Sports Media Report
Every time you look around, it is either an eSports property or Drone Racing finding a new partner niche. Wednesday it was DRL back at it again, signing on with betting operator Betfair to provide betting services for the UK’s first professional drone race. Betfair will offer legal wagers on the final race of the Allianz World Championship circuit on June 13 at Alexandra Palace in London.
Betfair plans to offer two different betting markets at next Tuesday’s meet: individual heat winner for each of the seven heats, plus the overall Allianz World Championship winner.
“Drone racing is a sport made for betting,” said DRL CEO/Founder Nicholas Horbaczewski in a statement. “It combines the raw thrill of short track racing with the complexity and strategy of motor sports. The Allianz World Championship race will be the first time a live audience will see the thrill of professional drone racing up close, and the inclusion of betting will make it that much more exciting for fans. We’re so excited to be able to bring this experience to drone racing with Paddy Power Betfair, a global leader in betting.”
Betfair isn’t the first operator to offer wagering on drone racing. Pinnacle, which also took the plunge in eSports, offered odds on the Drone Racing World Championships last October as well, but this is the first formal partnership. While the excitement of betting might again entice casual fans not that interested in drones, the fact that the races won’t be shown live yet can hinder the global betting audience.
The integrity of the bets through watching the races and knowing the pilots, will also be evolutionary, as DRL does not want to go the way of jai lai. Having a licensed partner goes a long way in assuring the sanctity of the races as well.
In a sport prime for millennials and looking for new revenue streams. DRL seems to have made a wager that this one can be a good one.
