BoyleSports Reportedly Up for Sale as FDJ and Betfred Circle

^{BoyleSports is reportedly considering offers from prospective buyers amid tightening UK market conditions. (Image: Wikimedia/Eric Jones)}

BoyleSports chairman John Boyle is reportedly flirting with the idea of selling the company he founded in 1982.

This is the second time in four years that Ireland's largest private bookmaker has been linked to a possible multi-million-Euro sale. The rumours come at a time of increasing pressure for all gambling operators in the UK and Ireland.

France's FDJ a possible frontrunner to buy BoyleSports

Although unconfirmed by BoyleSports at the time of writing, a recent Next.io article suggests founder Boyle has been considering selling his company since February.

As reported, potential buyers include FDJ United and Betfred. FDJ United currently operates lotteries in France and Ireland. The French company acquired Kindred in 2024 for €2.45 billion (£2.12 billion). That deal gave FDJ a footing in the online casino and betting space via Kindred's websites, including Unibet.

That deal alone isn't enough to suggest FDJ chairwoman and CEO Stéphane Pallez wants to add BoyleSports to her network of operators. Something that may add weight to the rumours are recent comments from Pascal Chaffard.

UK remains attractive despite headwinds

Chaffard, FDJ's chief of online betting and gaming, said during a recent investor call that the company has no intentions of shuttering Unibet in the UK. Revenue for Kindred's UK operations, which include 32Red and Unibet, was down 24.1% in Q1, 2026.

Despite that, Chaffard told investors in April that the UK division is "profitable" based on having a "low single digit" market share. Although he acknowledged there are problems to solve, he said there is no intention to withdraw from the UK [3].

In fact, he went on to say that he is actively looking for ways to reverse the UK division's current fortunes, despite pressure from the increase in Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) that took effect on 1 April.

"We have to find some way to be, at the same time, compliant and in a position to grow. Some of our competitors have been able to do that. We are not less smart than them", Chaffard told investors.

Adding BoyleSports to its network would significantly increase FDJ United's presence in the online and retail sectors. BoyleSports has over 390 betting shops in the UK and Ireland. The company announced a £100 million UK relaunch in July 2025 that includes plans to open 200 new shops, alongside a front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with West Ham United for the 2025/26 season.

Betfred also linked to potential BoyleSports deal

The other company reportedly linked to BoyleSports is Betfred. The British betting company was also rumoured to be in talks to acquire William Hill's parent company, Evoke. Bally's Intralot is currently in talks to acquire Evoke, with a deadline of 8 June to announce a firm intention to make an offer. However, if that deal goes through and Betfred executives still have an appetite for expansion, BoyleSports may be an attractive alternative.

Mergers and acquisitions are often used when market conditions move against operators. This may be why fresh takeover talks have hit the headlines. Indeed, if the rumours are true, it would be the second time such a move has been floated.

BoyleSports founder John Boyle reportedly wanted to sell his company in 2022. Although he ultimately opted for expansion, Boyle is now 70, and retirement may finally be calling.

Casinos.com reached out to BoyleSports for a comment, but didn't receive a response before publication.