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Sky Bet signs five-year title partnership extension with the English Football League
Sky Bet – part of Flutter Entertainment – has signed a record five-year partnership extension with the English Football League (EFL) that will see Sky Bet continue as the League’s title partner until the end of the 2028/29 campaign.
Building on a decade-long partnership, the new rights fee represents a 50% increase from Sky Bet, providing significant revenues for EFL Clubs and support for the League’s overriding objective to make Clubs financially sustainable across all divisions.
The deal will also see Sky Bet invest £1 million per season and £6 million in total into a Community Fund held by the EFL to be invested into communities across England and Wales where EFL Clubs are located. Sky Bet and the EFL will use the funding to deliver activity via the EFL Trust and the network of Club Community Organisations (CCOs), with the initiatives in focus to be mutually agreed by the organisations.
Having first been agreed in 2013, the partnership – one of the longest and most significant in UK professional sport – is centred around a clear Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations that sets out how to deliver our joint objectives in a socially responsible way. This has always and rightly placed safer gambling at its heart, while also establishing a framework that allows us to engage the millions of EFL fans and connect them with the teams, players, and communities that they passionately support.
The MoU will continue to put the protection of children and other vulnerable individuals at its heart with both Sky Bet and the EFL making a renewed commitment to its approach in the promotion of the product.
Examples within the MoU include:
- Sky Bet will not actively market themselves or their products in family areas of club stadiums or advertise to young fans
- The EFL will dedicate a proportion of its central inventory to promote safer gambling messaging and support Sky Bet’s safer gambling campaigns
- Sky Bet will fund a player education programme across the EFL’s 72 clubs that will focus on the potential dangers of gambling and provide support and advice
Both Sky Bet and the EFL will share learnings and insight from the partnership with Government, other sports and sector stakeholders to help inform the new sports sponsorship Code of Conduct which is being developed in accordance with the Gambling Act Review White Paper’s proposals.
Flutter recently welcomed the publication of the Gambling Act Review, which we see as a significant positive moment for the UK gambling sector, raising standards and bringing the regulatory framework into the digital age.
As part of the agreement, Sky Bet will continue as Official Title Partner of the Sky Bet EFL and Sky Bet Play-Offs on a worldwide basis. Sky Bet will also have rights to award the official Manager, Player and Goal of the Month awards as well as the seasonal ‘Golden Boot’ and ‘Golden Glove’ awards in each division.
Commenting, Steve Birch, Sky Bet Chief Commercial Officer, commented: “I’m extremely proud of Sky Bet’s ongoing partnership with the EFL and delighted to have reached today’s agreement. Football is central to who we are and it’s great to be able to support the game and provide investment for Clubs across the Pyramid.
I’m particularly delighted that we can go one step further today with the announcement of our Sky Bet EFL Community Fund, seeking to make a real difference for people across England and Wales.
As the recent Sky Bet Play-Off Finals demonstrated, the EFL is going from strength to strength with packed grounds and millions watching games here in the UK and around the world.
We are absolutely committed to Safer Gambling, and I’m delighted that our partnership with the EFL shows how responsible betting and gaming operators, and sporting organisations can work together to promote safer gambling and tackle the issue of gambling harm.”
Commenting, Trevor Birch, EFL Chief Executive said: “For over a decade, Sky Bet has been a valuable partner for EFL Clubs, offering sustained investment to help Clubs navigate a volatile financial landscape and ensure fans can enjoy fantastic footballing entertainment in every corner of the country.
We have consistently seen our partnership evolve to move with the times and with community at the heart of the EFL, a new community investment fund is perfectly aligned and will help strengthen the partnership’s commitment to social responsibility.
The Government’s recent Gambling White Paper highlighted the social responsibility measures that have accompanied our partnership with Sky Bet as being an example of good practice for the wider sports sector to learn from and we will look to deepen our commitment to the promotion of safer gambling as part of this extension.
On behalf of our Clubs we thank Sky Bet for its ongoing support to English football and we look forward to seeing our much-loved competition develop yet further with the additional certainty this investment provides.”
GR8 Tech has been awarded Best Platform Provider 2026 at the SiGMA Eurasia Awards, reaffirming its position as a leading technology partner for casino and sportsbook operators worldwide.
The recognition highlights the company’s ability to deliver a stable, high-performance platform that enables rapid market entry and seamless scalability across regulated and emerging markets.
The award reflects GR8 Tech’s Platform for Champions philosophy—a full-stack iGaming platform engineered for speed, flexibility, and reliability under peak operational loads. Designed to support both casino and sportsbook businesses, the platform allows operators to configure, localize, and scale efficiently while maintaining consistent performance across jurisdictions.
A key driver behind the win is GR8 Tech’s recently launched Crypto Turnkey solution, which combines a comprehensive sportsbook and casino offering with native multi-wallet functionality. This solution enables operators to enter crypto-friendly markets faster, streamline payments, and offer modern betting experiences tailored to evolving player preferences.
Commenting on the achievement, Sergey Ghazaryan, Chief Revenue Officer at GR8 Tech, said:
“Awards are meaningful when they reflect real-world performance. This recognition confirms that operators can rely on our platform when entering new markets and scaling under pressure. The Platform for Champions is built to perform when it matters most, and we’ll continue delivering the competitive advantages our partners need to succeed locally and globally.”
The Best Platform Provider 2026 title follows GR8 Tech’s recent accolade as Best Software Supplier of the Year at the European iGaming Awards, further cementing the company’s reputation as a top-tier iGaming technology provider.
With a focus on rapid integration, smart localization, and long-term scalability, GR8 Tech continues to set new benchmarks for platform performance and innovation in the global iGaming industry. Operators looking to launch faster and scale with confidence can explore GR8 Tech’s award-winning Platform for Champions through personalized demos and consultations.
The post GR8 Tech Named Best Platform Provider 2026 at SiGMA Eurasia Awards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
brand sponsorship Brazil
Esportes da Sorte Becomes Official Sponsor of Brazil’s Biggest Carnival Celebrations in 2026
Esportes da Sorte, one of Brazil’s leading iGaming brands, has announced a major nationwide sponsorship for Carnival 2026, securing an official presence at the country’s most iconic and culturally significant celebrations.
The initiative marks one of the most extensive Carnival activation projects ever undertaken by a gaming company in Brazil.
For Carnival 2026, Esportes da Sorte will serve as an official sponsor in seven Brazilian capitals: Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Natal, and Maceió. In addition, the brand will have a strong presence in Olinda, a city internationally recognized for its cultural heritage, along with targeted activations in Caicó (Rio Grande do Norte), a key production hub for the company’s promotional materials.
This nationwide project reflects Esportes da Sorte’s long-term commitment to Brazilian popular culture and its continued investment in community-based celebrations across multiple regions. The 2026 Carnival strategy has been developed city by city, embracing the diversity of Carnival expressions—from traditional street blocos and electric trios to large-scale urban stages—while adapting visual identity, messaging, and experiences to local traditions and cultural narratives.
Darwin Filho, CEO of Esportes Gaming Brasil, emphasized the cultural importance of the initiative:
“Carnival is part of Brazil’s identity and has always been part of Esportes da Sorte’s journey. Being present at the country’s main Carnival celebrations reinforces our long-term commitment to Brazilian culture, to the cities, and to the people who bring this festival to life in the streets.”
Marcela Campos, Vice President of Esportes Gaming Brasil, highlighted the localized approach behind the project: “Our Carnival strategy was carefully designed for each city, respecting its unique traditions and cultural characteristics. The goal is to create authentic experiences for Carnival-goers and integrate the brand organically into each celebration—whether through blocos, electric trios, or major urban hubs.”
Beyond on-the-ground activations, Esportes da Sorte’s Carnival 2026 campaign includes a comprehensive media and engagement strategy. The initiative will feature coordinated activations across television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and a national public relations campaign before, during, and after Carnival. Content creation and influencer partnerships will further amplify reach, capturing behind-the-scenes moments and authentic Carnival experiences across multiple locations.
Following its presence in more than 100 blocos and street parties during Carnival 2025, Esportes da Sorte is significantly expanding its footprint for 2026. The nationwide sponsorship solidifies the brand’s leadership role at Brazil’s largest cultural event and strengthens its positioning at the intersection of entertainment, culture, and gaming.
The post Esportes da Sorte Becomes Official Sponsor of Brazil’s Biggest Carnival Celebrations in 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Tuesday 10th February 2026: Leading Brazilian iGaming company Esportes da Sorte will deliver one of the most extensive Carnival activations in the industry for Carnival 2026, with an official presence at the country’s most iconic and emblematic celebrations.
The brand will serve as the official sponsor of festivities in seven Brazilian capitals — Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Natal and Maceió — as well as having a strong presence in Olinda, a city of major cultural significance. The national project will also include special activations in Caicó (RN), a key production hub for the brand’s promotional merchandise.
This initiative reflects Esportes da Sorte’s continued investment in Brazilian popular culture, built over several years across different regions of the country. In 2026, this positioning takes shape through a structured national project that embraces the diversity of Carnival formats — from traditional street blocos to electric trios and major urban stages — with visual identity and activations designed city by city, respecting local symbols, aesthetics and narratives.
“Carnival is part of Brazil’s cultural identity and also part of Esportes da Sorte’s journey. Being present at the country’s main Carnival celebrations is a strategic choice that reinforces our long-term commitment to popular culture, to the cities, and to the people who live this festival in the streets,” said Darwin Filho, CEO of Esportes Gaming Brasil.
“Our Carnival project was designed city by city, respecting the unique characteristics and culture of each sponsored location. The idea is to ensure a real presence and unique experiences for Carnival-goers, integrating the brand organically into the rhythm of each celebration. Whether through blocos, trios or major urban hubs, we want to strengthen ourselves as the brand that elevates the connection between culture and entertainment,” said Marcela Campos, Vice President of Esportes Gaming Brasil.
Beyond its on-the-ground presence, Esportes da Sorte’s Carnival 2026 strategy includes an integrated media and engagement approach, featuring activations across TV, radio, out-of-home media and a national PR operation before, during and after the festivities, focused on high-quality coverage and organic content generation.
The project will also include content and influencer engagement initiatives across multiple locations, expanding organic reach while capturing behind-the-scenes moments and Carnival experiences.
In 2025, the brand was present in more than 100 blocos and street parties across different regions of the country. For 2026, Esportes da Sorte is taking things to the next level, consolidating a nationwide project and reinforcing its leadership role in Brazil’s largest popular event.
The post Esportes da Sorte to be official sponsor of Brazil’s leading Carnival celebrations in 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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