Ladbrokes looks to move in

[Ian_go]

The betting group Ladbrokes is circling the troubled online gaming industry and hopes to cash in on the companies' distressed valuations. Merger and acquisition talks between internet betting firms are rife as they attempt to mitigate the loss of their US operations, outlawed after legislative changes in America which wiped billions off the value of online betting shares.

However, traditional casino operators and bookies are now circling the industry, looking to cherrypick the best assets at knockdown prices. They expect rapid growth across Europe and Asia.

A Ladbrokes spokesman confirmed: "It would be unusual if we were not to look at opportunities in the sector. We are monitoring the situation. We would always look to increase shareholder value."

One analyst, who declined to be named, said the most likely target was...more