GVC, the i-gaming group, has recently approached sports betting operator Ladbrokes Coral with a takeover offer worth a potential £3.6bn, reports FT.com.

GVC bid for Ladbrokes Coral

Quotes from FT sources state that the talks - held "in recent weeks" - broke down and the deal is no longer on the table.

It is the second time that GVC has approached Ladbrokes. Preliminary discussions were held last year while Ladbrokes was closing the £2.2bn merger with Coral.

Among the reasons the recent discussions broke down was a disagreement over the value of the companies – with the forthcoming regulatory review of the gambling sector a factor.