Tote could take bets on the X Factor

By Alistair Osborne, Business Editor (Leisure) 919PM GMT twenty-two March 2010

Finalists sing on the 2009 array of The X Factor Photo Rex Features

In a move at large seen as an try to drum up a higher cost for the state-owned bookmaker, sports apportion Gerry Sutcliffe on Monday due receiving the blinkers off the business.

He launched a conference on a suggest that would concede the Tote to take pool bets where wagers go in to a pool and the payout is separate between the winning tickets on all sports. For some-more than 80 years the Tote pool has been limited to horseracing.

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The suggest coincides with the Governments fifth try given 2001 to sell the Tote, that it once valued at �400m. It refused a �320m bid and the commercial operation is right away thought to be value less than that.

Mr Sutcliffe pronounced "Although the conference doesnt privately have anxiety to fluctuating the Totes pool betting looseness over sports to embody X-Factor-style shows, we acquire views on this."

Some 98pc of UK betting shops suggest horseracing pool bets around the "Tote Direct" system. Mr Sutcliffe expects alternative bookies to acquire fluctuating this complement to alternative sports.