American EchoStar Communication hopes its advanced onscreen wagering technology will be released in the upcoming month. Despite the rather limited proliferation of the remote control wagering, allowed only in 12 states, this technology is one of the enhanced applications in the US interactive TV gambling.
In Europe this business is set via the Rupert Murdoch’s BSkvB satellite service allowing for roulette betting, as well as home-shopping to be carried out by what used to be a traditional TV remote control.
American roulette fans are unlikely to take a spin on such a virtual luxury any time soon, but a Murdoch-owned TVG is a nearly equivalent technology allowing viewers to scroll down the onscreen menus using a standard remote control with special software installed in the set-top boxes.
Ryan O'Hara, the president of TVG and horse-racing network who also handles viewer’s bets, contended that it is the first time US viewers are able to bet on horse races straight from their home couches. Phillip Swann, the men behind TV Dot Com noted that interactive TV makes sense only if it maximizes the watching experience and if it addresses such hook issues as ‘easy money’, it’s bound to turn into a massive outlet. Therefore, TV roulette gambling is set to be its next project.
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