Sky Bet brushes off merger talk

Yorkshire tech giant Sky Bet has declined to comment on speculation linking it with a multibillion tie up with rival firm PaddyPowerBetFair.
Jetez ridden by Sean Francis O'Keeffe clears the last on the way to winning the Paddy Power 'Enough of your Nonsense' Handicap Hurdle during day two of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday December 27, 2018. See PA story RACING Leopardstown. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA WireJetez ridden by Sean Francis O'Keeffe clears the last on the way to winning the Paddy Power 'Enough of your Nonsense' Handicap Hurdle during day two of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday December 27, 2018. See PA story RACING Leopardstown. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Jetez ridden by Sean Francis O'Keeffe clears the last on the way to winning the Paddy Power 'Enough of your Nonsense' Handicap Hurdle during day two of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday December 27, 2018. See PA story RACING Leopardstown. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

A report in the Sunday Times claimed that Sky Bet owner Stars Group had held talks with the PaddyPowerBetFair over a merger which would create an £8.4bn company.

The report said the talks last year but were understood to no longer be ongoing.

A Sky Bet spokesperson told The Yorkshire Post it would not comment on speculation.

Stars Group paid £3bn to buy Leeds-based Sky Bet last year.