New Deal for Sportech

This time in South Africa The industry has become richer by another deal between two major market players – the UK pools and tote gaming operator Sportech plc and the biggest pools, horseracing and tote company in South Africa, Phumelela Gold International Limited. Thanks to the deal, the companies' customers will be able to place bets into each other's football pools products, including Sportech's Classic Pools product, Premier 10 – The Official Pool of the Premier League – and Phumelela's international Soccer6 pool. According to the Sportech spokesman, the agreement is to enter into force in August 2011, and it is in part a result of the modernization of Sportech's football pools technology and product range. In a comment on the newly closed deal, Sportech CEO Ian Penrose stated: “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.” “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,” stated Phumelela CEO, Rian du Plessis.