AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker TITLE: Ladbrokes shows its hand in bid for internet poker firm DATE: 10:15 AM ----- BODY:

RAYNERS Lane-based Ladbrokes is mounting a challenge to buy the internet casino 888 Holdings. The deal is worth a reputed £470 million. Ladbrokes' chief executive Chris Bell flew to Israel at the weekend to meet 888 boss, John Anderson. continued... Party Gaming, another online gambling company, is already in discussion with 888 over a possible takeover bid. The move by Ladbrokes signals the intent of one of the borough's largest private employers, with its headquarters in Imperial Drive, to continue reaping record profits after this year's World Cup boosted its half-year profits to £151.3million.

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