Vbet has marked the opening of Brazil’s betting market by signing a sponsorship deal with the country’s football champions Botafogo.

The online sportsbook, owned by the Armenia-based technology group BetConstruct, has become the main sponsor of the Brasileiro Série A club, functioning as a front-of-shirt sponsor for both the men’s and women’s teams.

According to Vbet, the deal is the ‘largest commercial contract’ in the 130-year history of the three-time champions of Brazil’s top flight.

Thairo Arruda, CEO of Botafogo, commented: “The partnership with Vbet is an important moment for Botafogo and our fans.

“The champion of Brazil and America is joining forces with a global company that believes in the work of the Club and its legacy. Vbet joins forces and brings the necessary momentum for Botafogo to continue its journey to the top of Brazilian and world football.”

Brazil welcomes online gaming and sports betting

The lucrative nature of the contract demonstrates the opportunities on offer to both professional sports teams and operators in the region.

The Brazilian government approved 68 betting licences ahead of the launch of the country’s regulated market on 1 January 2025 and regulation offers ample opportunities for Brazilian clubs to engage with the sector.

Botafogo are the latest to do so, with the club’s rivals Athletico Mineiro forming a strong commercial relationship with Betano even before the official opening of the market.

However, two of Brazil’s other top-tier sides, Flamengo and Corinthians, are set to be impacted by an ongoing dispute between the federal government and Rio de Janeiro’s state regulator, LOTERJ.

Last week, André Mendonça, Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), granted a preliminary injunction suspending operators licensed by LOTERJ from operating outside the state’s territorial limits.

This includes Pixbet and Esportes da Sorte, sponsors of Flamengo and Corinthians respectively.

On a recent episode of iGaming Daily, Ricardo Assis, Editor of SBC Noticias Brasil, noted that if the decision is upheld the companies could “rip up the contracts” if sponsorship is limited to the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Partnership ‘important milestone for Vbet’

Ruben Tovmasyan, CEO of Vbet Brazil, hailed the sponsorship as demonstrating the firm’s “dedication to growth” and “ambitious plans in Brazil”.

The deal also further extends the company’s association with Latin American sports, building on partnerships with the likes of the Argentine Football Association and the country’s national team.

Outside of the region, the company has previously worked with clubs such as Arsenal in the Premier League, Monaco and Nice of the French Ligue 1 and the national teams of Ukraine and Malta.

“The ‘V’ in Vbet stands for ‘victory’, and we are proud to partner with a club that has achieved so much success in its history,” added Tovmasyan.

“With our commitment to regulatory compliance in Brazil, we aim to provide an exceptional experience for football fans, with a focus on security, reliability and innovation.”