EC, December 18, 2006, No M.4472

Dear Madam, Dear Sir,

Subject: Case No. COMP/M.4472 - William Hill / Codere / JV

1. On 17.11.2006, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004 by which the undertakings William Hill Organization Limited (“WHO”, UK) belonging to the William Hill group and Codere SA (“Codere”, Spain) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(l)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of a newly incorporated company constituting a joint venture by way of purchase of shares.

2. The business activities of the undertakings concerned are :for undertaking WHO : operator of internet gambling sites and provider of fixed odds bookmaking services via licensed betting offices and telephone; for undertaking Codere : manager of gaming machines, bingo halls and racetracks.

3. After examination of the notification, the Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004 and of paragraph 5, subparagraph c, of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004².

4. For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the common market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(l)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004.

OIL 24, 29.1.2004 p. 1

OJ C 56, 05.3.2005 p.32