SIS set to acquire Newcastle, Sunderland greyhound stadiums

(PRESS RELEASE) -- SIS, a trusted supplier of products and services to the retail and online betting markets, has agreed to acquire Newcastle Greyhound Stadium and Sunderland Greyhound Stadium from William Hill.

The deal underpins SIS' commitment to provide a strong program of competitive greyhound racing for the foreseeable future and reinforces their position as a key supplier of content to the U.K. betting market.

Picture and data from the tracks will be added to SIS' existing portfolio of rights from Monmore Green Greyhound Stadium, Crayford Greyhound Stadium, Hove and Romford Greyhound Stadium, ensuring they will able to continue to provide high quality greyhound racing to betting markets from tracks either owned or under direct contract to SIS.

SIS' rapidly growing international and digital offerings will also benefit from the procurement with the addition of even more high-quality content.

SIS CEO Gary Smith said, "The acquisition of Newcastle and Sunderland is very exciting for us and our customers and strengthens our position as a distributor of high quality pictures and data for greyhound racing.

"Under William Hill's ownership the facilities have been well maintained and the tracks have staged high quality competitive greyhound racing which has been popular with punters, both on and off track. SIS is committed to maintain and build upon the high standards that William Hill has set."

William Hill Retail Managing Director Nicola Frampton said, "Newcastle and Sunderland greyhound stadiums are among the best run in the industry and we would like to thank the teams at both tracks for all their hard work and success during William Hill's period of ownership.

"In looking at options for the tracks, the continuation of greyhound racing at the stadiums and the safeguarding of employment were paramount. We are therefore pleased to have reached agreement with SIS who are the right owner to take the business forward over the long term."

No significant changes will be made to the venues, which will be acquired by SIS subject to final agreement and the appropriate regulatory authority approvals. They will be run as a separate subsidiary of SIS, as they were under the successful management of William Hill.

Greyhound welfare will be paramount to the new owners as they look to maintain the high standards set by their predecessors.