888.com launches share scheme

Gambling website 888.com is planning to offer staff an incentive share scheme as part of its initial public offering (IPO).

The Gibraltar-based group is to sell shares equating to 25% of the company into the market.

A spokesman said: "The [share] scheme is [an important component] of the IPO – [it’s there] to incentivise existing staff and to attract new people into the company." But he refused to give specific details about the scheme.

The flotation is also expected to result in a windfall for some senior staff, who already have shares.