Coral started in the bookmaking business in 1926, and concerned mainly with betting at race courses. As one the first bookmakers to take advantage of new legislation, they opened the first licensed sportsbooks in 1961. Since it was a new idea and the uncertainty of its future was quite real, not much was put into the buildings they were housed in.

Coral, in a merger with the Gala group in October 2005, created Europe’s largest gaming group and one of the top 100 companies in Britain. Careers at Coral bookmakers are plentiful as they employ more than 17,000 people, with 1,550 trading outlets. As of February 2007 many of these betting areas include two greyhound racing stadia in Britain, at three of Britain’s largest race courses and one each at Galwick and Stansted airports. Also, they include betting offices, bingo clubs and casinos and a significant online presence in the UK and Europe, offering odds on all major sporting events.

Coral, on a business side, offers many deals. By linking to the Coral site at, www.coral.co.uk, content on your site can be helped by featuring a service not otherwise offered. In turn Coral will pay a commission for providing the links. In addition, they will provide the banners, text links, and odds for key sporting events around the world, online access to your statistics and free of charge, no risk participation for you website.

Gala, prior to the merger, Gala bingo was formed in 1991, and continued to grow acquiring 130 bingo clubs. Now operating over 170 clubs in the UK, as well as carrying nearly 40% of the national bingo sales, with close to 6 million members and 1.2 million active players. Through their casino business, Gala hold 20% of the UK casino market within its 32 outlets, while adding a gaming channel in 2006. By December 2000 Gala was ready to move in the casino business and by 2005 joined with Coral.

With the accomplishments of these two companies it is no wonder when they merged the gaming industry in the UK was faced with a strong competitor for the sportsbooks and casino business in Britain and around the world. By combining Gala’s 174 clubs, 32 casinos, 2 greyhorse stadia and more than 1500 licensed betting offices with Coral’s 1550 betting shops and greyhound stadia, the only place for their business to go is up providing even more services for their customers.