iGB Affiliate 57 June/July | Page 12

WEBMASTER NEWS CMA SAYS LADS-GALA CORAL DEAL MAY HINGE ON SHOP SALES The UK Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally ruled that the proposed merger between Ladbrokes and Gala Coral may cause competition concerns in a large number of local areas. First mooted in June of last year, should the deal go through it would lead to the creation of a combined operation worth £2.3 billion (€3 billion/$3.4 billion). However, the proposed merger has come under fire from rival operators which have claimed that the deal could lead to issues regarding competition within the UK gambling markets. The CMA, which was appointed to scrutinise the deal, has now issued its provisional findings, stating that as many as 400 shops may have to be sold in order for the agre