Have you ever gambled using a mobile device?

[TheGooner]

Some data we've been picking up through our reporting is 50 percent of all sports bets placed in the U.K. are done on mobile devices.

Completely of-the-wall. Unbeleiveable stat.
Unless you're only monitoring TWO bets?

[LukeC]

Completely of-the-wall. Unbeleiveable stat.
Unless you're only monitoring TWO bets?

In March Paddy Power had 61% of sportsbook customers transacting with us via mobile which generated 50% of sportsbook turnover.

[baldidiot]

In March Paddy Power had 61% of sportsbook customers transacting with us via mobile which generated 50% of sportsbook turnover.

Holy buckets! Do you have any stats you can share regarding to what percentage of PP sign-ups come from a mobile device?

[LukeC]

Holy buckets! Do you have any stats you can share regarding to what percentage of PP sign-ups come from a mobile device?

It's crazy - we'll be talking in % desktop rather than % mobile soon! I don't have any exact numbers on signups but it's significant, especially on Sportsbook. Affiliates would be lower in mobile : desktop signup ratio though in comparison to display advertising and PPC at the moment so there's definitely room for improvement. You're obviously limited a lot more but it's a whole new space and if you have the traffic naturally already I'd definitely make sure you're optimising on mobile to try and convert it.

[RyanH]

You don't have to like or agree with mobile betting and gaming, but you should be aware that it is fast becoming a very serious channel. Further to Luke's comments, see Ladbrokes 2012 results:

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/e...entId=11495999

"Mobile net revenue was up 93.6%. Mobile sportsbook revenues were 26.5% of the total sportsbook with over 40% of sportsbook customers using mobile during the second half. Mobile gaming net revenue grew 96.1%, with new tablet specific games and casino content including live dealer table games and slots."

[gavind]

I welcome the idea. But I haven't tried it yet. I'd love to give it a run perhaps.

[vinism]

Completely of-the-wall. Unbeleiveable stat.
Unless you're only monitoring TWO bets?

That's funny.

Seriously though, the number came from the CEO of Probability PLC, which is a big time mobile gaming company based in the U.K. It was presented at GiGse last week. He had the data to back it up (though he has a vested interest in mobile platforms so take it with however many grains of salt you want), and the various executives from the European sportsbooks in attendance seemed to agree with the figure. Plus, it's information that tracks closely with what we've been hearing (unofficially) from other places.

Also, the Probability CEO agrees the mobile interfaces for sportsbooks is very clunky. That's why he's so high on the platform. People are using it despite the fact the experience isn't necessarily a good one, so imagine what could happen if the experience improves.

[TheGooner]

Mobile net revenue was up 93.6%. Mobile sportsbook revenues were 26.5% of the total sportsbook with over 40% of sportsbook customers using mobile during the second half. Mobile gaming net revenue grew 96.1%, with new tablet specific games and casino content including live dealer table games and slots.

Thanks Ryan - these stats are closer to what I expect.

26% of sports betting revenue not 50%.
40% of punters have USED mobile at some time during the 6 months - but clearly a significant percentage of those prefer other access methods.

We get about 25%-30% of or visitors using mobile / tablets - so that percentage is not a surprise.

I'm keen to adapt to any new trends - we have PC's, tablets and smart phones in the house - but many of the numbers being touted are unbeleiveable.

[TheGooner]

In March Paddy Power had 61% of sportsbook customers transacting with us via mobile which generated 50% of sportsbook turnover.

This number seems very high - too high for me - are you able to share more detail?
IS it something particular to Ireland and a high penetration of high end phones? Is it the same for Ireland and international users?
Or are tablets being included in the mobile count to inflate the totals?

On a related topic ...
- I notice that we are generating good signup numbers at PaddyPower - over 100+ the last two months
- but that the depositing ratio has nosedived to around 12-14% or new signups - the worst of ANY European property.

Is this related to the mobile platform? Or is it something specific to us?

[TheGooner]

Seriously though, the number came from the CEO of Probability PLC, which is a big time mobile gaming company based in the U.K. It was presented at GiGse last week. He had the data to back it up (though he has a vested interest in mobile platforms so take it with however many grains of salt you want), and the various executives from the European sportsbooks in attendance seemed to agree with the figure.

Interesting but still unbelievable.

Here's why I think so :
- Internet access as a whole is only around 30% mobile / tablet.
- For ourselves we get about 70% desktop, 18% tablet and 12% phone browsing our sites -based on 250,000 visits last month.
- Mobile gambling interfaces are still substandard when compared to bigger screens

I therefore expect REAL number to be a fraction of the 25-30% of mobile / tablet internet access - not a higher multiple.

I suspect faulty methodology - such as taking any access to the platform via any mobile / tablet and calling the customer a "mobile" customer for all subsequent sessions - the sort of stuff you expect from any "cheerleader" who is selling mobile platforms.

I'm keen to get REAL numbers though - so if there is any AM who can show me otherwise with hard data (either in this thread, via PM, or email) - then I'd be happy to discuss - and perhaps we will sit down and formulate a strategy to make YOUR program a key focus for mobile gambling at GoonersGuide.com


Anyone up for that?

[LukeC]

This number seems very high - too high for me - are you able to share more detail?
IS it something particular to Ireland and a high penetration of high end phones? Is it the same for Ireland and international users?
Or are tablets being included in the mobile count to inflate the totals?

On a related topic ...
- I notice that we are generating good signup numbers at PaddyPower - over 100+ the last two months
- but that the depositing ratio has nosedived to around 12-14% or new signups - the worst of ANY European property.

Is this related to the mobile platform? Or is it something specific to us?

The number is from our annual report so whilst it is very high - it's true. We do include tablets in mobile and I believe that is now standard to include tablets under the mobile category across all industries, not just gambling.

The number would be based on UK and Ireland combined and UK would be the vast majority of our turnover and account numbers. If anything I'd expect Ireland to have lower smartphone penetration although I don't have anything on the two split out.

A transaction would be them placing a bet via their mobile device, not just a log in. The turnover is the really interesting figure here as it shows that it isn't just someone placing a single bet on mobile but people are actually using it regularly. We don't do anything funny like qualifying a customer as mobile for a prolonged period of time after they use it once - it's where the stake is actually made.

I would expect operators to get higher amounts of transactions on mobile than affiliate sites. Whilst you are getting 30% of mobile users browsing for information, operators get those 30% plus the additional people who are action based when using their phone. I place bets on my smartphone but wouldn't be browsing around beforehand and many others are the same. In that instance, I don't really care what the interface is like as long as I can place my bet.

I'm not sure why you've seen a drop in conversion rate but it wouldn't be related to mobile. As the product improves we'd expect the conversion rate to improve. Happy to discuss away from the thread to see if there's anything that we can identify as to why this is.

[RacingJim]

I have placed bets using mobile on Betfair and pretty much all the bookies that have apps. As others mentioned it's more a convenience thing, I used to sit watching games at home with a laptop on my knee for betting, now I can use my phone (I don't have a tablet). If I was out at the pub I couldn't bet at all, now I can.

On another note, I know at least 4 people who don't use a computer at all anymore and go on the internet only on their phone/tablet. Something which seems odd probably to people like me in their 30s who are web designers and couldn't live without a desktop, but for the general public, especially younger generation, I think this is the way it is gona be for a lot of people.

[TheGooner]

The number is from our annual report so whilst it is very high - it's true. We do include tablets in mobile and I believe that is now standard to include tablets under the mobile category across all industries, not just gambling.

Why is that? Cheerleader bias for the mobile revolution enabling a bigger headline number?
(see discussion with Vinism)

I'm struggling to remember the last time my tablet left the house and was used for internet connection ... and the screen resolution and browser type means that my Samsung tablet does not require any special coding or screen standards.

For all intents and purposes tablet is similar to laptop is similar to desktop which are often wireless connections.
Is a tablet really a "mobile" interaction? Why not count netbooks and laptops too?

[LukeC]

Why is that? Cheerleader bias for the mobile revolution enabling a bigger headline number?
(see discussion with Vinism)

I'm struggling to remember the last time my tablet left the house and was used for internet connection ... and the screen resolution and browser type means that my Samsung tablet does not require any special coding or screen standards.

For all intents and purposes tablet is similar to laptop is similar to desktop which are often wireless connections.
Is a tablet really a "mobile" interaction? Why not count netbooks and laptops too?

I don't know the exact reason but I'd be speculating that it's based on some combination of the following:
- Tablets use apps / mobile web rather than the full desktop version of our website.
- Advertising bought on tablet devices is sold as mobile advertising formats (e.g. PPC, Facebook, Display).
- I assume that some research has been done into user behaviour which sees people using tablets act more like phone rather than desktop users.

We don't have a need to be biased towards mobile like a company such as Probability whose whole business revolves around mobile. Whilst mobile is a key part of our business and we've invested heavily in it, it's a key part because it makes us money, not because it's the centre of our operation. If it wasn't making us money and didn't have huge potential, we would focus elsewhere.

[universal4]

I question what exactly is being tracked as a "mobile device".

Laptops are mobile devices, but predominantly will run Windows or Mac OS.

A lot of other devices are now using the Android OS.

Are Netbooks (which is a slightly smaller version of a laptop) that happen to run Android being counted in tis group?

IPads and Android tablets are meant to be counted into this category, but what about those browsing on an xBox or other gaming device? (I understand they are not mobile, but my theory is that a lot of devices are being counted into some of these same groups based solely on the OS they are running and not whether they are truly mobile or have a 3 inch screen).

Rick
Universal4

[InteRISTEA]

Ohh, yes. I always use my device to place bets, especially on Bet365, i think it's the best market right now on mobile devices.

[AE-Stephen]

Bet365 sports bet. Some days im glued to my phone.

[ironman2000]

I personally have no interest in playing or gambling on my mobile phone as the screen size is too small...........................I have enough with playing poker on the big screen.

As a business minded person I see and hear the stats been thrown around about the increase of bets via a mobile phone that should not be ignored. Just while walking in the city center these days is like human dodgems as the faces of the next generation walk around with their head in their mobile phones constantly.......................need to open a new business for neck braces

Have a great week whatever your doing and take the time to look up now and again........................lol

[baldidiot]

Just while walking in the city center these days is like human dodgems as the faces of the next generation walk around with their head in their mobile phones constantly.

I'm definitely guilty of this at times. Although it is something that I noticed I was doing and am making a conscious effort to cut back on!

[AE-Stephen]

Likewise, leaving my phone at home makes me feel like half of the man I am. Not great when you think about it.