Betfair, the online sports betting provider, has stated that it is looking at listing shares in the company on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

The company was founded 10 years ago and estimated to be worth around £1.5bn. It claims to be the largest company in its unique market. Unlike traditional betting shops where customers bet against the company, Betfair has around three million customers in its person-to-person betting system that bet in a range of sports. The online gambling site also has poker and traditional betting forums.

The company currently has 14 major investors who have a 75% share in the company between them. Betfair claimed in a statement that it had identified "multiple opportunities to secure future growth" which includes the "high-growth" football market. The company is also keen to further market its brand throughout Europe and Australia. In the longer term the company sees significant potential in the "highly restricted" markets such as the United States, India and China.

The company founders of Betfair , Andrew Black, a former professional gambler, and Edward Wray, previously a trader at JP Morgan, jointly own 25% of the company.