7 February 2011
Sportech PLC ("Sportech" or "the Group")
Agreement signed with Phumelela Gold International Limited
Sportech PLC, one of the world's leading operators and suppliers of pools and tote gaming, is pleased to announce that it has signed a reciprocal agreement with Phumelela Gold International Limited ("Phumelela"), South Africa's largest pools, tote and horseracing company, to enable customers of both companies to bet into each other's football pools products.
This agreement allows customers of both businesses across the UK, South Africa and internationally, to bet on a range of products including Sportech's Classic Pools product, Premier 10, and Phumelela's international Soccer6 pool.
The Group expects the agreement to be fully operational by August 2011, in time for the start of the next UK football season.
Ian Penrose, Chief Executive of Sportech commented:
"Having completed the acquisition of Scientific Games Racing only a few months ago Sportech is now one of the world's leading pools and tote gaming companies. This important agreement with Phumelela allows us to extend our UK football pools product range into South Africa and further internationalise our customer base."
Rian du Plessis, Chief Executive of Phumelela said:
"We are delighted to be partnering Sportech, a company whose UK football pools business is known throughout the world and recognised as one of the most prestigious. This reciprocal deal increases the size of the pool for players and allows both companies to market their products internationally. We believe there are further opportunities for us to work with Sportech and I look forward to developing this relationship over time."
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For further information, please contact:
Sportech PLC 0207 268 2400
Ian R Penrose, Chief Executive
Steve Cunliffe, Finance Director
Pelham Bell Pottinger 0207 861 3232
David Rydell / Rosanne Perry/ Emma Kent
About Sportech PLC
Sportech is one of the leading suppliers and operators of pools/tote betting in the world. Every year we process over $13 billion in bets and we have a presence in 30 countries. Our businesses include:
· The Football Pools: The world's oldest football gaming company, founded in 1923. The Football Pools has paid out over £10 billion in prize money and donated over £1.1 billion to good causes in Sport and the arts. The Football Pools is an official licensee of The English Premier League and Football Leagues, and official partner of the Scottish Premier League and Football Leagues. Over 500,000 customers play The Football Pools every week and we operate across a number of channels including postal, telephone, collectors, retail and online.