GVC links up with Digital Betting to launch Bwin-powered sports betting product

The report claimed the betting site, along with a new mobile betting app, would make its debut in “a few months.”

Digital Betting CEO Dmitry Sergeyev will also serve as Bwin Russia’s chief executive. Sergeyev emphasized the importance of Wednesday’s announcement, noting that it represented the first entry by a major international bookmaker into Russia’s nascent online sports betting market.

While GVC’s media rep Jay Dossetter confirmed the partnership to Kommersant, GVC has yet to expand on its Russian market strategy. The Bwin.ru domain currently features only a registration page to alert customers as to when the site officially starts taking wagers.

Digital Betting, which was issued a Russian license last year but is only now launching its operations, lacks a retail bookmaking presence in Russia, which is likely why it chose to partner with a recognizable betting brand like Bwin. The Bwin.ru site will enjoy lots of promotion from Rambler & Co’s media properties, which include online gambling affiliate Championat.

Mamut has reportedly pledged to spend up to €10m per year over the next three years to develop the Bwin.ru brand, despite Kommersant estimating that the newly regulated Russian online betting market is currently generating annual revenue of only around €15.7m.