NRL’s new official betting partner a fight between James Packer’s CrownBet and Paddy Power
IN one corner is Australia’s richest man. In the other is bookmaking giant Paddy Power and they are locked in a $50m betting showdown with the NRL.
Footy Form
Don't miss out on the headlines from Footy Form. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IN one corner is Australia’s richest man James Packer. In the other is Irish bookmaking giant Paddy Power and together they are locked in a $50 million betting showdown with the NRL.
Packer’s CrownBet wants to become rugby league’s official wagering partner and is prepared to pay whatever it takes.
“We’ll give the NRL more money than any other bookie can,” said CrownBet chief executive Matt Tripp, whose company is already the official wagering partner of the AFL and has digital rights to show matches live on their website.
The problem is the leviathan Irish bookmakers who own Sportsbet, Betfair and agencies across Europe are within 48 hours of locking in a $50 million five-year deal with the NRL.
Sportsbet have had the front-running because they are the current wagering partner.
A spokesman for the NRL said the wagering rights were not simply about the highest bid.
They are mindful of the over-exposure and backlash from the old Tom Waterhouse deal, when his odds and betting jargon were splashed across prime-time TV, forcing changes to Government legislation.
“We want to ensure that any partnership includes a commitment to responsible gambling programs and appropriate wagering promotions,” he said.
“If we get those assurances in place, we have an opportunity to generate significant funds for the game.”
Tripp says his company CrownBet can offer the best deal.
“We agree it’s not just about the dollars — we think we can ensure the NRL is best served through responsible gambling,” he said.
“We are supporters of the code through our Melbourne Storm and South Sydney affiliations and would like to think we’d make good partners given our track record in the wagering sector.
“We’re also the last of the Australian online wagering operators and given that we’d best serve and support an Australian community based code.”
The bookmaking agencies are prepared to pay $10 million per year because of the advertising opportunities that come with it.
The official wagering partner has first rights to advertise with the official broadcasters, in rugby league’s case Channel Nine and Fox Sports plus the radio networks.
Whatever happens it’s a huge victory for the NRL and struggling clubs to get an extra $50 million into the game through wagering sponsorship.
Originally published as NRL’s new official betting partner a fight between James Packer’s CrownBet and Paddy Power
Get your 2019 NRL tipping chart
Whether you’re getting the office together or just organising the family tipping competition, you’re going to need a tipping chart. We’ve got you covered. DOWNLOAD YOUR CHART HERE.
Storm’s new iceman sledges Cronk
WITH Cooper Cronk’s departure last season, Cameron Munster has emerged as Melbourne’s clutch hero in 2018, and the playmaker let his former teammate know all about his new-found talent.