What if I told you that Gala Coral Group once orchestrated betting heists? Right here we stand before a place with a history tied to more than just odds and payouts. Gala Coral Group is more than just a name. It represents a significant chapter in the story of British betting and gaming.
Gala Coral Group, as it existed, was a major player in the UK’s betting landscape. It was formed through mergers and acquisitions. It became the UK’s third-largest bookmaker and largest bingo operator. The group had headquarters in different locations including Nottingham and Stratford in London.
Joe Coral started it all. He began his bookmaking business in 1926. He was one of the first to take advantage of the 1960 legislation. This allowed for legal betting shops. Coral opened his first shop in 1961. In those days, Coral was known to take large bets.
Over time, Coral grew into a leisure group. It included betting shops, greyhound stadiums and holiday camps. Bass acquired Coral in 1981. Ladbrokes then acquired Coral from Bass in 1997. The UK Monopolies and Mergers Commission intervened. Ladbrokes was not allowed to retain ownership of Coral.
Gala Bingo also has a rich history. It was formed in 1991. Bass purchased Granada Theatre Limited’s bingo clubs and merged them with Coral Social Clubs. Gala was officially launched on 17 October 1991. It rebranded 17 clubs and launched a new image.
The Gala Coral Group was known for its marketing. Coral engaged in the ‘RUN 4 IT’ campaign. Brand ambassadors dressed as robbers. They physically stole customers from competitor bookies. This campaign saw a 7% conversion rate. Over 2,447 customers were stolen.
The group also had an e-commerce division. It offered various online betting and gambling opportunities. These included galabingo.com and coral.co.uk. Eurobet served clients in over 130 countries. It provided online sports betting in multiple languages.
In November 2011, Coral announced a move to One Stratford Place. This was near the Olympic stadium in east London. Coral was the first private company to sign for offices at the Olympic park.
Gala Coral Group’s story reflects the evolution of betting in the UK. From humble beginnings to a major industry player, it left its mark. The group headquarters may seem like any other office building. Its walls hold stories of entrepreneurial spirit, strategic acquisitions, and marketing. As we move on, remember Gala Coral Group and its impact on the British betting landscape.