Aristocrat Leisure is selling leading mobile game developer Plarium Global for $620m and using the sale proceeds to fund its new long-term growth strategy. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Aristocrat Leisure announced the sale of its Plarium Global Ltd special gaming division for $620m, with $600m coming immediately and $20m in April 2026. A further $200m payment depends on the company hitting financial targets between 2025 and 2028.

Aristocrat bought Plarium in October 2017 for $500m

Modern Times Group, a Sweden-based digital entertainment company, is the purchaser, and the two parties expect the transaction to conclude in the first half of 2025. Aristocrat bought Plarium in October 2017 for $500m, generating an “internal rate of return in the mid-teens” during the span of its ownership.

It plans to use the deal’s proceeds to finance a new long-term growth strategy that came on the back of a strategic review that began in May. Aristocrat Leisure Managing Director and CEO Trevor Croker mentioned in the sale announcement that the company is focusing more on “regulated gaming content and social slots.”

Another big focus going forward is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after becoming the first recipient of a vendor license to supply land-based slots, online games, and relevant technology. Legal gambling is coming to the region, with Wynn Resorts securing the only casino license to date.