Ladbrokes and Coral to merge

[Kenh]

It’s all happening today. http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/ladbrokes-and-coral-in-shock-talks-over-merger/1902573/top/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews

[The Young Fella]

I think that thread title is a little misleading there, Ken. These are very early stages in talks at the moment and it is a long long way from being a done deal.

I wonder which of the two companies is considered the biggest fish at the moment. As far as trajectories go, I understand that Coral has been on the up for the last five years or so and Ladbrokes has been on a steep descent. Is Ladbrokes still considered the bigger concern though?

[Kenh]

Yep, I should have added aquestion mark at the end.

[phil walker]

I would have thought Coral would take over Ladbrokes but from reading a report in tonight’s London evening paper the opposite appears to be the case. Then again if we no longer see slimy Simon Clare then hooray.

[Gingertipster]

Hope this does not happen.
There’ll be even fewer bookmakers willing to take a bet.

Value Is Everything

[IanDavies]

Just when I was trying to identify with the lads in the “This is the Ladbrokes Life” ads too – gutted.

I found the notion that, if I ever win off Ladbrokes, I am effectively being given a tiny bit of the cash such people lose to them, quite satisfying. =D

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[stevecaution]

New name Codbrokes?

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[IanDavies]

I was favouring Ladral myself.

I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"

[The Young Fella]

Both brands are likely to be retained.

[tbracing]

IanDavies wrote:

I was favouring Ladral myself.

I quite liked Loral, reminds me of an ex bird, she was pretty racey

[Nathan Hughes]

The Young Fella wrote:

Both brands are likely to be retained.

Presumably they will both have the same odds for everything like betfred and totesport do?

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[stevecaution]

IanDavies wrote:

I was favouring Ladral myself.

Lardblokes would be appropriate judging by the male obesity levels in the average branch.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[The Young Fella]

Nathan Hughes wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>The Young Fella wrote:</div>
Both brands are likely to be retained.

Presumably they will both have the same odds for everything like betfred and totesport do?

I probably shouldn’t speculate, Nathan, as I have been told very little beyond what is in the media. I guess there are pros and cons to both approaches (e.g. less traders v more unique brands and bigger customer base). All I know is that both sides are quite keen to keep both brands alive.

[Gingertipster]

The Young Fella wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Nathan Hughes wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>The Young Fella wrote:</div>
Both brands are likely to be retained.

Presumably they will both have the same odds for everything like betfred and totesport do?

I probably shouldn’t speculate, Nathan, as I have been told very little beyond what is in the media. I guess there are pros and cons to both approaches (e.g. less traders v more unique brands and bigger customer base). All I know is that both sides are quite keen to keep both brands alive.

Makes no business sense for one owner to have two markets on the same event TYF. They’d effectively be betting to a much smaller over-round and therefore making far less money (sometimes no money). The “unique brand” and “keep both brands alive” stuff is all spin imo.

Value Is Everything

[The Young Fella]

I agree about your logistical point, Ginge. There are all sorts of complications to unifying the businesses under one name though, such as Coral’s iconic long-term sponsorships of the Eclipse and Scottish National, Coral’s level of debt (currently too high to be allowed on the stock exchange) and the ethical question of whether Andy Hornby should be on the board of a public company.

I don’t think it is spin to say that both sides want to keep both brands operating, as it would solve a lot of headaches. As you say, it might not be possible.

[Blue1878]

I have a telephone account with both, if I am lucky enough to win my money is returned to my a/c. by Coral.
With Ladbrokes I have to request my returns each time, it is so annoying trying to keep tabs on where my gambling money is.

[huddiepuddies]

Listening to “Wake up to Money” on Five Live this week the analysts on there didn’t think the monopolies commission would let this merger happen; apparently there was talk of the same merger several years ago with the same school of thought.

[Author]

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