BETTING giants Ladbrokes and Gala Coral have agreed a merger to create a £2.3 billion gambling giant.
And it is expected to overtake William Hill as the biggest bookmaker in the UK, although it is expected to have to dispose of some stores to satisfy any concerns about the deal from competition regulators.
The move brings together 2,100 shops from Ladbrokes - including its 79-strong portfolio in the north - and 1,845 from Coral.
Ladbrokes, which in April placed its 196-shop operation in the Republic into examinership, became a major player in Northern Ireland in 2008 after it bought the chain of Eastwoods betting shops from businessman Barney Eastwood in a deal worth £135 million.
The enlarged Ladbrokes Coral group will have net revenue of £2.1 billion and underlying earnings of £392 million, while the deal is expected to bring savings of £65 million a year.
The firms said it would be the largest licensed betting office in the UK, which would be "more efficient and sustainable in the long term".
Ladbrokes chairman Peter Erskine said: "This is a major strategic step for Ladbrokes which firmly accelerates our strategy to improve the customers' experience and build recreational scale.
"Ladbrokes and Coral are two highly complementary businesses, with rich heritage and brand presence across the UK and internationally.
"Together, we will create a leading betting and gaming business combining strong brands with an attractive multi-channel offering and an extensive national and international coverage.
Jim Mullen, chief executive of Ladbrokes, will retain the position at the new business while Gala Coral boss Carl Leaver will be executive deputy chairman for 12 months after completion of the deal.
The announcement came as Mr Mullen said Ladbrokes was embarking on an "urgent, overdue and essential" three-year investment programme to boost revenues in its shops and grow its online business.
He warned that it would mean operating profits for the current year £20 million lower than expected.
