Good evening,

A new contender has emerged in the race for the Victorian wagering licence. Street Talk can reveal Athens-headquartered Intralot, which operates lottery products around the world, has thrown its hat in the ring, presenting as perhaps the only challenger to the incumbent holder Tabcorp.

The bidding is now in the final stages of a process that has dragged on for more than 12 months. Place your bets.

Meanwhile, the painfully slow reopening of the IPO market continues with non-deal roadshows spotted for US-focused lithium explorer Chariot Corp and Mathew Edwards’ Nido Early School. Both are eyeing floats in the second half.

Street Talk also reports that New Zealand SMS services business Modica Group has mandated Lazard’s Australian bankers to find a buyer, and Johannesburg-listed Murray & Roberts is struggling to come good on its deal to buy back its Perth-based mining contractor RUC out of administration.

Happy reading,

Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Street Talk Editors