Leading gambling operator Betfred has announced a two-year sponsorship deal with England Rugby League teams.
Under the new sponsorship, Betfred has been named as the principal partner of the England Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair Ruby League teams.
According to Gaming Intelligence, the partnership will kick off this weekend with the Mid-Seasonal Internationals, where England’s Men team will face the Combined Nations All Stars.
England’s Women’s will also face France, along with the England Wheelchair team at the Manchester Basketball Centre on Sunday (June 19th).
The announcement of the sponsorship agreements comes after a report from BBC Sport last month claimed that the white paper on gambling reform will include a ban on gambling shirt sponsorships.
Fred Done, the Founder and Chairman of Betfred, said in a statement: “We are proud of the successful relationship with Rugby League that we have built at all levels since we became the title sponsors of the Betfred Super League in 2017, and to be principal partners of the three England teams preparing for a home World Cup is a perfect fit.
“It’s especially exciting for us to be working with the Women’s and Wheelchair teams, after breaking new ground for rugby league as the first sponsors of the Women’s Super League in 2019, and now also of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup, Wheelchair Super League, and Challenge Cup.”
He added: “Rugby League is such an inclusive sport and it’s a great honour for us to be involved at all levels, as we look forward to the country getting behind England Rugby League.”
Ralph Rimmer, the RFL’s Chief Executive, commented: “Betfred have been outstanding sponsors for the sport of Rugby League for the last five years, sticking with us through the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this new partnership with our three England teams underlines the strength of that relationship.
“They are a proud English company with roots in the North, and let’s hope we can celebrate the partnership with England teams reaching all three World Cup Finals in Manchester on the weekend of November 18-19.”
He added: “It promises to be a thrilling tournament, and we are delighted that Betfred will be the principal partners of our three England teams until the end of 2023.”
