Stars UK / Sky Betting and Gaming merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by Stars UK of Sky Betting and Gaming.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 11 July 2018
• Last updated: 5 November 2018 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Recreation and leisure
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 11 July 2018
• Closed: 5 November 2018

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
5 November	Decision published
11 October 2018	Decision announced
23 August to 7 September 2018	Invitation to comment
23 August 2018	Launch of merger inquiry
6 July 2018	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

11 October 2018: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by The Stars Group of the Sky Betting and Gaming group.

• Full text decision (5.11.18)

Revocation of initial enforcement order

14 September 2018: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA has revoked the initial enforcement order.

• Revocation order (14.9.18)

Invitation to comment: now closed

23 August 2018: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

• Invitation to comment (23.8.18)

Launch of CMA merger inquiry

23 August 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (23.8.18)

Initial enforcement order

On 6 July 2018, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on the Stars Group Inc. and its subsidiary Stars Group Holdings (UK) Limited, in relation to the acquisition by Stars Group Holdings (UK) Limited of Cyan Blue Topco Limited, which controls the Sky Betting & Gaming group.

• Initial enforcement order (11.7.18)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 29 August 2018 (10.9.18)
• Derogation 24 July 2018 (26.7.18)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk.

Published 11 July 2018
Last updated 5 November 2018 + show all updates

1. 5 November 2018

   Full text decision published.

2. 11 October 2018

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 13 September 2018

   Revocation order published.

4. 10 September 2018

   Derogation published.

5. 23 August 2018

   Invitation to comment and commencement of initial period notice published.

6. 26 July 2018

   Derogation published.

7. 11 July 2018

   First published.