888 clears deal hurdle

onLinE betting firm 888 expects to complete its £2.2bn takeover of William Hill’s European business in the first quarter of 2022.

888 said it now has antitrust and gaming regulatory clearances for the deal, which returns 1,400 betting shops to British hands.

a shareholder vote on the acquisition is expected next year. 888 will take over William

Hill’s international arm from Las Vegas casino operator Caesars Entertainment, which bought it in april for £2.9bn.

the combined group will have more than 12,000 staff and annual revenues of £1.8bn. itai Pazner, chief executive of 888, said: ‘this will create one of the world’s leading online betting and gaming groups.’