International online betting brand Betway has signed a three-year partnership with German football club VfB Stuttgart. 

The deal makes the Super Group-owned betting brand the premium partner of the club and provides it with activation rights. Stuttgart’s home stadium, the Mercedes-Benz Arena, will also feature Betway branding on LED screens and cam carpets. 

Five-time national champions VfB Stuttgart are one of the most successful clubs in the Bundesliga, and the partnership will provide significant exposure to the club’s fans both at home and internationally. 

Anthony Werkman, Betway CEO, said: “This agreement reflects our ambitions as a brand, as the Bundesliga is recognised around the world as one of the biggest football leagues. We’re delighted to have further association with it for Betway, a brand that is synonymous with the highest-profile sports and teams around the globe. Stuttgart finished in the top half of the Bundesliga last season and we’re looking forward to working with the club as they strive for further success in Germany’s top flight.”  

Thomas Hitzlsperger, VFB Chairman of the Board of Management, added: “Our partnership has proven successful for both sides, even in a challenging time for soccer. We are therefore very pleased that Betway is expanding its commitment to VfB and look forward to a long-term collaboration.”

Staying with top-flight German football and Betway, last week the brand was named the official betting partner of Eintracht Frankfurt.

The return of in-person conferences and trade shows marks an important step back towards ‘business as usual’, but ever-changing travel restrictions mean people are understandably wary of buying tickets for events they may end up being unable to attend. To remove some of that uncertainty, SBC has introduced a Book With Confidence refund plan for its SBC Summit Barcelona event.

SBC Summit Barcelona, at Fira de Barcelona Montjuic on 21-24 September 2021, will be the biggest international event for the sports betting and igaming industry for more than 18 months, and there is huge interest in attending among operators, affiliates, suppliers, regulators, and the media.

With CasinoBeats Summit in Malta earlier this month, SBC demonstrated that it can hold a successful event in COVID-safe conditions and enable the exchange of ideas, networking and business conversations that make conferences and exhibitions so valuable.

While an event organiser can control conditions inside the conference rooms, on the exhibition floor and at networking venues, it cannot manage governments’ policies on travel restrictions – which is why SBC has introduced its Book With Confidence promise.

It means that delegates can claim a full refund for their SBC Summit Barcelona pass if circumstances change and they are unable to attend. They simply have to request the refund at any time up to 14 days before the event.

The promise is designed to ensure that anyone who finds that their country’s international travel or quarantine regulations change after booking their pass is not left out of pocket. Similarly, if the authorities in Spain impose restrictions that make it difficult for a delegate to attend, they will not lose out.

Alternatively, delegates who find they are unable to attend will be able to transfer their ticket to a colleague free of charge. This can be done at any time up to 24 hours before the event.

Dennis Algreen, Marketing Director for SBC, said: “We’re living in a time when travel plans can all too easily be derailed by changes to regulations and we wanted to ensure that our terms and conditions are suitable for the unique circumstances of 2021. And, more importantly, that we treated people fairly.

“SBC’s Book With Confidence initiative is designed to do that. It means that anyone who wishes to learn from the expertise of the speakers, make valuable new connections and meet prospective clients at SBC Summit Barcelona can book their pass safe in the knowledge that if circumstances change, they are entitled to a full refund.”

SBC Summit Barcelona, the global betting and igaming show, will bring together industry stakeholders from around the world for a high-level conference that examines the key issues influencing the future direction of the industry, an exhibition featuring the latest innovations for 100 leading suppliers, and a full programme of networking events.

A handful of Super Early Bird tickets remain at just €295, a saving of €200 on the full price and the lowest price that event passes will be available for.

Sports fan engagement and gamification specialist Sport Buff has announced a multi-season partnership with Blocksport, the world’s largest sports NFT aggregation system. 

The two companies will collaborate to deliver NFTs to Sport Buff’s interactive overlay, offering a unique experience for users to access the NFT world directly over the top of sports content.

Sport Buff’s next-generation technology enables unique video overlays to deliver fully interactive and engaging gamification, in real-time, in the form of predictions, polls, trivia, ratings, and more, enabling fans to play with and against their friends. 

Digital assets, in the form of NFTs (non-fungible tokens), offer sports teams, personalities, and leagues ways to monetise their own profile and give fans a compelling way of interacting with their idols. 

Benn Achilleas, Founder & CEO of Sport Buff, said: “Sport Buff is always at the forefront of audience participation and innovation. Combining our gamification platform with Blocksport is a perfect way for fans to compete for NFTs and build their collection game after game, race after race, throughout the season”

Vladimir Liulka, Co-founder CEO at Blocksport, added: “Blocksport empowers sports partners to form deeper connections with their communities and fans through digital collectibles. We’re excited about our partnership with Sport Buff as an entirely new way to bring NFT collectibles to leading sports brands and their fans”.

Staying with sports and NFTs, yesterday Chiliz-owned Socios.com saw Valencia CF launch its $VCF Fan Token Offering.

USA TODAY NETWORK is partnering with Tipico to leverage the power of more than 250 daily local sites across the USA. 

The media network, which is owned by Gannett Co., Inc., consists of hundreds of local sites including The Indy Star and Detroit Free Press, along with the USA TODAY Sports Media Group, and provides in-depth sports coverage across the country, with over 200 additional sports sites in the portfolio, including For The Win, Golfweek, and MMA Junkie. 

In total, Gannett has more than 500 respected sports journalists covering both professional and college sports and writing for dedicated NFL, NBA, and college football sites, including HoopsHype, Broncos Wire, Rockets Wire, and Buckeyes Wire. 

Additionally, the company is planning to invest in talent across product and editorial divisions to develop new, innovative experiences and content for its sports readers. It will also be leveraging its live events and promotions division, USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, to help drive awareness and activations during popular sports seasons.

Product integrations are expected to commence in August to complement the start of the NFL season, with USA TODAY Sports Media Group audiences across digital platforms experiencing new integrations powered by Tipico Sportsbook’s betting odds. 

For residents in Colorado and New Jersey, where Tipico operations will be live this fall, readers will experience a seamless integration with Tipico’s Sportsbook. Visitors to any other USA TODAY Sports Media Group sites will find listings of sports betting odds and sports betting content, along with iGaming, free-to-play games, and sweepstakes. 

Readers of USA Today and many local newspapers within the network will also find Tipico betting odds within the Sports section. 

Michael Reed, Gannett Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, explained: “Our highly engaged audience of more than 46 million sports fans crave analysis, betting insights, odds and unique features which we will provide with our Tipico alliance. Tipico adds incredible expertise from their European operations and next generation product capabilities, which offer our sports enthusiasts and local consumers a way to become even more invested in the games and sports they care about.”

Adrian Vella, Tipico U.S. Chief Executive Officer, added: “We are thrilled to gain exclusive access to Gannet’s portfolio of iconic brands and premium digital properties. Integrating their leading media properties with Tipico Sportsbook marks an important moment as we begin our acceleration in the U.S. Gannett’s best-in-class editorial operations and massive local footprint, partnered with Tipico’s game changing technology, including end-to-end proprietary sports betting and iGaming products, will offer U.S. fans a slam dunk combination.”

AYO.NEWS says:

This is clearly a huge deal for Tipico, immediately giving it a massive footprint across the United States, and will also help the USA TODAY NETWORK remain relevant as the various US gambling markets mature. 

Spanish football club Valencia CF has launched its $VCF Fan Token Offering (FTO®) on the Socios.com fan engagement and rewards app. 

The $VCF FTO® went live at 13:00 CEST today, with 1,000,000 Fan Tokens priced at €2 each available. Once the initial supply is gone, $VCF Fan Tokens will be available at a price set by the market. 

Fan Tokens are collectible assets, minted on the Chiliz blockchain, that give owners access to voting rights in polls, VIP rewards, exclusive promotions, AR-enabled features, chat forums, games, and competitions on Socios.com. 

Details on the first polls, rewards, and engagement activity for $VCF Fan Token holders will be revealed shortly after the FTO® ends. 

Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Chiliz and Socios.com, said: “We made history when we announced that Valencia CF would become the first team ever to mark the launch of their Fan Token by promoting it from front of the jersey.

“We’re now continuing this exciting partnership with the much anticipated launch of the $VCF Fan Token, which will allow millions of Valencianistas across the world to embrace the engagement opportunities offered by Fan Tokens and the Socios.com app”.

Staying with Socios.com, yesterday the platform announced a partnership with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Caesars Entertainment has signed an exclusive 20-year deal with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints that will see the team’s home stadium rebranded as the Caesars Superdome. 

In addition to hosting all the Saints’ home games, the Caesars Superdome will also host the Super Bowl LIX in February 2025, the 2022 NCAA Men’s Final Four College Football playoffs, the annual Sugar Bowl, and College Football Playoff contests. The stadium is also a popular venue for concerts and other large events.  

As the stadium rebrands, it is also benefiting from a US$450M renovation, designed to ensure the facility remains a competitive venue for the next 15-20 years. 

Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, commented: “All of us at Caesars are proud to be part of New Orleans’ vibrant culture. We understand that the Superdome is more than an iconic venue, it’s the symbol of a resilient and innovative community. We’ve had a strong relationship with the New Orleans Saints for nearly two decades and we are thrilled with the opportunity to strengthen it and celebrate our commitment to the city, the state, and the entire Gulf Coast region.”

New Orleans Saints Owner, Gayle Benson, added: “This partnership sends a strong message about the positive future for the New Orleans Saints, Caesars Entertainment, and the entire state of Louisiana. Caesars is in the midst of creating a first-class multi-million-dollar entertainment facility in downtown New Orleans; this significant investment also demonstrates the strength of their commitment to our state and region. We are proud to partner with a company that is dedicated to the economic growth of our city, state and region.”

Over the last five years, Caesars has contributed more than $30M to community non-profits and services in Louisiana, and is also currently investing $325M to transform Harrah’s New Orleans into Caesars New Orleans.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, said: “Having faced a very trying 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic, this is wonderful news to see that two iconic brands like the Saints and Caesars are partnering on a long-term business deal that will not only benefit New Orleans, but the entire State. I congratulate Mrs. Benson and her team on securing this partnership. The Caesars Superdome is an iconic building, globally recognized and I am certain that Caesars will be very pleased having their name on the building that will be hosting future Super Bowls, Final Fours, and Essence Festivals, to name a few.”