HTH is an Asian digital sports platform based on blockchain technology which, as described in a statement on the Inter website, “is committed to creating an integrated sports entertainment platform that conforms to the current trend, providing a comfortable, safe and reliable diversified sports entertainment platform.”
Specific details of the deal remain scarce, but the agreement comes after Inter has been embroiled in a dispute with partner DigitalBits. The Serie A club removed DigitalBits branding from its website and stadium, after the blockchain sponsor allegedly failed to uphold its financial commitments.
HTH signed a similar partnership with Manchester United in May 2021, in a deal that again was light on precise details.
The Manchester United agreement was met with some scrutiny, as the HTH website was yet to go live up to eight months after the partnership was announced.
The partnership was seen by some as symptomatic of the troubled relationship between football and gambling, with some clubs opting to collaborate with companies for financial benefit, despite questionable regulatory and transparency practices.
Serie A clubs have secured a number of gambling industry sponsorships in recent times, with the latest seeing PlanetPay365 partnering with Torino FC, after signing similar agreements with Lazio, Roma and Fiorentina.
The PlanetPay365 and Torino partnership will kick off on Saturday, as the club is due to face Lazio in the Italian top flight.
