Sportech pens exclusive online deal in Connecticut

Sportech has been granted permission to exclusively operate online wagering on all horseracing in Connecticut.

The company, which currently operates betting venues in the state, will launch an online platform by April 2013 following approval from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).

Approval was granted under Sportech’s existing licence to provide exclusive offline pari-mutuel wagering on horseracing and greyhound racing in the state, which is offered through telephone wagering and off-track betting locations.

Sportech’s senior management team has spent the past 18 months focusing on an extensive investment programme in Connecticut, investing in its facilities, customer experience, employee engagement and stakeholder communications, the company said in a statement.

The new website will be operated under the Sportech Racing brand, which was acquired from Scientific Games and rebranded by Sportech in October 2010.

Ian Penrose, chief executive of Sportech (pictured), said of the deal: “When we acquired our North American business two years ago, we gave commitments to the regulators that we would improve the business for all of our customers and employees in the State of Connecticut.

“We are delighted that we are now able to extend our offering to include exclusive wagering on horseracing on the internet, in addition to our existing retail and telephone exclusive wagering services. We will continue to build our business by offering secure, legal, pari-mutuel wagering on horseracing.”

Earlier this month Sportech appointed David Schreff as its new chief operating officer with a focus on the operator’s activities in the United States and Latin America.