Pokemon Go has taken the online world by storm. The game has over 45 million players around the world, and continues to be a mobile gaming phenomenon. It has inspired other developers to follow its lead in launching innovative geocaching software, and now the influence has spread into the online gambling market.
The first operator to take up the Pokemon Go approach to gaming is 888Sport, which has launched a new geocaching app that allows punters to find out about promotions whenever they are near stadiums. Free Bet Hunt will offer promotions and bonuses on all Premier League Fixtures this season at Birmingham City, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston North End.
When app users are near the stadium, they will receive notifications about promotions available for upcoming matches. It will also feature a map that points users in the direction of where they can find free bet locations. In order to receive the particular promotions, they must walk to the stadium. However, they are not required to go insider, so they won’t need a ticket to any event.
“The Free Bet Hunt mobile game is designed to provide football fans with an innovative, interactive way to make their football predictions without taking anything away from the excitement and anticipation surrounding the pre-match build-up. With just four locations on the app, we can’t see Free Bet Hunt being a huge draw to punters who don’t really plan on attending any matches or for players who don’t live near a stadium.
Those who are taking in a match at Birmingham City, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston North End will certainly take advantage of the location-based promotions, but we don’t see anyone going out of their way to claim a bonus from the app. If more locations were added to the app, we could see it starting a real hunt among avid punters.
Currently, Free Bet Hunt is only available to English football fans. However, we can see the app becoming very popular in other countries where football is a huge draw. It would certainly thrive in Australia, especially at football and rugby stadiums. While 888Sport has yet to make any plans to expand the app, we are hoping that we’ll get to give it a try.