New Developments on International Wagering

[Betfair]

Updated: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 11:11 AM
Posted: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 10:53 AM

(Edited Scientific Games press release)

Scientific Games Racing, a division of Scientific Games Corporation, has announced that it has reached an agreement to provide Betfair Games Limited with services and technologies to allow all Betfair account holders to view race and pool data and wager into North American pari-mutuel tote pools, with approval of relevant regulatory authorities.

The agreement could also enable bets into tote pools of European and other international racetracks.

SGR will provide access and connectivity through its Essen Data Center and International Gateway in Germany.

Primary services will include a central wagering system and related pari-mutuel networks. Additional services may include pools rights contracting and host track settlement services through its affiliate companies, Scientific Games B.V. Holland or Autotote Enterprises Inc., located in Connecticut, USA.

“Over the past several years, we have positioned our Essen Data Center as the foremost choice for international commingling, by establishing a flexible platform through which our customers worldwide can securely distribute their racing product and offer more options to their bettors,” said Brooks Pierce, president of Scientific Games Racing.


"Following the acquisition of TVG, Betfair has been looking to enhance its US racing product offering.” Said Betfair’s head of horse racing development, Steven Johnson. “We are delighted to link up with Scientific Games, which will give our customers access to the host track pools of a number of North American racetracks, bringing overseas money into the pools and giving a new revenue stream to the US racetracks. We will start offering this service this month, ahead of the Breeders Cup. This deal will now enable Betfair customers to bet into tote pools, not only in the US, but in the UK, Ireland, Australia and South Africa as well, with hopefully more jurisdictions to follow.”