RNS today and subsequent rise starting now:

ukbetting PLC
5 October 2006

ukbetting plc

Statement re press speculation


ukbetting plc ('ukbetting' or the 'Company') has noted recent press speculation
regarding the possibility of an offer being made for the Company.

The board of ukbetting can confirm that it has received preliminary approaches
expressing interest in formulating an offer for the Company.

There can be no certainty that any formal approach to the Company and,
consequently, any offer will be forthcoming.

i suspect if one bidder appears, there may well be others to force the price further ..... still, even just 9p up from the 61 at which i bought would not be such a hardship, but would be moderately surprised if that proved to be the final offer

RNS - 888 say its not them.

Shame.
Can PRTY raise the necessary cash? I suppose it makes sense for them to seek a quick revenue source.

PRTY are known to be continuing to look for acquisitions despite US regulations, but no confirmation that UKBetting is on their hitlist.

Regardless, we know that more than one group has made an approach - who the bidders may be is of little consequence to me. I'll take anyone's money!

PRTY no longer have the clout or credibility to make a serious t/o bid for another

This is from The Guardian:

There were also the first signs of much-anticipated consolidation in the online gaming industry yesterday as ukbetting said it had received a number of informal approaches to take over the company.

PartyGaming is known to be interested in acquisitions despite its shares falling 60% this week and said it cancelled its dividend to "take advantage of the many attractive opportunities in the sector that will emerge in the coming months".

PartyGaming, which has been forced to renegotiate its loan facility as a result of the US legislation, is also hoping to take over smaller rival Gamesys, which has all its customers in the UK.

PRTY may want to t/o another, but with its sp falling 60% and clearly in some financial difficulty, no target's shareholders would accept any offer unless ofr straight cash, which is obviously no option ..... further PRTY's own shareholders (and bankers) would almost certainly tell the board to get the company back on its feet before even trying any fancy fandango.

I am holding ukb as this one is one of the favourates. It looks like there could be a bit of a bidding war in the pipeline.

have a look at sunday times online regarding labour bids to put uk at the heart of online gambling. They are out for the increased tax revenues. Gordon Brown will love this one.

Janet - I hope this only represents a very small percentage of your holdings & that you are going to take profit at every opportunity???

most definately

Thanks for picking up that article, Janet.

Here's a link if anyone wants to read: Labour bids to put UK at heart of online gambling

More speculation that it is Partygaming: Reuters Article

Andrew news just come out, title partygaming. things are now starting to look a lot better specially now our goverment are involved. News came out at 2.45 have a look and let me know your views on this. this news will involve all gaming companies.

s a holder of UKB, i don't really care who makes a sucessful bid, but i would still be most surprised if that was PRTY for reasons posted earlier

it could be one of many companies cynic. the reuters article came out a few days ago. there could be a bidding war on this one. have a look in your mail box.

Where did you find this news, Janet?

I spoke to a broker I know in London friday. He said to hang on there are rumours going around the stock exchange about takeovers in the gaming industry, and consolitations sbt being approached, ukb. Prty looking for smaller companies in uk. companies in us now looking at prty, sbt. for their us business. 2.45 today news out on money am news. This could all start to get very interesting this week. Have you had a look at the 2.45 news yet. This is something out of the blue. What do you think? Ukb have admitted that they have been approached by a few companies. the news out at 2.45 on money am news is under prty.

i think the news on UKB is pretty solid; in fact if memory serves me aright, they even issued an RNS to that effect ...... if the other info comes from the "acquaintance" who seems to have guided you pretty badly so far, then i would treat it very circumspectly

This sounds like hype to me.
SBT have been approached for their U.S. facing business only, which is basically their database, as the U.S. facing site is shut down for the moment, (or soon will be) & therefore not generating any revenue. What use is their site to anyone else if interstate sports betting is outlawed? I am sure SBT are very interested in realising some return from their now defunct U.S. site.
UKB takeover must necessarily be by a company which is larger than them. We are all assuming it is a U.K. managed company, but their are a number of others based in Gibraltar & elsewhere (32RED etc). Is it possible that WMH or LAD are interested in expanding? BCL (Australia), BET (I of Man), GVC (Neth Antilles) etc etc.
One other question which may arise is, will it be better to take profit before the possible takeover is finalised or to hang on and be re-issued with shares from..........???