(Corrects paragraph 4 to say that Bwin's board will meet onFriday, not Thursday)
Aug 20 (Reuters) - British online gambling company GVCHoldings Plc is ready to increase its offer for rivalBwin.party Digital Entertainment Plc to at least 130pence per share or about 1.1 billion pounds ($1.72 billion), thenewspaper Times reported.
Earlier this month, GVC had made a revised offer of 1.03billion pounds in cash and stock, which was slightly higher thanits previous offer of about 1 billion pounds.
Still, Bwin had accepted 888 Holdings Plc's 900million-pound offer, saying GVC's offer is too complex and hasless attractive growth prospects.
The newspaper said that Bwin's board is scheduled to meet onFriday to decide on GVC's increased offer. If it does decide tochoose GVC, then the board is expected to give 888 a short graceperiod to make its own enhanced offer. (http://thetim.es/1J5gf56)
Representatives at GVC and Bwin were not immediatelyavailable for comment
GVC's new offer is expected to more than match any revised888 offer, Times reported, citing sources close to the process.
The tussle for Bwin is the latest in a flurry of mergeractivity in the industry, a trend likely to continue as firmsseek to expand to offset increasing taxes and tighter regulationin Britain($1 = 0.6378 pounds) (Reporting by Shivam Srivastava in Bengaluru; Editing by LisaShumaker)
