eMerchantPay is sponsoring Betting on Sports 2017, the second edition of the largest international sports and betting trade conference at Olympia Conference Centre in Kensington.
Ahead of the 12-15 September event, we spoke to the company’s VP of Gaming and FX Markets Chris Smart about what he is looking forward to at #boscon2017, his perfect sporting event, and how sports and betting can work better together.
SBC: What are you looking forward to at Betting on Sports?
CS: Betting on Sports provides a great networking opportunity to meet with over 1000 senior executives and like-minded peers. So, we look forward to meeting industry colleagues and attending innovative and insightful sessions. The education sessions and insights showcase both innovation and current trends within the industry. It is one of the fastest growing industry events with a much-needed focus on sports betting.
SBC: What are you promoting at Betting on Sports?
CS: Whilst being a long-time partner and supporter of the Sports Betting Community, eMerchantPay is proud to be amongst one of the many first-time exhibitors at the show this year. We are particularly excited to talk to industry contacts about our latest payment efficiency programmes.
SBC: Where can betting work together more closely with sport?
CS: Betting companies are in a unique position when it comes to data. They can provide valuable information regarding potential suspect betting patterns, working closely with the sporting governing bodies to protect the integrity of sports.
SBC: What sports betting partnership has stood out in the past 12 months?
CS: Perhaps the ‘unpartnership’ between the FA and Ladbrokes earlier this year, following the FA’s decision to end all sponsorships with betting companies (from the end of the 2016-17 season).
SBC: Describe your perfect sporting event
CS: This would have to be the Philadelphia Eagles finally winning a Super Bowl! I am a keen follower of the NFL and football. I love to watch exciting matches where two teams who are equally matched, provide a thrilling spectacle. With live sports, you never know what might happen next and it’s that ‘you never know’ scenario that keeps us all glued to the screens or continually paying the price of a ticket.