Articles
Mobile entertainment: Bookies bet on MVNO takeoff
December 6, 2000
Amid a flurry of new WAP-based sports services, MI has learned that at least three European bookmakers plan to capitalize on expected demand for WAP-based entertainment services by launching their own mobile VNO services. Three betting agencies will likely launch own- branded prepaid handset packages later this month in the UK.
Local betting companies will sell the phones at minimal prices or for free, depending on the level of third-party sponsorship attracted by gambling firms. Tobacco and alcohol companies, in particular, are thought to be enthusiastic about sponsoring the WAP handsets, and at least one of the bookmakers will also bring an own-label WAP phone to the market.
The bookmakers will partner with content aggregator Indiqu, which will supply them with mobile games, marketing and a mobile gambling delivery platform. Coral Eurobet, which first launched Europe-wide online gambling services in March, is heavily tipped to be among the three MVNOs. At the time, Eurobet projects director Jim Noakes told MI the company was planning to subsidize WAP handsets for some customers.
Mobile gambling is expected to be big business. Although online gambling is still relatively new to the UK market, it is already extremely successful. Leading UK bookmaker Ladbrokes, for example, launched its online gambling service in early June. Within four weeks it had 60,000 registered online gamblers and had generated oe7.7 million in revenues via its Web service.
Separately, TV sports broadcaster Eurosport has also launched a six-language WAP channel. Initially, the WAP service ... developed in conjunction with Webtiss ... will cover only four sports and will build on the company's existing SMS-based news and information services. WAPaResult has also launched mobile sports information services with Trivanti, the joint venture between Psion and United News and Media.
This article was taken from: Mobile Internet, Content, Commerce and Applications
