Betfair launches world’s first betting app for Internet-connected TVs

Betfair, one of the world’s biggest online betting communities, has announced the launch of the first betting application for TVs running the Yahoo! TV Widget Engine in a prescient move that has identified the importance of this emerging interactive platform.

The gambling giant has created a specialist interactive TV team to lead innovation in this TV technology, which industry analysts Futuresource Consulting predicts will generate 15 million connected TVs in Europe by the end of 2010, representing nearly 10% of the total number of flat panel TVs in use.

Futuresource says that 20% of flat panel TVs shipped in Europe this year will have Internet capability.

“TVs are the centre of home entertainment and live sport on TV drives our business,” says Simon Miller, CEO, Betfair TV Ltd. “The way people interact with their televisions is changing. Our investment in this exciting new platform ensures that Betfair is an integral part of the future of Internet-connected TV.”

“Yahoo! is the trusted partner for publishers who want to take advantage of our global distribution channels and advancements in building a worldwide developer ecosystem for publishing and distributing new and innovative TV Widgets,” said Arlo Rose, senior director of product management and design, Yahoo! Connected TV.

“In those countries that allow it, the Betfair TV Widget provides sports enthusiasts with an online entertainment experience to enhance their sports television watching.”