Sector Expertise
Through its principals and Operating Executives, GLP has a wealth of knowledge and experience across the global leisure industry, enabling GLP to offer its clients informed advice of the highest calibre and to take advantage of investment opportunities in each sector.

• Advised in the restructuring of the Claridge in 1988 and the sale of the Tropicana back to Aztar in 1989, and managed financings for many leading US casino companies

• Financed and advised many of the early entrants in riverboat gaming in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana and Indiana, and dockside gaming in Mississippi

• Advised and/or financed most of the major gaming equipment companies including AC Coin & Slot, Alliance, Aristocrat, Gauselmann, IGT, Mikohn and WMS

• Advised and/or financed a majority of the key industry consolidators including: MGM (Primadonna, Mirage), Harrah’s (Players, Showboat, Rio, Harvey’s), Pinnacle (Boomtown, Casino Magic, Hollywood Park), Churchill Downs (Ellis Park, Calder, Arlington Park, Hollywood Park)

• Advised Aristocrat (Australia) on its acquisition of Casino Data Systems (US), the first Australian/US gaming transaction; Colony Capital on its 50% acquisition of Accor Casinos (France), the first US financial sponsor investing in a European casino operator; London Clubs on its entry into the US, the first UK operator entering the US; Gala and Harrah’s in the formation of a US$1bn US/UK joint venture; Isle of Capri on its acquisition of a controlling interest in Blue Chip Casinos (UK), the first approved acquisition in the UK by a US operator

• Led international tender for Neuquen Province, Argentina, advised city of Detroit in its casino tender process, advised the Government of Scotland and informally advised the Government of Great Britain on casino regulatory matters

• GLP’s principals are two of the leading global industry experts in the gaming and pari-mutuel industries
  • Mark Harms – leading market share as adviser to and financier of racetracks in the US
  • Robert Decker – former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Churchill Downs Incorporated, the leading US racetrack operator
• The GLP principals have considerable expertise in developing and analysing “racinos”. Mark Harms acted as adviser and financier to two of the three West Virginia racino operators (Penn National, MTR Gaming (Mountaineer Park)), the Council Bluffs Iowa racino (advised Harrah’s in buying Harvey’s Casino Resorts, owner of this facility). Robert Decker helped Churchill Downs to develop a strategy for the integration of casino gaming into its race tracks
• Robert Decker devised and executed a strategic plan which propelled Churchill Downs from a market share of 12% in US pari-mutuel handle to a share of approximately 20%. With the assistance of Mark Harms as adviser and financier, Mr Decker directed the company’s successful execution of four transactions in five years with over US$300 million of enterprise value, and raising $500+ million in associated financing
• The GLP principals understand the operational and financial aspects of integrating a casino entertainment complex into a racing operation

• Permira's acquisition of Travelodge and Little Chef
• Colony Capital's acquisition of Starwood's Sardinia hotel and resort portfolio
• Acquisition of Princess Hotels by Canadian Pacific Hotels and Canadian Pacific Hotels' subsequent merger with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
• Sale of Red Roof Inns to Accor
• Follow on stock offering for International Speedway
• Advised Bally Total Fitness regarding strategic alternatives
• Sale of Cheap Tickets to Cendant