The Sun enters bookmaking market with launch of Sunbets

Nick Rust has welcomed the appointment in 'key role'

The Sun has already acquired ABP status from the BHACredit: Louise Pollard

The Sun has launched its new Sunbets product and has hinted it may offer punters guaranteed minimum liabilities.

The media company is bidding to use its promotional might to create a successful betting business and has teamed up with Australian betting giant Tabcorp in a bid to become what they describe as a "tier one operator".

Craig Nugent, Tabcorp's chief operating officer, said yesterday: "We are mainly targeting recreational customers but we will be giving people a fair go in terms of laying a bet.

"We understand there is a lot of noise over here about betting restrictions, and it may be that we'll be doing some fairly different stuff quite soon in terms of guaranteeing minimum liabilities. We are already used to that in parts of Australia."

Sunbets will largely operate out of Tabcorp's Australian base but they have built a team of 100 staff at the London offices of News UK, which publishes The Sun.

David Robinson, Sunbets' director of betting and gaming, said: "Tabcorp are a giant in the betting arena and we will provide content that fuels betting as well as targeting our huge existing audience."

Sunbets will be promoted heavily in the newspaper and on The Sun's digital products, as well as on Talksport when the company's acquisition of the radio station has been completed.

The new venture has acquired ABP status and is expected to announce a high-profile race sponsorship soon.

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Bruce MillingtonRacing Post Sport

Published on 2 August 2016inNews

Last updated 13:49, 3 August 2016

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