Connected Travel, Radioline and Simplebet have collaborated to release SmartRadio, a technology which allows sports fans a hands-free option to place bets through voice activation while driving. Bettors can place bets safely, engage with other fans and win prizes from game sponsors while using SmartRadio.
The newly launched technology uses Google’s Android Automative System and is available in more than 100 million vehicles. Several automotive brands have access to SmartRadio, including General Motors, Ford, Stellantis Honda, Nissan and Volvo.
Connected Travel CEO Bryan Biniak commented: “The integration of emerging technologies like voice, payments and ecommerce in vehicles, unlocks drive time empowering drivers to instantly and safely interact with audio programming. Drivers can play with and buy what they hear and engage at the moments they are most inspired.
“Making radio transactable will inspire a new generation of innovative in-vehicle infotainment and measurably opens the $40bn global broadcast radio marketplace for growth.”
There are 282 million licensed drivers nationwide who spend an average of 55 minutes a day on the road, according to a recent study conducted by Edison Research. Driving time contributes more than 70% to the total amount people spend listening to the radio.
Buzz Knight, Founder of the eponymous media company, said: “As drivetime continues to be a crucial beach- head for the radio industry, SmartRadio is an important innovation to maximize audience engagement and create new revenue opportunities.”
The SmartRadio launch follows a rising trend in online sports betting activity throughout the country. According to the American Gaming Association, there are nearly 2,800 websites that provide some combination of betting and mobile gaming.
Online gambling is currently available in more than 30 states since the Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018 by a vote of six to three. Up until four years ago, sports betting had been banned in the United States since 1992.
The overturning of PASPA opened the door for states to pass laws allowing legal sports betting. As of now, 18 states allow legal online sports wagering. According to the US Census Bureau, those jurisdictions represent more than 166.9 million people.
