Betfair to Sponsor Chester & Bangor-on-Dee Racecourses

British internet exchange Betfair has announced a sponsorship deal with Chester Race Company.

The two-year agreement will see Betfair become the Official Wi-Fi and Digital Gaming Partner for the 2014 and 2015 seasons at both Chester and Bangor-on-Dee racecourses.

This announcement follows a successful O² Wi-Fi trial at Chester Racecourse during the 2013 season, which revealed significant insight into how racegoers interact through Wi-Fi and digital media during a race day. 

This learning’s enabled Chester Race Company and Betfair to commence the development of an integrated Wi-Fi, digital and sponsorship partnership that placed emphasis on Betfair using Chester Race Company’s Wi-Fi; growing digital assets to ‘power the thrill of racing’ and to ‘own’ the assets rather than just ‘badge’ them. 

The partnership will be known as the ‘Always on Campaign’ and is powered by O² Wi-Fi.

Richard Thomas, Chief Executive of Chester Race Company said today: “There have been many attempts to integrate and use Wi-Fi at racecourses, but none have engaged with a company that has the gravitas of O², and that is key to making the campaign successful for both parties.

“O² Wi-Fi is a leading international telephony and communications company and understands the importance of developing a technical architecture for public Wi-Fi which ensures the solution is simple to drive uptake and usage”

He continued, “O² is transforming the Wi-Fi market; their approach leverages their experience as a mobile operator and understanding of how consumers use data, which is key in developing a sophisticated Wi-Fi and digital commercial strategy.

The deal also involves traditional sponsorship of four races at the Boodles May Festival, commencing May 7th, including the £60,000 ‘Betfair Price Rush Huxley Stakes’ and the £75,000 ‘Betfair Cash Out Dee Stakes’. Betfair will also support entire cards on racedays at Chester and Bangor-on-Dee in September.

Andy Holmes, Sponsorship and Activation Manager with Betfair commented: ”Innovation has always been key to Betfair and that same innovation is central to our continued growth. We consider free Wifi powered by a trusted network as crucial to our customers enjoying a day at the races. Betfair are delighted that Chester share our vision and commitment to drive sporting sponsorship and customer experience into the new age that we live in.”