Mansion drops bet exchange

[jetset]

MANSION CLOSES SPORTS EXCHANGE

The rumours have been circulating for months, so little surprise at disclosure

Following months of speculation and rumour that it was about to close, the Mansion group's unsuccessful sports exchange has apparently been abandoned and as of this week is no longer available.

The online gambling firm has instead gone for a regular sports betting platform with a decimal pricing structure. The decision follows a move for the Mansion online poker room to the major Ongame network and software (see previous InfoPowa report). Mansion's online casino operations run on the Playtech platform. Other online interests include the rather cheekily branded Mansion88.com operating out of the Philippines.

Mansion's owner, the Indonesian business tycoon Putera Sampoerna (56), was reported this week as close to a deal with another of his gambling interests, the Les Ambassadeur land casino in London for which he paid GBP 115 million some 18 months ago. Sampoerna has been reported as considering a GBP 90 million offer for the asset from Sportswear's Mike Ashley.

Sampoerna's family fortune, built on palm oil and rubber production and more recently tobacco, automobile and telecom interests is estimated at $5.2 billion.