19-10-2007 Bwin to offer retail betting in Spain in partnership with Betbull

A pilot retail project is now being developed in Madrid and the first betting shop under the Bwin brand is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2008.

Betbull, which had recently backed out from its partnership witn Spanish gambling operator Grupo Orenes, said to be confident that the partnership with the biggest online sportsbook in Europe can provide the retail operation with a positioning in the market place that will ensure immediate public awareness and reinforce the company's strategy to become a leading retail provider in Spain.

In other news, Bwin confirmed its interest in Bawag's 36% stake in Austria's lottery monopoly. Thomson Financial reports that the sale could generate as much as EUR 200 million for Bawag's new owner Cerberus Capital Management.