Coral launch single wallet card – Coral Connect

Coral has launched Coral Connect – a single wallet card that can be used across all channels, including gaming machines and over the counter.

Using contactless technology and a PIN number, the card arrives in time for this summer’s World Cup when games will be played either before or after the shops close.

Coral Connect signifies the bookmaker’s commitment to driving the industry forward and expanding its multichannel offering, which will be supported by a robust marketing campaign.  The launch comes following significant investment by its gaming division with the purchase of Cool Games and the signing of bespoke partnership agreements with social gaming specialists all with the aim of delivering exclusive content across all channels.

The card is promoted to punters as ‘Your Card, Your Rules’, offering them the flexibility to decide what use they want to make of it, while also allowing Coral to step in if a customer starts to exhibit unusual behaviour.  Punters are allowed to take out up to £500 in cash in-shop, and no bank account is required to sign up for the card.

A successful pilot scheme ran during January, followed by a full roll-out in time for Cheltenham and feedback from staff and customers has been positive.  Although not a loyalty card, down the line Coral will offer incentives to reward use.

Olly Raeburn, marketing director for Coral comments, “Our customers want choice and Coral Connect delivers this across all channels – in-shop, online and mobile.”

He continues, “The card allows faster and more flexible access to cash, but can give customers use of, say a shop win, to bet on-line back home with us – and we see this as being particularly useful during the World Cup with kick off times fairly evenly split before and after shops close for the night”.

Machine customers who usually pay by debit card have to wait up to three days for any winnings to appear in their account – with Connect it can be transferred immediately. Even if customers win a big amount, rather than have to wait 15 minutes to be paid, Coral will put it straight onto the card.

“Coral Connect will help differentiate the Coral brand – its ease of use will encourage loyalty and repeat business”, adds Raeburn.  “With the industry focus on ‘set your limits, know your limits’ the card works hand-in-hand as it gives customers greater transparency as to what they have in their account and what they’ve used.”