# C_2016062EN.01001401.xml

| 18.2.2016 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 62/14 |
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18.2.2016

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/14

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.7903 — LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT/Safari Holding/SCHMIDT Gruppe Service/Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2016/C 62/08)

| 1. | On 10 February 2016, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT GmbH (‘LÖWEN’, Germany), belonging to the Novomatic Group, Safari Holding Verwaltungs GmbH (‘Safari’, Germany), controlled by Ardian France SA, and SCHMIDT Gruppe Service GmbH (‘SCHMIDT Service’, Germany) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and Article 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly created joint venture Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention (‘the GU’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 10 February 2016, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT GmbH (‘LÖWEN’, Germany), belonging to the Novomatic Group, Safari Holding Verwaltungs GmbH (‘Safari’, Germany), controlled by Ardian France SA, and SCHMIDT Gruppe Service GmbH (‘SCHMIDT Service’, Germany) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and Article 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly created joint venture Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention (‘the GU’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   LÖWEN: production and leasing of gambling machines, and production of sports entertainment machines and accessories,
  —   Safari: operation of amusement arcades in Germany under the name LÖWEN PLAY,
  —   SCHMIDT Service: management and support services in the fitness centre, entertainment centre and property sectors,
  —   The GU: provision of services for the protection of gamblers and young people, and the prevention of addiction in the entertainment and gambling business. |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   LÖWEN: production and leasing of gambling machines, and production of sports entertainment machines and accessories,

LÖWEN

—   Safari: operation of amusement arcades in Germany under the name LÖWEN PLAY,

Safari

—   SCHMIDT Service: management and support services in the fitness centre, entertainment centre and property sectors,

SCHMIDT Service

—   The GU: provision of services for the protection of gamblers and young people, and the prevention of addiction in the entertainment and gambling business.

The GU

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2), it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2), it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit to it their observations on the proposed operation.
  Observations must reach the Commission no later than 10 days following the date on which this notification is published. They can be sent to the Commission under reference M.7903 — LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT/Safari Holding/SCHMIDT Gruppe Service/Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit to it their observations on the proposed operation.

Observations must reach the Commission no later than 10 days following the date on which this notification is published. They can be sent to the Commission under reference M.7903 — LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT/Safari Holding/SCHMIDT Gruppe Service/Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

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(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

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