The Gold Coast Titans announced yesterday that they have teamed up with Betezy, with an agreement that should earn up to $3 million for the Titans in the next three years. Michael Searle, the Titan Chief Executive, revealed the deal with Betezy and stated that the online betting revenue could completely compensate for the loss from many of the clubs for league funding.

Titans will get half of the profits from the website while TAB Sportsbet gives only five per cent of their earnings from league betting to the NRL. Next year the club will set up new standards that are to be followed for disclosing injuries, team changes an events at training that are in line with other sports that have betting disclosure laws.

The NRL could not use their deal with Sports TAB to block the new arrangement with the Titans and Betezy because the Titans will not carry the Betezy logo on their jerseys. Many clubs belive that the League should take advantage of betting by running their own agency or joining in a similar joint agreement. The TAB sponsorship only has one year left to run.

“We'd like to talk to the NRL about doing something," Betezy general manager Ryan Kay said. “I know the TAB doesn't give a lot back to the NRL. I think they give 5 per cent.We're doing a real joint venture. I know the clubs are hurting. I know in NSW the pokie taxes have increased, there are issues with the smoking now and club funding."

Searle said of the NRL running its own agency: "It's up to the league, where they take it. I think we all agree you can't be half pregnant. We're involved in sport, there's gambling on sport. Well the game should derive strong revenue from it."





- 2008-10-01