By Mark Baber
July 26 – In November last year, the Chief Executive Officer of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, Norbert Teufelberger (pictured), was arrested by Belgian authorities at the airport after he attended a business conference. On Thursday, his company become the online gaming and betting partner of Belgium’s most successful club and current Pro League champions RSC Anderlecht.
The new three-year partnership positions bwin at the centre of the promotional activities of Belgium’s 32-time champions and includes integration into RSC Anderlecht’s digital and social platforms, as well as the development of on and off-line co-branding activities, stadium branding and access to players for marketing campaigns.
Teufelberger said: “RSC Anderlecht are a great addition to our elite club of European football partners which already includes the champions of England, Italy, Germany and Europe as well as Spain’s most decorated club. We are proud to partner with a club which shares our values of dedication and professionalism as well as a total passion for football. We look forward to contributing to RSC Anderlecht’s success both on and off the field over the next few years.”
Last year, Belgian authorities detained Teufelberger for several hours claiming bwin had repeatedly been asked to apply for a license and refused. Bwin argued Belgian law did not comply with European law.
Earlier this year Bwin.Party entered the Belgian market through the front door through a partnership with local land based casino Belcasinos, owned by Partouche, which allowed Bwin.Party to launch online gambling through Partouche’s Casino van Oostende.
Of the new digital partnership, RSC Anderlecht President Roger VandenStock said: “The fact that bwin identifies with RSCA is a great honor for the club. bwin is often associated with prestigious top football clubs. We can line up with giants like Juventus, Manchester United, FC Bayern and Real Madrid. bwin is more than a partner. The partnership is innovative. So for instance we will collaborate to feed the digital platform of RSCA with specific bwin programs, which will be enjoyed by our loyal fans.”
Teufelsberger still faces possible charges in France, (denied by the company) over the company’s activities before French law was changed in 2010, but the Group, which was formed from the merger of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc on 31 March 2011 and which generated total pro forma revenue in 2012 of €801.6 million, is expecting to unveil an additional partner ahead of the 2013-14 season.
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