Gambling Giant to Sponsor Melbourne Victory

Reigning A-League soccer champion Melbourne Victory has become the latest Australian sporting club to join with a gambling company, signing Intralot as it new sponsor.

The Intralot brand name will feature on the Victory's jersey for the next two seasons in a deal worth A$2 million.

The Greek gambling company, which has suffered bad sales figures and is predicted to drop more than $200 million behind budget in its first year of operations in Victoria, will no doubt be hoping that a deal with Australia's most successful soccer club - both on and off the field - will turn things around.

Melbourne Victory Chairman Geoff Lord welcomed the deal, calling Intralot an "emerging company in Victoria," and adding that the club "looks forward to helping them grow their brand."

Intralot Australia General Manager Leo Watling said the new deal is part of the company's re-launching.

"Intralot is proud to be undertaking its first major Victorian sponsorship with the A-League's most successful club and one that has fought and won challenges similar to those confronted by our company," he said.

The company is set to face a mid-year review by the Victorian government to determine if it loses its 10-year license to operate in the state. The license allows it to operate a variety of lottery games and instant tickets. Intralot Australia is a subsidiary of Intralot S.A., which operates in more than 40 countries.