Kenyan betting company Sportpesa continues with its aggressive global expansion.
Reports reaching our news desk indicate that Sportpesa is poised to announce a major sponsorship deal with U.K based Formula One racing team – Racing Point.
According to multiple F1 news sources, the online sports betting company has agreed a two-year contract with an option for another additional season.
Racing Point, previously known as Force India, plans to unveil its new sponsor at its 2019 F1 season launch at the Toronto Motor Show on February 13th.
F1 news outlet RaceFans report that a source privy to the details indicated the deal will be a title sponsorship arrangement. The source added that terms had been agreed at well below the market rate for the level of exposure SportPesa will receive on the team’s cars.
As part of the agreement, SportPesa will receive brand exposure on the cars’ livery as well as other inventory.
The deal is understood to be worth $30 million(Sh3,046,800,000), with Sportpesa said to be paying $8 million for its first year followed by $10m in 2020 and a further $12m if they remain for 2021.
The news follows last year’s announcement by Formula One Management that it had appointed an official gaming partner. Interregional Sports Group will offer live betting on F1 sessions.
Should the deal come to pass, Sportpesa will benefit from a significant increase in brand awareness and visibility. Last year, F1 registered an over 10% increase in global unique viewership to stand at 490.2 million. F1 says that total global cumulative audience now stands at 1.758 billion, as of last year.
SportsPesa boasts operations in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Africa( Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa). It is a major sponsor for several teams in the English Premier League including Hull City, Southampton, Everton and giants Arsenal.
The news of the reported sponsorship deal with Racing Point has left a section of Kenyans, especially gamblers, stunned.
Here are some reactions:
SPORTPESA IS FUCKING SPONSORING A F1 TEAM
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
JESUS pic.twitter.com/dqvjWNATY2— Hoonigan (@MuchiriH) January 22, 2019
SportPesa is not here to fucking play. ??? pic.twitter.com/764Hiih9Y7
— Waichanguru (@LordGichohi) January 22, 2019
If only the government used our taxes the way Sportpesa is using our stakes maybe we wouldn’t still be a 3rd world country. pic.twitter.com/tsm3hdjeAQ
— ELECTRIC (@Arnoldmukabi) January 22, 2019
Sportpesa backing an F1 team means they might need people to create content for them, maybe they’ll even send some lucky fans to a Grand Prix….
— Xanau (@Trackmann) January 22, 2019
SportPesa is going to pay Shs.3 billion of your money to a Formula One side Racing Point Force India for the next three years in a sponsorship deal. #F1 #GrandPrixThings
— Boussinesq (@nijjo_) January 22, 2019
35% is shit. The Government should increase the rate to match that of Germany (90%), France (80%), Austria (80%), and Denmark (75%). If SportPesa can pay Kes800m to sponsor Racing Point, then 35% GGR tax is shit. Government is losing a lot of money here. pic.twitter.com/ZNEFkyyd3G
— DrOO• (@DrOOelm) January 22, 2019
No wonder #yoweri is banning betting in his country stay #woke pic.twitter.com/rDqFQ6p8Jb
— Mrinji_ian (@mrinji_ian) January 22, 2019
Washenzi known as “investors” can come and see their money ??
— Chris (@Ngaruthi) January 22, 2019
Sportpesa huwa ya Kenya btw? ?at the rate at which this betting company is growing nashuku si ya Kenya
— Its_Rui(✖﹏✖) (@its_SirRui) January 22, 2019
