SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Russian business news sources are reporting that GVC Holdings’ European sports betting subsidiary Bwin is preparing to launch a licensed Russian sportsbook property Bwin.ru in partnership with Digital Betting LLC.
The Bwin project is said to be supported by Russian billionaire financier Alexander Mamut, whose investment firm owns Russian bookmaker Digital Betting LLC which will act as licensing partner in the arrangement.
The partnership will see FTSE-listed GVC supply Bwin.ru with its proprietary platform and software provisions. Bwin.ru will be further supported by Mamut’s technology and marketing firm Rambler & Co which has multiple media assets withing the Russian market.
Russian news sources report that Digital Betting LLC CEO Dmitry Sergeyev will serve as a GVC market advisor, as stakeholders look to quickly establish Bwin.ru as leading Russian betting brand.
Jay Dossetter Head of Media Relations is reported to have confirmed the firm’s project for the Russian market, but as yet GVC governance has made no official comment regarding the firm’s market ambitions.
Under the supervision of media regulator Roskomnadzor, Russia has one of the strictest regulatory environments, in which a number of international betting operators have been blacklisted and banned from the country.
At present, Russia has only six licensed online betting operators,Liga Stavok, Winline, 888.ru, 1XBet, Leon.ru and BKfon.ru who have agreed to comply with all Roskomnadzor and government regulations.
