ST Helens Rugby League and Inside Gaming Launch Gaming Site
ST Helens Rugby League Club is to launch rugby league’s first club-branded gaming website
Wednesday 20th September 2006
September 20th, 2006 (London) - ST Helens Rugby League Club is to launch rugby league’s first club-branded gaming website in a deal which could generate significant new revenues for the club. Saints have signed an agreement with online games provider Inside Gaming Limited to supply and manage the site.
The website, called www.saintsgaming.com, is the first of its kind in British rugby league. It will also be one of the first club-branded gaming sites in British sport. The site features poker, bingo and casino, with players able to play for free or for money. A launch poker tournament is to be held 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 is one of the world’s leading online gaming companies and has clients including 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, although chief executive Chris North is confident it won’t be their last. North, who has seven years experience in online gaming, believes there is significant scope for revenues if other sports clubs follow suit and harness the potential offered by their fan bases.
“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.
The first in a series of online poker tournaments, which anyone over the age of 18 can enter, will be held at www.saintsgaming.com throughout September. Finalists will then be invited to play face to face against Saints player like Sean Long and Paul Sculthorpe at the club’s Knowsley Road ground. And, for a limited time period, the club is offering every 20th player that signs up a T-shirts signed by the Saints team.
ENDS
About Inside Gaming
Inside Gaming (www.insidegaming.co.uk) is an established company that has drawn together a number of seasoned professionals from the gaming market place. With significant financial backing, Inside Gaming provides fully managed gaming facilities to clients whose core products are not necessarily gaming.
Inside Gaming has a commercial agreement to operate and manage selected Chartwell-powered casino, poker and bingo solutions for IG clients.This relationship coupled with the experience of key staff members to build, operate and market successful gaming operations allows Inside Gaming to offer a compelling managed gaming proposition with experienced and professional support.
September 20th, 2006 (London) - ST Helens Rugby League Club is to launch rugby league’s first club-branded gaming website in a deal which could generate significant new revenues for the club. Saints have signed an agreement with online games provider Inside Gaming Limited to supply and manage the site.