Within the world of online gambling it looks like mergers are becoming commonplace. More and more brands are looking to join forces for the greater good of gamblers around the world.Proving that they are no exception to the current trend, Ladbrokes and Coral are set to merge in a monumental move, but it seems that the expectant deal has hit a roadblock. The nearly done deal has been pushed back, as the UK’s Competition Markets Authority (CMA) has delayed the merger as it investigates the finer details of the arrangement.
CMA delay
The news of the delay (which has come as somewhat of a surprise to some) was announced earlier this week. Originally, it was expected that the CMA would give the merger the all clear on April 18th, but it clear that this timeline must now be readdressed.City A.M recently spoke an insider source that believed that the deal could be pushed back to the end of June, as both Ladbrokes and Coral await CMA approval. What the CMA seems to be uncomfortable with is the fact that the end outcome of the merger sees the new company have a potential monopoly on high street gambling.
Betting shop uncertainty
According to reports almost 4,000 betting shops would need to be cut to address these concerns, while the UK watchdog may require 1,000 more shops to be sold in order to ensure that the market remains both healthy and competitive. 
The merger of Ladbrokes and Coral is seen as a wise move for both companies, as in size the new company would jump ahead of William Hill. However, it is William Hill that have objected to the merger, as they are concerned about what the deal would mean for the future of high street gambling in the UK.