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Netplay in talks to buy Football Pools from Sportech | Netplay in talks to buy Football Pools from Sportech |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The Football Pools could be about to change hands after Netplay TV said it was in talks to buy the business from current owner Sportech. | The Football Pools could be about to change hands after Netplay TV said it was in talks to buy the business from current owner Sportech. |
Reports say the business, which began 92 years ago and was once a major focus for betting, may fetch up to £100m. | Reports say the business, which began 92 years ago and was once a major focus for betting, may fetch up to £100m. |
Sportech combined the pools brands by buying Littlewoods Gaming in 2000, Zetters in 2002 and Vernons in 2007. | Sportech combined the pools brands by buying Littlewoods Gaming in 2000, Zetters in 2002 and Vernons in 2007. |
The pools are now played by about 300,000 people, though at their height 10 million players took part. | The pools are now played by about 300,000 people, though at their height 10 million players took part. |
Players pick up to 12 games that they predict will finish in a draw, with each team scoring at least two goals. | Players pick up to 12 games that they predict will finish in a draw, with each team scoring at least two goals. |
Famous winners include West Yorkshire factory worker Viv Nicholson who scooped £152,319 in 1961, the equivalent of £3.1m today, and vowed to "spend, spend, spend" her winnings. | Famous winners include West Yorkshire factory worker Viv Nicholson who scooped £152,319 in 1961, the equivalent of £3.1m today, and vowed to "spend, spend, spend" her winnings. |
Trading in Netplay shares on Aim, the stock exchange index for smaller, fast-growing companies, was suspended after it confirmed it was in talks with Sportech. | Trading in Netplay shares on Aim, the stock exchange index for smaller, fast-growing companies, was suspended after it confirmed it was in talks with Sportech. |
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