SPO.L Regulatory News (SPO)

29 Mar 2007 07:04

Sportech PLC29 March 2007 Sportech PLC Strategic technology and distribution partnership signed with Scientific Games Sportech PLC ("Sportech" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it hassigned a strategic technology and distribution partnership with New York basedScientific Games Corporation, the Nasdaq listed leading global operator ofpari-mutuel systems, lotteries and betting terminals. Under the terms of theagreement Scientific Games will provide Football Pools ("pari-mutuel") services,technology development and related IT consultancy services which will enableSportech to become more operationally efficient on a modern technologyinfrastructure and will facilitate future integration onto gaming machines andEPOS systems in the retail environment. In addition, the companies will worktogether to offer Sportech's current and future football games to emerging UKnetworks operated by Scientific Games, and to potential existing internationalcustomers of Scientific Games. The agreement is for an initial 5 year term, and Sportech anticipates asignificant improvement in efficiency, speed and operational processes. Inaddition, Scientific Games will also be entitled to a supplementary sales feegenerated from the efficient delivery of products to existing and new domesticand international customers. Commenting on the strategic partnership, Ian Penrose, Chief Executive ofSportech, said: "A strategic review of Sportech highlighted three prime areas of focus:products, technology and distribution. Sportech is committed to reinvigoratingthe football pools business and delivering an enhanced product for ourcustomers. Our new partnership with Scientific Games will help address manyyears of underinvestment in technology, and will provide the technologicalplatform for enhancing our distribution through new and existing distributionchannels, including potential within the global customer network of ScientificGames." "Scientific Games is a leading global player in the areas of pari-mutuelsystems, lotteries and betting terminals, and we are delighted to be workingtogether to be in a position to take advantage of the opportunities ahead". Lorne Weil, Chairman and CEO of Scientific Games, added: "We look forward to working with Sportech to develop its pools business andincrease the reach of its existing and new products into emerging domesticmarkets including retail, social clubs and e-gaming portals. Furthermore, welook forward to helping the Company achieve its goals in pursuing internationaldistribution deals by capitalizing on the worldwide appeal and mainstreampopularity of the English Football League, the historical brand appeal of theFootball Pools and related games such as Spot the Ball". For further enquiries please contact: Sportech PLCIan Penrose, Chief Executive 0151 288 3561 Bell Pottinger Corporate & FinancialDavid Rydell / Emma Kent 020 7861 3232 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange