Key points:
- EasyGroup launches sports betting brand with Matchbook
- Other brands have used the ‘easy’ name in the industry
- Follows other big UK brands entering gambling industry
EasyGroup, known of course for a number of brands including an airline, has announced the launch of a sports betting brand called EasyBet.
EasyBet has been established with the aim to “offer customers the best price for backing their team,” being made possible thanks to a partnership with the peer-to-peer betting exchange Matchbook.
Matchbook has invested in a management team and implemented ‘best in class’ compliance and regulation systems, with EasyBet offering markets for a number of sports including football, horseracing, cricket, tennis, etc.
EasyGroup has made clear this is the first time an ‘easy’ brand has entered into the sports betting industry, pointing to others in the arena who have used its name, which it has pursued infringement cases regarding.
It has also pointed to following other UK consumer-facing brands who have entered into the gambling industry, such as Virgin, Sky, The Sun newspaper and Ryanair.
EasyJet Founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said: “We are delighted to welcome EasyBet.net to the ‘easy’ family of brands which is a natural new market to complement our other large consumer brands in the UK and Ireland.
“Launched at the beginning of October 2024, EasyBet offers Peer to Peer betting with the aim of giving customers fairer odds than traditional bookmakers. It allows you to bet on sports events – you can back what you think will win or lay what you think will lose. We believe this model offers fairer odds to the consumer.”
Matchbook CEO Malcolm Graham added: “Matchbook is delighted to be partnering with the EasyGroup to offer its betting exchange product. The ‘easy’ brand is renowned for consistently supplying quality and value to its customers.
“EasyBet.net offers its customers industry leading odds across a wide range of sports, and geographic markets, offering a top-tier user experience. We are also thrilled that we will be supporting Stelios’ philanthropic activities via the license fees being paid to EasyGroup.”
In other sports betting news, Entain has recently reported a significant rise in NFL betting activity in the UK and Ireland, following the 2024/25 season and three high-profile London games.
