Bbet race series sponsorship part of lucrative deal with Wauchope's Hastings River Greyhound Club

The six-figure deal is a tremendous coup for both clubs and ultimately all participants in the region. The deal will see Bbet have racetrack signage at both Mid North Coast clubs, signage also on the winning post, starting boxes and catching pen, and venue naming rights at both tracks.

"This sponsorship deal with Bbet is a fitting reward for all the hard work and contributions of the staff and volunteers at both clubs," Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) chief executive officer Tony Mestrov said.

"From an industry perspective it is tremendous to welcome on board another corporate partner in Bbet, and at a time when our turnover is breaking records, have them invest back into our industry.

"Bbet came out on top of a very competitive field in the tender process for the sponsorship contract. When we asked for expressions of interest, we were delighted to have so many wagering partners participate, and ultimately to receive five written offers, clearly demonstrating the value sponsors place in racetrack assets."

Bbet is an Australian owned and operated sportsbook which was launched just under two years ago, by Sydney rails bookmaker Luke Behrmann.

"When the opportunity arose at Wauchope and Taree, we were immediately keen to be involved. Given our size, we need to look at cost effective ways of marketing and getting exposure, and we believed this sponsorship was a perfect fit for Bbet," Bbet director Jeremy Turner said.

"I have spoken with both clubs and understand how many people have worked so hard behind the scenes at each of these clubs over a long period of time. As such, as part of our deal, we will also sponsor a ($15,000) race series at both tracks each year, and the series will be named in honour of one of those people, who has helped keep the club going through tougher times. We are giving each club the option to name it after someone who I'm sure thoroughly deserves it."

Both the Wauchope and Taree clubs are ecstatic about the sponsorship deal and looking forward to working closely with Bbet.

"It's a wonderful thing for the club," Hastings River Greyhound Racing Club president Rex Nairn said.

"I have spoken with Jeremy from Bbet and it's great to hear his enthusiasm and passion for the sport and particularly the clubs here on the Mid North Coast.

"In the old days, non-TAB clubs like ours here at Wauchope were run on the smell of an oily rag. But that has changed substantially, and you need all the help you can get to keep the club running, and running successfully.

"This is a great deal for us, and we're delighted, and will be putting the funds to great use for local participants."

The Taree Greyhound Club achieved a major milestone back in June with the commencement of TAB racing, and president Des McGeachie says his club is "over the moon" with this latest round of positive news for the club and region.

"We are over the moon about it. It was so good that we were able to get such a great deal with Bbet," McGeachie said.

"Our sponsors in the past have been great in supporting the club, and they would throw in a few hundred dollars here and there to sponsor races, and we would top it up. And that was fantastic.

"Volunteers, community support, and sponsors such as local businesses, they are the life blood of country racetracks and we truly appreciate every one of them, but it's also so good now to be able to get some real money in, and be able to do a few things around the club that we have been waiting a while to do."

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