Gábor Helembai

I get involved in commercial matters often and have also gained an in-depth understanding of the gambling sector in the past 13 years.

Besides the local and cross-border transactional matters we handle at Bird & Bird, I also assist our clients, including foreign corporations, the Hungarian subsidiaries of multinationals, and medium-to-large Hungarian companies, on their general corporate housekeeping matters, and provide a range of legal assistance on the day-to-day commercial issues that they face. Communication is key within our international team and I can ensure seamless collaboration across our case work.

I regularly act for a wide range of clients on commercial property matters, with a particular emphasis on transactions and leases.

Over the years, I have developed specific experience in the gaming and betting industry, where I advise major online and high street retail operators, as well as slot machine manufacturers, on regulatory matters. I have represented clients in negotiating a concession agreement with the Hungarian state, assisted different clients from non-gaming industries in their gaming related matters such as promotional games, and supported our clients in transactional matters in the gaming sector.

I regularly speak at leading international gambling conferences. My articles and opinions can often be found on well-known gambling industry journals and websites.

• I advised and represented a leading energy conglomerate of Central Europe in the high-value acquisition of the site in Budapest that will serve as ground for the brand new, state of the art headquarters of the company. The building was designed by a well-known international designer.
• I advised a specialist services multinational company supporting next generation approaches to drug development and commercialisation on its acquisition of a European clinical research organisation located in Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia, for up to US$42 million.
• I advised a group of Austrian investors on one of Europe's largest, high value leisure and entertainment investments. This complex assignment included a due diligence exercise, advising on the restructuring of the international company structure and general corporate housekeeping matters, drafting and negotiating the concession agreement amendments concluded with the Hungarian State. I have also been involved as Hungarian counsel in a high-value bond financing in New York, which included advising on the full financing documentation.
• I advised a gambling organiser located in the Far East in connection with a co-mingling agreement with a European Operator concerning a number of European jurisdictions.
• I advised a major European discount airline in connection with the applicable payment regulations regarding card payments with special regards to PSD2 implementation.

• Commercial
• Corporate
• Financial Services
• Media, Entertainment and Sport
• Real Estate
• Regulatory and Administrative
• Retail and Consumer
• Technology & Communications