1 Ladbrokes-Gala Coral Deal Clearance May Depend Upon Shop Sales
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Ladbrokes-Gala Coral deal clearance may depend upon shop sales
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Bookmakers Ladbrokes and Gala Coral might have to shed numerous shops if their proposed merger is to go on, the competitors watchdog has actually said.

The Competition and Markets Authority stated a merger of the UK's 2nd and third largest bookmakers might limit competition on the High Street.

About 350 to 400 shops may need to be sold "for the merger to be conditionally cleared", the CMA said.
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The CMA has offered until 13 June for reactions to its provisional findings.

Ladbrokes operates 2,154 betting shops in Great Britain and 77 in Northern Ireland, while Gala Coral operates about 1,850 wagering shops in Great Britain.
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The combined group would make it bigger than present market leader .

Martin Cave, who is chairing the CMA's query, said: "We have actually provisionally found that the merger in between two of the largest bookies in the country may be anticipated to minimize competitors and choice for clients in a big number of regional areas.

"Although online wagering has actually grown considerably recently, the evidence we have actually seen verifies that a a great deal of clients still choose to bet in shops - and numerous would continue to do so after the merger.
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"For these consumers, competition originates from the choice of stores in their area and it's they who could lose out from any reduction of competitors and choice."

The CMA stated it was intending to release its final report by the end of July.
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Ladbrokes stated: "this promotion code is a substantial action and our focus now will be on concurring the store disposals to please the CMA." Ladbrokes shares had actually jumped 6.5% by the close of trade on Friday.

Gala Coral stated it noted that the CMA was "provisionally minded to clear the proposed merger" and that it would continue to work with the regulator on ways to accomplish final clearance.

Analysis: Frank Keogh, BBC Sport racing reporter:

The face of Britain's betting shops has changed in the last twenty years - from smoky boltholes with horse racing dominating proceedings to shiny multi-screen sport outlets where fixed-odds wagering terminals are a huge earner.
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While critics say the casino-style makers have encouraged problem bettors, the bookmakers insist staff are trained to keep an eye out for concerns.

The bottom line is the increase of the makers has assisted keep a lot of these shops open in a modern-day wagering world where online gaming has mushroomed.

And while some shops look destined to be casualties, this promotion code proposed ₤ 2.3 bn merger shows there is plenty of cash still to be made in the British wagering market.

Analysts state the yohaig code merged company will still have a dominant position even if many shops need to be sold.

"We anticipate substantial expense saving will be possible because there will be huge areas of overlap and unnecessary duplication of functions across the combined company," stated Steve Clayton, head of equity research study at Hargreaves Lansdown.

Ladbrokes agreed the terms of a ₤ 2.3 bn all-share merger with Coral in July, and the company's shareholders backed the handle November.

Ladbrokes revenues struck by writedowns

11 August 2015
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