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Deloitte: Betting sector 'worth £6bn'
Sportech secures
New report reveals "significant contribution" of gambling industry to the economy
US$83m SGR purchase
SGR, the racing and venue By Pete Hayman
management division of
US-based Scientific Games New research carried out by
Corporation, has been acquired professional services firm
by the UK football pools Deloitte on behalf of Ladbrokes
operator, Sportech, in a deal has revealed that the betting
worth US$83m (£51m, E59m). industry is worth an estimated
An initial payment US$65m £6bn to the UK economy.
(£40m, E46m) will be made to The Full Picture, which aims
Scientific Games Corporation, to provide a quantitative and
which will take a 19.9 per cent qualitative study of the
stake in an enlarged Sportech gambling sector, has found
along with UK-based online that the economic contribution
gaming software provider made is equivalent to Racing receives 15 per cent of its annual income from UK betting
Playtech with 10 per cent. 0.5 per cent of the UK's
gross domestic product. significant contribution to the inform the government and
PartyGaming founder
According to the report, the British economy – but is subject stakeholders about the
sells remaining shares
UK industry is responsible for to international competition. important contribution the
Anurag Dikshit, the co-founder providing 15 per cent of horse "With internet and mobile industry makes to employment
of online gambling company racing's annual income and betting growing, the challenge and taxation in these difficult
PartyGaming, has completed the supports employment in rural for government is to balance economic times.
sale of his remaining 9.5 per areas closely linked with the effective regulation with "We hope it will contribute
cent stake to institutional racing industry, while also creating the conditions for the towards more informed policy
investors for a reported £105m. providing jobs for workers with domestic industry to compete." making and help remove much
The businessman, who formed little or no qualifications. Ladbrokes chief executive of the uncertainty that has
the company in 1997 along with Simon Oaten, betting and Christopher Bill added: "This surrounded the taxation and
Ruth Parasol, had already gaming lead at Deloitte, said: report comes at a crucial time regulation of our industry in
offloaded an 18 per cent stake in "The betting industry makes a for the industry and will help recent years."
October last year and has now
cut his links with PartyGaming
Revenue boost
following the latest disposal..
According to a statement from
for William Hill
NLC reveals Scunthorpe bidders
Dikshit's investment vehicle, Bookmaker William Hill By Pete Hayman
Crystal Ventures, the sale of 38.8 has posted a 6 per cent
million shares was completed at increase in net revenue in North Lincolnshire Council
270p per share. the 13 weeks ending 29 (NLC) has announced that three
December 2009, when leisure operators have submit-
BDO dismisses PDC
compared with the same ted bids to manage a new
takeover bid
period for 2008. entertainment venue currently
The British Darts Organisation The group, which is being developed in Scunthorpe.
(BDO) has rejected a takeover scheduled to release its Plans for the £16m Baths Hall
offer from the rival Professional preliminary results for venue were approved by the Three firms are vying to run
Darts Corporation (PDC) after 2009 on 26 February, said council in March 2009. It will Scunthorpe's new Baths Hall
delegates from the 65 BDO it expects to post total retain its 1930s frontage and
counties voted against the group net revenue for the boast a standing area for up to are the firms currently vying to
proposals. A bid of £1m was full year showing a 2,000 people, seating capacity operate the Scunthorpe venue.
submitted by the PDC in October increase of around 4 per for 1,200 people and confer- NLC leader Mark Kirk said:
in an attempt to acquire the cent, compared with 2008. ence facilities. "The initial submissions received
BDO, with a further £1m Group chair Charles SMG Europe, which has been from three operators with the
earmarked for investment into Scott has also revealed appointed to operate the new reputations of SIV, SMG and
amateur and grassroots darts. that he intends to step Leeds Arena; Sheffield Arena HQ Theatres Ltd is really good
However, the 27-year-old down from the position operator Sheffield International news. It is testament to the
organisation has confirmed that by the end of 2010. Venues (SIV) and regional quality of the landmark design
it has resisted the offer. theatre operator HQ Theatres for the Baths Hall."
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