May
15th

188Bet First for Soccer Shirt Sponsorship

188Bet, an online gaming firm, has struck a deal to sponsor Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers making them the first company to sponsor two Premier League clubs. They will be replacing JJB Sports and Reebok.

At the start of the 2009/10 season 188Bet will become the main sponsor of the two clubs and all adult club shirts will bear its brand logo.

At present the in-play football betting specialist is mostly focused on the Asian market where approximately 80% of its revenues are generated.

Andy Scott, Chief Executive of 188Bet said “We are looking for a unique opportunity to mark 188Bet’s first major foray in the UK market”. He feels that this deal will enable it to raise its profile in the UK as well as in Europe.

188Bet is based in the Isle of Man and is not the first online gambling firm to sponsor Premier League football clubs. Mansion, based in Gibraltar is the sponsor of Tottenham Hotspur while West Ham made a deal with SBOBET last December.

Addidas has closed its office at Boltons stadium earlier this year and 160 jobs were lost as a result thereof. However, Reebok will still manufacture Bolton’s kit and will continue to sport the club’s stadium until 2016.

Chairman Dave Whelan of Wigan sold his share in JJB Sports and has changed the name of Wigan’s ground from the JJB Stadium to the DW Stadium. Wigan is looking for a new sponsor for its shirts.

JJB were forced to close over 100 shops last year due to the present economic situation.

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