* Sports media firm delays London market debut to Friday
* Short/medium-term contract revenues unaffected-source
* Aims to raise around 200 million pounds.
By Kylie MacLellan
LONDON, April 7 (Reuters) - Digital sports media firm Perform Group delayed its London market debut on Thursday after Germany proposed changing gambling and taxation rules, three sources close to the deal said.
The firm, which wanted time to explain to investors the impact of the changes, now expects to begin trading on Friday.
Final pricing on the around 200 million pound ($326 million) initial public offering (IPO), which had been due first thing on Thursday, would now be announced either after the market closes, or on Friday morning, the sources said. Germany's proposals, set out on Wednesday, include plans to tax sports betting from next year at 16.67 percent of turnover and ban in-game wagers. In addition, television advertising for online sports betting sites might be outlawed.
Perform's activities include providing live video of sports events to online bookmakers and exchanges. It also provides sports news and runs the websites of the Premier League and Chelsea Football Club.
The world's biggest listed online gaming company, Bwin.party digital, on Thursday said the proposed changes would make it impossible for it to compete in Germany.
But Perform does not expect the changes to impact its short-to-medium-term contract revenues, one of the sources said.
The firm may also benefit from the decision by Germany's states to award seven nationwide concessions for sports betting companies starting in 2012, which could open the market further.
A spokesman for Perform declined to comment.
On Wednesday the company narrowed the price range on its offering to 260 to 280 pence per share, from earlier guidance of 255 to 325 pence.
Perform's management and employees own 40 percent of the company. Access Industries, a privately held U.S.-based industrial group owned by Len Blavatnik, has a 58 percent stake.
Up to 131 million pounds of existing shares will be sold in the IPO, including an overallotment option, as both Access and management reduce their holdings pro rata.
The listing will also include 70 million pounds of new shares to fund organic growth and acquisitions.
Perform, which last year streamed more than 25,000 sporting events live, generated revenues of 67.4 million pounds in 2010, up from 28.3 million in 2008.
The offering is being run by Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and UBS.
Perform's planned listing was reported first by Reuters in November, when sources said Access was considering a 2011 listing of the business. ($1=.6137 Pound) (Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)