Betfair opens Drone Racing markets in partnership with DRL

Betfair has teamed up with the Drone Racing League (DRL), the leading authority for professional drone racing to offer betting markets on the final race of the Allianz World Championship circuit at Alexandra Palace London (13 June).

The Championship race will be the UK’s first professional drone race and will be held as part of London Tech Week, Europe’s largest festival of technology taking place from 12-16th June, featuring 6 of the world’s greatest FPV (first person view) pilots.

Launching its first ever professional drone racing betting market, Stephen Mault, Head of Marketing for Betfair commented: “This is a great opportunity and we’re excited to see how a partnership like this will play out for us in the future given the rise in popularity of the sport of drone racing. Innovation and technology are the lifeblood of everything we do at Betfair and we are committed to constantly finding ways of enhancing and improving the experience of our customers.”

With an estimated reach of 75 million fans worldwide, drone racing has been labelled the ‘world’s fastest growing sports’.  The DRL’s 2017 season has been broadcast in more than 75 countries around the world, with partner channels including ESPN, Sky Sports, ProSiebenSat.1, Disney XD and OSN.

“Drone racing is a sport made for betting,” said DRL CEO/Founder Nicholas Horbaczewski.

“It combines the raw thrill of short track racing with the complexity and strategy of motorsports. The Allianz World Championship race will be the first time a live audience will see the thrill of professional drone racing up close, and the inclusion of betting will make it that much more exciting for fans. We’re so excited to be able to bring this experience to drone racing with Paddy Power Betfair, a global leader in betting.”