Paysafecard is sponsoring Betting on Football 2018, the fifth edition of the largest international football and betting trade conference at Stamford Bridge.
Ahead of the 20-23 March event, we spoke to the company’s CEO Udo Mueller about what he is looking forward to at #bofcon2018, which innovation he expects to capture the most attention in 2018, and who he is backing to lift the World Cup trophy in Russia.
SBC: What are you looking forward to at Betting on Football?
UM: We are focused on meeting evolving market needs, including those of our partners. Therefore, we are committed to providing our partners and customers with state-of-the-art payment methods which best fulfil their needs in required territories.
SBC: What are you promoting at Betting on Football?
UM: A significant number of online users prefer the use of hard, plain and simple cash – particularly sportsbook players, as they may feel uncomfortable revealing any personal banking or credit card details. By offering secure prepaid solutions which consider the changing needs of today’s players, the global payment provider paysafecard has become a big success for operators and consumers alike.
The idea behind it is to enable everyone to pay and deposit online. Anyone can use paysafecard’s prepaid solutions, which are not linked to bank accounts or credit card. The main product has become one of the most popular means of payments for deposits in the online gambling sector, simplifying customer deposit processes for desktop, notebooks, tablets and mobile devices.
The prepaid voucher, available in more than 600,000 sales outlets across 46 countries worldwide, enables internet users to make a deposit by simply entering the unique 16-digit PIN that comes with each voucher.
To make transactions even easier, customers with a “my paysafecard” account have the ability to deposit using the balance from the account by simply entering their username and password, a quick and easy process. Any remaining credit is retained for future deposits, and multiple PINs can be combined for larger amounts.
With the paysafecard app, customers are able to locate their nearest sales outlet which offers the prepaid vouchers. The app for Android and iOS was one of the first to offer augmented reality – “360° paysafecard”. Using a QR code, a voucher is quickly transferred for mobile deposits. This makes it one of the preferred deposit options when it comes to mobile payments.
The payout feature for paysafecard is hugely popular as it suits the needs of operators to comply with the return of funds, from the originating source. The service is free of charge for the operator and the customer, while payouts are among the most cost-effective, risk-free payout methods available for gambling operators.
SBC: What industry innovation will capture the most attention in 2018?
UM: Paysafecash is the new alternative cash payment solution by paysafecard. It is especially designed for e-commerce areas, such as retail, ticketing and travel and represents a very simple, customer-friendly payment process:
The customer chooses ‘Paysafecash’ as their payment method on an e-commerce website, loads the generated QR/barcode onto a wallet, sends it to a mobile phone or alternatively print it out. The customer has the QR/barcode scanned by the sales staff in the partner store and pays the open amount – done.
Granted this is not gambling specific, but clearly shows the development into all sectors and markets, further empowering our brand and presence.
SBC: How can your company help to improve the customer experience ahead of the World Cup?
UM: The prepaid solution is popular with gambling operators and players alike. One of the reasons behind the success, paysafecard is continually adapting its innovative products and services. The changing needs, demands of its customers and partners drive this innovative approach. As a result, we have become one of the leading cash-based payment solution for online deposits in the gambling online environment for core and emerging markets.
Part of our success, which is reflected by more than 100 million transactions made by customers in 2016, is due to its continued investment in technology and ability to meet users’ expectations.
We have a dedicated account management team, who are open to dialogue with sportsbook operators. Promotions, marketing ideas and specific campaigns are welcomed!
SBC: Who are you backing to win the tournament, and why?
UM: Austria narrowly missed the entry – I wish all players the best!