Sky Bet partners with first start-ups after CoLab launch
Leeds-headquartered operator will work with start-up businesses focused on AI-powered customer service and problem gambling
Sky Betting & Gaming (SB&G) has signed up two new start-up businesses following the conclusion of the Yorkshire-based operator’s inaugural CoLab incubator programme.
The operator’s new collaborative programme, launched last year in partnership with corporate innovation specialist L Marks, ended last month and will see SB&G work with two companies, e-bot7 and W2.
E-bot7 is an artificial intelligence-powered customer service tool and chat bot launched in 2016, and as a result of the CoLab programme, SB&G plans to launch its own chat bot via its ‘Help and Support’ pages in the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, W2 Global Data will explore with SB&G how the operator can make affordability checks frictionless through the Open Banking API.
“For me the programme demonstrated the power of using our own expertise to work with start-ups, in most cases we advanced our own knowledge and understanding across new tech such as AI in order to address real business problems and opportunities such as safer gambling, creating betting experiences of the future and improving our customer service capability,” Tom Murgatroyd, SB&G’s head of product and operations, said.
“Given this was our very first attempt it was pleasing to hear positive feedback from the start ups involved in terms of our culture, our passion for tech and the customer and the way in which we can make decisions quickly,” he added.
Last month, SB&G announced a 92% rise in EBITDA to £118m for the six-month period to December 2017, with revenues for the half-year up 47% to £339m.