Draftkings Inc (NASDAQ:DKNG) considered bidding for the owner of William Hill and Mr Green, 888 Holdings PLC, earlier this year, according to reports.
The Financial Times said the US betting group discussed a bid for 888 over the summer with some of the struggling UK betting operator’s top shareholders, citing two people briefed on the talks.
The early-stage discussions, which took place in June and July, were held between DraftKings’ chief executive Jason Robins and a group of 888 shareholders, FS Gaming, the people said, with advisers present on both sides.
FS Gaming, which includes industry veterans such as former GVC chief executive Kenny Alexander, was at the time a top-five 888 shareholder.
Robins met with FS Gaming’s Lee Feldman, a former GVC chair, to discuss the takeover plans, including the possibility of appointing Alexander as 888 chief executive, the people said.
Shares in 888 initially spiked 4% higher on Thursday, before settling closer to opening levels.
Industry peer Flutter Entertainment earlier warned of low-end profits, sending shares down more than 10%, and dragging Entain down with it.