11 December 2012
Sportech PLC Secures Approval to Provide
Exclusive Online Wagering on Horseracing in Connecticut
Sportech PLC ("Sportech" or "The Company"), one of the world's leading operators and suppliers of pools and tote gaming, announces that its business in the United States has been granted permission to exclusively operate online wagering in the State of Connecticut on all horseracing.
Sportech Venues, Inc. received approval from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection ("DCP") to offer Account Wagering via the Internet to Connecticut residents 18 years of age and older (approximately 3.7 million residents in the State) in accordance with State law and regulation. The approval was granted under Sportech's existing licence to provide exclusive pari-mutuel wagering in perpetuity on horseracing, greyhound racing and jai alai in the State of Connecticut, which is offered through telephone wagering and off-track betting locations.
Sportech expects that this online Account Wagering platform will launch by April 2013.
The extension of Sportech's offering in Connecticut is a highly significant development for the Company. The senior management team has focused on an extensive investment programme over the last eighteen months, investing in its facilities, customer experience, employee engagement and stakeholder communications. The granting of this approval in Connecticut is testament to the success of that programme and the integrity of the Sportech Venues customer offering.
Ian Penrose, Chief Executive of Sportech PLC, said: "When we acquired our North American business two years ago, we gave commitments to the regulators that we would improve the business for all of our customers and employees in the State of Connecticut. We are delighted that we are now able to extend our offering to include exclusive wagering on horseracing on the internet, in addition to our existing retail and telephone exclusive wagering services. We will continue to build our business by offering secure, legal, pari-mutuel wagering on horseracing."
The approval allows wagering via the internet by Connecticut residents only.
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Contacts:
For further information, please contact:
Sportech PLC
Ian R Penrose, Chief Executive 020 7268 2400
Pelham Bell Pottinger
David Rydell / Emma Kent 020 7861 3232