Crown Resorts takes controlling share in BetEasy JV
Joint-venture will see casino operator's Betfair Australia subsidiary integrate with BetEasy's fixed-odds sportsbook
Casino operator Crown Resorts has taken a controlling share in Matt Tripp’s BetEasy start-up with the two firms forming a joint-venture to integrate Crown’s Betfair Australia business with BetEasy’s newly launched Australian sportsbook.
The new business will be owned 67% by Crown and 33% by the existing BetEasy owners and it is believed BetEasy will be the main brand used with existing Betfair customers transferred to the BetEasy platform.
Crown Resorts chairman James Packer said he was confident the combination of the two businesses will enable it to compete more fiercely with the foreign gambling heavyweights.
“Matt Tripp and his team have proven they have the experience and ability to build and operate a world-class business,” he said.
“By leveraging the combined assets of Crown and BetEasy, we will be able to provide significant benefits and opportunities for our existing and future customers.
“We will continue to develop our technology to create a more enjoyable and cutting-edge wagering experience,” Packer added.
Matt Tripp acquired BetEzy.com.au earlier this year and the company was relaunched as BetEasy in September this year, three years after Tripp sold his Sportsbet business to Irish operator Paddy Power.
The operator recently beat a number of rival Australia-facing operators to be named the official wagering partner of the Australian Football League (AFL) as part of five-year deal which will see BetEasy pay up to AU50m.
“It is our firm objective to provide Australians with the best online wagering experience this country has ever seen,” Tripp said.
“James’ outstanding record in business speaks for itself and, along with his world-class team at Crown, I can’t think of a better organisation to partner with,” he added.