Rugby Deal Signed By Online Casino Provider

Published: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 Online-Casinos.com

RUGBY DEAL SIGNED BY ONLINE CASINO PROVIDER

St Helens Rugby League Club and online gambling firm partner on website

Rugby League's first club-branded gaming website is to be launched by a partnership of St.Helens Rugby League Club and Inside Gaming Limited in a deal which could generate significant new revenues for the club. Saints announced this week that it has contracted with online games provider Inside Gaming to supply and manage the site.

Branded Saints Gaming.com, the site is the first of its kind in British rugby league, and features poker, bingo and casino action, with players able to play for free or for money. A launch poker tournament is planned, giving fans the chance to play against the Saints players like Great Britain captain Paul Sculthorpe and fellow Great Britain player Sean Long.

Inside Gaming clients include ADVFN Poker, Better Bookmakers and Heaven. Saints are currently top of the Super League table and recently beat Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup final at Twickenham.

Club chief executive Sean McGuire said: "We're confident that the site will develop into a major new source of income which can be invested in the club to improve facilities and youth development. This deal is one of the first of its kind in British sport because it delivers club-branded online gaming and is based on the principle that we and the provider share ownership."

The deal with Saints is Inside Gaming's first foray into rugby league. CEO Chris North says, "This is not only the first deal of its kind in Super League but also represents a new kind of agreement in British sport. This gives clubs the chance to engage with there fan base like never before. While customers can enjoy tremendous winnings with rapid and secure payment processing, Inside Gaming and Saints will effectively jointly own and manage the site, sharing profits as they grow", said North.

Inside Gaming has a commercial agreement to operate and manage selected Chartwell Technology-powered casino, poker and bingo solutions for IG clients.