Business
Product Launch
Product Launch.
About this update from Rank Group Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n Rank Group PLC\n13 March 2008\n\n\n\n\n13 March 2008\n\n\n\nBlue Square makes first move into overseas betting markets\n\n\nBlue Square, the interactive betting and gaming company, announces the launch of\nwww.888sport.com ('888sport'), a pan-European sports betting service developed\nand marketed with 888 Holdings plc.\n\nThe launch of 888sport.com, which marks Blue Square's first move into\ninternational markets, gives 888's customers access to Blue Square's market\nleading sports betting services under a 'white label' agreement.\n\n888sport is initially available in English, Spanish, German, Swedish and Danish\nand covers the full range of Blue Square's traditional sports (including horse\nracing, football, tennis and golf) as well as a number of new sports (such as\nhandball), and increased coverage on more 'continental European' focused sports\nlike basketball and ice-hockey.\n\nMartin Belsham, Managing Director of Blue Square, said: 'Blue Square has earned\na strong reputation in the UK for innovation in interactive betting and gaming.\nToday marks the company's first move overseas, bringing together Blue Square's\nmarket-leading sports betting products with 888's international brand strength.\nThe launch of a multi-lingual sportsbook is part of our strategy to access a\nbroader customer base by developing and marketing gaming and sports betting\nproducts for the international marketplace.'\n\nBlue Square, which is part of The Rank Group Plc, plans further international\ndevelopment, with the launch later this year of www.bingouniversal.com, an\nonline bingo business for the Spanish gaming market.\n\nGabi Campos, Senior VP, Head of Offering for 888 said: 'We are delighted to\noffer our customers an international betting experience with endless options to\ntake part in sports events, whether live, seasonal or in the future. Our\ninternational launch reinforces 888's strategy of creating a large community of\npeople consuming entertainment content online. The complementary skills and work\ncultures of the 888 and Blue Square teams mean we are confident of completing a\nglobal rollout by the end of 2008.'\n\n\n\nEnds\n\n\nFurther information\n\n\nBlue Square/Rank Group\n\nDan Waugh, Director of Investor Relations +44 (0)1628 504053\n\n\n\nFD\n\nBen Foster +44 (0)20 7269 7247\n\n\n\nAbout Blue Square\n\nBlue Square is one o...