Pools rebranding a winner says Sportech

LIVERPOOL gaming company Sportech will tell shareholders today that its rebranding of the football pools has attracted more customers.

In a statement prepared for the group’s AGM chairman Piers Pottinger said the rebranding of the Littlewoods and Vernons Pools businesses as the New Football Pools had led to the, “lowest loss of customer numbers in recent years”.

Sportech has now signed an agreement with Finsoft, a technology supplier to betting shops, to distribute the group’s pool products in retail outlets. It has also signed deals with bookmaker chains in Eastern Europe.

The group is also preparing for the launch of a new social gaming network for the new football season. Sportech said it is based on predicting football results, “with, and against, friends and colleagues”.

Three newspapers have signed up to integrate the new game within their fantasy football competitions which Sportech said would make it available to to 400,000 customers.

Mr Pottinger said the group’s balance sheet remained strong, supported by 10-year banking facilities that expire in 2017.

He added: “We continue to make progress despite the challenging economic environment and look forward to the future with confidence.”

Sportech said there had been no progress on its £40m VAT claim. The business wants repayment for VAT it said it overpaid on its Spot the Ball game.