Speculation in the national press in Britain yesterday forecast that it was "almost inevitable" that gambling giant Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral, Bwin) will be gobbled up by one of the big US operators.
Entain’s chairman is quoted in the Sunday newspapers as dismissing the claim that, following the collapse of the MGM bid of £8.1bn for the group last week, it is still destined to be acquired by one of the growing US sports betting operators.
The MGM bid has already been increased twice in subsequent behind-closed-doors offers, he said. The only thing holding back still more offers, he said, is the blocking rights that MGM has in its joint venture agreement with Entain.
Analysts, however, still maintain that MGM and Entain will merge eventually. The US operator is prevented by City rules from making another takeover attempt within six months.
