The mad dash to mobile betting has begun, and among the first to launch is online bookmaker Eurobet. The Gibraltar-licensed company unveiled its new WAP-enabled betting service today.
"The fixed line Internet, where we believe we have a leading position in the sports betting market, has already allowed us to add significant value to our business," commented Trevor Beaumont, Eurobet's managing director. "Sports betting on the Internet is a true e-commerce business and, with the new WAP facility announced today, we believe we can lead the way in m-commerce."
WAP phone users who have already registered on the Eurobet website can use their existing ID and password to access the new Eurobet WAP site at http://wap.eurobet.co.uk. This simplified version of Eurobet's Internet betting site offers the same range of sports, events and odds, but designed for the tiny WAP telephone screen.
Coral Eurobet CEO Bob Scott was enthusiastic about his company's new services, and predicted that Eurobet would be the premier WAP betting service. A number of major partnership deals are in the works, with announcements expected soon, he said.
Mobile betting is among one of the hottest new arenas for interactive gaming sites; numerous companies have already announced their intention to offer WAP services. WAP is especially important in Europe and Australia, where fewer residents have Internet connection.
A similar WAP betting service is expected to launch next week from IQ Corporation, a fixed-odds and person-to-person betting company licensed in Tasmania.