LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Online gambling firm Bwin.party, which on Friday accepted a 1.06 billion pound ($1.6billion) takeover from GVC, said many of its investorshad been split on whether to back the approach over a rivaloffer from 888.
Bwin Chairman Philip Yea said it had talked with over halfof its shareholder base before deciding to ditch a previouslyrecommended 900 million pound offer from 888, and a subsequentimproved terms, in favour of GVC's bid.
"There was a pretty even split of those that expressed viewsone way or the other. But we also had a significant block ofshares that was happy to support the board on its deliberations,Yea said.
"Having gone through the process we are very hopeful thatour shareholders will support the board."
Yea, who will not take up a position in the enlarged group,said that he could not rule out some disposals as part of theGVC takeover but stressed it was not a core element of deal.
($1 = 0.6572 pounds) (Reporting by Neil Maidment; Editing by Keith Weir)