Nov 17 (Reuters) – Online gambling software developer Playtech Plc said it had received a takeover approach from JKO Play Limited, a company controlled by former F1 boss Eddie Jordan and Keith O’Loughlin, a former executive at U.S.slot machine maker Scientific Games.<\/p>\n
JKO is seeking access to due diligence information in order to explore the terms of a potential takeover offer, Britain’s Playtech said in a statement, the latest in a series of takeover interest for the firm.<\/p>\n
Playtech said it put out the statement in response to media speculation of the possible takeover offer and without JKO’s prior consent.JKO could not immediately be contacted for a comment.<\/p>\n
The news was first reported by Sky News, which said website that Jordan was part of a consortium plotting a bid for Playtech of over 3 billion pounds ($4.05 billion).<\/p>\n
JKO had indicated to Playtech it was in discussions with New York-based Centerbridge Partners L.P.to provide institutional debt and structured capital funding, Playtech said, adding that Centerbridge had not yet made any financing commitments.<\/p>\n
Centerbridge did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.<\/p>\n
Playtech said discussions with JKO were at an early stage and there was no certainty they will result in a takeover offer.<\/p>\n
The takeover approach comes after Australian gambling machine maker Aristocrat Leisure said last month it would buy Playtech for 2.1 billion pounds.<\/p>\n
Weeks later, Playtech said it was in talks with its second-biggest shareholder, Gopher Investments, over a possible takeover offer.<\/p>\n
($1 = 0.7416 pounds) (Reporting by Juby Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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