Bookmaker Boylesports is investing €3 million in the purchase and fit-out of a seven-shop chain with outlets in Dublin, Meath and Wicklow.

The group, the largest independent Irish bookmaker operating in the Republic, has bought smaller rival Tom Flood Bookmakers Ltd, in a move that brings the total number of shops in the Boylesports chain to 192.

The group did not reveal the purchase price, but said the takeover would represent a total investment of €3 million.

Re-branded
Tom Flood has three outlets in the Dublin suburb of Tallaght, as well as shops in Coolock and Clondalkin, also in Dublin, Blessington, Co Wicklow, and Ratoath, Co Meath.

Boylesports said it intends retaining all seven outlets and the chain’s 39 staff. The outlets are likely to be rebranded within a short period of time and their new owner intends to follow that up with a full refit.

Boylesports is based in Dundalk, Co Louth. It takes more than €1 billion in bets annually from its customers. It operates bookies’ shops, online, mobile and telephone betting.