Australian Sportsbook Centrebet To List?

Published: Sunday, May 14, 2006 Online-Casinos.com

AUSTRALIAN ONLINE SPORTSBOOK CENTREBET TO LIST?

Australian bookie confident of a good reception


The Australian business press was speculating on yet another online gambling listing this week following strong rumours that Sydney-based bookmakers Con and George Kafataris appear to be shaping up for a listing of their online sports-betting shop, Centrebet.

The rumours were boosted when Con Kafataris responded to enquiries by saying: "'We're looking at all options at the moment, and a public listing is one possibility." He added that a final decision could be expected before the end of 2006.

Apparently Centrebet management has sounded out local brokers, including Wilson HTM, and others unnamed in Britain. A decision was expected before the end of the calendar year, Con Kafataris said.

Analysts commented that the British connection makes sense, not just because the company does a lot of its business in Europe, where football is reputed to account for half of its bets, but also because London's Alternative Investment Market has become familiar and confident with online gambling stocks.

Little is known about Centrebet's financials but it is expected to be valued north of $100 million, say Australian observers.