Dafabet has extended its title sponsorship of snooker’s most prestigious invitation tournament, The Masters, for the next three years.

Dafabet sponsored the event for the first time in 2014 and has now signed up until 2017.

The 2015 Dafabet Masters runs from January 11 to 18 at Alexandra Palace in London and features the world’s leading 16 players. Ronnie O’Sullivan won the title for the fifth time last season, beating Mark Selby 10-4 in the final to win the top prize of £200,000.

The BBC-televised tournament is broadcast live in nearly 70 countries, reaching millions of viewers around the world.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are delighted to have Dafabet on board for the next three years at The Masters. Since 1975, The Masters has been recognised as a very special event as it brings together snooker’s elite.

“Dafabet have backed several snooker events including the World Championship and the Champion of Champions. They clearly recognise the massive global appeal of our sport and its potential to reach hundreds of millions of people.

“Last year’s Dafabet Masters was a thrilling occasion with Ronnie O’Sullivan untouchable. His rivals at the top of the sport will be desperate to take the title from him this time. Alongside the Dafabet team and anyone lucky enough to be inside the Alexandra Palace arena, I’m  looking forward to experiencing the incredible atmosphere.”

John Cruces, Head of sports marketing and sponsorships at Dafabet, added: “Having worked with World Snooker on a number of tournaments, including last year’s Masters, we’re very proud to tie down a three year deal for one of the highlights of the sporting calendar.

“We’ve said at each event where we’ve worked together how the sport helps us achieve our aim of putting the Dafabet brand in front of sports fans worldwide. By committing to a long term deal we hope to be further recognised as supporters of snooker and to be specifically associated to the Masters as it’s such an elite event. As always we thank all at World Snooker and look forward to working together on an ongoing basis.”