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Super League & Betfred extend record breaking partnership

Published

5 years ago

October 11, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Super League Europe and Betfred have announced a two-year extension to their existing partnership taking it through to the end of the 2023 season.

The extension of a deal that began ahead of the 2017 season will take the overall partnership to seven years, equalling the longest title partnership in Super League history.

Since the Betfred partnership began, there have been many unforgettable moments in the competition. The 2017 season saw Castleford Tigers overcome St Helens in golden point drama to reach the Grand Final, which saw Leeds Rhinos crowned Champions with Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire registering their eighth Grand Final victory.

The 2018 season saw current England head coach Shaun Wane bow out of his reign at Wigan Warriors with a Grand Final victory at Old Trafford, defeating Warrington Wolves.

Relegation drama in 2019 saw London Broncos go down on the last day of the season. Whilst Jackson Hastings and Salford Red Devils heroics got them to their first Grand Final but fell at the last hurdle to winners St Helens.

No one will be able to forget the drama of last year’s Grand Final with two legends of the game, Sean O’Loughlin and James Graham, bowing out in an empty stadium due to Covid-19 restrictions. The game was ultimately decided in the last seconds with Jack Welsby’s winning try to seal back-to-back Championships for St Helens.

Rhodri Jones, Super League chief commercial officer, said: “It’s great to be extending our successful partnership with Betfred. During this difficult period, they’ve been outstanding headline partners, and we can’t thank Fred and his team enough for their continued support. We look forward to continuing to work with them for the next two years. To have the support of someone like Fred who is so passionate about Super League and who shares our aspirations for its future is fantastic.”

Fred Done, Boss of Betfred, added: “The passion and enthusiasm shown by the fans, media and everybody involved in the game of rugby league is I believe, the essential reason this has proved such an enjoyable and rewarding sponsorship for Betfred and is why I had absolutely no hesitation in extending the Super League deal for at least a further two years.”

As part of the new sponsorship, Super League and Betfred will continue to support the ‘Gamble Responsible’ campaign, which is currently promoted at Super League games.

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

36 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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