William Hill and Gala are preparing to divest a substantial portion of their wagering establishments – nearly 360 – and it appears that Irish oddsmaker Boylesports is poised to make a move. They are allegedly assembling a bid of approximately £1 billion to acquire these shops. This entire situation is transpiring because the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority aims to ensure a level playing field in the gambling market following the merger of William Hill and Gala. Jenna Boyle, who oversees retail operations for Boylesports, has indicated that they are fully committed to this bid, viewing it as a prime opportunity to become a dominant force in the UK. Should they succeed, it will be a major triumph for Boylesports and significantly impact the UK betting landscape.
BoyleSports, an Irish gambling firm, aims to grow outside its current Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland base. The business is said to be keen on purchasing several locations from Ladbrokes and Coral, two prominent participants in the UK wagering sector.
“The goal is to establish a presence in the UK market,” a BoyleSports spokesperson explained. “It’s still very early, and we’re just getting started. Our first priority is to complete this initial stage, after which we’ll be able to provide further details.”
Although the precise number of shops being considered for purchase remains unknown, this action suggests an ambitious growth plan for BoyleSports, which presently runs over 200 locations throughout Ireland.
Ladbrokes refused to comment on the situation, and Gala Coral has not yet released a statement.