TRN BETS ON STAR FOR ONLINE RACING

The TRN solution, developed for international implementation, has been designed to bring North American thoroughbred horse racing to the worldwide audience, and provides a facility for online betting and live coverage of the races in betting shops.

Via Sky digital television, speculators can view schedules of forthcoming races, access and assess the odds and subsequently place their bets online. The Star Micronics TSP700 rapidly prints a receipt confirming the bet and proving its content. Live coverage of the races is then televised.

A WindowsTM-based application utilising SSL Internet communications for secure data transmission, the TRN online betting solution was originally developed for the home market, but was quickly recognised by shops as an opportunity to capitalise on US racing, for which there is widespread appeal. Thus far, it has met with its greatest success in Germany and Austria, where some betting shops are taking $6000 per week via the facility, with the Star printer outputting between 800 and 900 receipts for the same period.

The Star Micronics TSP700, the world’s fastest printer of its kind, was selected by TRN because of its ability to quickly and easily print sophisticated graphics, its competitive pricing and the manufacturer’s reputation for quality.

TRN now has extensive plans for further international expansion. The company will begin marketing its solution in the UK following the forecasted changes in the law regulating betting shop opening hours. The planned changes will extend trading hours from the 6.30pm closing time in current affect to late evening, thereby offering shop owners the potential of broadcasting US racing live.

Background Information on Star Micronics
Founded in 1947, Star Micronics is one of the world's largest printer manufacturers and has facilities for worldwide production, marketing and support. Employing over 2500 staff and achieving turnover in excess of £250 million, Star Micronics has developed a POS printer portfolio that spans thermal and dot matrix printers and mechanisms, designed for barcode, ticketing, receipts and labelling. Star's proven technology is also being utilised to develop reader/writer systems for visual, smart and magnetic stripe cards and to install print mechanisms in multimedia kiosk environments. The Star Micronics' range is available internationally via a distribution channel comprising distributors and dealers.

For further information contact:
Annette Tarlton or Claire Smith
Star Micronics EMEA
Tel: + 44 (0) 1494 471111
Email: Marketing@Star-EMEA.com