Argentina’s Independiente has inked a betting sponsorship deal despite the threat of a federal bill that would ban such partnerships. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Argentine premier league soccer franchise Club Atlético Independiente has inked a deal with Sportsbet for the brand to appear as the main sponsor on team shirts for the 2025 season.

What raises eyebrows about the deal is that it comes less than two weeks after Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies passed a federal bill banning online gambling advertisements, sports sponsorships, and welcome bonuses.

Independiente is embracing the windfall while it lasts

With the Bill now under review in the Argentina Senate, which is in recess until March, Independiente is embracing the windfall while it lasts. 

While no details of the money involved in the deal were published, the franchise dubbed “King of Cups” because of its silver-winning ways was quick to promote its new Sportsbet deal via X: 

According to Insider Sport, Independiente stated “Sportsbet is a site with slots, roulette, blackjack, live casino and bingo, which includes sports betting.”

The South American franchise added that the deal allows Sportsbet to reaffirm “its vision of promoting responsible entertainment and its support for sports institutions of great relevance such as the Club Atlético Independiente.”

The agreement includes Sportsbet branding on the franchise’s home and road games for 2025 “plus additional commercial initiatives to enhance its visibility.”