The leading online gaming company that has more than 20 brands that offer betting and iGaming across Europe, Betsson Group, announced a new groundbreaking partnership. The company revealed Thursday that it signed a new collaboration with the professional basketball club, AEK BC. Under the terms of the recent deal, Betsson was designated as the naming sponsor of the team, a move that will see its name change to AEK BETSSON BC.

This is not the first collaboration between the duo. Over the last two years, the leading gaming group served as a grand sponsor of AEK BC. Now, the fresh new deal further builds upon the success of the initial collaboration that was described by Betsson as a “historic partnership upgrade.”

Confirmation about the latest collaboration emerged Thursday at a special event at The Mall Athens. The thrilling event kicked off with a video that praised the success of the collaboration between AEK BC and Betsson. One of the highlights of the video included a donation of €100,000 ($105,200) to the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey. This donation reaffirms the duo’s shared commitment to supporting different organizations and good causes.

At the event, the new logo of AEK BETSSON BC was released. Not unexpectedly, the logo incorporates Betsson’s logo as well, highlighting the importance of this new collaboration.

Elsewhere, back in September, Betsson confirmed it secured a French license. At the time, the company revealed that it plans to expand its sports betting services to the European country, delivering unrivaled and thrilling experiences for bettors and sports fans alike.

The Collaboration Brings Excitement to Betsson

Ronni Hartvig, Betsson Group’s chief commercial officer, spoke about the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering unique experiences. “From the time we entered the Greek market, this commitment towards excellence has also been introduced into the events and sporting initiatives that we support, whereby we add excitement and value, enriching the fan experience,” he added. Finally, Hartvig said that Betsson is looking forward to the mutual success the new partnership will bring.

“We are proud to continue our sponsorship of AEK BC for the third consecutive year and now be an integral part of AEK BETSSON BC’s name.“

Thanos Marinos, managing director of Betsson Greece

Thanos Marinos, the managing director of Betsson Greece, added that the company is excited to continue its collaboration with the famous basketball club. Moreover, he explained that it is thrilling to see Betsson become an important part of the club’s new name.

Marinos praised the company’s efforts and support for different sports initiatives in the country. Finally, he explained that such commitments enable the company to engage with communities and make positive changes, while at the same time, benefitting sports.

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Polish-facing sports betting brand STS has secured an advertising rights arrangement with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Now owned by Entain, the operator has secured the right to conduct marketing activities for the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League in Poland.

This will expand the sports sector presence of Entain, which already partners with the two leagues in question. With Entain having acquired STS, the Polish brand will also be able to conduct UEFA-oriented campaigns.

Now activated by STS in Poland, the rights will allow the Polish operator to appeal to soccer fans across Europe. The operator’s logo will be visible during matches of Polish teams, promoting its wagering products.

At the same time, STS promised to launch a variety of local promotions for sports fans in the country. Lucky fans will even be able to win tickets for some of the hottest European soccer matches.

As the largest private operator in Poland, STS is firmly committed to supporting the sports sector. Already boasting partnerships with many clubs across multiple sports, the operator is also the official sponsor of Poland’s national soccer team.

Entain’s Takeover Continues to Benefit STS

STS’ chief marketing officer, Paweł Rabantek, commented on the activation of the advertising rights. According to him, the recent takeover by Entain brings a “number of benefits” for his team, including the opportunity to expand STS’ marketing activities and reinforce its position in Poland’s gambling market.

Rabantek also expressed his happiness about the implementation of all possible advertising services both within the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League competitions from the first match day.

Rabantek teased that fans can expect many exciting promotions.

STS Dominates the Polish Market

STS was acquired by Entain in June for approximately $945 million. Approved by STS’ two major shareholders, Mateusz Juroszek and Zbigniew Juroszek, the deal saw STS join the global Entain family.

Currently boasting around 800,000 active users and a network of 400+ physical betting shops, STS is an undisputed leader in the Polish gaming industry.

Two weeks ago, the gambling and betting company published its results for the first half of the year, strengthening its leadership position and maintaining its momentum. The company’s metrics increased across the board, attesting to the effectiveness of STS’ strategy.

In other news, PandaScore just debuted in Poland thanks to a partnership with the local betting leader. Under the deal, the former company supplied its cutting-edge esports betting products to STS. 

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Global sports & culture company IMG has extended its exclusive international media, data and streaming rights partnership agreement with the Australian Professional Leagues (APL). Under the extended partnership, IMG will distribute APL media rights for several more years.

The partnership extension will allow the sports specialist to manage APL’s media rights in international markets, excluding Australia and New Zealand. At the same time, IMG’s IMG ARENA brand will record and provide official data from all APL matches over, supplying it to its extensive network of partnering sports betting operators.

The renewed contract covers both ALP’s men’s and women’s teams, allowing the APL to grow its presence. The league explained that the partnership with IMG will help it “drive audience and commercial growth” for some of the most highly-anticipated events of the seasons.

More Soccer, More Goals and More Stories for Fans

A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia commented on the extension of APL’s partnership with IMG, highlighting its potential to promote Australian and New Zealander soccer.  Garcia said that his team is looking forward to continuing the partnership with IMG, tapping into the global sports company’s extensive expertise in sports and benefitting from its expansive global network.

Garcia added that the A-Leagues are home to a variety of international soccer talents. He noted:

With three new women’s teams in the A-League Women, and two men’s teams to come to the A-League Men, we have more football, more goals, and more stories for fans to connect with.

Nick Garcia, commissioner, A-Leagues

In the meantime, Dale Levin, senior vice president and head of Australasia and Southeast Asia for IMG’s media business, also commented on the matter. He said that his team is very proud of its lasting relationship with the Australian Professional Leagues. According to Levin, the partnership has allowed the leagues to grow significantly over the past six years.

Earlier this year, IMG ARENA expanded its partnership with Major League Soccer, agreeing to supply tracking data for MLS Next Pro, a major soccer league in the United States and Canada.

In April, IMG ARENA also wrapped up its acquisition of the high-end virtual games provider Leap Gaming. The deal was officially announced in December 2022 and allows IMG ARENA to enhance its offering. IMG ARENA president Freddie Longe remarked that the acquisition will allow his company to “shape the future of sports betting entertainment.”

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FS Gaming Investments is ending its voting rights agreement with Shay Segev, Entain’s former chief executive. This was announced in a regulatory filing filed by 888.

FS Gaming Investments is a fund owned by three ex-Entain (formerly GVC Holding) executives, namely Kenny Alexander, Lee Feldman and Stephen Morana. The new filing says that Segev, who used to be Alexander’s successor at Entain/GVC, has terminated his voting rights agreement with the fund.

Following the termination of the deal, FS Gaming Investments has also reduced its stake in 888. The fund will retain a 4.55% stake in 888 and will have its voting rights reduced.

Entain’s Trouble Prevented FS Gaming’s Arrangement with 888

The termination of the contract comes in the wake of FS Gaming’s failure to put former Entain executives in leadership roles at 888. Kenny Alexander, for example, sought the role of a CEO at the gambling holding, while Feldman and Morana sought the roles of chair and CFO, respectively.

The proposal was eventually rejected because of GVC Holdings’s past business in Turkiye and alleged involvement in misconduct. Now rebranded as Entain, the company recently expressed its desire to reach a settlement with the HMRC, even if it has to pay a fine.

Earlier this month, Entain announced that it has set aside some $747 million to settle a potential regulatory matter.

Entain Grows but Some Critique the Company’s Financial Decisions

In other news, Entain recently published its H1 results, reporting impressive growth. The company remained unwavering despite the regulatory setbacks.

Earlier this year, the company also acquired the Polish-based betting company STS Holding in a $945 million deal. Entain was enthusiastic about the acquisition although some blasted the deal as “destructive” for the gambling giant.

In an open letter, Eminence Capital experts critiqued Entain for proceeding with the deal despite being in a fairly unfavorable (according to Eminence Capital) position. Overall, the investment firm said that the move is likely to lead to a decline in share price, greatly hurting Entain’s business.

Eminence Capital warned that the move may also cost Entain the trust of its shareholders.

This followed an earlier acquisition that saw Entain acquire 365scores, a global sports media company, in a $150 million deal.

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Tabcorp, an Australian gambling giant, has unveiled an extension to its digital content agreement with the Flutter-owned gambling company Sportsbet. Under the agreement, Sportsbet will be allowed to broadcast Sky Racing 1 and Sky Racing 2 live on its betting application and official website. Sky will serve as the exclusive provider of the deal.

As announced, the deal has been extended for 10 years, securing Sportsbet’s access to the Sky Racing service for a decade. The terms of the deal are more or less the same. The arrangement is expected to generate between AUD 30 million and 40 million by the end of FY 2024.

The deal comes after, in May, Tabcorp considered a bid for rights for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, one of the biggest racing events in Australia. The move caused some of Tabcorp’s competitors to drop out of the bidding.

One of the Most Significant Deals for Tabcorp

Addressing the current deal, Tabcorp’s managing director and chief executive officer, Adam Rytenskild, said that Sky is “the home of racing.” As such, the broadcaster attracts more bettors than any other channel in Australia and is a “major driver of racing wagering.”

According to Rytenskild, the extension of the deal cements Sky as a leading racing network.

With more than 150,000 races broadcast live around the world every year and the best team in Racing, the extension of this agreement recognizes Sky as one of the best and most valuable racing networks in the world.

Adam Rytenskild, CEO & MD, Tabcorp

The CEO added that the deal is also good news for racing clubs whose meetings will be followed by more people than ever before. He concluded that the agreement will extend one of Tabcrop’s most significant digital revenue streams for another 10 years.

Rytenskild concluded that his company continues to build momentum toward TAB25. The company’s robust pipeline will transform the racing sector with a new app, products and faster market speeds than ever before, the CEO added.

In other news, Sportsbet continues to double down on its marketing efforts in Australia ahead of a looming ban on sports betting ads. The company has invested millions in sports betting advertisements in H1 2023 alone.

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Italy’s Lega Serie A unveiled the revision of its betting rights. The top-flight soccer division will tender rights for the 2024/25 season to international data suppliers. For reference, rights for the Lega Serie A have been held by Stats Perform since 2021.

Serie A drafted nine packages labeled A to F(c). Each package covers a different aspect of the betting rights, with Package A being the most appealing to international betting data suppliers.

Also known as the International Sports Betting Package, Package A focuses on audiovisual rights, as well as match and coach data. It covers all approved countries outside of Italy, making it very appealing to global data companies.

Package B, or the Sports Betting Package Italy, on the other hand, covers match data and coach data for the Italian market. Because of the prominence of the Italian gambling market, local companies are likely to be very interested in this package as well.

Meanwhile, Packages C-E cover media data, sports betting tracking data and media tracking data.

The final package, Package F, is split into three sub-packages that cover data included in other packages. Thus, Package F(a) encompasses the data included in A and B. F(b), on the other hand, covers A, B and D. Finally, F(c) combines the rights outlined in Package C and E.

Companies Must Be Mindful of the Rules

While licensees will be allowed to use the rights to form partnerships, they are not permitted to use imagery of Serie A athletes, staff and logos. Licensees can also sign sub-licensing agreements only if explicitly authorized by the terms of their license.

Once a company is approved for a betting rights package, it must accept responsibility for managing the rights. In addition, it also has to pay a security deposit of 15% of the license fee. After that, the approved firm must pay the remainder of the license fee in three installments.

The first installment must be paid by July 1, 2024, with the other two to follow on November 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025. The same payment timeframe will be used in the following years as well, the league noted.

Licensed companies must commit to providing monthly updates to Serie A, informing the league of the top 10 markets in terms of gross gaming revenue. Licensees must also provide the league with player behavior data and information on Serie A’s performance compared to other Italian sports leagues.

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Creating the modern European Union was no mean fete – at a minimum it required a loose harmonization of mission and laws between about two dozen nations agreeing to follow a charter originally launched in the 1950s between Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands more than quadrupling membership.

For the most part, squabbles and major disagreements have been handled through a process that seems to work, even when nobody ends up getting what they really- their pretty cake to look at and the ability to eat it as well on both sides.

European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders recently spoke for the Commission through a written statement, saying that the organization would examine recently passed Maltese legislation and its compatibility with broader written EU law and case law as established through the courts as conflicts in interest have been settled under due process under European Union law.

Yet, today struggles still ensue when nations disagree on mandates and meanings as well as priorities. Recently the Eu Commission has requested more information from Maltese authorities in order to settle a particularly sticky dispute wherein players on both sides have a lot of “skin in the game”.

An inflection point has arisen with the gambling-centric economy of Malta, which has focused and invested heavily in becoming an independent licensing regime for online gambling operators in the EU and elsewhere – and countries such as Germany and Austria that wish to control trade in certain economic sectors within their own birders – ostensibly, for the protection of their own citizens but often, for protection of state-sanctioned monopolies that provide little or no room for online gambling operators who choose not to be licensed by individual national authorities.

In late June, lawmakers in Malta passed the controversial Bill 55, which we reported on earlier. The law protects offshore operators based in Malta from foreign liability, without regard to EU membership.

This means that, if left standing, the law would shield Malta Gaming Authority licensed online casinos and other betting sites from potential liability in cases arising in another member state.

On one extreme it would protect operators from frivolous lawsuits brought by players who bet and lost but think they should be able to recover those losses and on the other end of the spectrum it could leave players in other member-states with no remedy except as provided by the Maltese gambling authority.

A supreme power struggle is underway in the conflict which pits two seemingly opposing concepts of the Union against each other – a state’s right to protect its citizens from harm, albeit through a counter-intuitive monopolization within a member-state’s borders of an important economic metric such as the multi-trillion-euro per year international online gambling industry – and a member state’s right to compete freely anywhere within the union.

The EU Commission was invited into the conflict by three questions asked of it by German MEP Sabine Verheyen. Quite simply, Verheyen asked in one written question after stating Germany’s position that it had a right to protect its citizen from harm by outside actors whether the Maltese law was in accord with EU law and if not, what the Commission planned to “do about it”. Further query related to what sanctions could be imposed. NO reply was given to the question of sanctions.

The next two questions were oddly unrelated, but seem structured to cast the authority in a bad light – whether deserved or not – and not apparently relevant to whether free enterprise trumps de facto monopolization of a certain industry through real or contrived protective measures.

The Commission was also asked whether there were any known links between the government of Malta and the online gambling industry and if there have been any cases of corruption to date.

To the question of links between industry actors and the Maltese government or gambling authority, Verheyen replied: “The Commission has no information on possible links of individual members of the Maltese government to the Maltese gambling industry.”

Working to build Germany’s case against Malta, one of the two founding principles of the EU was invoked when the Commission was queried about infringement proceedings policy referring to Article 258 in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

However, another interpretation of the core values the Commission will be striving to balance might be:”…promoting peace and security, and respecting fundamental rights and freedoms,” in layman’s terms.

As always, the devil is in the details. Please click the following link to read the Malta Gambling Amndment Bill 55.
https://parlament.mt/media/121901/bill-55-gaming-amendment-bill.pdf

The full answer, as given by Mr. Reynders on Behalf of the European Commission along with supporting documentation, can be found at the following link to parliamentary question E-001722/2023(ASW).

Source: European Commission to scrutinise Malta gaming bill, iGB, July 25, 2023

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Sports data and technology company Sportradar announced today it has been selected as the winner of the bidding process for the exclusive global audio and video (AV) and betting data rights of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).

Enhance Accessibility and Engagement

The announcement that CONMEBOL has granted exclusive AV and betting data rights to Sportradar puts an end to a highly competitive selection process. The Nasdaq-listed data technology company is expected to enhance the accessibility and engagement of South American football for global audiences.

Carsten Koerl, global chief executive officer of Sportradar, commented on the development, delighted to see Sportradar as the winner of the competitive process and receive the rights to “support the most historic club tournaments in South America.”

“Sportradar has more than 20 years’ experience building innovative products from data, and as the market leader, we are best positioned with the technological expertise and industry relationships to help CONMEBOL expand its reach,” Koerl said.

South American football has one of the most passionate fan bases in the world, and we look forward to working closely with the federation to support their engagement.

Carsten Koerl, global CEO, Sportradar

The exclusive rights agreement commences with the current season and covers the rights for the next four seasons for the regional club tournaments governed by CONMEBOL, including CONMEBOL Libertadores, CONMEBOL Sudamericana and CONMEBOL Recopa, and represents the first time the governing body grants domestic AV betting rights for the club competitions.

Getting ‘Closer to the True Fans’

Highlighting Sportradar as “one of the best companies in terms of technological innovation and transparency in global sports betting,” CONMEBOL secretary general José Astigarraga was delighted at the opportunity “to strengthen the relationship” with the sports data provider.

We are sure that the prestigious CONMEBOL club tournaments, with more than 60 years of history, will be a great showcase to be able to get closer to the true fans of South American football.

José Astigarraga, secretary general, CONMEBOL

As the governing body of ten national football associations in South America, CONMEBOL attracts millions of football fans and viewers globally and its competitions experienced growth in viewership over the past few years due to the expanding base of CONMEBOL international fans.

CONMEBOL granted Sportradar the rights due to the company’s commitment to product innovation and superior development in advanced technologies, such as computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as its key position as a supplier of integrity services.

Sportradar and CONMEBOL have been partners since 2019 as the data company has been providing compliance, risk and governance services to the South American football organization such as eligibility checks on the body’s and its associated members’ senior appointments via its Intelligence & Investigations unit.

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The Melbourne Cup Carnival is famous not only in Australia but around the world. Popular as the country’s biggest racing event, it enjoys viewership from 120 nations. It is believed that more than 700 million people around the world enjoy the Melbourne Cup, which is a testament to its importance within the horseracing vertical. Now, as reported by The Australian, the gambling and betting giant Tabcorp has joined the race to become a broadcast rights holder for the Melbourne Cup.

Securing the rights would mark a milestone moment for Tabcorp, as it will enable it to continue to grow its broadcasting portfolio. Currently, the company owns three radio stations, as well as two broadcasting businesses. Additionally, Tabcorp holds the role of naming rights partner for the event that takes place after the Melbourne Cup, the Champion Stakes Day.

Joining the race, the company is reportedly considering an AU$100 million bid for the rights and is negotiating with Victoria Racing Club (VRC). The previous handover of the rights for the Melbourne Cup dates back to 2018 and it involved a five-year contract. Now, keeping in mind that the contract is about to expire in 2024, Tabcorp’s move doesn’t come as a surprise.

Talks about Broadcasting Rights Are Yet to Be Officially Confirmed

According to Adam Rytenskild, Tabcorp’s CEO, expanding the company’s collaboration with the VRC would mark an exciting moment. He pointed out that Tabcorp is proud to be the “exclusive wagering partner of Australia’s most famous week of racing.”

Despite the reported talks, VRC’s CEO, Steve Rosich, told The Australian that the company is looking forward to 2023’s Melbourne Cup Carnival in partnership with its broadcasting partner, Network 10. Addressing the talks about the broadcasting rights for 2024, Rosich said that those details are confidential.

“The VRC is looking forward to showcasing another exceptional Melbourne Cup Carnival in 2023 in conjunction with our broadcast partner Network 10. The VRC’s media rights process for the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival and beyond is confidential.“

Steve Rosich, CEO of Victoria Racing Club

If indeed Tabcorp secures the rights for the Melbourne Cup, that wouldn’t be the first time this has happened to the company. From 2020 to 2022, the company was the international rights holder of the marquee fixture.

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The upcoming Oakland Athletic baseball stadium may force the Tropicana to close its doors for up to two years, threatening the livelihoods of its staff. Faced with this looming issue, the Culinary Union stood firmly on the side of the workers, pledging to protect their rights and support them in the event of a closure. While the ballpark project is still in its infancy, the union’s clear message should help alleviate the concerns of Tropicana employees.

The Ballpark Project Can Have Substantial Repercussions

Oakland Athletics’ recent announcement of a $1.5 billion Las Vegas stadium project reverberated across the industry, drawing mixed responses. Such a high-profile endeavor should significantly bolster tourism, drawing in sports fans and benefiting all surrounding properties. However, the planned stadium’s proximity to the iconic casino hotel means the Tropicana may temporarily need to close during construction.

A FAQ document by project partner Bally’s Corporation revealed that the Tropicana could cease operations between 18 to 24 months. The company issued an update soon after, clarifying it would keep the property open for as long as possible. However, a temporary closure will likely still be necessary, endangering the livelihoods of the venue’s approximately 120 employees.

Employee Rights Seem in Safe Hands

While Bally’s reiterated its commitment to supporting its employees, the Culinary Union also immediately stepped up, vowing to protect workers in the event of a closure. The union, representing thousands of hospitality workers in the region, has long been a staunch advocate for labor rights and fair treatment within the industry.

Such a pledge is a proactive measure to protect employees’ livelihoods and rights during any potential Tropicana downtime. Any laid-off workers should receive free job training, retain their benefits, and have guaranteed rehiring opportunities once the property reopens. Culinary Union secretary-treasurer Ted Pappageorge reiterated the organization’s commitment to negotiate a fair agreement with the venue.

Culinary Union members at the Tropicana Casino have a strong union contract, which means that Tropicana workers are protected.

Ted Pappageorge, Culinary Union secretary-treasurer

The Tropicana Las Vegas has been integral to the city’s vibrant hospitality landscape for decades. While the potential closure may cause substantial short-term disruptions, the Culinary Union’s efforts will ensure that employee rights will receive adequate protection. If the stadium project is successful, the long-term benefits should significantly outweigh the few months of closure.

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