Benfica secures first-ever betting partner

Online bookmaker Betclic has agreed a deal to become the official betting partner of Portuguese Primeira Liga football club Benfica.

The deal, terms of which were undisclosed, comes after Betclic in May became the first firm to be granted a licence to provide an online betting service in Portugal.

“Newly arrived in Portugal, Betclic wants to impose itself as one of the main players in the Portuguese market of online betting,” João Caboz, country manager for Betclic in Portugal, said. “Partnering with several clubs in local football is a strategy followed by the company in many of the countries where it is present, so it made perfect sense to pursue it in Portugal.”

Betclic was granted its Portuguese licence by Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal, the country’s gambling operator. It officially launched operations in Portugal on May 25.

Benfica is the current Primeira Liga champion and begins the defence of its title with a trip to Tondela tomorrow (Saturday).