Caesars Entertainment finally closed its $4 billion acquisition of sports betting provider William Hill last week after a British court dismissed a suit challenging the buy. Two hedge funds said the board of directors didn’t do enough to solicit competing bids, but that was rejected by the judge.
Tom Reeg, Caesars CEO, said his company has big plans for William Hill.
“We are thrilled to complete the acquisition of William Hill, combining two of the premier operations in the sports betting and iGaming industries under one roof,” said Reeg. “We look forward to announcing future sports partnerships that will drive long-term growth.”
As a result, however, Joe Asher, the president of William Hill US, departed the company. He joined the company in 2008, when Hill bought his Brandywine Bookmaking, running the company’s Nevada books, and shepherding the company through the early days of legal sports betting in the U.S.
As for Asher, who got his start as the youngest racetrack announcer at a Delaware track, he told Legal Sports Report he’s going to take some time off and “pick some winners at Del Mar.”
