Boylesports Acquires UK Footprint Via Wilf Gilbert Shops

At a time of great concern in the UK retail betting industry, Boylesports have taken the bold move of acquiring thirteen shops from West Midlands bookmaker Wilf Gilbert. With the reduction in maximum stakes for FOBT machines drastically cut from £100 to £2 in April this year, betting shops are expected to close in their thousands over the next year or two.

The Wilf Gilbert chain of shops have been owned by the Gilbert family for generations and are currently owned and managed by Graham Gilbert who praised the Irish bookie commenting ““When it came to looking for a new owner who would take charge of a business which has been in our family for generations we looked for a company that would invest to secure the future of our staff and to ensure our loyal customers receive the best possible service. We are confident that we have found that company in Boylesports. Knowing what Boylesports has achieved in the very competitive Irish market I feel they have the potential to transform retail betting in the UK.”

Boylesports have long been keen to enter the UK retail betting scene and are hoping to acquire up to 100 shops in the North of England during the course of 2019. With independent bookmakers struggling to make ends meet they will not be short of willing sellers.

In their home market of Ireland, with around 250 shops, Boylesports are very competitive and traditionally operate large, well fitted, modern premises with state-of-the-art screens and interactive terminals. Their shops generally will have comfortable furniture, free refreshments and access to free Wi-Fi.
Boylesports will hope to attract more UK customers to their long established online betting site which often has unique offers particularly around Premier League Football and top class horse racing events in the UK and Ireland .