Playtech is reportedly considering breaking up and selling off its operations if the £2.7bn takeover by Australia’s Aristocrat falls through.

The deal risks being blocked by a group of Asian shareholders which own around a quarter of Playtech’s stock, according to Sky News’ Mark Kleinman last night.

The London-listed online gaming group agreed to sell its trade-tech platform Finalto for £148m to Gopher Investments in May, but its business-tobusiness division and Italian consumer arm Snaitech could soon follow.

The board and advisors at Wells Fargo, Jefferies and Goodbody have begun plans to auction operations, insiders say – with shareholders set to vote on the deal next week.