Colombian operator BetPlay has partnered with interactive payment provider TAPPP and satellite television provider DirecTV to launch the first in-broadcast betting experience available directly from a television screen.

The product, which went live on Colombian Division A soccer games last week, enables BetPlay customers who subscribe to DirecTV to open an overlay on their TV screens while watching a live soccer match and place a bet within the same screen.

TAPPP’s patented payment technology facilitates the transaction between the broadcast and BetPlay, within both linear TV services and DirecTV’s streaming platform for the first time.

Reflecting on the launch at SBC Summit Americas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last week, TAPPP Chief Executive and Founder Sandy Agarwal said, while the product has only been live for six games, initial data shows that 14.5% of people watching the games clicked, age-verified, and accessed the betting experience. Moreover, 6.5% scrolled through to see what kind of bets were available and 37.5% showed intent to bet by linking their accounts.

Agarwal also said that early data from trials showed that when viewers placed even a modest bet, their engagement with the game rose from an average of 10 minutes to 21 minutes.

The technology has the potential to revolutionize the way that bettors engage with sports and entertainment on TV, enabling a more intuitive and social online betting experience.

BetPlay board member Paola Echeverri said the operator hoped to see the offering expand across sports and entertainment programming. “A year from now, this is going to be a lot bigger, and it’s going to be a lot more entertaining and a lot more fun than we’re seeing right now,” she said.

“That overlay will hopefully have transformed into a new way of consuming sports and a new way of expressing your passion, which is what our brand is all about, betting on your passion. We are completely betting on transforming that passion in our customers and hopefully, with TAPPP and DirecTV, creating something completely new that we can’t envision right now, but that we completely feel coming our way.”

The project has taken almost 18 months to deliver after DirecTV accepted TAPPP’s proof of concept in January 2024. Describing the process as “very complex, business wise and technology wise,” Agarwal said it took a team of 60 full-time engineers nine months to deliver the product ready for launch.

However, with sports betting rolled out, Agarwal is ready to expand TAPPP’s innovative payments technology to multiple use cases. “We want to be ubiquitous,” he said. “We’ve taken practice swings with almost every sport. The platform is, in lot of ways, plug and play.”

TAPPP has received investment via two funding rounds. The first was in 2018, followed by a $10 million Series B funding round co-led by Accomplice and Verance Capital in 2022.

Other backers included Stephen Pagliuca of the Boston Celtics and Peter Tomozawa of the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Sounders. As well as Permit Ventures, London-based Oakvale Capital and ADvantage, which counts sports betting entrepreneur Laila Mintas among its venture partners.

EGT Digital is expanding its presence in Colombia. The Bulgarian provider’s casino content is now available to visitors of Betplay, one of the leading betting sites in the country. The slot titles made a very strong debut, immediately capturing the attention of players, according to representatives of the operator.

They added: “We are very happy to collaborate with a world-class company like EGT Digital. The thematic diversity, high winning chances, and attractive bonus options of their games have won the hearts of our customers. I believe that the provider’s gaming solutions will continue to unleash their potential and contribute to increasing our platform’s popularity among the local audience.”

Silviya Marinova, Director of EGT Colombia, also gave a positive comment regarding the partnership: “The collaboration with Betplay is a great success for us, as it gives us the opportunity to reach even more players in Colombia and to strengthen our status as one of the top iGaming providers not only in the country but also in the LatAm region. I am confident that we have laid the foundations of a very fruitful cooperation, which will bring many benefits to both parties and the players themselves.”

Amusnet, in collaboration with Betplay, celebrated the success behind the slot game Cocktail Rush by Melissa Martínez. On August 24, Bogotá hosted an exclusive event that left an indelible mark on the memories of Betplay’s VIP customers. The leading gaming provider continues to solidify its position in Latin America as an innovative and reliable partner, standing out for its ability to create personalized client experiences.

Cocktail Rush by Melissa Martínez was exclusively branded for Betplay, inspired by the charismatic brand ambassador Melissa Martínez. With over 3 million followers on Instagram, Melissa is one of Colombia’s most influential and beloved public figures. She embodies a vibrant and driven attitude that aligns with the company’s brand values.

Since its debut in March, the branded slot has captured local players’ attention and become one of the most popular games on the platform. The Bogota event commemorated this success and offered attendees the unique opportunity to meet their favourite celebrity. Guests enjoyed an exclusive meet-and-greet with Melissa, where they shared moments, took photos, enjoyed live music, and indulged in a delicious selection of food.

This event clearly reflects what Amusnet can offer its commercial partners: effective B2C strategies that enhance customer loyalty and create unforgettable experiences that strengthen brand loyalty. With Cocktail Rush by Melissa Martínez, Amusnet launched a game and an experience that has redefined the connection between players and their favourite gaming platforms.

Cocktail Rush is a video slot offering a tropical getaway to island shores, rewarding everybody with delicious cocktails. The game has a recognisable colourful design and cheerful sound effects that complement the player experience. Players should watch for the two Scatter symbols and the Expanding Wild across the 5 reels and 10-fixed lines, where a bunch of special features are also available to bring them extra rewards.