BANGALORE, INDIA: British football-pools operator Sportech Plc is foraying into the Indian market through a joint venture with the Essel Group's Playwin brand.

Sportech and lottery and gaming brand Playwin would invest an initial 2 million pounds each for their 50 per cent stakes in the joint venture to fund start up costs, Sportech said in a statement.

The new gaming platform is expected to be launched in Spring 2010 and the companies plan to target cricket, football and Formula One fans in the beginning with a suite of prediction and fantasy games.

The joint venture will be promoted across Essel's Zee TV network and online, Sportech said.

Sportech said the investment, already anticipated in its budget, would be phased over the next three years.