Global Sports Betting Roundup: Ronaldo Nazario Named Brand Ambassador for Betfair

While sports betting opportunities around the globe are entering their summer lull, industry news from around the world doesn't seem to be slowing down. Wimbledon continues to capture the eyes of the sports viewing world, but there has been plenty going on behind the scenes.

As it did last week, sportsbook expansion dominated the industry side of the global sports betting news cycle. And… COVID-19 has reared its ugly head in yet another major sports betting country.

Let’s take a peek at the headlines that grabbed our attention for this week’s Global Sports Betting Roundup.

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BetFred Expands South African Presence

British bookmaker BetFred has expanded its South African reach thanks to their acquisition of the majority share of LottoStar. It is a big coup for BetFred who now control what is recognized as one of Africa's largest online betting providers… and the largest in South Africa.

The LottoStar news comes on the heels of BetFred's purchase of another South African gambling provider, Betting World. That deal increased BetFred's presence to 53 shops around the country.

BetFred has not been shy about their global expansion and looks as though they aren't done. They have been in on a couple of U.S. jurisdictions like Arizona and Louisiana and have been partnering up with European sports entities as well.

Sportradar Launches Innovative ORAKO

Sportradar has officially launched ORAKO, a product described as "an all-in-one sports betting solution for betting operators looking to introduce a sports betting offering or enhance an existing one."

Sportradar will use its global reach to help new providers launch new sites while getting up to speed quickly thanks to Sportradar’s impressive suite of technology, products and tools needed for swift integration of sports betting products into new markets.

ORAKO is also designed to aid existing sportsbooks in the upgrade of their overall experience.

ORAKO is a one-stop-shop solution for the launch and management of sports betting providers. It is just the latest product for a growing sports betting data provider with huge expansion plans.

NeoGames Enters Brazilian Market

NeoGames has reached an agreement to enter the Brazilian market through a partnership deal it signed this past week with Intralot do Brasil. NeoGames will begin to offer iLottery and iGaming services in Brazil. NetGames’ sports betting will be through BtoBet.

It is NeoGames' first foray into the Brazilian market and is just the latest expansion step by a company that hasn't been shy about their global expansion plans of late.

ParlayBay Launched in Indian Market

ParlayBay, the global sports betting provider, has been added to the list of companies that have expanded their global presence in the last seven days. ParlayBay will bring their innovative sports betting titles and a host of cricket games to the Indian market thanks to a content delivery agreement with INDIBET.

As the name suggests, ParlayBay brings a new type of betting format to the Indian market with a new menu of gaming options and a focus on quick turnaround for bets and other social engagement opportunities. Games such as STREAK, BOSS, GEKKO, CUT and RUSH, are aimed at creating  a “player-centric entertainment experience.”

In other ParlayBay news, the company this week partnered with FINNPLAY to provide it with betting content including football, basketball, cricket, esports, handball and volleyball. The company, like their INDIBET deal, will bring innovative gambling experience of their games STREAK, BOSS, GEKKO, CUT and RUSH to the sports betting provider.

Besides INDIBET and FINNBET, ParlayBay has signed deals with Decimal Data Services and FRID Esports this month alone.

BetMakers to Distribute Penn National Race Content Internationally

Australian based BetMakers was chosen to distribute Penn National Gaming’s racing content outside of North America. Starting July 1, BetMakers gained the right to 946 races that Penn National covers per year.

It was a natural fit for BetMakers, a company that already possesses an impressive global network of racing content. Penn National’s North American content will be distributed to more than 30 countries that BetMakers has a presence in and adds to BetMakers’ impressive stable of growing racing content.

Genius Sports Partners with Czech-based Tipsport

The theme of global expansion for sports betting providers continued Thursday with the announcement that Genius Sports had entered into an agreement with Czech-based Tipsport. According to the deal, Genius Sports will provide its elite pre-match, live data and live trading solutions to the sports betting provider.

Upgrades to betting opportunities and wagering content such as real-time feeds and faster pricing capabilities on such leagues as the Premier League (EPL), Euroleague and National Football League (NFL) will come to Tipsport.

Genius Sports top-notch data solutions is a good get for Tipsport, which like most global sports betting entities, is in a battle at home to separate themselves from intense competition.

BetBull Ceasing Operations

UK-based BetBull, which was designed to compete in the UK and other European markets will end their run as a global sports betting provider, effective July 3. The company had stopped taking applications on June 20.

It is a rare failure by a sportsbook in the exploding global gambling scene. Even with Wynn Resorts acquiring a controlling stake in BetBull in 2020, the brand was never really in a position to succeed.

Absent is a concrete reason behind the failure. But it is clear that BetBull couldn't stand the heat and couldn't break through in the ultra-competitive European market.

Ronaldo Signs on as Betfair Brand Ambassador

Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazario was announced as the latest brand ambassador for global sports betting giant Betfair International. The deal became official today, June 30th which coincides with the 20 year anniversary of Brazil's last World Cup.

The timing of the deal is no coincidence. Betfair international hopes to be a big player in World Cup Betting when the tournament kicks off in Qatar later this year. Ronaldo joins former teammate Rivaldo as Betfair brand ambassadors.

UK Tweaks Policy on Management of Licenses

Obtaining a gambling license in the UK is going through some minor changes. According to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) the shift is part of an effort to change "our working practices to make the best use of our resources."

Instead of having one dedicated person that a potential licensee will have to go through, four subgroups will work on applications with the aim of expediting and streamlining the process.

The Operating License New Group, the Change of Corporate Control Group, the Operating License Vary Group, and the Personal License group have been formed to carry out any future licensing requests.

Macau's COVID Crisis

COVID_19 is finally hitting Macau and is predictably affecting the gambling business in that country. Similar to what happened in most global wagering hotspots, Macau is being forced to introduce additional COVID-19 measures for its citizens and tourists. Obviously, Macau’s huge gambling industry will be adversely affected.

A new outbreak last week has prompted the closure of nonessential businesses across the country. Macau’s bread-and-butter casinos have been spared... for now. But we have seen the impacts of the pandemic in other jurisdictions around the world.

It appears that it is finally Macau's turn.

Brazil's Football Squads Looking for a Piece of the Pie

With the subject of legal sports betting becoming more of a reality in Brazil, the country's Football teams are already angling for a piece of what is expected to be an enormous pie (about US $4.8 billion per year).

The Football teams are looking to amend Pelé Law, Brazil’s General Law of Sports to include a section that would grant them royalties over Brazil's yet-to-be-born sports betting industry. This could come in the form of a cut from sportsbook profits or sportsbook sponsorships of the country's football franchises.

With momentum for sports betting in Brazil heating up, so too will be debates on just how the most iconic teams that will be floating the industry benefit.

Make sure to keep an eye on our Live Odds page throughout the week to get the best lines possible and connect with others in the SBR community on our popular sports betting forum.