the other party between three (3) and
five (5) business days prior to the next scheduled Outside Date if (i) the
Merger shall not have been consummated by such date because the requisite
Governmental Approvals required under Section 6.2(d) have not been obtained and
are still being pursued, (ii) the party seeking to extend has satisfied all the
conditions to Closing required to be satisfied by it and has not violated any of
its obligations under this Agreement in a manner that was the cause of or
resulted in the failure of the Merger to occur on or before the Outside Date,
and (iii) it is reasonably probable, based on, among other things, the status of
completed regulatory filings, scheduled regulatory meetings and the advice of
regulatory counsel to such party, that the requisite Governmental Approvals will
be obtained within such extension period; PROVIDED HOWEVER that the Company
shall not be permitted to extend the Outside Date if it has breached the first
sentence of Section 5.3(a); and PROVIDED FURTHER HOWEVER that if the only
Governmental Approvals that have not been obtained are those of the Gaming
Authorities in any state in which Parent is not licensed as at the date hereof
but where the Company is so licensed, then Parent may not extend the Outside
Date, and shall be required to close (assuming all other conditions are then
satisfied or waived, and assuming Parent can do so without violating applicable
Gaming Laws), notwithstanding the failure to obtain such Governmental Approvals,
but the parties agree to reasonably cooperate in such event to enable the
Company to minimize the economic consequences to the Company of such action and
to discharge its remaining obligations under existing contracts, and to ensure
compliance with applicable Gaming Laws;
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(f) by Parent (PROVIDED that the terminating party is not in material breach
of any of its obligations hereunder), if the Stockholder Approval shall not have
been obtained at a duly held meeting of the Company's stockholders or at any
adjournment or postponement thereof;
(g) by Parent, if the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee
thereof withdraws or modifies or amends adversely its recommendation of this
Agreement or the Merger following the receipt by the Company of a Takeover
Proposal or shall have resolved to do so, (ii) recommends a Takeover Proposal to
the Company's stockholders or shall have resolved to do so, or (iii) the Board
of Directors of the Company determines to accept a Superior Proposal or shall
have entered into a definitive agreement with respect to a Takeover Proposal;
(h) by Parent, if there shall have been a material breach of any provision
of Section 5.2;
(i) by the Company, prior to the Stockholder Approval, if the Board of
Directors determines to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to an
unsolicited written Superior Proposal; provided that the Company has complied
with all of the provisions of Section 5.2(d) hereof, and that it makes
simultaneous payment to Parent of the Termination Fee and Expenses; or
(j) by the Company, within 48 hours of February 16, 2001, if Parent shall
not have delivered to the Company by February 16, 2001, written customary
commitment letters from banks or other financial institutions of national or
international repute, to provide funds sufficient for the payment of the
aggregate Merger Consideration.
SECTION 7.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this
Agreement by either the Company or Parent as provided in Section 7.1, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability
or obligation on the part of Parent, Acquisition or the Company or their
respective officers or directors, except as set forth in the last sentence of
Section 5.4(a), Section 5.9, this Section 7.2, Section 7.5 and Article VIII
which shall survive termination and except to the extent that such termination
results from the breach by a party of any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, PROVIDED that in the event
of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(j) hereof, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect on Parent, Acquisition
or the Company or their respective officers or directors, and such termination
shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the parties in such circumstance and
neither Parent nor Acquisition, on the one hand, or the Company, on the other
hand, shall have any further remedy against the other, except as set forth in
the last sentence of Section 5.4(a), Section 5.9, this Section 7.2 and
Article VIII which shall survive such termination.
SECTION 7.3 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties at any
time in accordance with applicable law. This Agreement may not be amended except
by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.
SECTION 7.4 EXTENSION; WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective Time,
the parties may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of the other parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in
the representations and warranties of the other party contained in this
Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or
(c) subject to the proviso of Section 7.3, waive compliance by the other party
with any of the agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement. Any
agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid
only if set forth in an instrument in writing, signed on behalf of such party.
The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under
this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of those rights.
SECTION 7.5 TERMINATION FEE.
In the event (i) the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1(i) or (ii) Parent terminates this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1(g) or Section 7.1(h), then in each case Parent and
A-32
Acquisition would suffer direct and substantial damages, which damages cannot be
ascertained with reasonable certainty, and hence to compensate Parent and
Acquisition for such damages, and as liquidated damages and not a penalty, and
as the sole and exclusive remedy of Parent and Acquisition against the Company
for the damages suffered, the Company shall pay to Parent, at the time of
termination, an amount equal to $6.25 million (the "TERMINATION FEE") and an
amount equal to Parent's and Acquisition's actual and documented reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Parent or Acquisition in connection with the
Merger, this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses payable
to all attorneys, accountants, investment banking firms and their respective
agents incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, but in
any event not to exceed $1.75 million (the "EXPENSES"). In addition, if this
Agreement is terminated by either Parent or the Company pursuant to
Section 7.1(e) or Section 7.1(f) or by Parent pursuant to Section 7.1(b) and at
the time of such termination, Parent is not in material breach of this
Agreement, then the Company shall (but only if the termination is pursuant to
Section 7.1(f) or 7.1(b)), pay to Parent, at the time of termination, the
Expenses, and, if the Company shall, within 9 months after such termination,
enter into an agreement with respect to a Takeover Proposal, then the Company
shall pay the Termination Fee and other Expenses (to the extent not previously
paid) concurrently with entering into any such agreement, PROVIDED that no
Termination Fee or Expenses shall be payable in the event of a termination
pursuant to Section 7.1(e) hereof unless (i) prior to any such termination, a
Takeover Proposal shall have been made and not withdrawn, and (ii) such
termination is not solely the result of a failure to obtain the requisite
Governmental Approvals from Gaming Authorities required under Section 6.2(d).
Any payments required to be made pursuant to this Section 7.5 shall be made by
wire transfer of same day funds to an account designated by Parent.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 8.1 NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. None of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section 8.1
shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms
contemplates performance after the Effective Time of the Merger.
SECTION 8.2 NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given if delivered personally or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of
delivery) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address
for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(a) if to Parent or Acquisition, to
Aristocrat Leisure Limited
71 Longueville Road
Lane Cove, NSW 2066 Australia
Facsimile: 61-2-9420-1354
Attention: Gavin Isaacs
with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036
Facsimile: (212) 735-2000
Attention: Howard L. Ellin, Esq.
A-33
(b) if to the Company, to:
Casino Data Systems
3300 Birtcher Drive
Las Vegas, Nevada 89118
Facsimile: (702) 407-1600
Attention: Steve Weiss
with a copy to:
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP
333 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90071
Facsimile: (213) 229-6141
Attention: Jonathan K. Layne, Esq.
SECTION 8.3 DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) an "affiliate" of any person means another person that, directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or
is under common control with, such first person;
(b) "knowledge" means a fact, event, circumstance or occurrence actually
known, or that reasonably should have been known by an officer of a comparable
company with comparable responsibilities by virtue of such responsibilities, by
any of the executive officers of the Company or Parent, as the case may be;
(c) "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity; and
(d) a "subsidiary" with respect to any person means any corporation,
partnership, joint venture association, trust, unincorporated organization or
other entity, of which such person or any other subsidiary of such person
(i) owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the outstanding voting
securities or equity interests, (ii) is entitled to elect at least a majority of
the Board of Directors or similar governing body or (iii) is a general partner
(excluding such partnerships where such person or any subsidiary of such person
do not have a majority of the voting interests in such partnership).
SECTION 8.4 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
a Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section of, or an
Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words "include," "includes" and "including" are used in
this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."
SECTION 8.5 COUNTERPARTS; FACSIMILE. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts and via facsimile, all of which shall be considered one and
the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have
been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.
SECTION 8.6 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This
Agreement, the Voting Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the
entire agreement, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement and except for the provisions of Section 5.8 are not intended to
confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies
hereunder.
SECTION 8.7 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Nevada,
regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles
of conflict of laws thereof.
A-34
SECTION 8.8 ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in
part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties without the prior
written consent of the other parties, except that Parent and Acquisition may
assign this Agreement or any of their rights, interests or obligations hereunder
to any of their respective affiliates, PROVIDED HOWEVER that no such assignment
shall relieve Parent of its obligations hereunder. Subject to the preceding
sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 8.9 ENFORCEMENT. The parties agree that irreparable damage would
occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It
is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the United States
located in the State of Nevada or in Nevada state court, this being in addition
to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. In addition,
each of the parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the personal
jurisdiction of any federal court located in the State of Nevada or any Nevada
state court in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) agrees that it will not attempt
to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for
leave from any such court and (c) agrees that it will not bring any action
relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement in any court other than a federal or state court sitting in the State
of Nevada.
SECTION 8.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE
COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL
BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.
EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (a) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR
ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH
OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
WAIVER, (b) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS
WAIVER, (c) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (d) EACH PARTY HAS
BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL
WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8.10.
SECTION 8.11 PERSONAL LIABILITY. This Agreement shall not create or be
deemed to create or permit any personal liability or obligation on the part of
any direct or indirect stockholder of the Company or Parent or any officer,
director, employee, agent, representative or investor of any party hereto.
SECTION 8.12 SEVERABILITY. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void
or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the
validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other
situation or in any other jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction or other authority declares that any term or provision
hereof is invalid, void or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court
making such determination have the power to reduce the scope, duration, area or
applicability of the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or
to replace any invalid, void or unenforceable term or provision with a term or
provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the
intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision.
A-35
SECTION 8.13. FINANCING. Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere
herein, the parties acknowledge and agree that it shall not be a condition to
the obligations of Parent or Acquisition to effect the Merger that Parent has
sufficient funds for the payment of the aggregate Merger Consideration.
SECTION 8.14. MATERIALITY. Notwithstanding any numeric or monetary
thresholds or limitations contained herein, the parties hereby specifically
acknowledge and agree that no such limitations or thresholds shall be deemed to
constitute an acknowledgment or indication as to the materiality of the item in
question or of any other item whatsoever.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Acquisition and the Company have caused this
Agreement and Plan of Merger to be signed by their respective officers thereunto
duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.
PARENT:
ARISTOCRAT LEISURE LIMITED,
an Australian company
By: /s/ D. H. Randall
--------------------------------------
Name: D. H. Randall
Its: Chief Executive Officer
ACQUISITION:
CEDAR ACQUISITION CORP.,
a Nevada corporation
By: /s/ Burgess Harmer
--------------------------------------
Name: Burgess Harmer
Its: President
THE COMPANY:
CASINO DATA SYSTEMS,
a Nevada corporation
By: /s/ Steven A. Weiss
--------------------------------------
Name: Steven A. Weiss
Its: Chief Executive Officer
A-37
ANNEX B
FINANCIAL ADVISOR'S FAIRNESS OPINION
January 17, 2001
Board of Directors
Casino Data Systems
3300 Birtcher Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89118
Members of the Board:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, to the holders of the common stock, no par value per
share (the "Shares") of Casino Data Systems (the "Company") of the consideration
to be received by such holders pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of January 17, 2001 (the "Merger Agreement"), among the
Company, Aristocrat Leisure Limited ("Parent"), and Cedar Acquisition Corp.
("Sub"). The Merger Agreement provides for, among other things, a merger of Sub
with and into the Company pursuant to which each issued and outstanding Share
(other than any Shares owned by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or
Parent, Sub or any other subsidiary of Parent (the "Excluded Shares")) will be
converted into the right to receive $9.25 in cash (the "Merger"). The terms and
conditions of the Merger are set forth in more detail in the Merger Agreement.
In connection with rendering our opinion, we have reviewed a draft of the
Merger Agreement and, for purposes hereof, we have assumed that the final form
of that document will not differ in any material respect from the draft provided
to us. We have also reviewed and analyzed certain publicly available business
and financial information relating to the Company for recent years and interim
periods to date, as well as certain internal financial and operating
information, including financial forecasts, analyses and projections prepared by
or on behalf of the Company and provided to us for purposes of our analysis, and
we have met with management of the Company to review and discuss such
information and, among other matters, the Company's business, operations,
assets, financial condition and future prospects.
We have reviewed and considered certain financial and stock market data
relating to the Company, and we have compared that data with similar data for
certain other companies, the securities of which are publicly traded, that we
believe may be relevant or comparable in certain respects to the Company or one
or more of its businesses or assets, and we have reviewed and considered the
financial terms of certain recent acquisitions and business combination
transactions in the gaming equipment industry specifically, and in other
industries generally, that we believe to be reasonably comparable to the Merger
or otherwise relevant to our inquiry. We have also performed such other
financial studies, analyses, and investigations and reviewed such other
information as we considered appropriate for purposes of this opinion.
In our review and analysis and in formulating our opinion, we have assumed
and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other
information provided to or discussed with us or publicly available, and we have
not assumed any responsibility for independent verification of any of such
information. We have also assumed and relied upon the reasonableness of the
financial projections, forecasts and analyses provided to us, and we have
assumed that such projections, forecasts and analyses were reasonably prepared
in good faith and on bases reflecting the best currently available judgments and
estimates of the Company's management. We express no opinion with respect to
such projections, forecasts and analyses or the assumptions upon which they are
based. In addition, we have not reviewed any of the books and records of the
Company, or assumed any responsibility for conducting a physical inspection of
the properties or facilities of the Company, or for making or obtaining an
independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of the Company.
We also
B-1
have assumed that the transactions described in the Merger Agreement will be
consummated without waiver or modification of any of the material terms or
conditions contained therein by any party thereto. Our opinion is necessarily
based on economic and market conditions and other circumstances as they exist
and can be evaluated by us as of the date hereof.
It should be noted that in the context of our engagement by the Company, we
were not authorized to and did not solicit third party indications of interest
in acquiring all or any part of the Company, or investigate any alternative
transactions that may be available to the Company. You have advised us, and we
have relied on your advice, that prior to our engagement, the Company solicited
indications of interest in a merger from at least four parties, including those
merger partners that the Company believed were the logical parties that would be
interested in and capable of completing such a transaction.
In the ordinary course of our business, we may actively trade the debt and
equity securities of the Company and Parent for our own account and for the
accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short
position in such securities.
We are acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the
proposed Merger and will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion
of which is contingent upon the consummation of the Merger.
Our opinion addresses only the fairness from a financial point of view to
the holders of Shares (other than Excluded Shares) of the consideration to be
received by such shareholders pursuant to the Merger, and we do not express any
views on any other terms of the Merger. Specifically, our opinion does not
address the Company's underlying business decision to effect the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
It is understood that this letter is for the benefit and use of the Board of
Directors of the Company in its consideration of the Merger and except for
inclusion in its entirety in any registration statement or proxy statement
required to be circulated to shareholders of the Company relating to the Merger
may not be quoted, referred to or reproduced at any time or in any manner
without our prior written consent. This opinion does not constitute a
recommendation to any shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote with
respect to the Merger, and should not be relied upon by any shareholder as such.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, including the various assumptions
and limitations set forth herein, it is our opinion that as of the date hereof,
the $9.25 per Share cash consideration to be received by the holders of Shares
(other than Excluded Shares) pursuant to the Merger Agreement is fair to such
shareholders of the Company from a financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
WASSERSTEIN PERELLA & CO., INC.
B-2
ANNEX C
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
A. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:
1. Recommending to the Board of Directors the selection, retention or
termination, as appropriate, of the independent public accountants for
the Company.
2. Reviewing the independent public accountants' compensation, the proposed
terms of their engagement and their independence as provided in SAS 61
and ISB Standard No. 1.
3. Recommending to the Board of Directors, when the Committee deems it
advisable, that the Independent public accountants engage in specific
studies and reports regarding audit matters, accounting procedures and
other matters.
4. Reviewing the arrangements for and scope of the audit of annual
financial statements.
5. Reviewing annual financial statements and unaudited quarterly financial
statements, including any adjustments to those statements recommended by
the independent public accountant; and any significant issues that arise
in connection with the preparation of those financial statements.
6. Recommending to management inclusion of audited financials in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
7. Reviewing, as appropriate and in consultation with the independent
public accountants, accounting policies and procedures applicable to the
Company as well as any management responses to comments relating to those
policies and procedures.
8. Reviewing independent public accountants' opinions.
9. Reviewing internal audit procedures with Company Controller or his/her
designee.
10. Considering, in consultation with the independent public accountants,
the adequacy of internal controls to help provide reasonable assurance
that publicly reported financial statements are presented fairly and in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
11. Investigating, when the Committee deems it necessary, potential
improprieties or improprieties in Company operations.
12. Reviewing changes in accounting principles or practices that have or are
expected to have a significant impact on the preparation of financial
statements.
13. Meeting at least quarterly with the Chief Financial Officer and the
Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and with the independent public
accountants to discuss any issues arising from the Committee's
responsibilities.
14. Meeting at least annually with management (outside the presence of the
independent public accountants) to discuss management's evaluation of the
work performed by the independent public accountants and the
appropriateness of the fees.
15. Generally acting as a liaison between the independent public accountants
and the Board of Directors.
16. Annually reviewing and, as appropriate, implementing changes to its
Charter.
B. Members of the Committee should meet the following standards:
1. Members of the Committee should be "independent" as defined in the
listing standards of the Nasdaq. This generally means that no member of
the Committee should be an employee or
C-1
executive officer of the Company or have any business dealings with the
Company. Determinations of a member's independence will be made by the
Board of Directors in its business judgment.
2. Each member of the Committee shall be able to read and understand
fundamental financial statements, including the Company's balance sheet,
income statement and cash flow statement.
3. At least one member of the Committee shall be a certified public
accountant or shall have been employed by a public company as the chief
executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior executive
officer with financial oversight responsibility.
C-2
FORM OF PROXY CARD
CASINO DATA SYSTEMS
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO VOTE: Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope
PROXY
CASINO DATA SYSTEMS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 18, 2001
The undersigned stockholder of CDS appoints Steven A. Weiss, Michael D.
Rumbolz, and Ronald Rowan, and each of them, as attorneys, agents and proxies
of the undersigned with full power of substitution in each of them, to vote
in the name and on behalf of the undersigned at the annual meeting of
stockholders of CDS to be held on May 18, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at
the Alexis Park Resort at 375 East Harmon, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, and until
adjournments thereof, all of the shares of common stock of CDS which the
undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present, with the powers
the undersigned would possess if personally present.
To vote in accordance with the CDS board of directors' recommendations, just
sign below; no boxes need to be checked. Unless marked otherwise, this proxy
will be voted FOR approval of each of Proposal 1, Proposal 2 and Proposal 3
and in the discretion of the proxy holder on all other matters.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IT WILL BE
VOTED ON THE MATTERS SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS FORM AS DIRECTED
BY THE STOCKHOLDER, BUT IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE IN THE SPACE PROVIDED, IT
WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, FOR THE
ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES TO THE CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
PLEASE EXECUTE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY.
YOUR COOPERATION WILL BE APPRECIATED.
SEE REVERSE FOR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS.
PLEASE DETACH HERE
1. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
January 17, 2001, among CDS, Aristocrat Leisure Limited, / / / / / /
an Australian company and Cedar Acquisition Corp., a
Nevada corporation and an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Aristocrat.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 1.
2. Election of Directors: (01)Steven A. Weiss / / FOR all nominees / / WITHHOLD
(02)Thomas E. Gardner (except as marked AUTHORITY to vote for
(03)John F. Harvey to the contrary all nominees
below)
Nominees for directorships, each for a two-year term:
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDICATED
NOMINEE, WRITE THE NUMBER(S) OF THE NOMINEE(S) IN THE _____________________________________________________
BOX PROVIDED TO THE RIGHT.)
_____________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 2.
3. RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT of Deloitte & Touche LLP as CDS's FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
independent auditors. / / / / / /
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 3.
4. Upon such other business as many properly come before the meeting
and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
/ / Address change? Mark box. Indicate changes below: / / I PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING Dated ______________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Signature(s)
Please sign exactly as your name appears on proxy.
When signing as attorney, guardian, executor,
administrator or trustee, please give title. If the
signer is a corporation, give the full corporate
name and sign by a duly authorized officer, showing
the officer's title. EACH joint owner is requested
to sign.