Merger between 888 and Ladbrokes on the horizon?

[PlayersBay]

This article is about merger talks between 888 and Ladbrokes, which would create a mega-provider of online gam(b)ling software.

Increased concentration in online casinos could lead to less competition for the client's business, but for now let's just see what happens.

Ladbrokes 888 Holdings Mega Merger Chatter Revived +Merger Odds, Gambling M&A Market Fires Up & Insight

If you have been keenly reading my previous original and insightful pieces on the global gambling industry (like everyone else this side of the earth), you probably are already several steps ahead from everyone else in the entire industry (cheers ;-) ). To those who are just getting up to speed right now (welcome): Its officially open game season for all The Gambling Gods and online gambling heavy-weights in the industry; William Hill, PartyGaming, Gala Coral, Tabcorp, Betfair, Bwin, Joe Lewis (bookmaker mega investor), Paddy Power, 188Bet, and various others.

What is really interesting is one writer (Howard Wright of RacingPost.com) mentioned the idea of revived talks or chatter between the two Gambling Heavy-Weights: Ladbrokes Plc and 888 Holdings. I will go into what this deal was about previously about, exactly where this deal could possibly stand right now, what chatter is possibly going on right now between both heavy-weights , and most importantly how does it really affect you: the gambling industry professional or the professional bettor/punter/gambler. You are also welcome to weight in and add any further insight as well in the comments section below, we would love to hear your valuable opinions on this hot topic. I will try to do all of the above in the shortest, most concise and precise way possible; after all that’s what great content is about right?

Earlier this week 888 Holdings CEO and Chief-Boss-Man Gigi Levy came out in the open and basically said that 888 Holdings was already in “advance stages“ of a smaller deal and “very early position for a larger deal“. Reading in between the lines, as I covered in my previous value-added piece; Levy is basically saying they are near completion of one smaller gambling company. In addition we are led to believe/speculate that Levy and 888 Holdings have identified an acquisition for a larger much complex gambling company, but have not secured the deal. In 75-80% of deals “very early” usually means the company is in open or non-exclusive negotiations

Thanks to pomppoker for the tip!