13th Mar 2008 07:00
Rank Group PLC13 March 2008 13 March 2008 Blue Square makes first move into overseas betting markets Blue Square, the interactive betting and gaming company, announces the launch ofwww.888sport.com ('888sport'), a pan-European sports betting service developedand marketed with 888 Holdings plc. The launch of 888sport.com, which marks Blue Square's first move intointernational markets, gives 888's customers access to Blue Square's marketleading sports betting services under a 'white label' agreement. 888sport is initially available in English, Spanish, German, Swedish and Danishand covers the full range of Blue Square's traditional sports (including horseracing, football, tennis and golf) as well as a number of new sports (such ashandball), and increased coverage on more 'continental European' focused sportslike basketball and ice-hockey. Martin Belsham, Managing Director of Blue Square, said: "Blue Square has earneda strong reputation in the UK for innovation in interactive betting and gaming.Today marks the company's first move overseas, bringing together Blue Square'smarket-leading sports betting products with 888's international brand strength.The launch of a multi-lingual sportsbook is part of our strategy to access abroader customer base by developing and marketing gaming and sports bettingproducts for the international marketplace." Blue Square, which is part of The Rank Group Plc, plans further internationaldevelopment, with the launch later this year of www.bingouniversal.com, anonline bingo business for the Spanish gaming market. Gabi Campos, Senior VP, Head of Offering for 888 said: "We are delighted tooffer our customers an international betting experience with endless options totake part in sports events, whether live, seasonal or in the future. Ourinternational launch reinforces 888's strategy of creating a large community ofpeople consuming entertainment content online. The complementary skills and workcultures of the 888 and Blue Square teams mean we are confident of completing aglobal rollout by the end of 2008." Ends Further information Blue Square/Rank Group Dan Waugh, Director of Investor Relations +44 (0)1628 504053 FD Ben Foster +44 (0)20 7269 7247 About Blue Square Blue Square is one of the UK's leading interactive bookmakers using acombination of technology, product and content to provide customers with thebest online gaming experience. Blue Square has grown from its traditionalbookmaking business to offer all aspects of the gaming market including casino,slots, poker and bingo, whilst its fixed odds betting services covers manychannels including the Internet, Interactive TV, WAP and telephone. Blue Squarealso operates online bingo for Mecca Bingo as well as the poker and casino sitesfor the Grosvenor Casinos chain. Blue Square was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Intercapital Group Ltd (ICAP)until January 2003 when it was acquired by The Rank Group Plc, one of the UK'sleading leisure and entertainment companies. About The Rank Group Plc The Rank Group Plc ('Rank') is a leading European gaming and betting business,based in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange (RNK.L). Its principalactivities are the operation of bingo clubs and casinos with complementaryinteractive gaming and bookmaking services. In 2008 Rank operates businesses inthe following markets: Bingo clubs • Mecca Bingo (Great Britain) • Top Rank Espana (Spain) Casinos • Grosvenor Casinos (Great Britain and Belgium) Interactive gaming and betting • Blue Square (Europe) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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