Betway signs as title sponsor for Premier League Darts
News on 3 Feb 2014
News on 3 Feb 2014
Online gambling group Betway has signed an agreement to sponsor the 2014 Betway Premier League Darts tournament, which it claims is the UK and Ireland’s biggest indoor sporting event.
The tournament, staged by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), is played over 16 consecutive Thursdays from February 6 through to May 22 in arenas across the UK and Ireland.
Darts enthusiasts from all over the UK and Ireland are attracted to the exciting event at their local venues, and the tournament itself is televised and repeated on leading sports channel Sky Sports.
The PDC, chaired by leading sports promoter Barry Hearn, has successfully bought darts into the mainstream. Annually, the PDC pays out over GBP 7 million in prize money to players and provides a pathway for amateurs to make it into the big league of professional darts.
This agreement, which represents Betway’s first major sporting event sponsorship, will enhance Betway’s brand in online sports betting, especially as the event itself has a wild card element, with new players facing proven professionals, adding to the possibilities for those who like to bet on sports.
Bob Dutnall, executive director at Betway, said: “This sporting event, which has international appeal, has become a top event in the darts sporting calendar. The sponsorship adds to our brand in online sports betting, where we are building a leading position.”
PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: “This will be the biggest ever Premier League Darts season, with 100,000 fans set to see the world’s best ten players over the next four months, and with live worldwide television coverage the tournament will take the Betway brand worldwide.”
Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen’s rivals for the Betway Premier League Darts title include six-time winner Phil Taylor, the 16-time World Champion, 2011 Premier League champion Gary Anderson, former World Champions Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld, Australia’s Simon Whitlock, English duo Dave Chisnall and Wes Newton and Scottish pair Robert Thornton and Peter Wright.
