Victoria, the company born from an association between two leading operating companies as Codere and William Hill, introduce a new leisure and entertainment concept in the Madrid market with the opening of sportsbooks centers.

The Financial Counsellor of Madrid Council, through the General Direction of Gaming, has granted Victoria the authorization for sportsbooks operations, becoming, this way, the first Spanish company in offering this new leisure and entertainment category.

Victoria has been created through an association between two leading companies in its respective operation sectors: Codere, Spanish multi national in the private gaming sector in Europe and Latin America, and British William Hill, one of the most well known betting companies worldwide. “The result is a solid and viable business model, based in the experience of both entities and tailored to the needs of the Spanish consumer”, assured the sources.

With an initial investment commitment of 10 million euros per reference partner in the first years of operation, 20 million euros in total, Victoria will have 70 points of sale in 2008 in the council, comprising its own centers and agreements with associated operators (gaming halls, bingos, casinos and sporting stadiums) and aims to create 300 permanent jobs in the three first years of operation.

“Victoria centres have screens which transmit sporting events live, as well as information and specialized personnel of the main sporting events, which will help to know which steps to follow on how to make a bet”, assured the company via a press release.
Victoria flagship in the beginning of operations in Madrid Council is the Victoria area, created specifically for the betting service, in the recently named Bingo Canoe, located in Paseo de la Castellana.

“Football, basketball, cycling, Formula1, MotoGP, horse races, greyhound races, etc, are some of the events which people may choose. Every day, a team of professionals from Victoria will select the most important and attractive sporting events for Spanish public. Besides, it will adapt to the tastes and preferences of each autonomous community”, pointed the press release.

With the granting of the new license, Victoria is the only company present in both Autonomous Communities which have regulated this sector: Madrid and the Basque Country, in which last October it obtained the three exclusive licenses granted by the Basque government through Garaipen Victoria Apustuak. Besides, Victoria will expand its presence to the rest of the autonomous communities according to the permissions brought by the legislation.

Frédéric Lacroix, General Director, said: “Victoria centres will be the scenario of a new experience for the Spanish society and, from now on, for all Madrid citizens. They will be able to enjoy live sports while they bet on their favorite sport or event for the first time. This new leisure and entertainment way will be addressed to a public that have something in common: the passion for sports”.

José Antonio Martínez Sampedro, President of Codere group, as well as Ralph Topping, CEO of William Hill, agreed in showing their satisfaction with the granting of a license to operate immediately and its high perspectives with the launching of this new business.