Sky Bet readies Germany launch
Operator kicks-off recruitment drive ahead of Sky Bet Deutschland’s launch later this year
Sky Betting & Gaming (SB&G) has kicked off a major recruitment drive for its Germany-facing business as the operator confirms it will launch in the market later this year.
The Leeds-headquartered firm is currently hiring for four marketing and legal positions in its recently opened Munich office.
And a recruitment process is also underway for nine German-speaking contact centre roles and up to four new technology roles based in SB&G’s 50-strong international team in Sheffield.
Richard Flint, SB&G chief executive, said the operator was “excited” by the prospect of an upcoming ‘soft’ launch in the German market, as the firm continues to expand its presence internationally.
“These new hires will allow us to press ahead with our plans to launch there later this year,” he said.
“The fact that we are in a position to do so, so soon after looking into the market, is testament to our international team and the positive relationship they have developed with Sky Deutschland.”
In September, SB&G hired the former head of Deutsche Telekom’s sportsbook arm, Jochen Weiner, to lead the operator’s expansion into the German market.
It has since teamed up with media giant Sky Deutschland to launch its free-to-play Super 6 product in Germany (available at 6erpack.sky.de) prior to the debut of a real-money online sportsbook.
Weiner added: “Since joining I’ve been impressed with the way colleagues have pulled together to get us ready to launch a real-money product so quickly.
“There is clearly a healthy market in Germany and we look forward to entering it soon.”
News of a launch in Germany later this year comes just months after SB&G made its debut in the Italian online gambling market under the leadership of its Sky Bet Italia MD, Giovanna D’Esposito.
GVC chief executive Kenny Alexander, who operates the bwin brand in Germany, recently said he would “lose no sleep” over Sky Bet’s launch in the market.