Online gaming operator Unibet Group has agreed a three-year sponsorship deal with Australian National Rugby League (NRL) team Parramatta Eels through to the 2015 season.
Under the deal, Unibet branding will appear on the back of players’ jerseys. It is the first time Unibet has sponsored a sports club in Australia.
Property developer Dyldam has also signed up to become the team’s major sponsor. Collectively, the two deals are worth more than AUS$1 million (€700,000/$934,000), according to the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
“It’s all about long-term, sustainable success and we’re going down that route, it’s a great result for us today,” Parramatta chief executive officer Scott Seward said.
Seward also responded to concerns some fans may have about a gambling company sponsoring the team. He said the focus is on being proactive in tackling problem gambling.
“Unibet is an international partner, and they’ve got programmes in place for irregular gaming patterns and problem gambling, and that’s something we happily support, and we’ll play a part in helping them do that here,” he said.
