Online casino news features yet another potential take-over

Once again this month’s online casino news concerns another possible consolidation deal within the online casino and online sports gambling sector. It is being reported that the upcoming auction of OpenBet, an online gambling technology company has attracted the attention of two of our major online casino operators including William Hill. William Hill has recently been criticised for failing to get involved in the race for consolidation within the industry so a deal of this nature would perhaps silence some of those criticisms. It is understood that William Hill wants to take control of their own digital technology as part of a revamp of their online casino and sports gambling sites, and the purchase of OpenBet would seem to be a good way of achieving that aim. As readers of onlinecasino.ie will know many of our leading online casino operators have already been involved in mergers and take-overs in the last few months, with Paddy Power merging with Betfair and Ladbrokes with Gala Coral. It has also been confirmed recently that GVC Holdings have succeeded in their bid to acquire Bwin Party, so William Hill is one of the few major players yet to make a move. It is early days yet of course and it is being reported that William Hill may not be the only interested party in acquiring OpenBet, with American technology group NYX Gaming and even Paddy Power being mentioned as potential suitors. It has to be said that none of these potential interested parties have yet commented on these reports so it remains speculation at this stage of the game. Meanwhile William Hill are also reported to be unwilling to continue with their current agreement with the Football Association as ‘official betting partner’ when the deal runs out later this year. Front runners to replace them at this stage are apparently Betfred and Ladbrokes, both also well-known online casino operators.