The CEO panel at this month’s SBC Digital Italia conference and exhibition is set to see leaders from Lottomatica, SNAITECH, Sisal and Novomatic Italia share their ideas for the future of the betting and gaming industry.

The online event on 28-29 July 2021 features a comprehensive agenda that addresses the major issues faced by both the online and retail sectors, with expert speakers contributing insights from the perspectives of operators, suppliers, the regulator, professional sports, government and law enforcement.

One of the highlights of the agenda comes on the first day, with ‘The Sustainable Future of Gaming’ session, which will examine the impact the industry has on the economy and society.

The panelists will consider how the benefits the sector brings in terms of employment and tax revenue can be balanced with concerns about player protection, with the aim of creating a sustainable model that works for stakeholders across the industry and is acceptable to the Italian public and government.

CEOs from four of the biggest companies in the Italian market will detail how this can be achieved, with Guglielmo Angelozzi (Lottomatica), Fabio Schiavolin (SNAITECH), Francesco Durante (Sisal) and Markus Buechele (Novomatic Italia) all on the panel. They will be joined by moderator Giancarlo Loquenzi, a journalist with RAI Radio 1.

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “We’re delighted to be joined by four of the most influential figures in the Italian industry, all ready to share their thoughts on the future direction of the sector.

“This CEO panel is a must-watch for anyone with an interest in the betting and gaming industry in Italy, as it will be packed with valuable insights, ideas and information about the market.”

The SBC Digital Italia conference agenda, which has been compiled in conjunction with SBC’s local partner Gioco News, also features sessions on the challenge of reshaping the retail gambling sector, how to build on the growth the online market has enjoyed over the last 12 months, the role of the regulator, igaming marketing strategies, and the battle against match-fixing.

The 60-strong speaker line-up includes Marcello Minenna (Direttore Generale, Agenzia Dogane e Monopoli), Domenico Galizia (CEO, Betflag), Marco Castaldo (CEO, Microgame), Roberto Ribaudo (Director, Interpol Italia Division), Carla Ramella (Director of Customs and Monopoly – Central Public Administration, Sogei), Claudio Durigon (Undersecretary, Ministry of Economy & Finance), Stefano Delfini (Criminal Analysis Service Director, Criminal Police Central Directorate, Ministry of Interior), Claudio Marinelli (Project Manager, Criminal Intelligence Officer, Interpol), Luca Turchi (Director of Gaming Control, Office of Games Management, ADM) and Ugo Taucer (Attorney General, Italian National Olympic Committee).

In addition to the conference, SBC Digital Italia will feature a virtual exhibition with 20 leading suppliers showcasing their latest innovations tailored for the Italian market, and a selection of networking opportunities.

Register for your free online pass for SBC Digital Italia at the event’s website: https://sbcevents.com/sbc-digital-italia/register/

UK-based sports and financial betting operator Spreadex has been named principal front of shirt partner of Burnley Football Club. 

The multi-million pound partnership will see the Spreadex logo worn by the Premier League club’s players across home, away, and third kits during the upcoming season. The brand will also benefit from LED perimeter board advertising, player access, and exposure on Burnley’s website, CRM, and social media channels. 

Additionally, Spreadex will be working with the club on a range of community and charity initiatives throughout the season. 

Spreadex CEO, Dave MacKenzie, said: “We are delighted to join the Burnley FC family as main sponsor at an exciting time in both the club’s and our own futures. This deal reflects the ambitious growth plans Spreadex has as a company, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with a superbly-run club with such an established history and reputation. Burnley’s values and ambitions echo our own, and we’re looking forward to supporting the club throughout the 2021/2022 season both on and off the pitch.”

Ella Cummins, Burnley FC’s Head of Commercial Partnerships, added: “We are delighted to welcome Spreadex as our new principal partner and have been impressed with the commitment they have already shown supporting fan initiatives and giving back to the community. We look forward to working together over the coming season on some exciting campaigns and are thrilled Spreadex has chosen Burnley Football Club for their first sports partnership.

“We’re very proud of the pledge to donate £5 each for every third-choice shirt sold which will provide support for those affected by dementia following the devastating effects COVID has had on people up and down the country.

“We know this is a cause close to Burnley fans’ hearts and we’ll be working closely with Alzheimer’s Society this season on projects to continue this important conversation.”

Spreadex has been operating since 1999, and now employs over 150 staff at its St Albans headquarters. The operator is regulated by both the Gambling Commission and the Financial Conduct Authority – reflecting its unique product offering.

AYO.NEWS says:

The public and media pressure for a gambling sponsorship ban in English football may be mounting, but we’re still seeing plenty of brands sign deals with clubs –  bringing much needed revenue after more than a year of COVID-19 disruption.  Just last week, we saw Gibraltar-based MansionBet extend its partnership with EFL Championship club Millwall, while in June the brand also extended its deal with fellow Championship club Bristol City.

International sports betting company Parimatch has rebranded as Parimatch Tech, to highlight its “transition from a traditional betting company to a fully-digitalised and product-focused technology business.”

Since Parimatch was established in 1994, the company has expanded far beyond betting, to provide technology and marketing solutions across the gaming and entertainment industry. Headquartered in Cyprus, the company has development centres in Ukraine, Cyprus, Armenia, and Belarus. 

The company says its rebrand highlights the globalisation of the business, and is aimed at generating brand awareness among partners and users around the world. In addition to holding a leading position across the CIS region, the Parimatch brand is also present in international markets via partners in Ukraine, Cyprus, the UK, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and other countries in Europe, Asia, and Oceania. 

Roman Syrotian, co-CEO of Parimatch Tech, said: “Parimatch Tech will continue to invest in both established and emerging markets, partnering with local businesses  and entrepreneurs to create new job opportunities and strengthen and expand existing offerings. Each market is  unique, so our teams adapt platforms to local user preferences, economic conditions, and the rules and regulation  of the gambling market.”

Maksym Liashko, co-CEO of Parimatch, added: “Becoming Parimatch Tech is a natural step for us as a company, and formalizes and reflects our technological  transformation. It is a sign of the maturity of our company internally, and we are pleased to share this news with  both the public and our partners. While there are many challenges laying before our industry and ambitious targets  for us to meet, Parimatch Tech is confident in its ability to continue to modernise and improve the gaming and  entertainment industry across the world.”

AYO.NEWS says:

The rebranding of Parimatch to Parimatch Tech is yet another example of traditional betting companies expanding beyond (some may even say “distancing themselves from”) gambling, into the more general digital entertainment space – as also seen with Flutter Entertainment (formerly Paddy Power Betfair) and Entain (formerly GVC Holdings). 

Perfectly demonstrating this shift towards the wider tech world, was last month’s announcement that Parimatch would be launching an NFT collection as part of 100 Creators on the new Binance NFT Marketplace. 

Argentina’s premier domestic football league, the Primera División, is being renamed Torneo Socios.com for the 2021/22 season.

The name change is thanks to a partnership between the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and Chiliz – creator of Fan Tokens and the Socios.com fan engagement app. The collaboration has also seen the Argentine men’s team become the first national football team to launch a Fan Token on Socios.com – with the Copa América champions officially launching their Fan Token on 11 June 2021.

As the first association football league to be established outside of the United Kingdom, way back in 1891, the newly named Torneo Socios.com is one of the world’s most prestigious and popular domestic football competitions. The competition will resume today, Friday 16 July, under its new title, as defending champions Boca Juniors travel to Santa Fe to face Club Atlético Unión at 19:00 AST.

AFA President, Claudio Tapia, said: “We are very happy to kick-off this journey with Socios.com. It is a very important agreement, since it’s the first time the Argentinian league partners with a commercial brand to rename the tournament. We’ve been partners of Socios.com for some time now with the Argentinian National Team. This new agreement will strengthen our relationship and have a very positive impact on both parties. Argentinian football must continue to grow, increasing its audience and global visibility. To achieve this growth, it’s important that we partner with global leading brands willing to work shoulder to shoulder with AFA in the same direction. We warmly welcome Socios.com to the Argentinian league.”

Earlier this month, the Portuguese national team followed in Argentina’s footsteps, launching its own Fan Token on Socios.com. 

Chicago-based Fubo Gaming, a subsidiary of sports-first live TV streaming platform fuboTV Inc., and The Cordish Companies, have announced a market access agreement for the mobile Fubo Sportsbook in Pennsylvania. 

The deal with the Cordish Companies, owner and operator of Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh, will provide state-wide mobile access for both sports betting and iGaming. 

With Fubo Sportsbook, fuboTV is planning to integrate gaming with its live sports, offering consumers a seamless experience and the ability to wager while they watch. fuboTV has an extensive footprint in Pennsylvania, having carriage agreements in place with regional sports networks NBC Sports Philadelphia (Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Phillies) and AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates), in addition to local and national network coverage.

The Pennsylvania deal follows previously announced market access agreements in New Jersey and Indiana (through Caesars Entertainment, Inc.), and Iowa (through Casino Queen). State-by-state rollout is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to obtaining the required regulatory approvals in each state. 

Scott Butera, president, Fubo Gaming, commented: “Entering Pennsylvania, one of the largest sports betting and iGaming makers in the U.S., is a significant accomplishment for our forthcoming Fubo Sportsbook which, in this market, can also include mobile casino games. We are also excited to be partnering with Cordish who has been a leader in gaming and sports entertainment for decades.”

David Gandler, co-founder and CEO, fuboTV, added: “Our agreement with The Cordish Companies will bring Fubo Sportsbook to consumers in Pennsylvania, expanding our sportsbook’s reach to at least four states. With our sportsbook, we’re looking forward to delivering a comprehensive sports entertainment experience that combines live streaming and wagering. We expect to launch Fubo Sportsbook in the fourth quarter of this year pending regulatory approvals.”

Rob Norton, president, Cordish Gaming Group, said: “Partnering with Fubo Gaming to bring our guests this exciting, integrated mobile sports betting option is the natural evolution of our Live! Casino brands in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are both iconic sports cities that are deserving of best-in-class sports betting platforms, so we look forward to working with Fubo Gaming on this new endeavor.”

Sports data and technology partner Genius Sports has formed a strategic partnership with MEDIAPRO Canada.

An independent broadcast services, rights distribution, and productions company, MEDIAPRO Canada, will tap Genius Sports’ official data, streaming, and marketing solutions to help grow the addressable market for Canadian soccer, both domestically and internationally. 

In 2019 MEDIAPRO Canada secured a 10-year partnership with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), the enterprise that represents all commercial interests of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) and Canada Soccer. Through the partnership, MEDIAPRO Canada was tasked with promoting the sport, including the management of the global and domestic media rights to all CPL and Canadian Championship games.

OneSoccer, MEDIAPRO Canada’s dedicated soccer streaming platform, will now integrate Genius Sports’ live data and content into its live viewing experience for fans. Genius Sports’ data-driven marketing technology will also help to expand MEDIAPRO Canada’s domestic audience by driving OneSoccer subscriptions through personalized promotions and offers.

Genius Sports has also been granted the exclusive worldwide rights to distribute live video streams for all CPL and Canadian Championship games, which will help reach new soccer fans worldwide and drive further in-game engagement. Sportsbooks can also access official data rights to Canadian soccer through Genius Sports’ existing partnership with CSB.

Oscar López, CEO of MEDIAPRO Canada, commenting on the partnership, said: “We’re delighted to seal this agreement with Genius Sports, one of the leading data and technology companies in the sports media landscape. We are confident that Genius will help unlock the value of our digital assets and extend the reach of our brands across new markets. The partnership also strengthens our commitment to transparency at a time when Canadian soccer is reaching new heights on both the domestic and international stage.”

Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports, added: “The convergence of official data, betting, streaming and marketing is rapidly changing the sports landscape across North America. Our technology is driving this convergence and at a time when Canada is embracing single-event sports betting, we are proud to have partnered with MEDIAPRO Canada to deliver the fan experiences of the future and grow Canadian soccer.”

Staying with Genius Sports, last week, the company expanded its partnership with Colombian soccer’s governing body, DIMAYOR.