Half of the soccer clubs that play in Spain’s soccer league First Division, known as LaLiga, have signed regional agreements with sports betting operators outside the Spanish market and pertaining to Asia or Latin America.
According to a report by the Spanish media Palco 23, at least 10 of the 20 teams that make up LaLiga have signed this type of agreement – known as regional sponsors – with Real Betis, a team based in the city of Seville, being the one that has signed the most agreements with the operators Olybet, RB88, Vwin and, most recently, RojaBet.
In a brief statement, the Sevillian club said that, through the agreement with RojaBet, “the club strengthens its position and interest in the Latin American market, which has always been a priority given its close ties through its many fans and players in that region.
The sports betting operator said: “It is with great joy and excitement that we welcome Real Betis Balompié to the RojaBet family. We are proud to be part of one of the biggest clubs in Europe alongside captain Bravo and engineer Pellegrini,” referring to the goalkeeper of the Chilean national soccer team and the country’s technical director.
Likewise, Palco 23 referred to the regional agreements signed by the Asian operator Wolf777 with the clubs RCD Mallorca, Getafe FC, Real Valladolid, and RC Celta de Vigo, so that the company can use the image of the teams in that continent.
The above-mentioned media, further stated that Real Madrid FC currently has regional agreements with the sportsbooks Sportybet and Codere, while FC Barcelona has one with operator 1XBet.
They added that Atletico Madrid has a regional alliance with Chinese bookmaker Ayx, while Osasuna CA has entered into a similar agreement with Bet365, and Villarreal CF, with operator Fifo 88.
According to the reported news, sources in the sector have stated that “there are some big teams that can take advantage of such agreements due to their knowledge and fame outside the country, but there are many others for which it does not contribute much because they do not really have that type of reach”.
Meanwhile, the news further said that this wave of regional agreements with bookmakers outside Spain takes place within the framework of the Royal Decree that prohibits the broadcasting of advertising of sportsbooks or games of chance during prime time on television.
Finally, they pointed out that, according to LaLiga, this decree that banned sportsbooks from sponsoring soccer clubs caused a loss of EUR 90 million and led some teams to start last season’s tournament without main sponsors.
