International Game Technology (IGT) has announced the closure of its electronic table games division, slated for 2027. This decision follows a significant reduction in workforce earlier this year, as confirmed by an IGT spokesperson, Phill O’Shaughnessy. He stated that this strategic shift aligns with the company’s focus on core business priorities and long-term growth ambitions. O’Shaughnessy assured that IGT would maintain support for its electronic table game (ETG) customers throughout the transition period.
The 2024 merger of IGT with Everi Holdings, which was valued at $6.3 billion and orchestrated under Apollo Global Management, preceded these developments. Earlier this year, IGT had already cut approximately 10% of its global workforce. At that time, CEO Hector Fernandez indicated that the layoffs aimed to streamline the organization and enhance operational efficiency.
As a result of this merger, IGT spun off its former lottery division into a publicly traded entity named Brightstar Lottery. Now, the ETG division seems to be the next area facing significant contraction. In June 2025, Apollo partner Daniel Cohen expressed his concerns to Nevada regulators about IGT's competitive position, noting it lagged behind rivals Aristocrat and Light & Wonder. Cohen reiterated that his firm’s focus is on achieving "long-term value creation" through this acquisition.
He stated, “Our goal long term is to become the operator’s supplier,” aiming for IGT to be the one-stop shop for major casinos like Venetian and Caesars, providing a comprehensive range of products. This approach is intended to foster innovation and investment in future casino technology products.
Although IGT’s ETG division had seen some growth—with offerings like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette tables—its overall impact remained modest compared to the more profitable slot machines. In an effort to expand this sector, IGT had hopes that its Wheel of Fortune franchise could drive interest in ETGs. Luigi Cacciapuoti, IGT’s vice president for specialty products and ETGs, previously emphasized the new direction the company was taking with these games, focusing on innovation to meet player demands while offering value to clients.
However, the ETG segment has struggled, primarily due to space requirements on casino floors. Slot machines generally occupy less space while generating more revenue, a significant consideration for casino floor managers. Furthermore, ETGs have found greater popularity in European and Asian gaming markets compared to the United States.
Interblock, a leader in the ETG market owned by private equity, was rumored to be a target for acquisition by Aristocrat, although talks reportedly fell through due to a $200 million valuation difference.
