Integrated payments platform Paysafe has announced a partnership with white label turnkey gaming solution provider Amelco. 

The collaboration will see Amelco integrate Paysafe’s unified payments technology into its account management platform to provide US sportsbook clients with a full suite of traditional and alternative payment methods, through a single streamlined interface. 

Discussing the partnership Director of Business Development for iGaming at Paysafe, Gregory Kirstein, said:

“Our partnership with Amelco represents an important opportunity for Paysafe to expand our footprint in the U.S. iGaming and sports betting space and reflects the importance of developing cutting-edge solutions for the market’s player account management systems. We look forward to collaborating with their team, providing guidance on best practices and working to deliver a reliable and secure customer payment experience.”

While Head of USA at Amelco, Brandon Walker, added:

“We’re very happy to be working with Paysafe to provide our U.S. sportsbook clients and their respective customers with a broad selection of integrated payment options, along with the flexibility to add new methods as needed. As Amelco continues its U.S. expansion, it is important that we establish partnerships that help us meet the need for trustworthy turnkey solutions, which is something that Paysafe is uniquely equipped to provide from a payments perspective.”

Founded in 2006, Amelco has grown its presence in the global gaming space, launching its first sportsbook in 2010, and a multi-tenant white label sportsbook in 2017. Over the past two-years, the company has expanded in regulated US markets, receiving a New Jersey software supplier license in 2018, followed by market entries in Colorado, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Tennessee. 

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Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué and ex Coca-Cola VP Emmanuel Seugé have invested €3M in blockchain-based fantasy football and collectibles platform Sorare. 

The €3M invested between Piqué and Seugé, who invested through his Cassius family fund, brings the total now raised by Sorare from seed investment to €7M. 

Sorare has seen card sales volume grow by more than 1,000% during the course of 2020, and welcomed 80 clubs to the platform, including Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Porto, and Zenit, with more set to join before 2020 is through. 

Piqué is founder and chair of Barcelona-based Kosmos Holding, which invests in “impactful ventures that challenge the status quo” in sports and entertainment. In addition to the investment, he’ll also be taking his place on the Sorare board as a Strategic Advisor, alongside Christian Miele, co-founder Nicolas Julia, and co-founder Adrien Montfort.

Commenting on the investment, Chairman of Kosmos, Gerard Piqué, said:

“I see a huge potential in the sports gaming segment in a digital economy where the attention of audiences is the single most important unit of currency. I’m looking forward to helping Sorare  expand their partnerships with football leagues, clubs, and players worldwide to build the best fantasy experience that exists.”

While Sorare CEO, Nicolas Julia, added:

“Gerard is not only one of the best defenders in the world but he is also an active entrepreneur and is re-defining the sports and entertainment industry. The strategic counsel and business acumen Gerard brings to our board is invaluable. I’m excited to have him join our team to unlock people’s football fandom online with Sorare.”

Headquartered in Paris, Sorare offers fans the ability to unlock their football fandom online, by creating an open world of games with digital cards, where people can express their affiliation with a club or player, build identities and relationships, and take advantage of entirely new economic opportunities. 

Sorare uses blockchain technology to ensure the integrity and scarcity of the cards, which are all fully-licensed, and addresses a market at the intersection of fantasy football and sports cards and memorabilia – markets respectively estimated to be worth $5.4B and $18.6B globally. 

In 2020, the platform added 50,000 users, and expects to more than triple that in 2021. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Sorare’s product is so compelling for fans because it offers the thrill and engagement of fantasy football, along with the investment and economic possibilities offered by non-fungible token (NFT) based collectibles. Of course, from the clubs’ perspective, it’s also a fantastic way to drive loyalty and engagement, while opening up a whole new revenue stream. 

The question is, does Sorare’s blend of fantasy and collecting have a more sustainable future than other blockchain-based engagement platforms offering Fan Tokens and voting rights, like Socios.com from Chiliz? Or, maybe there’s even room for them both to exist? After all,some clubs, including Atletico Madrid and AS Roma, have partnered with both.

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020.

VulkanBet  is the latest betting operator to exit the Russian market ahead of the expected introduction of a controversial new gambling tax.

The site has stopped accepting all new wagers and customer registrations, and has promised to honour all obligations to both players and contractors by 31 December. 

In a statement VulkanBet sait that it will continue to monitor the situation in Russia, and isn’t ruling out the possibility of returning in the future, but for now it will “focus its development on markets with more loyal conditions for conducting betting business.”

VulkanBet spokesperson, Anna Dmitrieva, said that the proposed legislation, which is due for its second reading in the Duma on 22 December, contained details that aroused suspicion and did not give the company confidence in the future of the Russian betting market. 

Elaborating, Dmitrieva pointed out that the company had already sponsored several Russian esports teams and tournaments, and an amateur football league, and that it had been prepared to increase its contributions, but not to the extent the new tax would involve. 

AYO.NEWS says:

This once again demonstrates that, just like overregulation, over taxation does cause gambling operators to vote with their feet and leave major markets. And, the end losers? The state treasury and the very causes the politicians claimed to be supporting with the tax hikes. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020.

British bookmaker Betfred is teaming up with all three England teams for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

The betting operator will be supporting England’s Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair teams, with its logo featured on jerseys throughout the tournament, which is planned to take place through October and November 2021. 

Host cities are set to include London, Leeds, Sheffield, and Newcastle – where the Men’s opener between England and Samoa will be held at St. James’ Park. 

Betfred has a long association with rugby, having been title sponsor of the Super League since 2017, and supporting the Championship, League 1, and the Women’s Super League. 

Commenting on the sponsorship Betfred owner, Fred Done, said:

“Following our very successful association with Rugby League at all levels in recent years, Betfred are delighted to become an official partner of the England Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair teams for the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.”

While chief commercial officer of the Rugby Football League, Mark Foster, added:

“Betfred have been outstanding sponsors for Rugby League for the last four years and it’s fantastic that they will now extend that support to our England teams in 2021.

“It’s such an exciting time for our Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair teams as they prepare to play World Cups on home soil.”

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s great to see Betfred continue to support Rugby League, and get behind all 3 England teams for the 2021 World Cup. Let’s just hope that the COVID-19 crisis is behind us by then, and fans can once again enjoy the action at stadiums. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020.

Betting content provider Betbazar has partnered with automated sports betting and media content production system BETEGY. 

The collaboration will enable Betbazar clients to deliver personalised content to their customers, helping to grow both audience and revenue. 

Commenting on the news CEO & Founder of BETEGY, Alex Kornilov, said:

“I believe that every company has its key specialisation and stellar set of skills. Creating partnerships is all about bringing the best of every party to the table and grow together. And this is precisely the type of collaboration I am happy to announce today. 

“Betbazar’s experience in creating relationships with industry leaders helps BETEGY to leverage product orientation and focus on building the best solutions for our clients. It is good to know that we have a strong partner to go above and beyond.”

While CEO at Betbazar, Olexandr Iaroshenko, added:

“I’m very excited to have BETEGY as a partner! This kind of partnership is what Betbazar aimed to build in the future and this cooperation is a great start. Marketing tools provided by BETEGY combine innovation, usability, fast results and traction – criteria of successful product. I’m sure that we will be able to bring this product to new markets and clients!”

BETEGY was founded in 2012, and turns sports data into engaging graphics, animations, banners, widgets, and texts. Its current client list includes ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Kicker, Sportsbet, Bwin, Tipico, Ringer Axel Springer and many other well-known brands. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020.

SBC Leaders, the new association for the betting and gaming industry’s most influential operators, has announced its initial membership list. 

The invitation-only group provides a forum for the leadership teams of its members to connect and share ideas, collaborate on major issues, and promote the industry as a positive sector for both employees and players.

The international operators that comprise SBC Leaders membership at launch are Bet365, Betcris, Betsson Group, Entain, FanDuel, Kaizen Gaming, Kindred Group, Novibet, Pinnacle, PointsBet, Rush Street Interactive, William Hill, and 12Bet. 

Members were selected based on achievements in the fields of safer gambling and customer care, product and technology innovation, and corporate social responsibility, along with new market development and revenue growth. 

Kelly Kehn, SBC’s Global Relationships Director, said:

“It’s fantastic that so many of the world’s biggest operators have taken the opportunity to join SBC Leaders and, in doing so, connect with their peers and contribute to the conversation about the key issues affecting the future of the industry.

“We have a lot planned for SBC Leaders in 2021, including adding more members from both the ranks of innovative operators and the national trade associations that represent operators in discussions with legislators and regulators.” 

Being a member of SBC Leaders is a mark of excellence and includes benefits such as private lounge access and networking opportunities at SBC events, exclusive social occasions, and an annual SBC Leaders event. 

The first of the exclusive networking sessions took place at last week’s Betting on Sports America – Digital conference and expo, when SBC Leaders members connected with The Innovation Group’s prestigious Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 Class of 2021 to discuss the future of online betting and gaming. 

SBC Leaders will receive a dedicated bi-monthly magazine focused on the latest developments in the global gaming industry and beyond. The latest issue is available to read here.

A new SBC Leaders Podcast is also being launched, featuring intimate discussions with senior executives, which will provide viewers with a chance to get to know the people behind the success of the industry’s biggest companies.  

For further information about SBC Leaders and its plans for 2021, please contact Kelly Kehn, Global Relationships Director @ kelly.kehn@sbcgaming.com.