Betfair Launch iPhone App
10th May, 2010
According to eGaming Review, Betfair has become the first major gaming company to offer downloadable applications for the iPhone. This marks a turnaround for gambling apps from the US electronics and computer giant.
The app features Betfair’s exchange product and marks a change in Apple’s policy, as previously they haven’t offered gambling applications supposedly due to the US egaming ban.
Betfair head of mobile Charles Palmer said: “There were no terms and conditions about gambling. We approached Apple with the proposal and our app, showing it does the normal KYC and age verification.”
However, the new app which is only available to consumers in the UK and Ireland uses GPS tracking to make sure that bets can only be placed in legal territories.
“We have also added the ability to locate where the customer is. It can tell if you are in the UK or Ireland, and if you’re not, it won’t function. We put that in there as an extra precaution - they didn’t request that,” he said.
“The iPhone, touch-screen devices, smart phones, have picked up massively, and every manufacturer is desperately trying to catch up with Apple. The iPhone and the associated knock-on effects are fantastic for the gaming industry."
Palmer went on to say that he believed the product would be a good fit with Betfair’s punters.
“If people are going to bet on Betfair on the mobile, it’s highly likely they are going to have the latest handset, so the demographic is going to sit well with Betfair.”
By Carol
