Paddy Power launches innovative transactional Facebook Messenger chatbot

Facebook group shutdown over gambling operations

Onionsack-powered bot provides industry-first in allowing punters to place bets via the social messaging app

Paddy Power launches innovative transactional Facebook Messenger chatbot22nd May 2017 – Bet messaging platform provider, Onionsack, has developed an industry-first chatbot for Facebook Messenger allowing players to place bets directly through the app, with Paddy Power the first bookmaker to go live with the new product.

Powered by the Onionsack SaaS messaging platform, customers are able to login to their betting account, check balances and place wagers using the Facebook Messenger app.

Once connected to the Paddy Power Facebook Messenger bot, customers can compose a message detailing the bet they wish to place, with Onionsack’s platform able to understand, and execute transactions expressed.

Customers can also receive personalised sporting updates through push notifications designed to provide a more tailored user experience.

Furthermore, Paddy Power’s entertaining videos, blogs and podcasts can also be viewed via the app at the click of a button.

Michael Healy, Product Director at Paddy Power, said: “We know our customers love mobile messaging apps so having a ChatBot on Facebook Messenger is the obvious first step into the ChatBot marketplace. We’re delighted to be the first bookmaker to market in such an exciting area.”

“Nearly all of Paddy Power’s customers are on Facebook, and now they can actually place a bet through the Facebook Messenger app with ease.

“Our customers will be able to request odds and receive push notifications tailored to their own betting interests, plus enjoy a daily serving of Paddy Power mischief and entertainment.”

Onionsack CEO Jonathan Power said: “With nearly the whole world connected to Facebook, the logical step is to allow customers to place a bet through the social media giant’s Messenger app.

“Our innovative transactional bot allows exactly that, providing punters with an even easier way of betting through instant messaging.

“We expect more bookmakers to launch their chatbots in the near future, as it provides a simple and more personalised way of betting.”

About Onionsack

Onionsack was founded in 2005 by Jonathan Power. Onionsack is a bet messaging software platform delivered as a Software as a Service for the Sports Betting and Media sectors. Onionsack’s technology can understand customer’s messages in their own natural language, and convert messages into betting transactions.  Onionsack is based in Co. Waterford in Ireland.

Onionsack’s SaaS messaging platform is now used by several major betting brands in the UK and Ireland including Paddy Power, William Hill, Ladbrokes and Tote UK/Betfred, as well as PMU in France.

In the early stages of Onionsack’s development, the market for Onionsack’s platform was niche in the gaming industry. However, the major shift of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) towards messaging that has occurred in the last five years now means the Onionsack’s technology is at the centre of a major industry trend in terms of how consumers place bets and interact with betting companies.  This has been demonstrated in a significant way by Facebook’s promotion of what has become known as ChatBot technology and the trend will significantly drive demand for the technology that Onionsack provides.