PokerStars ‘might go for sale rather than IPO’

[Hung]

Did anyone read this?
Lets all gather money and buy pokerstars.
So instead of sending mails to Lee you can just decide things yourself. But you need at least US$2bn in your piggy. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Some of egaming’s biggest names would be in the frame should PokerStars seek a sale, rather than an initial public flotation (IPO), analysts have suggested.
Speculation mounted after the world’s second-biggest poker room appointed NM Rothschild as its adviser. It was reported the company would be seeking a price of more than US$2bn (£1.16bn)

Greg Feehely, head of research at Altium Capital, said the lack of equities distribution at Rothschild meant a “sale rather than an IPO is far more likely”.

He added the reported price tag could put off some potential buyers. “It may prove too big a deal for 888 and may be more likely for a company with Sportingbet’s clout unless one of the private companies such as Gala are prepared to step up to the plate.”

Feehely added William Hill or a newly separate Ladbrokes “should not be discounted.”

Mathew Gerard, analyst at Investec, added there would be “very big synergies” between PokerStars and Sportingbet.

However, Anthony Chow, technology analyst at Cannacord Capital, suggested a buyer is likely to be a company “without any poker assets. The problem with poker systems is that you can’t bundle them up,” he said.

But Chow agreed a move towards an IPO was unlikely. “I don’t think there will be many flotations this year,” he said.

He added that one of the few would be UltimateBet.

[Losing all]

I wonder if Pinnacle could be a player? What a perfect marriage that would be. I'm afraid anyone else could ruin stars, at least if they try to "fix" anything.

[ipp147]

I think the "new" ladbrokes would be a great fit for a few reasons,

* They no longer own the hotels side of the business so I presume they can go for US customers now - this gives them an instant customer base.

* Reduces reliance on the Prima software

* They are anti rakeback

* They are big on tournaments

[_And1_]

ipp147 - i agree.

[Overdrive]

Is this letsbuypokerstars.com site for real? Are they actually serious about this?

http://www.letsbuypokerstars.com

[GrannyMae]

where u been my lil' yellow-belgian friend??



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may be more likely for a company with Sportingbet’s clout

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go paradise