Emerchants Limited (ASX:EML) should trade firmer after it signed...

Emerchants Limited (ASX:EML) should trade firmer after it signed a multi-year agreement with leading corporate bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au to provide their customers with personalised cards for immediate access to winnings.

The program, which is set to launch in the second half of 2014, will enable users to move winnings from their wagering account to their card for use at ATMs and points of sale across Australia.

In addition to being able to withdraw their winnings at ATMs across the country, customers will have the ability to push funds on the card back to their wagering account.

The agreement will also involve integrating the emerchants prepaid platform into the Sportsbet.com.au website to provide a seamless customer experience.

Last year, emerchants signed a five year agreement with Queensland’s Department of Treasury and Trade to become its preferred supplier of prepaid card solutions.

This includes the option of two consecutive 2 year contracts which could take it to 9 years.

The use of prepaid cards allows the Queensland Treasury Department and its various departments and agencies to benefit from cost savings and fraud control advantages over traditional methods of funds disbursement such as credit cards, cash and cheques.

emerchants has also partnered with Visa to create marketing and training materials to support the launch of the prepaid card programs.