UK betting giant, Ladbrokes, quenched rumors that it would be entering the U.S. casino gambling industry by announcing that, for the time being, the company will focus its newly acquired assets into gambling markets other than the U.S. front, which Ladbrokes referred to as an uncertain environment due to ongoing legislative activity.

Likely incited by the current case against Bet on Sports, Ladbrokes' stance on the American gambling scene is not a final verdict by any means. The company said they will continue to review the possibilities of opening their casino and gambling websites to U.S. players and will make their intentions known to the betting market as industry changes in the online sector unfolds.

The rumors of a Ladbrokes venture in the American gambling scene first surfaced when the company (under the parent ownership of Hilton Group Plc.) completed a $5.8 billion sale of their European hotel chain (416 hotels), to Hilton Hotels Corp., thus cutting Hilton Groups ties with their lodging operations and an American affiliation. After the sale, Ladbrokes became a standalone gambling company with newly acquired assets, which many were suspecting the company would use to tap into lucrative  online betting and casino gambling markets like the U.S., Germany, Spain and China.

The speculations regarding expansion into Europe and Asia held true, however, and Ladbrokes has indeed developed an international marketing plan that has named China and Vietnam as direct targets. With profit margins up 5%, record 2006 earnings, UK acquisition opportunities available, and a number of other international markets opening their doors, Ladbrokes is looking quite solid.

 Withstanding the advances of private equity bidders like BC Partners and CVC Capital Partners, who both were looking to buy out Ladbrokes for around $7 billion, company CEO, Chris Bell, made it known that $7 billion was far below how much Ladbrokes will be worth in the near future as the company enters new fronts - Only this time around, the U.S. front must wait patiently as its own fate plays out in the hands of legislators.