Golden Entertainment shares surge 41.31% premarket after announcing $30/share acquisition via 0.902 VICI shares and $2.75 cash per share.

Golden Entertainment surged 41.31% in premarket trading following the announcement of a definitive agreement to sell its operating assets to Blake Sartini and affiliates, alongside a $1.16 billion sale-leaseback of seven casino properties to VICI Properties. The transaction offers shareholders $2.75 in cash and 0.902 shares of VICI per Golden share, representing a 41% premium to the November 5 closing price. The deal, expected to close in mid-2026, includes VICI repaying $426 million of Golden’s debt and provides immediate value realization for shareholders. The announcement aligns with Everbay Capital’s prior advocacy for unlocking real estate value and follows Golden’s Q3 earnings report, which highlighted a $4.7 million net loss. The premium pricing and strategic restructuring underpin the premarket rally, as the transaction addresses long-standing shareholder concerns about undervaluation and capital allocation.