BHA submits racing concerns to UK CMA regarding Ladbrokes-Coral merger

The British Horseracing Association (BHA) has filed a submission to the UK Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) stating that the merger of Ladbrokes and Coral could impact consumer choice in UK racing and greyhound industries.

Approved by BHA CEO Nick Rust the former Managing Director of Retail Operations for Ladbrokes, the association warned the CMA that the merger could lead to a “deterioration” in customer odds.

The BHA would declare further concerns regarding racing media rights and the impact the merger would have on the funding of smaller racecourses.

The racing association suggests that if approved, the new Ladbrokes-Coral enterprise should be forced to contribute to its horseracing levy scheme which would charge the operator on its digital horseracing revenues.

The UK CMA continues its competition review of the Ladbrokes-Coral merger, with the authority focusing on the merged enterprises combined retail portfolio, which may see the new entity sell up 400 betting shops.

The Ladbrokes-Coral merger enters its twelfth month since its deal completion. The submission of industry concerns by the BHA may prove to be further delay for merger stakeholders who had planned to wrap up by H1 2016.