Casino News Roundup: Barry Diller Makes $18bn MGM Bid & Man Utd Agree Betway Deal
Welcome to the Casino Daily News Roundup - your briefing on the latest news from the global casino industry. We bring you the biggest stories from across the sector, covering everything from major business deals and revenue figures to new openings and regulatory developments.
Barry Diller's People Inc Makes $18 Billion Takeover Bid For MGM Resorts
Barry Diller's People Inc. has confirmed it has submitted a formal offer to acquire MGM Resorts International in a deal valuing the Las Vegas casino giant at $18billion.
People Inc. already owns a 26% stake in MGM and is now proposing to buy out the remaining shareholders at $48.30 per share.
The bid arrives just weeks after Caesars Entertainment extended its own exclusive takeover negotiations with Tilman Fertitta - meaning two of the three largest Las Vegas Strip operators are simultaneously the subject of major acquisition attempts.
MGM owns some of the most iconic properties on the Strip, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Aria and Mandalay Bay, alongside a growing digital business that posted record Q1 revenue.
MGM has not yet publicly responded to the offer.
Those following the action on the best online casinos will be watching closely as the Las Vegas landscape continues to evolve.
Manchester United Signs £20m Betway Training Kit Deal
Manchester United are set to announce Betway as its new training kit sponsor in a deal reported to be worth £20million per year - the most lucrative training kit-only arrangement in world football - just as the Premier League's ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorship takes effect from the 2026-27 season.
Betway's logo will appear prominently on all training wear used at Carrington and across the club's heavily-followed social media channels.
Critics argue that high-profile training kit deals effectively replicate the exposure of a front-of-shirt sponsor while technically remaining within the rules.
Betway, owned by Super Group, was previously West Ham United's shirt-front sponsor for a decade.
Man United's matchday shirt continues to carry Snapdragon branding under a separate £60m-per-year deal running until 2029.
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Bet365 Secures French Licence Just Two Weeks Before World Cup Kicks Off
Bet365 has secured regulatory approval to launch in France just two weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins - giving the operator a last-minute entry into one of Europe's most significant betting markets at the most commercially valuable moment in football's calendar.
The World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, is expected to generate record global betting volumes.
France's regulated market now has another major licensed operator ahead of the tournament, following years in which the country's framework was considered comparatively restrictive.
The approval comes as the French regulator ANJ continues to open the market to additional operators.
For operators looking to capitalise on World Cup betting interest, launching in France ahead of the tournament represents a significant commercial opportunity that Bet365 has moved quickly to secure.
