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4:34 pm, June 25, 2008
Wigan lobbies over the Tote

Wigan MPs and councillors have lobbied a key government minister over the sale of state-owned bookmaker the Tote.

MPs Neil Turner and Ian McCartney joined Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council leader Lord Peter Smith at the meeting with sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe this week.

They pointed out the importance of the business as a local employer and said they found him “sympathetic”.

The government has been trying to sell the business since 2001 but nobody has offered the £400m asking price. An announcement is expected next month and betting shop and bingo group Gala Coral is reported to be the front runner among potential trade bidders.

The Tote operates telephone and internet businesses as well a chain of 540 shops and on-course pool betting.

If the different strands were sold to different buyers, jobs would be under threat at the headquarters in Poolstock, Wigan, where 650 people are employed.

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