The biggest bookmaker in the United Kingdom goes back to the casino business after five years of absence with the opening of the Ladbrokes Casino and Sports Bar at London Paddington Hilton hotel.

The venture has a cost of £5 million. Ladbrokes has recently sold its Hilton International chain of hotels for £3.3 billion and is now looking for new acquisitions in the casino and betting fields.

The group seems to be monitoring businesses between London Clubs International and Stanley Leisure in order to make a bid for LCI. Another possibility indicates that Ladbrokes may wait for the completion of the merger and make an offer later, intending to acquire the enlarged company.