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Ladbrokes in talks to buy 888 poker siteThe Guardian (UK)Ladbrokes in talks to buy 888 poker siteLadbrokes, the UK's second-largest bookmaker, is in talks to buy the online poker and casino group 888 Holdings as pressure mounts on the internet gaming industry to merge after a US clampdown.November, 6th 2006 Shares in 888 jumped 9.25p to 119.75p in early trading this morning, an increase of over 8%. Ladbrokes were 2.75p higher at 412.75p. Executives of the betting shop group flew to Israel this weekend to discuss a takeover deal with Avi and Aharon Shaked, the two brothers who founded and who remain controlling shareholders in the London-listed 888. The discussions are believed to have been brokered by 888's outgoing chief executive, John Anderson, who is also a former Ladbrokes director. 888, which has a market value of £375m, told shareholders last week it was in "preliminary discussions" which could lead to a takeover bid. The rival online operator PartyGaming is believed to be among 888's suitors. The Las Vegas casino groups MGM and Harrah's Entertainment are also thought to be taking an interest in the latest round of consolidation, precipitated by anti-gambling legislation in the US, the largest market for online operators. Any 888 deal must win the backing of the Shaked brothers, who together control 51% of the company after floating it on the London stock exchange last year and each selling shares worth £52m. The views of co-founding family, the Ben Yitzhaks, may also prove critical. They retain a 17.5% stake as well as a seat on the board. Ladbrokes issued a statement yesterday confirming it was "in the early stages of reviewing a possible transaction involving 888. No decision has been made." Reports over the weekend suggested 888 could fetch as much as £470m. Chris Bell, chief executive, is understood to have met Mr Anderson and the Shaked brothers in Israel. Ladbrokes declined to comment. Previously Mr Bell made it clear he was committed to expanding in Europe as well as building on Ladbrokes fast-growing internet operations, which last year accounted for 15% of operating profit. Five years ago Ladbrokes was among UK bookmakers to negotiate major tax concessions in exchange for a commitment to bring offshore telephone and internet sports betting back to the UK. Ladbrokes gaming operations, however, remained in Gibraltar and have been operating from the same office building as both 888 and PartyGaming. The Treasury is believed to have been looking at various tax treatments for online gaming groups in an effort to strike a similar deal that would lure major players in this relatively new industry onshore. Meanwhile, PartyGaming is understood to be looking at alternatives to a merger with 888. It is believed to be exploring talks with the Austrian sports betting-focused group Bwin, formerly known as Bet and Win. Mitch Garber, chief executive, wants to develop the group's sports betting offering and in August PartyGaming acquired Bulgaria's Gamebookers. PartyGaming is expected to launch its PartyBets web platform to sit alongside the already established PartyPoker, PartyGammon and other branded sites.  Other news to read :
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