Betting exchange Betfair has signed on as sponsor of Spanish football powerhouse FC Barcelona.
Betfair, part of the Paddy Power Betfair colossus, announced Friday that it had become Barca’s new official global partner. The three-season deal, which took effect on July 1, gives Betfair certain image association rights in addition to branding on the LED system of the club’s Camp Nou stadium and via Barca’s digital channels.
Betfair marketing and brand director Paul Gambrill said the deal would “help us achieve our ambition of growing the Betfair brand internationally.” Barca’s marketing VP Manel Arroyo said Barca fans could look forward to “exclusive promotions and unique sporting experiences.”
Moving east, Malta-licensed betting operator Tipbet has signed on as the official premium partner of German second-tier Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf. The one-season deal allows Tipbet space on the club’s TV advertising boards and other marketing opportunities, and the site will be giving away “VIP tickets” to the club’s matches.
Tipbet’s signing followed last week’s news that no less than five Bundesliga 2 clubs had entered into official betting partnerships with UK-licensed online operator Betway. The three-year deals will allow Betway in-stadium branding at the homes of St. Pauli, Union Berlin, Eintracht Braunschweig, Karlsruher SC and Dyanmo Dresden.
Moving even further east, Russian betting operator Winline has signed on as a new premium partner of Moscow football mainstays FC Spartak. Winline recently became only the third betting operator authorized to launch online betting operations under Russia’s new online regime.
We close by shifting to Africa, online betting operator Safaribet appears poised to become the new title sponsor of the Ghana Premier League. The league was looking at going into the upcoming season without a title sponsor but GHANAsoccernet.com quoted Safaribet CEO Halit Karabasoglu saying talks between the parties on a naming rights deal were “far advanced.”
