It’s no secret that Eldorado Resorts wants at least some of the properties under the control of Caesars Entertainment Corp. There have been talks about a potential deal since this past March and Eldorado is now becoming more proactive in trying to work something out. In order to make something happen, though, the company wants to explore ways to make a deal more financially attractive.

Eldorado wants to cut expenses at Caesars by a minimum of at least $500,000 in order to submit an official offer. To force the reduction, Caesars could be looking at massive employee layoffs, a thinning of the executive level or other cost-saving measures. Eldorado is reportedly combing through the financial records of Caesars with the goal of locating the best sources for reductions.

Sources close to Eldorado have asserted that the company’s CEO, Tom Reeg, is only interested in some type of acquisition or merger if he can be successfully shown how half a million dollars can be saved. Short of that, he is apparently willing to walk away and allow someone else to step in and take over.

Caesars is reportedly worth around $24 billion. Eldorado, on the other hand, only produces about a quarter of its rival’s annual revenue. However, it outperforms Caesars in operating costs, making it a slightly stronger company.