Tabcorp chief executive David Attenborough is not in the mood for a honeymoon right now following the gambling giant’s AUD11 billion (US$8.8 billion) marriage with betting rival Tatts Group.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Attenborough is already making business plans ahead of Friday’s implementation of the long-awaited mega-merger, including possible wagering expansion in the United States and pursuing online lottery licenses outside Australia.

Attenborough is confident that his expansion goals are attainable given the “strong balance sheet” of the newly-merged entity.

“Subject to us executing the integration, and that’s priority no.1, there are opportunities to grow,” Attenborough said, according to the news outlet. “And, certainly, one of the benefits is having a strong balance sheet.”