BruceBetting Shutters Post-Acquisition by BoyleSports

BoyleSports, Ireland's leading independent bookmaker, is further cementing its presence in the Irish market with the takeover of BruceBetting's online operations in February. BruceBetting.com will stop accepting bets by June 10, but customers will be able to process withdrawals for an additional month.

In a strategic move to grow its physical presence, BoyleSports acquired 18 of BruceBetting’s betting shops last November, located across Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, and Westmeath, continuing its steady expansion.

BruceBetting once boasted over 60 retail locations, but the financial crash of 2007 reduced this number to 18 by 2019, as the company faced increasing operational costs. In 2018, the Irish government's decision to double the gambling tax from 1% to 2% further compounded challenges for independent bookmakers. With major players like Paddy Power and BoyleSports aggressively expanding, smaller bookmakers like BruceBetting find it difficult to remain independent.

Conor Gray, CEO of BoyleSports BoyleSports has succeeded in significantly increasing its number of betting shops to over 290 in Ireland and has expanded into England by acquiring 13 outlets in the Midlands from Wilf Gilbert. This expansion comes under the guidance of Gray, who reports directly to John Boyle, the business founder and chairman.
John Boyle and his team understand the potential synergy between retail and digital sectors, each feeding one another's growth. As soon as market conditions stabilize, BoyleSports plans to increase its retail footprint further while continuing to explore opportunities for strategic acquisitions. independent bookies Even as the English market faces regulatory scrutiny and saturation concerns—especially concerning restrictions on FOBTs—BoyleSports is confident that lucrative opportunities still exist.