CMA to probe £10bn merger between Sky Bet & The Stars Group

M&A

The CMA said it plans to investigate the planned merger of Flutter Entertainment and The Stars Group.

The two firms announced plans for an all-share deal last October that would create the world’s largest online betting business by revenue. 

Dublin-based Flutter owns the Paddy Power and Betfair brands, while Toronto-based The Stars Group owns Sky Betting and Gaming. 

The UK Competition and Markets Authority said it would consider whether the tie-up would result in “a substantial lessening of competition” in Britain. 

Analysts at Davy said the CMA review was expected and the timing was consistent with the timetable previously set by Flutter, suggesting the deal was on schedule to complete by the third quarter this year.
 

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