[grinin]

[ QUOTE ]
Any offer proposal would depend upon, in particular, PartyGaming being satisfied as to a number of material pre-conditions, including due diligence and the prospects for Empire’s business.


[/ QUOTE ]

I think that this is simply a way for Party to determine the effectiveness of their strategy of cutting the skins off. It opens wide Empire's books and allows Party to see how much a factor rakeback really is in driving high volume players. This information alone is worth millions to Party since they are in a position to implement any type of under the counter RB deal right now. They really have nothing to lose and after the due diligence and seeing that the prospects for Empire's business are weak they simply say: "No, thanks" or lowball them.