SBC News Betfair has vision for Google Glass

Betfair has vision for Google Glass

In an industry first, UK betting brand Betfair has announced they will become the first betting company to use Google Glass headsets during their TV betting slots. It is the first move by the betting company in a wider business plan to utilise Glass to improve consumers’ betting experience.

Starting this Saturday 5 July from Leicester with the 2.30pm slot on horse racing channel, At the Races, Betfair’s spokesman Barry Orr will wear the Glass headset whilst on screen, enabling him to be updated with real time notifications around race results, non-runners, jockey changes, and the resulting price (odds) changes. The online betting company will eventually use Glass headsets on all their betting slots, including Channel 4’s Morning Line, Sky Sports News and RTE in Ireland.

Currently, when bookmakers appear on TV to provide updates on the runners and riders, the odds often change during their slot, meaning the odds and information they were given before they went on air become outdated.

By using Glass, Betfair’s Barry Orr will receive a betting feed display in real time directly to his eyes, meaning the information he provides whilst on TV will always be up to date.

This move by Betfair is just the first step in a wider strategic plan to develop bespoke products for Glass over the coming year which will enhance consumers’ betting experience. The betting company claim that they are working on optimising both their existing product set to work straight out of the box for Glass but also specific “Glassware” that will provide a unique betting experience for Glass.

Betfair’s Director of Product Innovation, Alex Deacon, commented: “We are hugely proud to be the first betting company to embrace Google Glass, an innovation that is a natural fit with our heritage in technology. TV viewers will now know that when they are listening to Betfair’s Barry Orr, they are listening to the most up to date odds and betting information available.

“Glass has only recently arrived in the UK, so using it during our TV betting slots is just the very first step. Even more exciting is the potential that we see in understanding the usage and growth of wearable technology when it comes to improving our customers betting experience in ways beyond simply looking at prices on their phones, tablets or computers. Betting has moved on from simply placing a bet and waiting for it to win or lose. With products such as Cash Out we know customers want to stay connected to their bets throughout the day and wherever they are. Google Glass and the other new technologies help play a part in us creating that seamless connection.”

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