ian daily sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport has partnered with provider Playtech to launch an online sports-betting portal and mobile offering.

The five-year deal with RCS MediaGroup, which includes the option to renew for a further five years, will see Playtech manage the betting platform and supply the offering with mobile sports betting and gaming software, products and marketing services under the GazzaBet.it brand.

The GazzaBet sportsbook will offer an “easy and secure” way to bet on sports and events approved by Italian regulator AMMS.

It will cover both Italian and international football as well as basketball, volleyball and other major sporting events, and marks Playtech’s first entry into the country’s sports-betting sector.

Alessandro Bompieri, general manager of RCS MediaGroup’s Media Division, said: “We are extremely pleased to be in a position to offer such a new service – within a regulated market – to our passionate readers, many of whom have been waiting for a sophisticated sports-betting website for a long time.”

Playtech COO Shay Segev added: “We are extremely excited to be partnering with such an iconic sports news brand and the potential it has to drive market growth for both parties.”