GVC threatens to go hostile if Bwin takes lower bid from rival

Chairman of GVC said it would consider going hostile in £1bn battle for Bwin.party if its board recommended a lower offer from 888
888 lifted its cash-and-shares offer for Bwin to 115p, below GVC’s 129p-a-share bid
888 lifted its cash-and-shares offer for Bwin to 115p, below GVC’s 129p-a-share bid
JASON ALDEN/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES

The chairman of GVC Holdings said yesterday that the online gambling company would consider going hostile in the £1 billion battle for Bwin.party if its board recommended a lower offer from the rival 888 Holdings.

Lee Feldman said that although he remained “confident our offer will be recommended”, the GVC board was “not prepared to walk away” from Bwin and would do everything in its power to win the day.

Asked whether that could include going hostile, he said: “We have certainly thought about it. We don’t see it as necessary right now as we’re offering a higher price and have a better operating track record. That said, we believe GVC should own this asset and we wouldn’t exclude any strategy.”

Mr Feldman was speaking