UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 12, 2014

 

BALLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

 

001-31558

 

88-0104066

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

6601 S. Bermuda Rd., Las Vegas, Nevada

 

89119

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 897-7150

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

x

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Items 5.02 and 8.01. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers; Other Events.

 

On September 12, 2014, Bally Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) granted retention bonus awards to Neil Davidson, John Connelly, Derik Mooberry and Katie Lever under the terms of a retention bonus plan that covers certain key employees and that was adopted by the Company in connection with the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 1, 2014, by and among the Company, Scientific Games Corporation (“Scientific Games”), Scientific Games Nevada, Inc. (“Merger Sub”) and Scientific Games International, Inc. (“Financing Sub”), providing for the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Scientific Games.

 

Messrs. Davidson, Connelly and Mooberry received retention bonus awards equal to $1,000,000, $400,000 and  $300,000, respectively. Ms. Lever received a retention bonus award equal to $1,000,000. Each retention bonus award is payable on the six-month anniversary of the consummation of the Merger, subject to the recipient’s continued employment through such date, provided that if the recipient’s employment is terminated without “cause” or for “good reason” prior to the six-month anniversary of the consummation of the Merger, the retention bonus awards will be paid on the date of the recipient’s termination of employment.  “Cause” and “good reason” have the meanings ascribed to them in the Company’s Amended and Restated 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan, unless such terms are otherwise defined in the recipient’s employment agreement.

 

The form of award agreement with respect to such retention bonus awards entered into by the Company and Messrs. Davidson, Connelly and Mooberry and Ms. Lever is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This communication may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be typically identified by such words as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” and other similar expressions among others. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, they involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and any or all of our forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect.  Consequently, no forward-looking statements may be guaranteed and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by such forward looking statements will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company or its business or operations. Factors which could cause our actual results to differ from those projected or contemplated in any such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following factors:  (1) the risk that the conditions to the closing of the merger are not satisfied (including a failure of the shareholders of the Company to approve, on a timely basis or otherwise, the merger and the risk that regulatory approvals required for the merger are not obtained, on a timely basis or otherwise, or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated); (2) litigation relating to the merger; (3) uncertainties as to the timing of the

 

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consummation of the merger and the ability of each of the Company and Scientific Games to consummate the merger; (4) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts the current plans and operations of the Company; (5) the ability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel; (6) competitive responses to the proposed merger; (7) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the merger; (8) the failure by Scientific Games to obtain the necessary debt financing arrangements set forth in the commitment letter received in connection with the merger; (9) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the merger; and (10) legislative, regulatory and economic developments. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2014, and our more recent reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company can give no assurance that the conditions to the Merger will be satisfied. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

This communication is being made in respect of the proposed transaction involving the Company and Scientific Games. The proposed transaction will be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for their consideration. In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company will prepare a proxy statement to be filed with the SEC. The Company and Scientific Games also plan to file with the SEC other documents regarding the proposed transaction. THE COMPANY’S SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. When completed, a definitive proxy statement and a form of proxy will be mailed to the shareholders of the Company. The Company’s shareholders will be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the proxy statement (when available) and other relevant documents filed with the SEC from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company’s shareholders will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the proxy statement and other relevant documents (when available) by going to the Company’s Investor Relations website page at http://investor.ballytech.com or by contacting Investor Relations by mail to Bally Technologies, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 6650 S. El Camino Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118.

 

Participants in Solicitation

 

The Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders with respect to the meeting of shareholders that will be held to consider the proposed Merger. Information about the Company’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of the Company’s common stock is set forth in the proxy statement for the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on October 28, 2013. Shareholders may obtain additional information regarding the

 

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interests of the Company and its directors and executive officers in the proposed Merger, which may be different than those of the Company’s shareholders generally, by reading the proxy statement and other relevant documents regarding the proposed Merger, when it becomes available.  You may obtain free copies of this document as described in the preceding paragraph.

 

Item 9.01.                Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)         Exhibits.

 

99.1                        Form of Retention Bonus Award Agreement with Messrs. Neil Davidson, John Connelly and Derik Mooberry and Ms. Katie Lever, dated September 12, 2014

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

Bally Technologies, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: September 12, 2014

By:

/S/ KATIE S. LEVER

 

 

Katie S. Lever
Senior Vice President and General Counsel

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

99.1

 

Form of Retention Bonus Award Agreement with Messrs. Neil Davidson, John Connelly and Derik Mooberry and Ms. Katie Lever dated September 12, 2014

 

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