By engaging customers via another popular channel – Telegram has around 200 million monthly active users – the bot delivers the next level of the Sportbet.io experience to both existing users and new signups.

Linked to a user’s existing Sportsbet.io account, players can now place bets using Bitcoin in a range of different languages including English, Russian, Chinese, Turkish and Portuguese with just a few simple touches.

Built with the purpose to create a more accessible platform for players where mobile data is expensive or unreliable, the bot offers a simple solution and enables users to enjoy all the Sportsbet.io action, without the need to access the website.

Brought to life through an internal hackathon, the Sportsbet.io betting bot is the latest manifestation of the operator’s commitment to fun, fast and fair betting. Players can follow simple on-screen instructions, typing commands to view their balance, place bets and check on active bets.

Currently making its debut covering World Cup markets, the bot will also be rolled out in the coming months to cover more markets.

Gabriel Kolawole, the brains behind the betting bot and Developer at Sportsbet.io, said: “Built with Elixir, the bot server takes advantage of all the features the open telecom platform (OTP) has to offer.

“We innovate to keep our customers at the centre of our universe and because we enjoy it! It’s great to think that a product which began life as an idea during a hackathon will now help take the Sportsbet.io experience to the next level.”

Joe McCallum, Director of Sportsbook at Sportsbet.io, said: “Telegram is an immensely popular instant messaging service, particularly among the crypto community, and it is important we reach our customers wherever it easiest for them.

“Players can place their wager in just a few touches without the need to access our main website. It couldn’t be simpler and is already proving popular throughout the World Cup.”