Nabarro has taken a hat-trick of corporate roles for Sportingbet, including advising on the company's high-profile takeover approach from betting rival Ladbrokes.

Corporate partner Graham Stedman advised the online betting company – a longstanding client of the firm – on Ladbrokes' 75p-a-share offer, which was withdrawn earlier this month (10 October). The initial approach was first made in June.

Slaughter and May advised Ladbrokes on the bid, with corporate partner Richard de Carle taking the lead role.

Ladbrokes' decision to retract the offer is thought to be linked to issues relating to Sportingbet's Turkish-language gaming site superbahis.com, which was subsequently sold to East Pioneer Corporation in a deal worth £125m. Stedman also took the lead on that deal.

Addleshaw Goddard advised East Pioneer, fielding a team under London corporate partners Nick Pearey and Clare Thomas.

The third Sportingbet role for Nabarro this year saw the firm lead on May's £118.5m equity and convertible bond issue for the acquisition 
of Australian betting 
operator Centrebet.

Stedman led the Nabarro team on the equity placement, while corporate partner Russell Holden handled the convertible bond issue.

The deal also handed roles to Clifford Chance (CC), Herbert Smith and US firm Dorsey & Whitney. CC acted for the target, while Herbert Smith acted for financial adviser Oriel Securities with a team led by London corporate partner William Pearce.

Dorsey, meanwhile, advised IBM – the manager of the bond issue – with London-based capital markets partner Chris McFadzean taking the lead role.