Deal is sure bet to improve online performance

The Journal, August 7 2008 by Andrew Mernin

NORTH bookmaker Pagebet has joined forces with IT developer ZebraHosts as it vies to break into the top 10 of betting shop firms in the country.

Pagebet, already the region’s largest independent bookmakers, has opened a shop on Grainger Street in the centre of Newcastle, bringing its total number of shops to 46 – a figure expected to rise to more than 100 by the end of next year.

The firm enlisted the help of Newcastle-based ZebraHosts to look after its software and hardware applications which administer a comprehensive betting service for its shops and online services.

Belinda Kent, strategic account and project manager at ZebraHosts, said: “We are delighted to be part of Pagebet’s ambitious plans and I am sure the work we do for them will continue to help them thrive.

“Our data-hosting, internet connectivity and technical support gives peace of mind that their critical information is readily available as and when it’s needed. 

“Maintenance work we carry out on their systems is done outside their regular opening times.”

Pagebet’s director of remote betting Mark Irvine, who recently joined the business to oversee the growth of the company’s internet business, said: “ZebraHosts has done an excellent job for us since coming on board last year, working closely with Aspire Consultants on our business systems.

“The space we rent at ZebraHosts data-centre allows us to use their advanced co-location services, multiple redundant internet connections and uninterruptible power capability.”