Rank Regulatory News (RNK)

5 Nov 2007 08:00

888 Holdings plc05 November 2007 888 Holdings Plc ("888" or the "Company") 888 Announces Multi-National Sportsbook Offering 888, one of the world's most popular online gaming entertainment companies, andBlue Square, part of the Rank Group Plc, announce that they have agreed apartnership to develop a multi-national sportsbook offering which complements888's unified offering of Casino, Poker, Bingo and Backgammon. 888 plans to launch its offering initially on a Pan-European basis in Q1 2008,with localised sportsbook offerings being rolled out in several EU countriesincluding the UK then closely followed a global roll out programme. 888 willcross-sell the sportsbook to its existing global customer base while leveragingits robust multi-channel marketing engines to acquire new sportsbook customersglobally. Under the terms of the partnership Blue Square will manage fixed odds bettingand sports content per region, working closely with 888's country managers onscope, timing and form of the offering launch and lifecycle management. As partof the partnership, 888 will provide Blue Square with its payment processingplatform, as Blue Square takes its own sportsbook offering to new internationalmarkets. Gabi Campos, Senior VP, Head of Offering for 888 said: "The deal will enable 888 to capitalise on our extensive global customer baseand grow in new territories. Our analysis shows that a significant proportion ofour players bet on sport events occasionally, and the inclusion of sportsbetting in our offering is in-line with our focus to aid customer acquisitionand reinforce 888 as the entertainment destination of choice. 888 will workclosely with Blue Square to present a compelling localised sportsbook offeringtailored for each country." Martin Belsham, Managing Director of Blue Square, said: "This is an agreement that strengthens both parties. We will benefit from 888'sInternational experience and liquidity as we extend our reach beyond theUK; and 888 will complete their customer offer by adding Blue Square'sinnovative range of betting products." -ends- Contacts and enquiries 888Gigi Levy Chief Executive Officer +350 49800Aviad Kobrine Chief Financial Officer +350 49800 Bell Pottinger Corporate & FinancialAnn-marie Wilkinson/Nick Lambert/Chris Hamilton +44 (0)20 7861 3232 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange