Five minutes with Betsson brand ambassador John Arne Riise
Betsson’s John Arne Riise talks to EGR Marketing about his love of poker and relocating to Malta to work behind-the-scenes for the Nordic operator
EGR Marketing: How did you get involved with Betsson in the first place?
John Arne Riise: Back in 2012 I was contacted by some people I knew through the gaming and the poker world. They wanted me to be more involved and be an ambassador for Betsson. I didn’t know much about it but the more I got into it, the more I felt this was something that I wanted to do. We started working together and it has been like that for almost seven years now. There is plenty to do – lots of events and commercials – and I am enjoying it.
EGR Marketing: Is it a nice career step after years at the top-level of professional football?
JAR: Yes, I am keen on playing poker and this gives me the opportunity to do that more often. I get to travel and meet new people. Last year I decided to get more involved with how Betsson works as a company so that is why I am here today. To learn about the business and to become more than just an ambassador.
EGR Marketing: Does moving to Malta demonstrate your commitment to the company?
JAR: I don’t want to just be one of those people who gets paid to do some photos. I want to do more and connect with the people and that is why I moved to Malta. I wanted to see the office and meet the people behind the scenes and to give them something back. I am a guy who likes to meet new people and I might be able to learn something myself. It is a good match.
EGR Marketing: Were you surprised by the big Scandinavian presence in Malta and at Betsson?
JAR: I knew they had two offices in Malta and had a lot of Scandinavian people working there so I wasn’t that surprised. I’m was surprised by how many people work there though, I never realised it was that big. It made life easier for me and it was easier to settle in.
Betsson brand ambassador John Arne Riise
EGR Marketing: Was it a big decision to leave Norway to live and work in Malta?
JAR: No because I wanted to be more involved with how things work. Malta is a very nice country to live in. It was not a big decision – it was easy.
EGR Marketing: Is Malta nicer than Liverpool?
JAR: It is different – in Liverpool it is nice because of the football and the history but Malta definitely has better weather!
EGR Marketing: Are you carving out a reputation for yourself as a poker player?
JAR: I know that when I play poker the other players really want to beat me so they might play in a different way than normal. I just focus on my cards and play my own game because I want to get better.
EGR Marketing: Are you interested in sports betting?
JAR: I’ve never been in to betting. I like poker because of the competitive element, the social life and the travel. You also have to work hard to get better and that is what I love. You should always have to work to become good at something.