Spending the day at the dog track now includes mobile betting on the doggies while eating, drinking, socializing and wandering around the stadium. Mobile betting is possible thanks to a new deal between A2000 Distribution and Data Tote (UK) Ltd. (Data Tote manufactures betting equipment for the U.K. Tote.)
A2000 is supplying Data Tote with Hitachi HPW-600EUT Windows-powered color tablets, which will form part of Data Tote's Freedom Courier terminal to deliver real-time transactions while the punter is at a track restaurant or corporate area.
"By using hand-held technology in this way, Data Tote is able to offer an unprecedented level of service in restaurant and corporate areas, reduce errors caused by customer-marked betting slips, and eliminate the problem of missed tickets before the traps are released," A2000 Managing Director John Kemp explained.
The Freedom 1-Bet Terminal is designed for the regular high bet or corporate dog track customer. The customer, after depositing funds with the track, can use the 1-Bet to place bets, dial up account and bet history information and either add funds or 'cash in' the 1-Bet terminal at any time. All bets are stored both on the Tote system and within the terminal.
Each terminal is equipped with a battery-operated thermal printer as well as a built-in local area radio modem which provides a wireless connection (with up to a 100 meter range in typical stadium layouts) back to the central system. All bets, including jackpots, Lucky Selectors and full Intertrack service, are available from Freedom Courier. The tablet is returned when the customer finishes betting or leaves the stadium.
Fifty terminals are due immediately under terms of the deal with another 100 to be delivered later this summer.