Ladbrokes to further rationalise businesses

The move will see a streamlining of the group’s international business which mainly covers its operations in Spain, Australia and Belgium. It follows two significant updates for the group’s business in Britain and Ireland, this week.
First, it confirmed it has entered merger talks with UK rival Gala Coral to create a potential $5bn industry giant. Second, that the High Court-appointed examiner overseeing the future of the Irish operations of Ladbrokes, Ken Fennell of Deloitte’s — is expected to name a preferred bidder for the group’s Irish division in the coming days.