GAME is likely to secure it`s £74m takeover of Gamestation, latest reports suggest.

The latest on the ongoing antitrust investigations into GAME's acquisition of rival Gamestation, have culiminated in a provisional "yes" - allowing the £74 million ($151m) deal to go ahead.

Gamestation is the UK's only other national chain specialising in video games, but the Competition Commission found that the purchase of the 217 Gamestation stores in the UK would not result in “substantial” lessening of competition - which could still come from supermarkets, online retailers and other shops such as Woolworths and WH Smith were also seen to offer ample competition.

Still in debate is the question of second-hand game sales, with the acknowledgement that customers like to shop around for the best deal when trading-in old titles. However the CC's current view that "several competitors are expanding rapidly and customers are increasingly making use of alternative retail channels," looks like this final issue will be negated, and the merger will soon be finalised.

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 My local Game and Gamestation used to sell new release games for between £30 - £35 to compete with each other, since the takeover they are now nearly always £39.99 at both stores.

Companies will get away with what they can if they are allowed to.