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IRISH EXPANSION FOR LADBROKES

54 new betting shops brought into the group

According to MSN reports this morning Eastwood Bookmakers in Northern Ireland has been taken over by Ladbrokes in one of the biggest property deals of its kind.

Ladbrokes bought 54 Eastwood shops for around GBP 135 million to make it the largest gambling outlet in the [Irish] province.

Eastwood's was established in the 1950s by BJ and Frances Eastwood and is Northern Ireland's best-known family bookmaker with outlets in all major towns.

Managing director of Ladbrokes Ireland Joe Lewins said: "We are investing and growing in Northern Ireland and this will mean new opportunities for the workforce. Leading edge technology will be installed and the full Ladbrokes service will follow. All UK racing will be part of the service."

Ladbrokes' purchase also includes the Eastwood telephone betting business headquartered in Belfast. The company will have 70 shops throughout Northern Ireland. It is already the largest bookmaker in the Republic of Ireland, where it operates in 201 locations.

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