Boylesports seeks UK takeover targets

h bookmaker Boylesports is planning an acquisition of a UK operator to expand its business into the country.

John Boyle, founder of the company in 1982, feels it has reached the peak of its expansion in Ireland and has revealed that managers are looking for potential targets.

There are currently 198 Boylesports retail shops in Ireland and Boyle believes that the next step for the business is to grow itself in the UK market, following a failed attempt to buy British bookmaker Tote in 2008.

Boyle told the Irish Independent: “A big push into the UK would be one of the next steps for the business.

"And if it happens it will be done in scale. Now that we are debt free we would have backing from the banks."

The plans tie in with an impending relocation to Gibraltar, which is used as a base by a number of UK betting operators.

Boyle is prepared to take a step down to become chairman if the takeover of a British operator comes to pass, with a view to promoting a candidate from an executive position to be the company’s new CEO.

“I was always looking for someone to come along and take my role, always looking for a good CEO," he said.

"But to get someone who would have that passion and care, not just do the job, that's the challenge.”