The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority is to investigate the proposed merger of Flutter, formerly Paddy Power Betfair, with The Stars Group, owner of Sky Betting and Gaming.
The CMA stated that it is considering whether the transaction would create a “substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.” The CMA has invited comments on the transaction from any interested party.
Of the UK’s online sports betting market, Flutter and The Stars Group totals around 40 per cent through its various brands.
The merger, which would create the biggest online betting operator in the world by revenue, was announced in October of last year. It is expected to come to a conclusion in the second or third quarter of 2020, dependent on the CMA probe.
