Blue Square
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blue Square was launched on 5th May 1999 and is one of the largest interactive betting services in the UK. The product suite offered by Blue Square has grown from its traditional bookmaking business to now offer all aspects of the gaming market including casino, slots and poker. The fixed odds betting services covers many channels including the Internet, Interactive TV, WAP and telephone.
Always innovative, Blue Square started in-running betting on the FTSE 100 Index followed by online Snail and Hamster Racing, although subsequent events featuring Alligators and Turkeys allegedly attracted the interest of animal rights activists and The Vegetarian Society respectively.
Blue Square was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Intercapital Group Ltd (ICAP) until January 2003 when it was acquired by The Rank Group, one of the UK's leading leisure and entertainment companies.
Acquired for £37m in 2003, it is currently unprofitable (2005 loss: £2m).
