Stakemate Enters English Football via Back-of-Shirt Sponsorship with Watford FC
SCCG Take — Championship properties offer targeted reach for newer licensed operators that meet responsible gambling criteria. Clubs apply explicit selection processes that prioritize safer practice alignment and commercial fit.
Watford FC has doubled its number of betting partners by announcing a back-of-shirt sponsorship deal with Stakemate. The EFL Championship club already holds a partnership with Spreadex as its official club partner.
This represents a landmark moment for Stakemate as it enters gambling marketing in English football. The company has been licensed in the UK since 2022, the same year in which it was founded. Stakemate looks to bring a social element to online betting. It uses Racing and Sports (RAS) as a feed provider and allows users to place bets, share accumulators and chat with friends in groups. The company reiterated in a social media post that the announcement of the partnership is “just the start” and advised followers to “get ready”.
Stakemate’s Perspective on the Deal
Arya Tayebi, Stakemate Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re very excited to support a club with such a proud history, a devoted fanbase and a renowned community focus. We’re looking forward to working in partnership with the club to give back to supporters.”
The Wider Landscape of Championship Gambling Partnerships
The deal adds to an already-sizable list of deals between Championship clubs and gambling companies. Recently-promoted Cardiff City has a similar back-of-shirt deal with Wales-focused bookmaker DragonBet. It seems to have become commonplace for UK-focused bookmakers to target deals with Championship clubs.
There is fair logic to this too, given that over 12 million fans attended league games last season and the EFL currently has a deal with Sky to broadcast 328 games in the 2026/27 season.
Ben Newlyn, Watford FC Commercial Director, added: “We have undertaken a thorough process in selecting this partner and believe its positioning within our inventory to represent an alignment with our goals. Stakemate are a responsible gambling partner, operating to the highest standards of safer practice, and offer a strong commercial prospect for the club.”
As reported by SBC News, the partnership reflects continued interest from betting operators in aligning with EFL clubs.
Reporting: SBC News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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