Bookmaker Boylesports will consider buying some of the 18 betting shops closed when its rival Hacketts went into liquidation this week.

The High Court appointed Declan McDonald and Ken Tyrrell of PwC as provisional liquidators to the chain following an application from its directors on Tuesday.

Boylesports, Ireland's biggest independent bookmaker, indicated yesterday it would consider buying some of Hacketts' betting shops, which are in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and the midlands.

In a statement, Boylesports pointed out it was “always” interested in buying betting shops that come on the Irish market.

“It’s a matter of record that we would like to grow our network to between 240 and 250 outlets, and that at any one time we have a team engaging with at least one or more than one independent Irish bookmaker,” it said.

Develop retail

Boylesports has 208 betting shops. Founder and owner

John Boyle

has said it remains committed to developing its retail business alongside its digital betting.

However, if his company does a deal with the liquidators, it is unlikely to buy all 18 outlets, as a number overlap with existing Boylesports shops or may not be in locations that the group favours.

Ladbrokes is also likely to run the rule over some of the Hacketts properties. However, it is thought the London- listed player, which cut back its Irish chain last year, will be cautious.

Paddy Power bought 15 shops from Hacketts a number of years ago when the troubled independent went through a restructuring that saw it shut 26 outlets, cutting its overall number to 18.

It is not known if the bigger chain, now part of the Paddy Power Betfair group, is interested in buying any of those now on the market.

Cyril and Monica Hackett founded Hacketts Bookmakers more than 50 years ago.

They grew it to a peak of 65 shops nationwide with a turnover of €134 million and 160 staff. This week, 35 people lost their jobs when its remaining 18 shops closed.