A deal has been struck whereby 188Bet will sponsor Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. This deal will make them the first company to sponsor two Premier League clubs and Reebok and JJB Sports will be replaced in the process.
The start of the 2009/10 season will see 188Bet become the main sponsor of both clubs with all adult club shirts bearing its logo.
“We are looking for a unique opportunity to mark 188Bet’s first major foray in the UK market and feel that the collaborative engagement with both Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic shall help us to further grow the strength of our brand”, said 188Bet Chief Executive Andy Scott.
Until now 188Bet has been creating approximately 80% of its income on the Asian market but they are confident that this new deal will enable it to increase its profile in the UK and Europe.
Mansion, sponsor of Tottenham Hotspur is another online gambling firm to sponsor a Premier League football club while West Ham made a deal with SBOBET a few months ago.
160 jobs were lost a few months ago when Addidas closed its office at Boltons stadium. Reebock will, however, continue manufacturing Bolton’s kit and will also sponsor the club’s stadium until 2016.