AFL signs monster gambling partnership
The AFL (Australian Football League) signed a yearly €4.9 million gambling partnership deal with BetEasy, that will run for up to five years.
Australia.- A safe gaming industry can benefit a lot from sports leagues involvement. That’s why the AFL and its new gambling deal it’s a major success in the country.
The Australian Football League will close a €4.9 million (yearly) deal with BetEasy, its official partner. The agreement may last between 3-5 years and has sparked some controversy anyway.
However, the main actors in the sport seem to be on board with it, like Magpies coach Nathan Buckley. He actually criticised penalising players betting on themselves and yet getting profit from it.
“There is a bit of an irony in penalising someone for gambling but then receiving money for it,” he said.
Still, there are some negative comments on the AFL and its gambling involvement.
“The AFL will abandon their right to moral leadership in the community,” Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman Tim Costello said. “These ads groom our kids to become addicts and exploit their love of their football heroes.”
The Stars Group takes a bite
The Stars Group has announced that it has reached an agreement with the minority shareholders of BetEasy, its Australian-based sports betting business, to acquire the remaining 20% interest in the company for €92.9 million.
As part of this agreement, The Stars Group also agreed to pay €61.5 million to settle the previously disclosed performance payment under the agreements for its 2018 acquisition of the initial 80% interest.
“I’m delighted to reach this agreement for our BetEasy business,” said Rafi Ashkenazi, Chief Executive Officer of The Stars Group. “The launch of BetEasy through our acquisitions of CrownBet and William Hill Australia in 2018 created one of the leading operators in Australia and increased our exposure to a high-growth regulated market. Matt Tripp’s entrepreneurial spirit and vision has guided BetEasy since he founded the business and we are glad he will oversee the transition as non-executive President.”
