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Gaming M&A trends and predictions
Amidst a challenging macroeconomic climate, M&A activity in the gaming sector has returned to pre-COVID levels.
In 2019, the international sanctions landscape is changing at a faster rate than businesses and financial institutions are able to keep up with. The historic view of sanctions being the domain of compliance and legal teams is not sufficient given the complexity and rising international tensions. To navigate sanctions risk during this period, engagement from senior management and boards of directors will be required, given the strategic leadership required.
Two recent examples highlight the increasing political tension between the US, EU, Iran, China and Russia (and their allies), which is enhancing the scope and breadth of international sanctions:
Financial institutions globally have imposed strict policies and procedures regarding transactions involving Iran given the secondary sanctions extraterritorial reach. This is most notably shown by the inability to access the SWIFT financial messaging service that facilitates cross-border payments. Described as the central nervous system of international financial transactions it connects more than 11,000 banks, financial institutions and corporations in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Following Treasury Secretary Mnuchin’s directive, SWIFT took steps in November 2018 to suspend access for some Iranian banks.
While some transactions outside of the US may be legal, it highlights the practical challenges based on policy and procedural grounds to do business with Iran. With the first anniversary of the US sanctions being reimposed drawing closer, businesses and financial institutions alike continue to grabble with the uncertainty and resulting compliance challenges. Many banks have blanket policies prohibiting transactions related to Iran or have mandatory enhanced due diligence measures. Taking some hypothetical examples
These questions raise numerous concerns given the potential of contravening sanctions or simply the inability to pay through frustration of contract given the financial institutions policies.
Maintaining an effective sanctions compliance programme during this time of uncertainty remains challenging. The components that require greater attention are
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Amidst a challenging macroeconomic climate, M&A activity in the gaming sector has returned to pre-COVID levels.
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