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another Asian bookie in the Premier League

Technically they are licensed in the Isle of Man, but one look at the site tells you that 188bet are an Asian bookie. Bolton and Wigan both sponsored by the same firm, and club shirts, not that these two clubs sell a great deal, will only contain the logo on the adult versions.

188Bet agrees soccer sponsorship deal first

It's not that rare for two clubs to be sponsored by the same firm - it has happened in Scotland for years.

So the big UK firms of Ladbrokes, Hills, Corals etc aren't prepared to sponsor English football, allowing the likes of SBOBet (West Ham), 188Bet (Bolton and Wigan), Mansion (Tottenham), BoyleSports (Sunderland), Wolves (Sportingbet), Bet24 (Blackburn and Leeds), 32Red (Aston Villa), 888 (Middlesbrough), Fulham (Betfair) and Blue Square (Conference leagues) into 'their' local space in recent years. Plus there's all the action on the continent with bwin, Interwetten, bet-at-home and Unibet getting involved in team sponsorships as well.

Heard a rumour the other day that Betfair might be doing something with FC Barcelona next year, as official betting partner, rather than shirt sponsor. You heard it here first....

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