Caesars Shareholders Vote on $17.6 Billion Fertitta Acquisition

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. shareholders gathered on September 22, 2026, to vote on a proposed acquisition by Fertitta Entertainment valued at $17.6 billion. The outcome of this vote will determine whether Caesars will proceed with the transaction and transition to private ownership if completed.

The special meeting was held at 9 a.m. Pacific Time at the Eldorado Resort & Casino in Reno, Nevada. Shareholders eligible to participate were those of record as of August 21, 2026, with approximately 203.8 million shares outstanding at the time of the vote.

Under the terms of the agreement, Fertitta Entertainment would acquire Caesars in an all-cash transaction. The deal includes the assumption of about $11.9 billion in existing Caesars debt and provides shareholders with $31 in cash per share.

The board of directors at Caesars unanimously recommended that shareholders approve the merger agreement. The agreement was originally signed on May 27, 2026, and included a period through July 11, 2026, during which Caesars could seek alternative proposals.

What the numbers show

• The transaction values Caesars at $17.6 billion, including $11.9 billion in debt.
• Shareholders would receive $31.00 per share, a 49% premium over February 25, 2026, price.
• Approval requires a majority of the 203.8 million outstanding shares.

If the acquisition is approved and finalized, Caesars’ common stock would be removed from the NASDAQ exchange, and the company would become privately held. The agreement outlines that shareholders would be compensated in cash for their shares as part of the transaction.

According to the agreement, Caesars was permitted to consider superior proposals during the designated “go-shop” period, and the board retained the right to terminate the agreement if a better offer was identified. No such alternative proposal was confirmed by the time of the vote.

Following the shareholder meeting, Caesars is required to submit the final voting results to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days. This filing will make the outcome of the vote publicly available and determine the next procedural steps for the acquisition.

The proposed acquisition marks a significant event for Caesars, which has operated as a public company with its shares traded on NASDAQ. If the transaction is completed, Fertitta Entertainment would assume ownership, and Caesars would transition to private status.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.