Online Gaming company 188Bet is the official betting partner for Chelsea – England’s Premier League soccer club based in London. The gaming firm inked a three year deal focused on growing the soccer team’s brand in Asia. Peter Kenyon, Chelsea’s Chief Executive , said that the “multi-pound deal” would help Chelsea develop its business and went on to say, “Betting is a very large category and we spent over two years looking at the right partner.”
He stated that 188Bet’s “objective in developing its brand is very similar to Chelsea’s. There’s a committed marketing spend to the deal, focused on the Asia and Pacific territories, an area where we want to concentrate some of our international development.”
This isn’t the only big deal that 188Bet has signed recently. They also formed a similar deal with Aston Villa, another Premier League team. And shirt sponsorships are in place with Bolton and Wigan, fellow top-flight sides.
188Bet’s Chief Executive Officer, Andy Scott, told Reuters News Agency that, “’Betting and football are so intertwined socially and historically that it’s a great fit.”
He added, “’There is an appetite there because they see this is a genuine strategic partnership whereas in the past betting partners were seen very much as just a commercial sale. Chelsea’s reach throughout the World will allow 188Bet to fully establish itself throughout the UK and across all key markets.”
Chelsea’s CEO Peter Kenyon said, “Having just concluded a major extension with Samsung, we are delighted to have finalised another significant deal with a leading brand in 188Bet. Chelsea had a number of companies from this sector bidding to be our official betting partner but 188Bet were the right choice both financially and in terms of its ambitions and aspirations globally.”
Chelsea is rumored to be in the running to win the title for this year’s season after a third place finish last season – seven points behind Manchester United.
