Betfair extends its involvement with Playtech

In a move that could well presage the departure of Betfair from the Ongame poker network, the betting exchange announced Tuesday that it has further extended its relationship with software developer Playtech, including a renewal of its contract for the provision of casino services, an agreement to launch bingo and the option to offer Betfair customers access to Playtech’s online poker networks.

The products will be available through Betfair websites and mobile portals, and enable Betfair to offer ring-fenced poker products in markets that require them.

Betfair will work with Playtech to launch a fully licensed local poker solution in Spain during the current financial year and offer a similar solution in Italy soon after the licensed betting exchange is launched, Ian Chuter, Betfair’s group operations director revealed.

“Betfair has built a strong relationship with Playtech over a number of years and after a full evaluation of the available options, they were the logical choice for providing us with what we now need,” Chuter said.

“This deal allows us to offer a compliant poker solution in markets where historically we have not been able to and the wider agreement is further evidence of how serious we are in providing our customers with a high quality one-stop shop for all their betting needs.”

Rafi Ashkenazi, chief operating officer at Playtech, said that the agreement is testament to Playtech’s ability to offer a full suite of market leading online products.

Playtech has supplied Betfair with a full suite of casino games since 2009.