The privatization of the cash strapped government owned UK bookmakers has a who’s who of perspective purchasers. We asked who would walk away with the prize.
Paddy Power was the runaway pick of the voters as they garnered 55% of total votes. Paddy Power is after a good chunk of the 520 Tote betting shops across the UK. It’s part of their plan to double the 121 betting shops their currently have in the UK.
Like Paddy Power, BetFred has thrown their hat in the ring. Bookmaking tycoon Fred Done feels his bid has a good chance but only 18% of Calvin Ayre.com agree with him.
Another 18% are predicting another purchaser other than the ones listed and 9% are backing Martin Broughton, the former British Horseracing Board Chairman.
The voters ignored the Reuben Brothers, Sportech, Chris Bell and Andy Stewart.
The Tote was originally expected to fetch £400m in 2007 as part of the larger plan to sell £16bn governments in government assets but the global recession has dropped that number to £250m-£300m.