Numis: William Hill, Paddy Power Should Merge

Broker Numis on Monday suggested that two of the UK’s biggest bookmakers should merge in an effort to offset negative regulatory changes. 

“This would create a much more attractive investment than either alone,” Numis said. 

“Taking the best from each company would result in a business with outstanding technology and marketing. Plus, we really like Will Power as a name for the company.”

The two betting firms together take in about £622million.  Both would dominate the UK, Ireland and Australia markets, Numis suggests.

Another potential benefit to such a merger, greater access to the US market for Paddy Power.

“It (a merger) would give new impetus to Hill’s UK retail business while letting the marketing/analytics experts at Paddy Power much more territory to roam.” 

William Hill was up 2p to 344½p while Paddy Power was down ½p at 53p.-

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com