More online gambling acquisition rumours

The Wall Street Journal triggered a wave of interest and speculation this week by reporting that the Permira private equity group is in preliminary acquisition talks with online gambling group 888 Holdings plc, quoting “reliable” insider sources.

The two organisations have neither confirmed nor denied the possibility, encouraging further rumours.

The WSJ report surmises that Permira may find 888 appealing due to the upcoming implementation of the British government point-of-consumption licensing and tax changes, which it perceives will have a stabilising effect on a potentially lucrative market.

The article observed: “A new licensing and tax regime for online gaming in the UK is clearing the air around the sector, and this makes one of the industry’s biggest players, 888 Holdings plc, a potential buyout target.”

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