William Hill set to take over Stanleybet
The company, which has more than 50 shops in Ireland and 500 in Britain, was said to be in talks with its bigger rival, which has more than 1,600 offices. The deal would make William Hill Britain’s biggest bookmaker, overtaking Ladbrokes, which has 2,000 shops. But the deal is still likely to face competition from other parties, including Britain’s third-biggest bookie Coral and pooled betting business the Tote.
It could also spark regulatory concerns as William Hill would be left with about a quarter of the total British estate of 8,500 sites.
