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BTeLocations Takes The Case for UK Investment to T

18/06/2003

June 18th 2003, Montreal, Canada: Executives from BTeLocations (www.bt.com/btelocations), BT Telecommunications PLC's inward investment unit, are at the 5th Annual Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo (GIGSE) in Montreal this week, showcasing the UK as a location for gaming industry investment and highlighting the support that BTeLocations can provide.

BTeLocations assists in finding the right location and providing the right technology solutions for UK-based and overseas companies, who are looking to set up a new operation in the UK. With the expected increase in investment both from abroad and within the UK from the transformation of UK gaming laws, BTeLocations has a suite of products and services, ideally suited to expanding companies. These include:

- ventureSmart, a service which helps companies reduce financial risk and add greater flexibility to their investments;
- LocationSearch, which will help gaming companies match business requirements to the right UK location;
- A series of pre-equipped business parks installed with the latest fiber-optic communications technology; and
- The very latest in communications technology to support companies in the design, delivery and installation of internet gaming stations, new hotel and casino facilities and online gaming activities.

The UK Department of Culture is planning to bring before Parliament this Autumn legislation which will see a complete overhaul of the UK gaming industry.

Likely to become law by March 2004, the bill will enable companies to open Las Vegas-style casinos throughout the country; install large number of slot and electronic gaming machines; will scrap the law where people, who want to gamble in casinos have to become members 24 hours before they want to play; and will enable online gaming operators to set up on-line gambling sites in the UK, provided that they are licensed.

Many predict that the opening up of the industry will result in the entry of new players, greater technological and telecommunications developments; and international investment in the UK market from abroad. Already MGM Mirage, the world's biggest casino company, has acquired its first UK licence in anticipation of the changes and forecasters estimate that the UK will have a Ł1.4 billion share of the online gambling market by 2004.
Gerard O'Sullivan, Vice President at BTeLocations, who is attending GIGSE, commented:

“There's no doubt that the UK gambling and gaming sector is a strong growth area, with almost three-quarters of the UK adult population participating in gambling and gaming. The current UK legislation will help fully establish it as a mainstream, leisure activity with all the opportunities that brings.”

“Whether it be international or indigenous investment, BTeLocations is determined to be at the forefront of this growing market, offering a complete package to interested companies. We look forward to being at GIGSE this week and introducing the BTeLocations portfolio to the industry.”

ventureSmart is an innovative approach to companies looking to invest in a new business in the UK, but put off by the capital investment, risk and complexity of setting up operations. Through ventureSmart, BTeLocations will take responsibility for as much or as little of an investing company's expansion activities into the UK, as they require.

Benefits to the investing company include a Lower Capital Investment; Reduced Risk; Lower Overheads; Flexibility; Access to Financial Grants & Tax Breaks; Increased Speed to Market; Fast Track Set-up; a Test Environment for Products and Services; Cutting Edge Technology; and a Clear & Cost-Effective Exit Strategy.

BTeLocations' LocationSearch service helps companies navigate the location maze by matching business needs to specific locations. LocationSearch ensures fast set-up times, saving valuable management time and costs; provides unbiased and detailed information, based on local expertise, on the location which best fits a company's business requirements; and allows access to BTeLocations' portfolio of over 50 premier, pre-equipped business, technology and science parks across the UK.

In addition, as part of one of the world's largest telecommunications companies, with over 4,000 products and services and an annual spend of Ł300 million on research and development, BTeLocations will be able to offer gaming companies the latest communications solutions.

Gerard O'Sullivan concludes:
“We believe that the pending UK legislative overhaul and companies like BTeLocations, ready to provide a complete package to investing companies, offers a compelling proposition for gaming companies looking to expand. We look forward to welcoming such companies to the UK in what is a very exciting sector.”

The Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo (GIGSE), taking place in Montreal this week between June 17th and 19th, has become one of the gaming industry's largest events with over 1,000 delegates expected to attend.

About BT
BT Group plc is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies.

BTeLocations (www.bt.com/btelocations), BT Group's inward investment specialists, assist in finding the right location and providing the right technology solution for UK-based and overseas companies who are looking to set up a new operation in the UK.

Contact Information:
- BTeLocations
- BTeLocations
- 01977 59 1892

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