Partygaming is one of three companies eyeing up one of the biggest names in UK bookmaking – Victor Chandler.
With £500 million still in the bank itching to be spent, there's a £300 million price tag on its Gibraltarian neighbour. Chandlers focuses markets such as Asia and Europe – both areas that Partygaming have been looking into to diversify away from the US.
Partygaming recently added European sportsbook Gamebookers to its roster for almost £70 million
Both Victor Chandler and PartyGaming refused to comment on a possible acquisition but well-placed sources confirmed PartyGaming's interest and said negotiations are likely to begin this September after Chandler returns from holidaying on his boat in the Greek islands.
Chandler, 55, inherited a floundering betting business after his father died. However, the business now has a £1.4bn turnover thanks to pioneering telephone betting.
He moved the business to Gibraltar in 1996 and trade took off. By doing this Chandler's avoided betting tax, incurring the wrath of Gordon Brown who abolished tax on punters' winnings as a direct result of Chandler's success.
Article: Poker firm bets on Chandler
The chief executive of bookmaker Victor Chandler has been detained in Israel, the latest victim of a mounting crackdown on internet gaming companies. Michael Carlton was detained for more than two hours by authorities. The arrest is the latest in a worldwide crackdown against internet gaming sites that has seen executives of gambling companies targeted by authorities in several countries. Gambling in Israel, like much of Europe, is a monopoly controlled by a state-run gaming board.
I think that we need to hear Victor Chandler and PartyGaming opinion before getting any conclusions
at the online casino and online gambling news we can get mixed up