The United Kingdom’s gambling industry could be set for more consolidation after reports suggesting 888 Holdings and Rank Group could pay up to £3 billion for bookmaker William Hill.
This news came only days after William Hill’s CEO, James Henderson, stepped down from his role with immediate effect following the British company issuing a profit warning. William Hill announced to its investors that profits for the year to December 31 would likely be £260 million, down from initial estimations of £307 million.
888 Holdings and Rank, the latter being the owner of Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, this weekend issued a joint statement saying they had formed a consortium for a potential takeover of William Hill, but confirmed no formal bid had been made, and there is no guarantee of a formal offer being made.