Betfair Introduces Sports Betting Technology Via Google Glass

Betfair is launching an eyewear product called Google Glass that brings sports betting updates directly to the eyes of viewers. The item will be made available on a widespread basis over the coming months.

This is one of a number of wearable products that Betfair is developing for release this year, incorporating Google Glass technology into current products as well as offering a specific ‘Glassware’ product.

Google Glass Optimises Sports Bets

Google Glass eyewear was launched in the UK for the first time two weeks ago, the first market release since its initial market entry into America over two years ago. In explaining to eGaming Review the timing and purpose of this new technological embrace by Betfair, Product Innovation Director Alex Deacon explained: “We have optimised our mobile web sports book to work on Google Glass and will launch it soon when we’re completely happy with it.”

Deacon further described the new product as “a nice, slick device through which we can start sticking information up for Glassware-using customers – betting information, goal alerts, promos, market movers and so on.”

First Public Viewing

The first use of the new eyewear was displayed by Betfair's spokesman Barry Orr during the company's TV Show At the Races, providing viewers with a look at how the real-time betting feed looks to the user.

This is a trial run which, if successful, would translate to a roll-out across the entire range of Betfair betting slots, including such prominent feeds as Morning Line on Channel 4, Sky Sports news and RTE Ireland.

The Advantage of Google Glass

This positions Orr as the primary industry source for odds updates: “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,” explains Deacon. The Betfair goal is all users will want to be like Barry, and put the Google Glasses on for themselves.