Industry giant in talks to buy Sportingbet

BOOKMAKER giant William Hill and European gaming firm GVC are in talks over a possible joint purchase of Guernsey company Sportingbet.

Sportingbet, the main sponsor of Guernsey FC, has more than 2.5 million registered customers in more than 200 countries.

The company's shares rose by 16.6% on Wednesday to end at 51p, valuing Sportingbet at £340m.

Sportingbet, which has offices in the Bordage, St Peter Port, makes 90% of its profits in Australia, where it has about a third of the country's online gambling market.